Amy Kollar Anderson, Eclectix Interview 32

Amy Kollar Anderson

Amy Kollar Anderson lives with her husband and their four cats in the birthplace of aviation (Dayton, Ohio), where she also works for the Rosewood Gallery. When she is not painting, she volunteers time with the kitties at the SICSA Animal Shelter and makes art with the kids at the Daybreak Youth Shelter. Her narrative based work is a circus of brilliant colors, swirling patterns with illustrative pop characters and wildlife. Amy also incorporates science and microbes into many of her works. Each is a visual aquarium of glistening, crazy-daisy goodness – a kaleidoscope of graphic textures – packing a powerful punch.

Abuela – Amy Kollar Anderson

My favorite art memory from childhood is …  Making paper dolls with my Grandmother Kollar.

What the Dormouse Said - Amy Kollar Anderson

My interest in art/painting started ….  I have always been the “artist” in my family. My parents were very encouraging and let me take classes outside of school. I started working in pastels and moved on to oils when I was about 14 years old, but I am still figuring things out!

Like a Hole in the Head - Amy Kollar Anderson

I am often inspired and motivated by….  Science and nature. I am motivated by new discoveries and learning how things work. If I weren’t so easily distracted, I could see myself working in the sciences. There are a lot of similarities in how I research and experiment with ideas and materials, but my end results doesn’t save lives or forward us as a society. I also find so much awe and inspiration in the simple things, like discovering a Mantis in my yard.

Worm Wine - Amy Kollar Anderson

If I could spend the day with any artist (dead or alive) it would be… And we would….  I really want to meet Judith Schaechter in person, and would be giddy with joy to spend an entire day with her. I discovered her work on a memorable visit to Philly/New York when I was 16. I had never seen art like hers before, but I instantly felt connected to it. Recently, I helped sponsor her Eastern State Penitentiary project, and plan to get out there to see the work once it is installed. Perhaps my wish will come true, at least the meeting her part, but I would love to hang out, talk and make art for a day. From chatting with her via FB and reading her blog, we have a lot in common.

Ixchel - Amy Kollar Anderson

The tip or art technique (a specific tidbit of craft, advice or mechanical expertise) that has helped me the most is …. “Make what you know, and be true to yourself.”   Simple, but true. I had a professor at SAIC give me that advice. It didn’t really click at the time, because I was struggling to make work that was more conceptual, but once I was out of school and left to my own devices, it made perfect sense.  Advice I ignored… “Don’t use glitter.”

Curiouser & Curiouser (Knotty Alice) - Amy Kollar Anderson

If I could own one piece of art, out of the world’s collections, it would be …  There are so many that I love, but I truly covet the dolls made by Marina Bychkova (below).

Art doll by Marina Bychkova

My favorite piece of my own art is …. ,  because ….   I guess it would be the piece called “Tree”  (below) that I made back in 1994. It is very different from my current work, being that it is large, abstract and painted in oils. I was really influenced by Roberto Matta at the time and his ability to layer color to create dense space with transparent glazes. That piece represents a time in my life that I look back at with fondness. I was living in Chicago and going to art school, and I think it was the first time I really felt like my preconceived idea of what a “real” artist should be. Now I know that it isn’t where you live or a lifestyle, it is your dedication to your craft.

Tree – Amy Kollar Anderson

My ultimate project or fantasy is …  pretty simple. Hang out with the cats in the studio and be able to paint all day everyday without any pain in my hands, arms or shoulders.

Shasti - Amy Kollar Anderson

The last song I choose to listen to was …  “Dark Eyes.”  Devotchka has a lovely version, but any will do. I put it on when I need a recharge.

Phyxiated- Amy Kollar Anderson

The last book I couldn’t put down was ….  The “Alice” books by Lewis Carroll. There is so much to read and reread! In general, I don’t allow myself a lot of time for reading (hard to paint and read at the same time). Mostly I listen to podcasts while I paint: This American Life, RadioLab, Skeptics Guide to the Universe, among many others.

The Millinery Studio - Amy Kollar Anderson

My favorite word is …  Can you pick just one? Tush, ginormic, regusting, bits, tootsies, most of the swear words… I could go on.

I can’t live without …  My husband, my cats and my hands.

Darkness Settles - Amy Kollar Anderson

It’s not hip, but I really love …. Rocks. I could sit and look at rocks for hours and be perfectly content. Sorting rocks is even more fun!

In the Shadows - Amy Kollar Anderson

My favorite motto (or quote) is….  “You have no choice you have to pay time’s price, But you can use the price to buy you something nice, Something you can only buy with lots of time, So when you’re old you blow some whippersnapper’s mind.”    ~ Jeffrey Lewis from “Time Trades”

La Puesta Del Sol - Amy Kollar Anderson

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?  I have often fantasized about packing up a mobile home/caravan and traveling around the US, though the cats would probably be pissed off. I really loved York, England and we seriously considered living there, but again the cats. I am really a homebody, but I love to travel and experience other places and ways of life.

Blind Faith - Amy Kollar Anderson

Your works often incorporate dynamic patterns & designs, with a brilliant almost psychedelic feel. Any reflections on this?… The curator of the Columbus Museum of Art once described my work as “Nouveaudelia”, which I thought really captured it nicely. I am drawn to many of the same things as the Art Nouveau artists, such as the shapes and fluid lines found in nature and the layering of patterns found in Japanese prints and kimonos. I am also a thrift store junkie, and I love the chaos of patterns found amongst the shelves. As far as the intensity of color, I am not really sure where that came from, because my palette used to be really dark. I think it may have changed around the time I switched from oils to acrylics. I went gaga for all the crazy colors, especially the metallic, interference and neon ones. Back in high school, when describing really garish clothes, my friends and I used to say things were so ugly they were beautiful, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Junc Yard – Amy Kollar Anderson

Link to Amy’s Website

Upcoming Exhibition News: 

 FITTON CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS

Hamilton, OH

June 15th – August 17th
Opening Reception June 15, 6-8pm
(My birthday!!!)

Christine Benjamin, Eclectix Interview 21

Photo of Christine by Michael Foley, Hat by Lacey

“I like the idea of death being teased by my little bratty sock monkey character…”

Sock Monkey - Christine Benjamin

Christine is a true local, home grown in San Jose, one of the original Berryessa clan. A fantastic artist and all-around great person – full of life, vitality and cheer. She is a painter, illustrator and art doll maker; creating colorful, quirky and vibrant imagery of all sorts. Space women, skeletons, monsters, sock monkeys, robots and mod girls –  in various playful antics. Accomplished in so many medias, it’s hard to pin down her one strength. She is a seasoned professional and was always communicative, prompt and reliable whenever Eclectix worked with her on exhibits. Humble, accessible and enthusiastic without the overly sensitive baggage many artists carry around. Her art reflects her sweet and talented personality, shining through the darkness, transforming the scary into the fun and our fears into celebrations.

Christine Benjamin

My favorite art memory from my childhood is … I used to make paper dolls and puppets for my younger sister. The paper dolls would be fashion proportions – so very long legs and I would make them lots of clothes to wear – that were in style at that time. I would make my sister and I puppets from socks or paper bags and we would put on shows for our friends.

Mod Girl, felted doll - Christine Benjamin

My interest in art/painting started …  when I was 1 year old. My mother gave me crayons and paper and kept buying me art supplies when I would run out. She would always have friends that we would visit and they wouldn’t usually have kids my age so I would bring paper to draw on to entertain myself.

Beetlejuice - Christine Benjamin

I am often inspired and motivated by … My sister motivates me to push myself in different directions. She will see something in a sketch that I’ve done and help me to see it in a different way – a certain story or meaning that I maybe didn’t intend. My good friend Tracy who is an amazing artist always sees the other side of what I am working on and this helps me to complete the story. He will always give good critiques that help me push myself farther. My son draws really fun characters and it inspires me to loosen up. I also love classic monster and SciFi Movies, and reading comic novels.

Dead Dude - Christine Benjamin

If I could spend the day with any artist (dead or alive) it would be … Jim Woodring who is an awesome artist – comic artist. (below)

Divinorum - Jim Woodring

And we would… get coffee and talk about his concepts for his comic novels and then go back to his studio to paint or draw. His drawings and paintings are beautifully colorful and the imagery is crazy. I met him in person a few times at Comic Con and he is very humble and a genuine nice person.

Oh Beehive - Christine Benjamin

The tip or art technique (a specific tidbit of craft, advice or mechanical expertise) that has helped me the most is …. I would say for artists to always have a sketch book and pencils, pens with them. That way if you get an idea you can sketch it or write it down. Ideas come quickly and if I don’t write them down I will usually forget. I have so many sketch books and I always refer to them for for ideas.

Inside cover spread of journal - Christine Benjamin

If I could own one piece of art, out of the world’s collections, it would be …Frida Kahlo’s “Self Portrait With Monkey”  because she is one of my very favorite artists and this painting is my favorite. She put so much expression into the monkey’s faces and the detail in her face, clothes are delicate and beautifully rendered.

Christine Benjamin

My favorite piece of my own art is … a painting I did called “Teasing Death”. (see image below) It shows a skeleton chasing a sock monkey who is carrying a donut. I like the idea of death being teased by my little bratty sock monkey character – Chico. The skeleton looks sad and pathetic and the sock monkey has a smug look on his face.

Teasing Death - Christine Benjamin

My ultimate project or fantasy is … It would be to have my dolls come to life in a short movie – stop motion. I would love to create any characters that I want and my own story and have enough time to do something incredible.

Sea Creature Doll - Christine Benjamin

The last song I chose to listen to was … “Super Rad” by The Aquabats. They are one of my favorite bands – really fun guys dressed in super hero costumes fighting monsters on stage.

The Devil Took My Records - Christine Benjamin

The last book I couldn’t put down was … “Wearing Dad’s Head” By Barry Yourgrau. A compilation of short bizarre stories.

Tiki Beat - Christine Benjamin

I can’t live without … my art supplies and my dog “Mr. Bon Bon”. I have to make art and I love being with my little fluffy dog.

Christine Benjamin

It’s not hip, but I really love … oatmeal with honey.

Martian Girl - Christine Benjamin

My favorite word is … chiaroscuro. ( Definition: The treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting and/or An effect of contrasted light and shadow created by light falling unevenly or from a particular direction on something.)

City Stroll - Christine Benjamin

My favorite motto (or quote)  is…. “If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it.”  by Jonathan Winters.

Let It Go - Christine Benjamin

Christine’s – Website 

Wilomena - Christine Benjamin

LINK to the current Eclectix website – art news & exhibit listings

(This entry was  originally posted on 6/1/11 and transferred here –  as we are discontinuing our other blog site)

Transferred comments:

Willow Glen Norma

I love how the images sneak into my psyche — makes for some sweet dreaming!  Love your work Christine.

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 12:06 PM

Jen

I love the inside spread of your journal…it would be cool to have a whole “Christine Room” somewhere covered with the characters. I really need to get better about sketching myself…you’re inspiring me!

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 02:24 PM

Anonymous

Chris, I can’t wait for the stop-motion movie with your dolls. You’ll give Tim Burton a run for his money.
Britta;-}

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 02:52 PM

Anonymous

You’re a wonderfully talented artist and an amazing gal. Thanks for sharing your creativity and whimsy! -Carrie

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 04:43 PM

Christine and Clementine

We love your new art work.  Bouffant is a unique one.  Miss you.

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 07:46 PM

Christine Benjamin

Thanks so much everyone for all the awesome comments! You all keep me going!
xo,
Christine B.

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 08:27 PM

Christine Benjamin

And a BIG thanks to Patricia for the super interview!
xo,
Christine

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 08:29 PM

Paul from Sun Jose

Thank you so much for even more details on your incredible life Christine.  Your art always creates fun, and humor in my mind!  I will have to bring up more chiaroscuro conversations next time I see you.  hehehe
Paul

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 10:20 PM

Anonymous

rock on Christine! great piece about you and your work!!

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 10:27 PM

Owen Smith, Eclectix Interview 20

The artist, Owen Smith

“Don’t let the bastards grind you down…”

Owen’s Studio

Owen is a master fine artist – a painter, muralist, mosaic artist and a sculptor. A local, whose lively works were featured in the last Eclectix “Flesh” issue, he is currently working for the San Francisco Arts Commission and teaches at the California College of the Arts.  His illustrative and fine art works have graced many editorials, CD covers and magazines – permeating pop culture for at least the last 20 years. They have a vibrant, lusty feel to them, conjuring up 1940’s Los Angeles, vintage detective stories and film noir – many with a WPA mural feel, a little of the “strong worker” and the “heroic little guy”. They are distinctly American, part gritty crime drama – mutt offsprings of our sordid pasts, sensuous exploits and our brash history – adventures from the New Deal to Hunter S. Thompson. We just love his swirling world of pulp flesh!

Owen Smith

My favorite art memory from my childhood is … My twin brother Aaron and I would sit around fantasizing about what kind of amusement park we would have if we were as rich as W. Disney.  We’d sketch crazy themed rides: Giant Octopus/Squid rides, Medusa vs. Jason rides, Haunted Circus rides (complete with freaks), etc…

Owen Smith

My interest in art/painting started …  as soon as my eyes could focus.

Brigid - Owen Smith

I am often inspired and motivated by … being in Big Cities. There is an excitement and desperation that is infectious and frightening.  That kind of energy can sometimes motivate me and sometimes cause paralysis and procrastination.

Owen Smith

If I could spend the day with any artist (dead or alive) it would be …  Right now it would be Rodin (below) because I am currently obsessed with sculpture and he was an amazing bridge between traditional sculpture and modernism.   And we would… I’d just watch him work.  He seems like he’d be intimidating as hell. A force.

Rodin- Sculpture

The tip or art technique (a specific tidbit of craft, advice or mechanical expertise) that has helped me the most is ….  Learn to draw from observation… and learn to accept one’s own drawing quirks.

Owen Smith

If I could own one piece of art, out of the world’s collections, it would be …probably a Van Gogh self portrait (below).  Of all figurative work they seem the most personal and alive.  Next week it would be something else.  How can you pick one?

Self Portrait - Van Gogh

My favorite piece of my own art is … “K.O”… (below)  because… it has mystery and sexual tension.

“K.O.” - Owen Smith

Your work recalls Thomas Hart Benton – was he an influence? Benton (below has certainly been an influence.  I saw a fantastic retrospective of his work years ago in NYC.  The work was amazing, some of it surprisingly progressive, some of it pure kitsch.  He was quite a character.

Persephone - Thomas Hart Benton

 My ultimate project or fantasy is … to design a complete environment: a building, the sculptural ornamentation, murals, furniture and so on.

Behemoth - Owen Smith

The last song I chose to listen to was … “Your Love is as Black as Night” by Melody Gardot

Owen Smith

The last book I couldn’t put down was … “Tooth and Claw” by T.C. Boyle

Sam Spade - Owen Smith

I can’t live without … my wife, kids, art…and coffee.

Dragon Lady - Owen Smith

It’s not hip, but I really love … old train stations, brick warehouses, kitsch sculptural monuments.

Owen Smith

My favorite word is …indelible, dogged, luscious, ruminate, scoundrel.

Owen Smith

You did a painting of Hunter S. Thompson for Rolling Stone years ago; I just loved the feel in it.  Can you tell us a little about that project? The painting of Hunter S. Thompson (below) was from a group of photographs.  I don’t think it was a particularly good likeness…but it did capture something about his personality.  I didn’t get any feedback from Thompson or RS, but a famous actor bought it as a gift for his famous actor buddy…who was played Thompson in a certain movie.  (hint, hint)

Hunter S. Thompson (for Rolling Stone) - Owen Smith

 My favorite motto (or quote)  is…. “Illegitimi non Carborundum”  (a mock-Latin aphorism meaning “Don’t let the bastards grind you down”)

Owen Smith

A peek at some of his current fantastic mosaic murals, in progress, at the Laguna Honda Hospital – HERE.

FIN - Owen Smith

Link to Owen’s Website

Owen Smith

LINK to the current Eclectix website – art news & exhibit listings

(This entry was  originally posted on 4/28/11 and transferred here –  as we are discontinuing our other blog site)

John Seabury, Eclectix Interview 15

John Seabury

“ As awful as it sounds, streets paved with broken glass and used rubbers and populated by hookers and crack heads are more artistically inspiring to me than OSH, Ikea and brand new retro-industrial lofts ” 

Pynoman by John Seabury

John (sometimes known as Pynoman) is a local Bay Area artist who has shown with Eclectix a number of times. A skilled artist, graphic designer and comic illustrator, he is also a skilled musician, playing formerly with his band Psycotic Pineapple and today with The Deep. He has a fantastic wealth of gig posters he’s done over the years, as well as larger fine art silkscreens. Some of my favorite works are included in his two books,  ( his journals of collected black and white doodles and drawings) – just chock full of wonderful characters, pineapples, curves, shapes and metamorphosis.

Twins by John Seabury

 Can you tell us where you were born and a little history about your childhood?  I was born at Kaiser Hospital, Oakland CA. Raised in Berkeley, my father was a political science professor at UC Berkeley. As a child, I witnessed the birth of the “student demonstration” and the birth of Underground Comix.

Bimbo, John Seabury

Is there an event or experience that helped form who you are today?  I think that discovering underground comix at age 10 or 11 had a huge influence. Don’t want to open up a can of worms, but by that age I already knew I wanted to be an artist, but most of the important Modern Art at the time was pretty uninspiring to me. Discovering comix helped boost my ambition. Another influence was old animation, like Popeye and Betty Boop. Some of them stand to me as the greatest fine art of the 20th century.

Popeye art

Creative and modern. That to me is the real Pop Art, not Jasper Johns and Warhol. Made for the people, not the critics. Funny thing is, kids my age were fortunate in that the TV studios in the early 60s couldn’t afford to do enough new animation, so they just showed the old ones. If I was born ten years later, it would have been Scooby Doo, etc.

John Seabury

What was first piece of art that you remember creating?  I remember drawing a picture of a baseball game in kindergarten that my teacher  was so impressed by that she made me go to the principal’s office to show it off. I think that was the only time I was ever sent to the principal’s office for anything “good”.

Curves, John Seabury

What inspired/prompted the vision/image for the most recent piece you completed? I am in love with curves (above)

S. Clay Wilson art from John’s collection

If there was an artist, dead or alive, that you could spend 24 hours with; who would it be and what would you do?  S. Clay Wilson. (above)   I have spent time with him, but 24 hours at once is probably too much. We would drink and draw.  What do you like most about his work? His drawing ability, his storytelling and dialogue. His fearless audacity. He also impressed me with his development over the years. He got more “high end” without losing his original vision. Unlike some other artists. I have had a copy of a certain one of his drawings hanging above my drawing table since 1975.

Love, John Seabury

What materials, specific brand of paint/glue/pencil do you prefer to use?  No. 2 pencil. Exacto #22 blade for scratchboard. 

John Seabury

Is there a technique, procedure or tip that you have discovered, you could pass onto other artists?  Draw every day.

John Seabury

What is your favorite word? Last song you chose to listen to? My favorite word is “the“. The last song I chose to listen to is “Man of the World” by Fleetwood Mac (Peter Green).

Melancholia by Albrecht Dürer

If you could pick one piece of art to own, out of the world’s museums, personal collections and galleries, what would it be?  That’s hard to answer. I do remember being at a museum looking at bunch of  “modern art” and there was Durer’s “Melancholia” (above) engraving hanging in the middle of it all.  (Durer was a major early influence on me)  I wanted to rescue it. I would have slipped it under my shirt, but it was screwed to the wall.

John Seabury

Of all your works, what is your own personal favorite?   While there are some I’m NOT proud of, I don’t have any favorites. I’ll pick one out of the hat and say “San Pablo Serenade” (below).  What was the thought or vision behind the work and why is it your favorite? I wanted to expand my range in silkscreen printing, using multiple layers of transparent colors and extensive split-fountain work. The process taught me a lot about color, as I was changing the ink on almost every pull. 13 screens, double pulls on all of the background sky, about 200 sheets.  It was inspired by the neighborhood I was living in at the time (North Oakland).

San Pablo Serenade, John Seabury

Because of the real estate boom at the time, there was a lot of “improvement” going on. Many of the old landmarks, signs, buildings etc. were being torn down. As awful as it sounds, streets paved with broken glass and used rubbers and populated by hookers and crack heads are more artistically inspiring to me than OSH, Ikea and brand new retro-industrial “lofts” (condos).  At the time I had been thinking of going out and taking pictures of some of the local character. There was a liquor store called “Bottoms Up” that had a great logo, a silhouette of man with an afro tilting a bottle back. I used to drive by it almost every day. When I went out to get a shot of it, there nothing but a pile of dirt. I mean, I must have seen it standing only a day or two earlier.  I did get some other good shots of  San Pablo Avenue signage, including the 1902 Club with the drunken martini glass inside an amoeba. I did the “Bottoms Up” sign from memory. I did also actually see that hooker flashing while stuck in traffic on a hot afternoon.

John Seabury

You seem to have a thing for pineapples , how did this evolve? Pineapples are prickly on the outside, sweet and tart on the inside, and hard at the core. They evoke images of palm trees and glorious sunsets, and hula girls. They inspired “Pineapple Upside Down Cake” for some reason. Hand grenades are sometimes referred to as pineapples. Our favorite episode of “The Untouchables” was called “A Taste for Pineapple”, about a World War One vet, an expert with grenades. Hired by mobsters as a specialist hit man. He’s a nerdy psycho, and a loose cannon. He tries to frag Eliot Ness, but only gets close. Ness however, loses his sight, even though there’s nothing wrong with him. Purely psychological.

Tattoo by John Seabury

According to legend, the origin of the name Psycotic Pineapple goes thusly: Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar (of the famous Rubinoos and original members of the Psycotic Pineapple) were on a long drive and started talking about the way some band names are made up, “adjective/noun” style. Like The Grateful Dead or Electric Prunes. So they played a word association game, say the first thing that comes to your head, and the other person says the first thing . Jon said “psychotic” and Tommy said “pineapple”. This was long before the band formed. In fact, the Psycotic Pineapple was originally called “Alfred Cooper”.

Moonlight Mile, Seabury

John Seabury’s  Website 

LINK to the current Eclectix website – art news & exhibit listings

(This entry was  originally posted on 1/4/11 and transferred here –  as we are discontinuing our other blog site)

Transferred comment-

Th.

I remember looking at the Megadeth poster a long long time at Eclectix.

Monday, January 10, 2011 – 02:44 PM