17 December 2010

Shirley-Anne Murdoch Interview

I'm home grown this week with Scottish designer and visual artist Shirley. I just want to thank her for taking the time to complete this and sharing her amazing work with me. And here's Shirley's responses:-
Junkmail
How would you describe yourself in five words!

Only five? Obsessive. Compulsive. Intuitive. Pragmatic. Manic. I think!


Give me the names of 3 objects or things you dislike most and why.

Meringues- because this wee diabetic body just loves and wants the best of them!
Arrogance- particularly the ‘know it all’ closed mind variety- simply because it limits the real potential to develop and evolve.
Misogyny- for so many humanistic reasons. It disturbs me that it is still so embedded and prevalent despite so called progress.
Little Sumo
Tell me about something you've achieved?

I’m feeling very energised and happy with achievements so far in setting up Artichange, a community group aiming to visually regenerate my hometown area - and the impact of its first realisation called The Shale People Project - with four contemporary works of art in place brightening up the community and its environments. My involvement as creative instigator, project coordinator and contributing artist has been very positive - and there’s a feeling that this in only the beginning of something very positive.

Made By The Shale People
What’s your ideal working day.

I’d love to say a ‘non’ working day- but my reality is there is no such thing! Days working collaboratively with Wendy Walker are pretty special. Wake around eight, chat and plan our day over coffee and breakfast whilst we catch the morning news, a leisurely bubbly bath, set up the work space, and then - go! Stop the chaos for a quick lunch, and then - go again. Music filled creative sessions with much philosophical debates interspersed with many mini-critiques of our works as they develop. Laughter. More tea and biscuits - then go again. Clean up around seven as we evaluate our daily produce and make promises for the next session. Perfect.
Kurt Schwitters
Who influences you creatively.

Oh! Difficult one this. I’d always say Kurt Schwitters for his inspirational work across a wide range of art forms. Working in design education inspires me- my mind spins with concepts and potentials whilst working with student projects- the research they unearth often sets me off on my own tangents. I admire many diverse creatives who all influence me on so many levels- just too many to name, but the collage/mixed media artists from the Dada and Constructivist Movements still get my heart racing.
Procrastination Is The Thief Of Time
Are you usually late, early or right on time?

Aim to be right on time- but often early just to make sure!
Temple Of Fire
Do you like to shop?

Yes - but hate ever having to shop in the ‘Churches of Capitalism’- those quagmires of branded goods. Love online trawls, lively junk markets and the discovery of wee lanes of specialist shops found on holidays.


Where would you go in the world for inspiration.

Anywhere that has both beaches with rich pickings and urban junkyards with rich pickings! I find inspiration equally in natural beauty, busy city streets and interestingly unique people met on the way through life.
Waiting
If you could be any animal what would you be.

Apart from my cat when it’s tuna day, I think I’d have to be a dolphin swimming around with the family in warm waters.


Any advice for Ziggy

Believe in yourself and remember that you’ve only got one shot at life!


Shirley's links:-

email shirleyannemurdoch@gmail.com
shalepeopleproject@gmail.com
shymerge@hotmail.co.uk

website
http://www.shirleyannemurdoch.com/
http://www.shymerge.com/

blog
http://shalepeopleproject.wordpress.com/

10 December 2010

Sandra Dieckmann Interview

I'm down in England meeting great and interesting artisans.  Have been chatting to Sandra Dieckmann and finding out about the person behind the amazing work. As always, a great big thank you for taking the time to answer these questions Sandra. I really do enjoy finding out about the person behind the work!

Describe yourself in five words!! (I just asked my best friends to do that!)

Extrovert Enthusiastic Relentless Very Loyal Honest / Open (they also didn't want to leave out bubbly, fun, friendly, beautiful, striking ....arrrghh ...too much already!)
Where does your inspiration come from

From everything around me. The green trees, the flowers that are out now, the streets, peoples faces, the sky and London life. Rubbish on the floor and stains on the asphalt, things that no one else has time to look at any more.

Then there is my love and my cat Little Crumb and my friends and other creatives that I’m connected to.

Anything by David Attenborough. Nature books and google images searches for animals! Touching and watching animals and the natural world. Bus dreaming! Music! I think that is only the beginning! These questions are not fair you don't want to read 10 000 words! Tell me what I missed.

In your portfolio what are you most happy with

I think I'm never happy with anything. I'm really excited while having the idea and creating a piece but as soon as it is published it's forgotten and I think about another million things. If I had to choose it would probably be the Wolf face I use in my logo or the Panda bear I created for mine and Jamie Mills Endangered Animals series.
What’s your ideal working day

A clear, bright happy mind. Fresh fruit and coffee and a bit of time out while a friend comes to visit. The days when the ideas flow and I'm feeling on top of the world and my workspace is relatively tidy for a change!


What’s your PLAN B

There is no plan B. I know I'll be ok anyway it goes. Optimism please!
What’s next in the pipeline for you

I'm working for someone (don't want to say yet) which is amazing. There is quite a few interviews, some front covers and upcoming commissions and I have tons of plans.

I write a new list every day and it is just getting longer and longer. I'm just way to excitable!
Apart from that I'm really enjoying running my three illustration projects: Haus Stories and If I Was You and the new Creature Curiosity project. All are currently open for submissions.


If you could be any animal what would you be

A bear or a wolf. They are just too beautiful for words but I do love ALL animals ;D
Any advice for Ziggy

Always smile while hopping and keep your ears stiff and upright. Stay away from the fox and the farmers. Keep away from rabbit pie and dirty rabbits with Myxomatosis.
Who should I interview next

Jamie Mills @JamieMilk. He is absolutely brilliant! I'm working with him on our Endangered Animals Collaboration. You can view some of our images here already: http://www.society6.com/studio/endangeredanimalsseries
For further information about Sandra:-

http://www.sandradieckmann.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SandraDieckmann/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandradieckmann/
http://www.society6.com/sandradieckmann
http://twitter.com/sandradieckmann

8 December 2010

Merry Craftmas Pop Up Shop : Kirkcaldy

New concept for Kirkcaldy and, hopefully, a way of creating some energy on the depleting High Street - artists and makers present their work up until Christmas - unique, original, one of a kind items and vintage fashion.

3 December 2010

Lisa Kokin Interview

This week's interview is over in the USA with Lisa and her amazing work. Thank you once again for taking the time to answer these Lisa.

Describe yourself in five words!   I’m too complicated to narrow it down to five.
Where does your inspiration come from

From the woods around my house, the books I find at the local recycling center, the news…


In your portfolio what are you most happy with

My current work using self-help books, the button pieces, my books in general
What’s your ideal working day

When I don’t have other commitments and can work for hours at a time. That’s rare these days as I am doing a lot of teaching and mentoring in my studio, which also feeds my creative spirit.


Who influences you creatively

My partner Lia who is a multi-talented graphic designer and photographer and with whom I collaborate, my students, especially those in my critique groups, the elders I teach in skilled nursing facilities, “outsider” artists such as James Castle and other contemporary artists such as Annette Messager, Doris Salcedo, Lance Letscher and many others.


Where’s your favourite place to work

In my newly-built fabulous studio under the oak trees.
How is work for you at the moment

I’m getting ready to hang a solo show, Panacea Plus, at the Donna Seager Gallery in San Rafael, California. Catalog available at lulu.com. I’m putting the finishing touches on my work. I’ve had a very creative year with lots of ideas and my work has gone through yet another change which I like, this time it looks rather horticultural which I think has to do with our recent move to a woodsy locale. I like for my work to always change and evolve while still looking like it was made by me.

I’ve expanded my teaching in the studio to include critique groups, mentorships and monthly workshops on specific subjects like collage, altered books and book sculptures. I love having people come over to the studio and make work; it gets my creative juices flowing and I love helping people find their creative voice.
Any advice for Ziggy

Eat more carrots. They are very good for you.  Chico, Cha Cha and Chula, my Chihuahua studio assistants love them as well.


Who should I interview next

Alisa Golden, a bookmaker and writer who has a new blog: http://makinghandmadebooks.blogspot.com/ 
Alisa Golden

Lisa's links:-

http://www.lisakokin.com/

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