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Kyle Kogut - Mini Interview
Thursday, 07 February 2013 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Philadelphia, PA. 22. BFA from Tyler School of Art. www.kylekogut.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

My work mainly consists of mixed media drawings and paintings of nonsensical figures/environments. A lot of it is about mankind's relationship to Nature, in both physical and metaphysical realms. Recently I've also been making animations and sculptures that deal with similar narratives.

Influences?

My biggest inspiration is the natural world; what separates man from animal, and how have we evolved to conceptualize and comprehend our own existence as independent entities from the world around us. Mythology, philosophy, religious iconography, and cultural practices all play a part in the narrative of my work. Visual influnences include the Northern Renaissance period, Greek and Roman antiquity, fauvism, Christopher Davison, Picasso, Allison Shulnik, Jan Švankmajer, Dasha Shiskin, Dürer, Lucas Cranach the Elder, and countless others. Influences really come from everything.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Cheese please.

Favorite place traveled?

North Wales.

Working routine? Music? Time of day?

I basically lock myself in my studio and pretty much just do whatever I want, no rules. I make myself be stay productive and use my work as exploration of new ideas. I'm always looking for that next image or theme to expand on or experiment with. In the studio I listen to everything from the Black Angels to Panda Bear to Om. I make work around my job schedule, so it all kind of depends.

How do you pay the bills?

I run my own screen printing company and fill in some hours at a library, which also serves as an endless resource of history and imagery. I also have some potential teaching opportunities in the near future.

Marissa Textor - Mini Interview
Monday, 07 May 2012 /// Written by Trippe

Marissa Textor and Ryan Travis Christian are currently showing together at Cooper Cole Gallery in Toronto. Gerald interviews the LA based Marissa Textor. Check out her detailed graphite drawings.

Who are you and what do you?

I was born and breed in Southern California and I spend most of my time now making graphite drawings. I also work with my friend Naheed Simjee on a range of really exciting projects with artists through our company SIMJEE TEXTOR.

Exploding Mouse / Collaboration with Ryan Travis Christian / 18" x 24" / graphite on paper

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Los Angeles, 25, UCLA, marissatextor.com, simjeetextor.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

I would describe my work as hyperrealistic graphite drawing. The theme of the work varies but I often include elements like smoke, filtered light, negative space, water and rocks to create organic uncommon images of natural environments.

Useless Struggle / 46" x 35.75" / graphite on paper

Describe your process for creating new work.

The initial stages involve some tinkering in photoshop to make adjustments and to get a sense for what the finished product will look like. It is a lot easier to erase clouds or add more trees when you are working on a computer than to hand draw it. Deciding on the scale of the work is an important part of the process and I'm slowly creeping towards making larger and larger work although I also enjoy the intimate scale of the smaller works.

Working routine? Music? Time of day?

I'm a night person so I'm usually the most productive between 10pm and 2am but if I'm working on a show I'm drawing all day every day and I become a bit obsessive about it. Music, podcasts, Netflix or something is always playing since the work can become monotonous and this part of the process does not involve a lot of decision making. Sometimes I get a song stuck in my head and play it on repeat until I finish the piece so I'll end up listening to the same song a couple hundred times in a row. That military torture technique would never work on me.

Smoking Ledge / 20" x 14" / graphite on paper

Influences?

Storytelling and strong narratives, chain emails of crazy photos from around the world and the internet. I'm interested in the general pursuit of discovery. The amount of information out there these days can be overwhelming but it is fascinating how one subject can lead to another and in turn, how they relate to each other.

Laura Judkis ~ Mini Interview
Friday, 06 April 2012 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Grew up in New Jersey but currently living in Baltimore. Just turned 23. Graduated from MICA last May. www.laurajudkis.com.

How would you describe your work to someone?

Lately my work has taken a sculptural turn, but I come from a painting background. I make aggressive, psychologically charged abstractions. I'm interested in the tactile and sensual qualities of my materials, and I'm hoping for visceral reactions.

Influences?

Lots of super fleshy figurative painting and sculpture, Abstract Expressionism (especially Clyfford Still), Gordon Matta Clark, Lee Bontecou, Louise Nevelson, Louise Bourgeois, Martin Puryear, Robert Rauschenberg, Lucas Samaras, Paul Thek. I'm also into the provisional/experimental formalism thing that's going on in painting right now. Ingmar Bergman's "Persona." David Foster Wallace, Dostoevsky, and D.H. Lawrence, for books. Samurai armor is cool as hell. I try to steal from everything everywhere.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Black bean burgers with cheese and avocado and spicy mayo, duh.

Favorite place traveled?

I haven't gone anywhere new in awhile, but San Francisco was nice.

Anne Wolk - Mini Interview
Wednesday, 28 September 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Berlin, 28, MFA Fine Arts, www.annewoelk.de

How would you describe your work to someone?

I am a contemporary figurative painter, who creates mixed-media paintings with a penchant for bright colors, geometric shapes, and street-art forms. My work explores the relationship between cultural plurality and a recycling of pop-culture, by layering different motifs from Science Fiction film stills and quotations from an art historical background, like Symbolism and color-field paintings. Overall I am constantly studying the possibilities of oil paint as a medium and trying to push my boundaries.

Influences?

I appreciate the work of Kai Althoff, Corinne Wasmuht, Daniel Richter, David Hockney, Franz West, Gerhard Richter, Pierre Soulages, Barnett Newman, and Mark Rothko.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

I always get two with cheese.

Favorite place traveled?

In the summer of 2009 I undertook a journey by car for several weeks along the French and Spanish-Atlantic coast with stops in Paris, Bordeaux, Vieux-Boucau, Biarritz, San Sebastian and Bilbao. I enjoyed myself immensely.

Working routine? Music? Time of day?

Sometimes I like the sound and the noise of the studio building with its different characters, but usually I love to listen to: audio books, The Cure, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Costello, Erykah Badu, The Fugees, Faith No More, Jeff Buckley, Amy Winehouse, John Lennon, and Lassie Singers, (among others). Honestly I have no real daily routine, I paint when I am hot for my work. Late in the evening is the best time to concentrate. During the nighttime I get ready for new things and I have my best ideas.

Winnie Truong - Mini Interview
Monday, 27 June 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Toronto, 22, BFA in drawing and painting, www.winnietruong.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

I usually tell them that I make really big drawings of hairy faces where hair becomes an unnatural extension of personality and whim of the subject. The work is about challenging those heavily coded ideas about the beautiful and the grotesque that exist in our culture. However, I find it’s much easier to just show them on my iPhone.

Influences?

Right now I’m reading a lot of John Wyndham, H.G. Wells, Charles Burns, and revisiting the X-Files.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Double cheese burgers.

Working routine? Music? Time of day?

Most days I tend to wake up late, take shamefully long showers followed by making myself a hot breakfast. I ride my bike to my studio while running errands along the way. I’m usually in studio from early afternoon and into the night. While I enjoy the musical stylings of everything from Destroyer to the best of DMX, I prefer playing television shows on my laptop. Right now I’m in a three-way affair between Farscape, The Wire and Six Feet Under.

How do you pay the bills?

Art and abject frugality.

Tools of the trade?

A good supply of pencil crayons, sharpeners, erasers, painter’s tape, paper towel, and my laptop.

What are you really excited about right now?

Thinking about new things, and making new drawings for my next solo show in Toronto this September.

Inger Scharff - Mini Interview
Wednesday, 15 June 2011 /// Written by Van Edwards

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Copenhagen, Denmark, 31, Self taught, www.ingerscharff.dk

How would you describe your work to someone?

My work is about contrasts, both in technique and subject matter. Insistingly trying to assimilate happiness, violence and symbolism within each image. I often use both large and small brushes, toggling between faster and more concentrated painting sessions.

Influences?

I love the playfulness of Asger Jorn, Martin Kippenberger, Picasso and Jeff Koons. The light of Turner and William Hammershøi. The patience of Elina Merenmies. The fleshiness of a Lucien Freud. The energy of a Throw Up or Molinex. The eclecticism of Wim Delvoye. Kristian Bust, when he points out things in a Martin Parr photograph that I did not see before. Old ornaments. Philip Guston's colors, Paul McCarthy's shapes, or Greyson Perry's textiles. Tal R's arrogance, the secrecy and conceit of graffiti - and Katharina Grosse when she paints everything with her huge spray can.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Greek Salad Burger

Zoran Palurovic - Mini Interview
Tuesday, 24 May 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Novi Sad, Serbia, 47, self taught / no formal education, website: Facebook profile

How would you describe your work to someone?

I do not want to explain anything special to anyone through my abstract works. I ask the viewer to interpret everything the way they want and in their own way. As for experienced viewers, I am interested in their criticism of visual elements.

Influences?

There are too many, and I do not know where to start with the listing. I am afraid I could confuse someone if I mention only a few that come to my mind right now. Lately, I admire new Chinese artists. They are great. There are, certainly, young American artists who are leading, then Europeans, and others – Asians, Korean, Indian... At my age, for me, younger artists are maybe a little better model than older ones. It is hard to explain why is that so.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

The older I get, the staler food I have to eat. Tofu

Huey Crowley - Mini Interview
Monday, 16 May 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

I live in Milwaukee, I'm 23. I'll be 24 in 3 hours. I received a bachelor's degree in painting from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. My website is www.hueycrowley.com.

How would you describe your work to someone?

I would say that "They are dirty-Disney colored paintings from a tingling, nintendo-influenced dimension." I would mention that they speak to some 70's warped, screwball, acid-shit. Ominous things have always attracted me, and they show up in my work often.

Inevitably, I paint a lot of the Midwest too, but in a way like you'd discover a rained-on, muddy care-bear in someone's backyard that their Doberman was chewing on. Mystical and disturbing things attract me and I try to harness them with paint.

Influences?

Some artists- Allison Schulnik, Jose Lerma, Kim Dorland, Chris Johanson, Matthew Barney, Christopher Wool, Carroll Dunham, Luis Galvez, Santiago Cucullu, Terence Koh, Basquiat, George Condo…and many more....

Musically-Salem, Juiceboxxx, Liars, Aids Wolf, The Coughs, MTV Riff Raff...

Any artist really, especially ignorant ones because I believe that ignorance is bliss and fun.

Nigel Cox - Mini Interview
Friday, 29 April 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

London, UK, Quite a bit but none relating to the Art world, www.njcox.com

The Black Basque, Oil on Linen, 36” x 30”

How would you describe your work to someone?

Given up on that . . I’d whip out my iPhone and show them . . . A picture paints a 1000 words, and all that.

Influences?

I’m self taught. So much has influenced how/what I paint . . The Transglobe Expedition opened my eyes to solitude and vast landscapes then Yves Tanguy showed me how endless a background can be on canvas. . Vermeer and his peers got my full attention with their eye for detail and precision, Dali made me drool, Max Ernst told me to experiment, but Odd Nerdrum is the Master . . . my art GOD. But influences are everywhere.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Does a tofu have legs?

Working routine? Music? Time of day?

Up daily at 7am, in the studio by 9.30 and then look and see what I want to work on most. On a good day I can work till 9pm . . on a normal day I wind down around 6pm. Pretty much paint 7 days a week when working towards a show. Love painting in daylight.

I prefer to have about 6 paintings on the go (Unless working on a major large piece) I’m a mood painter and a bit of a butterfly.

Can’t paint without my music . . it creates a cocoon for me to work within and sets and nurtures my mood. Always start with something slow . . .Koop, David Sylvian, Enigma, Lee Oskar, Software, Air, Thievery Corporation etc

Lately I’ve been starting with Koop every morning and when the day grows old, get onto more motivating tunes . . . Steely Dan or Ziggy Stardust for a final push. I have about 2,000 Cds ranging from classical to punk . . so never stuck for good vibes.

An Urban Solitude, Oil on Linen, 42” x 36”

How do you pay the bills?

Prefer direct debit . . . less to think about. ;)

Bryan Schnelle - Mini Interview
Wednesday, 13 April 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Los Angeles, 31, Self-taught, www.bryanschnelle.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

Probably very poorly. I’m not much of a writer. I would much prefer to show someone my work and let it speak for itself, let them come up with their own meaning based on their own personal experience with the work. There’s a lot more power in that. But basically I’m just observing and reacting to what I see going on around me and in our society. Observing values and ideals and trying to create a realistic and honest visual document. And I love the idea of using something that is so empty and meaningless to create a work of art that is relevant and meaningful. I still use paint when I need to, but with the kind of ideas I’m exploring it seems a lot more honest and direct to use the images that we’re bombarded with daily as drawing/painting tools, the very things that are telling us what’s normal and not normal, what’s beautiful and not beautiful, what’s desirable and not desirable, what life is supposed to be. A kind of amalgamation of form and content.

Influences?

In no particular order: Ingmar Bergman, Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Philip Glass, Michael C. Ruppert, John Baldessari, peak oil documentaries, Decasia: The State of Decay (A film by Bill Morrison), Chris Johanson, various types of Metal, Charlie Sheen’s recent vernacular.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Both. Simultaneously.

Erin Riley - Mini Interview
Tuesday, 05 April 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Philadelphia, PA. 25. BFA - MassArt, MFA - Tyler School of Art. www.erinmriley.com

Grand Theft Auto - 41" x 54" Handwoven Tapestry

How would you describe your work to someone?

I weave tapestries of the pictures you would delete if you ever uploaded that drunk night of debauchery from your camera.

Influences?

I am influenced by old tapestry weavers that made huge gritty abstract tapestries, Helena Hernmarck who weaves images with incredible detail, skateboarder blogs where street art and huge consumptions of alcohol is mixed with shots of random girls' breasts, everyday life, and things that happen on a more personal or family level that can be related to it all.

Kiss - 41" x 31" Handwoven Tapestry

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Tofu burger with french fries and a diet coke.

Working routine? Music? Time of day?

Ideally I work from 2pm to 4am. I have music, npr, internet tv or nothing going. It depends on which part of the process I'm working on.

Kiss - in process

How do you pay the bills?

I pay my bills with residency stipends, selling some work and a part time job at whole foods market. Money is rough, but luckily Philly is cheap and I've got a low standard of living.

Cain Caser - Mini Interview
Wednesday, 23 March 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

London, UK. 37. No formal education. www.caincaser.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

Hypnagogic portraits. I never set out to create a specific picture, I just keep abusing the same process until one appears.

Influences?

Tudor sumptuary laws, Style Wars, The Sweeney.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Bacon rolls

Working routine? Music? Time of day?

I've been painting full time now for just over a year. Radio 4. I get up early and paint until it's finished. Then go over it the next day when I realise it's not. Then often ruin it on the third day.

Garrett Price - Mini Interview
Wednesday, 16 March 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Portland, Oregon. 32. Bachelor of Science in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and a Minor in Graphic Design from Portland State University. www.garrettpriceart.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

Someone once described my work as cockroach art, meaning it looks like it has survived nuclear exposure. I would describe it as my photography and designs acid etched, or rusted, into the surface of steel plates. The framed steel plate hangs on the wall like a painting. My imagery is often desolate landscapes, with visual traces of human existence. The steel backgrounds, with their natural imperfections, add texture and atmosphere, as well as a direct physical and conceptual connection to the imagery.

Influences?

The up and down cycles of my emotions. Industrial architecture, nature and history.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

I'm more of a bean and rice burrito guy, honestly.

Charles Martin - Mini Interview
Friday, 18 February 2011 /// Written by Trippe

We met a young skater named Charles Martin, an interesting guy studying at SFAI, through our friend Henry Gunderson. Charles would stop in the gallery from time to time, and the last time he came through he told us he was off to NYC to study at Cooper Union where his brother also studys. Getting into Cooper Union is no small feat. They're one of the most selective schools in the U.S. Well known for their art and science programs, C.U. admits students based on merit alone and provides each with a full-tuition scholarship. A FREE top rate highly demanding education.

Into his first year at Cooper Union we wanted to see what Charles was working on and know how he was handling the big city and the school's heavy demands.

Charles in his studio space.

How is Cooper Union going? Is it as tough as people have said?

We get a lot of homework; we have a lot of classes. Most of our time goes to school. The toughest part for me has been time management which is a large part of what it seems we’re supposed to learn in this first year. People who can’t keep up get the boot. There are a lot of distractions in Manhattan, that if you can fall victim to, it only makes it harder. I heard some things before coming here that proved to be complete lies in my situation. It gets really nerve wrecking at times, but no pain, no gain.

You're a Bay Area guy. How is the Big Apple treating you?

It’s a lot different than San Francisco. If I could change one thing it would be the winter. I grew up in Buffalo, NY so I’m pretty accustomed to snow, maybe even TOO accustomed to the snow; me and old man winter have a love hate relationship. New York has been really overwhelming, but I am definitely enjoying myself.

Besides schoolwork, what have you been up to?

This semester I have less foundation classes so I’ve been able to paint a lot more. From January fourth to 18th was winter break, so the school was open but NO ONE was here. It was AWESOME I just got to come to my studio everyday and make work, no assignments. I’ve been reading about black history and other radical organizations that make it their business to fight whatever injustices they face. I also have a book about Einstein and a couple of memoirs. When I can I work on my apartment. I just got some rolls of film, and I found out that my school has a color processor, so I'm going to check that out. There’s a yoga studio really close that I've been trying to take advantage of.

Chris Dacre Mini Interview
Wednesday, 09 February 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Chris Dacre emailed over a few photos from his current show at Sharadin Gallery as part of his three week residency with Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA. Really like the images and wanted to get some more info on this artist we're unfamilar with. The show "War is Great!" runs through March 4, 2011.

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Las Cruces, NM (temporarily), 39, MFA in Printmaking from the University of Arizona, www.chrisdacre.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

Surveillance, the threat of nuclear attack, terrorism, ongoing wars in foreign lands; my work is a commentary on these sensitive issues. I use sarcasm, humor and cynicism to drive home my point-of-view and invite the viewer to question and explore the absurdities of war. My imagery is pulled from the eight years I spent in the Air Force, stories that are buried in the news, movies, documentaries and books on war.

Influences?

Early on my influences were the Looney Tunes, especially Bugs Bunny. Artists I look to are Chris Burden, Red Grooms, Claus Oldenburg, Judy Pfaff, Alexander Caulder and Maurizio Cattelan – all for different reasons. I’ve always been fascinated by military aircraft and tanks.

Ignacio Gatica - Mini Interview
Wednesday, 02 February 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Santiago, Chile. 21 years old. University, www.flickr.com/blokagain

How would you describe your work to someone?

I guess I couldn't describe it good in words, that's one of the reasons I create images. I think people have their own answer to this question.

Influences?

I have many influences from friends and artist that I like. I like the way of creating comunity of Cinders Gallery. I really enjoy the work of Taylor Mcimens, works from friends like Sto and Eric Shaw... Also, the works of my hometown buddies Basco, Jose Benmayor, Martín Kaulen, Quillo, Lavina Yelb and Bimer.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Cheese Burgers!!! When it comes the veggie I prefer something like a real salad.

Ryan De La Hoz - Mini Interview
Thursday, 20 January 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Literally equal time spent between Fairfield/SF/Oakland every week, 25, Working on a BA in Art History, www.ryandelahoz.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

I would say something like "Mostly it is personal reflection. I used to try to come up with ways to explain it with big words but lately I would rather hear what others think. I think a lot about loss, hope, isolation, freedom from oppression, the destruction of natural resources, myth, magic, the pursuit of happiness. Oh, I don't know" - I'm just testing the water of this crazy world and trying to do what I feel.

Influences?

"Death of an Old Old Man","Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", the ghosts that live in the upstairs rooms of my Grandmother's house, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, those people that are endlessly hopeful and positive (they usually love cats and or all animals)

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Both, with basil and dijon mustard if I am lucky!

Eugene Plotnikov - Mini Interview
Wednesday, 12 January 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

I'm 18 and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I'm currently studying Communication Design at RMIT. http://www.eugeneplotnikov.com/

How would you describe your work to someone?

My work is a dark, twisted reflection of self, each individual piece mirrors a part of me. My emotions and deep subconscious are cosmically distorted resulting in an inter-dimensional glimpse at who I am through pen and paper. My creations also narrate the words I know not to exist, to describe how I feel, my interactions with other people and often questioning perception, morality, fear and death. Recently I've been exploring themes of emotional connection, isolation and dependence. My past artwork intends to make commentaries on various issues in the world, such as government and religion. I aim to revert to these ideas in the future as right now my work is fueled by the inner-self, rather than my perception of humanity.

Influences?

Painful nostalgia towards old school Console and PC games like Doom, Abes Odyssee and Full Throttle, childhood memories I can only slightly remember and seem more amazing than they really were, Basquiat, paint stained train-lines, Lady Gaga, rainy days, Yesir, Calma, Moonassi, Skinner, Alex Pardee, Panok, underground Hip-Hop and my puppy, Stella.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

The 3 B's; Bread, Butter, Black caviar. Other than that I guess I'll indulge the cheese variety.

Randy Martin - Mini Interview
Wednesday, 05 January 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Chicago, IL - 26 - High School darkroom - flickr.com/photos/randypmartin

How would you describe your work to someone?

Travel documentation.

Influences?

Friends, nature, adventure, big landscapes.

Cheese burgers or tofu burgers?

Chili soy cheese sauerkraut Tofurky beer brats.

Working routine? Music? Time of day?

I never leave the house without at least one camera at my side. None of my shots are staged so I try to always have a loaded camera and an extra roll of film or two on my hip for when that one scene pops out at me. I develop at whatever chain drug store is in the area, then run home to start scanning. This is the stage when music kicks in.

Alejandra Villasmil - Mini Interview
Tuesday, 30 November 2010 /// Written by Trippe

Location? Age? Education? Website?

Santiago, Chile. 38. Self-taught with some art studies and a journalist degree. www.alejandravillasmil.com

How would you describe your work to someone?

I like procedures that subtly question the notions of desire, beauty, and sexuality. One constant in my work is to explore female representation, gender archetypes, glamour, artifice and physical transfiguration by using the same printed sources that sell these ideas. In a series of works, titled “Extreme Makeover”, I subvert and vandalize found images of women by means of fragmentation, layering, dissection, exacerbation and obliteration.

Influences?

Mysterious and elusive images. Flickr contacts. Women artists such as Ellen Gallagher, Wangechi Mutu, Josephine Meckseper, Mika Tajima, Marylin Minter, Sylvie Fleury and Meredyth Sparks. They all make sexy, elegant works that present social and political themes in unexpected ways.