Local Artists Talk About Painting Live

DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG ENTRY HAS A FUNKY LAYOUT BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON BLOGGER WOULD NOT RETAIN ANY OF MY SPACING. Last fall I was invited to do "live painting" at a Halloween event in Superior. Beforehand, I consulted with Jeredt Runions as regards any tips he might have for me. I was aware the Jeredt has performed live before, and he quickly coughed up a handful of suggestions for me to chew on. Last weekend, Jeredt was one of three local artists who did live painting as part of a fundraising event for the Pineapple Arts here in Duluth. The two easels to Jeredt's left were occupied by Jessica Turtle and Adam Swanson. After visiting (it was the night of the "Super Moon") I asked if they'd be willing to talk about the live painting experience. Ennyman: Do you notice a difference between being in a live setting and being in your studio? Describe that? Jessica Turtle: In the studio I have zero distractions, as well as, everything I could ever need within arms reach. As to where live painting is anything but. I typically rely on constant interaction with people - be it far more hip moving and head bobbing. Not to mention, my inability to remember to bring ALL the materials I might need to the show. It seems improvisational skills are necessary. As for the artistic results, both differ greatly. In studio I have time to consider, change, draw out, or paint over. Whereas, live painting is timed around the bands. There's a certain expectation with live action painting. The works must be complete by the end of the show. Also, there's a difference in the paintings' existence in my life. In studio, I am fortunate enough to spend time living with the works as they're completed. Live painting is more of an in-the-moment production and if I am lucky, they find a home before I can really see what I made. Regardless of their similarities or differences, however, both are valuable to me as an artist and music lover/supporter. All I need to do now is figure out how to persuade a band to play in my studio while I paint. Jeredt Runions: Live painting is more of a street art or graffiti method... Fast. Simple. And good color combos to grab the attention of anyone… Studio art is more of a self-timed pace and has more interesting aspects for me. Adam Swanson: Yes. Having people watching is fun and makes me think about the moves I make differently. It was nice to consider what I might look like to other people as I paint, and what the painting might look like as I move along. Of course, I could envision a number of steps and plans as the painting developed, but it was fun to wonder what other people thought of the process. Mostly, the difference came with the music and not having my normal studio setup. My usual iTunes playlist was replaced with awe inspiring live performances. I had a lot more space to walk around and view the painting in. The people stopping by the easel to say hello or comment on the piece were welcome interruptions. Ennyman: Was this your first time doing live painting with an audience? Do you have other events lined up? Jessica Turtle: No, I've painted live a handful of times both in Minneapolis and Duluth. Yes, I have two more live painting gig's coming up. One in Duluth and one in Minneapolis. Jeredt Runions: I do a lot of festivals and events in the midwest that really keep me busy and that is the most important thing for me and the fact that I get to have fun! Adam Swanson: I painted in front of an audience once before in Ithaca, NY for a fundraiser event. There was live music, but there were 60 different artists, over 1000 people in attendance and film crews trolling the crowds. I don't have any other live painting events lined up. Ennyman: What do you like most and least about the live painting experience? Jessica Turtle: I love being motivated by great music blasting in my ear. I love the energy you absorb from the band members and crowd, and how quickly I can produce images. Furthermore, I am constantly inspired by the interactions that happen with people who attend said shows. There really isn't much to "not" like about it. It's a great way to spend my Friday or Saturday nights. Jeredt Runions: Live painting is very stressful sometimes and troublesome to see nobody take your painting home sometimes but the award to finish a painting in under an hour or so and be stressed puts you in a new level of painting! Adam Swanson: I like the festive atmosphere. I enjoyed the live music and felt good working at Pineapple Arts (I love that place). I had a great time being a productive member of the audience (dare I say part of the performances?), along with Jeredt and Turtle and the musicians. There is nothing I didn't like about the live painting experience I had at Pineapple. Next weekend, I will be joining Jeredt and other artists in a live event called the Clyde-O-Scope at Clyde Iron Works. Check it out. CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

She and Him

Friday I mentioned an art opening called She and Him that featured a pair of local artists, Jessica Turtle and Adam Swanson, at the Washington Studios Artist's Co-op. At my blog Friday I mentioned Turtle's work which I had written about before, and commented on Adam's art featuring bicycles, windmills and penguins.

So imagine my surprise when we arrive at the show and see no windmills, no bicycles, no penguins. In fact, there is no Adam Swanson at all, because -- duh! -- the show featured Turtle and Andrew Swanson. Turtle's Facebook invitation read something like this: Featuring all original artwork by Andrew Swanson and myself. Please come and celebrate with delicious food, great wine, and local music by the Batteries.

O.K.... so this is a quick acknowledgement of my faux pas so that anyone who wishes to see the artwork is better prepared. The paintings and sculptures include many new works by both artists. I had not seen Jessica's sculptures before and found them intriguing. Both artists show that they have talent, inventiveneness, and something of a dark side.

The opening was well attended with a number of other artists on hand. I finally met Jeredt Runions, whom I heard about recently for his performance painting... that is, painting while live music is performing, something I have recently been invited to do.

As for the show, it runs through the month. So if you're in the neighborhood, check it out.

Turtle Revisited

"Art... makes life possible." ~Joseph Beuys

In January I chanced upon the work of a young Twin Ports artist who goes by the name of Turtle. I shared some of her paintings with readers of this blog at that time.

A couple weeks ago I was told about the exciting work on display this month at The Venue, where I'd had my opening in July. Early last week I slid over during lunch hour and was happily surprised, again. There's just so much creativity in the world! And the first artist featured at the top of the stairs is Turtle, who's new work is as exciting as the first set of paintings I saw at The Red Mug last winter.

Ennyman: When did you first discover you had an aptitude for art?
Turtle: I strongly believe artists are always artist from the beginning. What matters most in an artists life are those who encourage and provide proper direction. However, nothing will prevent an artist to be him or herself eventually. For me, it began pretty early. As a small person, perhaps around ten or so, I was given a paint-by-numbers with a mother bear and her cub walking through the woods. I spent every night lying on the floor painting until it was perfect. I remember the way it felt to disappear into the painting. I also remember making changes to the colors they numbered if I didn't feel it was appropriate for the image. It's pretty hilarious to think how much that experience illuminated my true personality. I still, to this day, host an "against-the-grain" perspective on life.

E: Was there a person in your life who recognized this talent/skill and encouraged it? (mother, teacher, grandmother, etc.) In what way did they influence your art / life direction?
T: Honestly, I have an entire list of people who are responsible for where I am as an artist today, whether they were a negative or positive influence didn't much matter. My Mother and Father both supported my creativity, as they too are artists. When I was twelve my mother bought me acrylic paint (which I still use) and aloud me to paint on the walls inside my closet. When it can time to move, she decided to give me canvas so I would never have to paint over my work again.

My father was a nonconventional artist who primarily worked with furniture. He taught me how to create something beautiful using only aerosol paints and plastic containers. When I turned thirteen he gave me an airbrush and an amazing watercolor set that I continue to use in some of my best work today.

In second grade I had an art teacher that said I had no talent and should put my energy into something else. I was not okay with her opinion and made it my mission to prove her wrong.
I must say, the greatest influence, perhaps the most significant anyway, was my older brother Dan. He is six years older and very, very cool. He was, and still is, the greatest artist I have ever known. As a little girl, and even now, I admired everything he did and wanted with all my heart, to be just like him.

I could continue for paragraphs about all the people such as, art teachers, friends, and even strangers that have both inspired and encouraged me to stick it out. Being an artist isn't easy but everyone and everything in life nurtures this unexplained but inherent need to live life visually.

E: What is it that makes your work unique?
T: Regionally speaking, the uniqueness is all in the subject matter and how I use color. I rarely depict things as they "really" are, but rather, how they feel. I am not too sure that I would consider my work unique from a more global perspective, as there are an entire host of artists with similar styles and motivations. Perhaps the only real difference is that my images are accumulative, based on combinations of experiences original only to me.

E: What is your current situation with regard to life/work/school? Are you working at a job and doing art at night, or are you still in school?
T: Currently, I am a full-time student with three jobs a wonder dog named Charlie. Miraculously I find time between my major commitments to create art. To help manage my creativity I donated my TV which has opened up an unexpected amount of time for painting, sculpting and what ever else I feel like doing.

E: If you weren't making art, what would you be doing?
T: As in, if I weren't an artist? I couldn't even begin to imagine. I suppose I would be doing what other people do, whatever that might be.

E: Much of your art seems to evoke connections on an emotional level. To what extent do you consider the viewer of your work when ini the creative mode?
T: I never do. I tried to once, the painting didn't work out so I won't do it again. I feel it's best to let yourself do what ever you need to without considering much. I have faith in my sub-conscience. My life is like many other lives and what ever I feel I need to express is relatable to someone. "When in the creative mode" is an interesting phrase, I am in full honesty, always in creative mode.

E: Thank you for your work and for sharing here today.

Click on images to enlarge. The show at the Venue will be on display through the end of November.

The Turtle at Red Mug

"Art enable us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." ~ Thomas Merton

There's something to be said about restoring old buildings to new uses once they have been abandoned. I have no problem with new buildings that have been designed with style, and with the cost to build them why not spend an extra buck to make it attractive aesthetically as well? Well, there are some very cool old ones out there with character and it's nice to see them re-cycled for good use.

In Superior, WI, where I work, the old Trade and Commerce building at the corner of Hammond and Broadway has become a rather artsy place these days. I vaguely recall going to a book reading there (it might have been one of Mike Savage's Dave Davecki novels) back in the nineties, but it's really come along and filled out well. I'm not sure how many artists are utilizing the building, but there's a bunch of them right now.

In 2004 the Red Mug coffeehouse opened in the basement of the building, serving coffee, wine and beer for anyone wishing an artsy and comfortable atmosphere for getting away from it all. Oh, and they make good soups and sandwiches as well. Mix in a little live music, wireless Internet, friendly staff and a very cool decor, and you have a keen little getaway going.

Last Tuesday I had a meeting there after hours. I saw paintings on the walls by someone who signed his or her name "Turtle." I asked the server for more info and learned Turtle was a waitress there, and that she was having an art opening Thursday. Well, I had to go back and snap a few pictures so I could share them here.

The Twin Ports, Duluth-Superior, has been gaining a reputation as an artsy place to live in recent years. You can't really compare a city like Duluth to cities like New York or Chicago in terms of quantity, but there is a lot happening here in the arts. Visual arts, musicians, theater... it's actually quite impressive. Memo to Richard Florida: The Creative Class is a-risin' right here.

Even the New York Times is jumping on the bandwagon and recognizing what we've got going, having recently referred to our home town as "an artsy shipping city." They could have called us a lot worse. We're happy to receive any tip o' the hat from the Times.

Abstract expressionist Robert Motherwell once said, "Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it." Turtle is a young woman who is seriously enriching others through her art. She's got a good eye for design and color, and a deft hand with a brush. Whatever the future holds for her, I get the impression it will be thoughtfully reflected in her work for as long as she lives.

Now, if only I'd gotten her phone number so I could tell her I've shared her work with you here today.

"There's no retirement for an artist, it's your way of living so there's no end to it." ~ Henry Moore

ALL IMAGES ON TODAY'S BLOG ENTRY by Turtle. Click to Enlarge.