IN:SITE Art on Fondy

Hello Fans, 

So I have been keeping this project pretty close to the vest, but now... the word is getting out. 

 

A "sneak peak" of one of the images used!

So here is strike 2, ironically, in my own words. Please take a minute to read the latest with regards to my participation in the Art of Fondy Project. I will be completing a public art installation at Sherman Park Senior Living Center (formerly Jackie Robinson Middle School) and Curative Care Network, entitled Life in Retrospect. 

https://neighborhood-artfair.squarespace.com/blog/2013/5/24/laci-coppins-life-in-retrospect

The experience has been one that I have learned so much from!! Pegi Christian, the project organizer and one of the founders of IN:SITE is beyond awesome! I am really thankful for this new opportunity. My images actually went to print this week!! Just wait... they will be close to 40x60 inches each! This is the first time I have ever printed this large! *pins and needles*

The project as a whole was also featured in JSOnline, our local city paper: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/fond-du-lac-ave-art-project-brightens-a-dark-milwaukee-intersection-b9928955z1-210768511.html 

The community is excited and welcoming of this endeavor. I am excited too! Be sure and stay up to date by following me on Twitter @FotoFans I promise to include images from the installation set for the 22nd!

Until next time...

Salon: The Installation

Greetings Fans!

Yesterday evening I began the installation process with the guest (protege) curator. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with several gallery curators (some also artists), but being an emerging artist you typically self-curate. Also in my job at the Museum, I have several opportunities, dare I say daily, to interact with/have conversation, etc with professional (terminal degree having, experts in a specific field) curators.

One thing I have not experienced was my work being altered from my true intent as the artist and the concept of the installation-- until last night.After placing 29 of the 50 requested 3" x 5" images, I was told this wasn't what SHE was looking for. To say I was totally taken back is an understatement. I wasn't sure how best to respond, but did my best to remain professional. While I preferred my work to form more of grid, SHE preferred a more scattered approach. This is an interactive piece, that as images are sold, people will remove the image right from the wall, leaving a vacant space, a since of wondering, dare I say loss? However, HER intent is to scatter the pieces, remove the connections and associations and leave them there random. And yes, while people will still be able to purchase and remove accordingly, the sense of emptiness and loss is gone and nor implied.

Tomorrow is the opening of the exhibition, it will be interesting to see the response by viewers. I am most certain the question will be presented, "Why are these pictures installed like this?" My response, "I'm not sure, you should probably ask HER, since it wasn't my intent or idea."

Salon: The Visit

Greetings Fans,

This is the second installment of my experience in the Milwaukee Artist Resource Network Salon II: "Free Money." You can read the details in the post Salon: The Beginning. 

Yesterday morning, I had my curatorial visit with MARN curator protege Ana Hansa-Ogren. During the visit I shared past and current projects. In addition, we also discussed the current state of my work, and how specific pieces would connect to the topic (Free Money) that will be facilitated by guest curator Michelle Grabner.

I found the experience very interesting. This is only my second studio visit and both times the curator has selected work that I did not think of as my favorite and the last time the curator selected a work in process (YIKES!).

Ana and I discussed a number of items in her selections, because it was important the pieces correlate with the other three artists in the exhibition.One series she elected are my photographic transfers on plexiglass. I had these pieces in local shows, as well as a show in Nashville. For the larger pieces, this will be the first showing in Milwaukee. So that's exciting...

The second series is a little more complicated. Over the years, I have been capturing what I like to call "Moments in Between." These are the small moments, the breaths between one instance to the next.The randomness of my interests and things that catch my eye. My pure selfish indulgences. I had several posted up in my space as source material and have shown three of these formally. These also caught Ana's eye! I never would of imagined sharing the bulk of them publicly. According to Ana they show, the "Intelligence of the snapshot. A distilled personal moment." Wow, that sounds beautiful... I love how she has described my act of looking.

Opening October 5th, about 50 of these images, along with the transfers, will be on view. I am slated to drop the work off next week and installation will begin shortly there after. Stay tuned...

Salon: The Beginning

Greetings Fans! 

Will you join me in celebration? On Sunday afternoon I received the following email: "Congratulations, I am pleased to inform you of your acceptance into the MARNsalonII (Free Money) with guest curator Michelle Grabner!" 

MARN is the Milwakee Artist Resource Network. A Salon which began in Paris, is described by Wikipedia as, "The Salon or rarely Paris Salon (Salon de Paris), beginning in 1725 the official art exhibition of the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. Between 1748-1890 it was the greatest annual or biannual art event in the Western world. In December 1890, the leader of the Societe des Artistes Francais, William Adolphe Bouguereau, propagated the idea that Salon should be an exhibition of young, yet not awarded artists." A salon is also known as a gathering of people under the guide of an inspiring host (guest curator in this case), to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of the participants through conversation.

TA-DA!! That pretty much brings us to 2012. Your's truly has been blessed and selected to participate in the Milwaukee Artist Resource Network's Salon. I was personally invited to submit application, but still felt unsure. Needless to say, I have been personally invited before to apply for other "competitive" style fellowships, awards, etc. and not come out successfully. Several of you know, one of my motto's (one of the reason's I had the confidence to go to Italy), "What would you attempt to do, if you knew you could not fail?" And so I applied... and was accepted!

Will you join me as I share this journey?

Please start by visiting my personal portfolio at MARN. You can also support my efforts through this page. At this point, I have replied and accepted MY SPOT in the Salon! I am one of only four artists that will be featured. *swoon* In the next two weeks I will have a studio visit from MARN's curator Ana Hansa-Ogren as we begin the process in sharing, "a chance to spark critical dialogue in Milwaukee and share [my] creative practice with other artists and art professionals." Oh, and of course make work! I look forward to sharing this journey with you...

Beach Blanket Bingo

Greetings Fans,

 Annette welcomes you to my new space!

As you may recall, my artist residency will conclude on August 31st. The conclusion also means a need for a new studio space.

Last weekend I met with Mark David Gray about Studio 420b and this weekend I started moving in. My new location is where the north side of meets the south side of Milwaukee, better known as the 5th ward.


While I still have a few items left "across the line" it is exciting to think of what awaits in this new space.  I will be one of 4 artists (painter, graffiti artist, illustrator and me!) Believe it or not,  I am already finishing a piece in prep for the Walker's Point Center for the Arts Members show opening September 7th.I will be having a formal open house once I get a little more settled and inviting friends to make some art!

items left across the line

items left across the line

 In some ways this new space is similar to REDLine. A group of artists, sharing a space, making art. Although, there are some ways that it is quite different. The space is very open and all on one floor. Which was quite the blessing after moving up and down three flights of steps. In addition, the space being open, the "walls" have been created to assist in dividing the space. I love the sky lights and all the natural light that comes with...I spent some of the morning reorganizing and organizing my space. Fingers crossed this lasts.. 

my new space neat and organized!

my corner of inspiration

Just a Little Fun!

Hello Foto Fans and Merry Christmas!

So with basically five shopping days left, are you ready for the big day!? Like so many of you I am almost ready, the tree's been up since the day after Thanksgiving and the stockings hung with care.

But of course, creativity does not stop for the 12 Days of Christmas. That being said, take a peek at these fun antics that found their way into artist, Justin Cooper's photo shoot for head shots taken late last week.
 

I'm off to wrap the last of the gifts and I am about ready for some Hot Chocolate! See you on Twitter @Foto Fans and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

All About the Process...

Greetings Foto Fans!

When I was living in Italy I had a mentor who would often remind me, "It's all about the process, not just the product." It took a little bit for it to sink in, which may explain why he felt the need to remind me multiple times (chuckle), but I continue to apply this lesson back on American soil.

This summer I had a "Happyy Accident," as one of my current mentors calls it, with a can of spray paint, and came across a new idea for a self-portrait. Well, I often make smaller "samples" or "proofs" of my work so I can play with textures, put pieces together, help me simply better understand if I "like" how each image complements one another or is it strong enough to stand alone. Within this process, I am also adding text by my own hand.

Well it was suggested I try screen printing the text, sure I thought... but did I mention I am not, repeat NOT a print maker! lol But after I was dusted with a little Warhol dust by the Print Maker Fairy, I attempted the process. Coat the screen... wait, Burn the screen... wait, Rinse the screen... wait,  Coat the screen... wait, and here folks think it takes a long time to print a picture in the dark room. PLEASE, give me my chemistry set and red light any day! But funny, once I put my sample piece together, guess what... I did NOT like it!

It was something about the printed text, not being in my specific hand, but recreated, that disappointed me.  But I thought wait, post it in my studio, give it a moment, it may grow on you, but alas, nope! And so now Fans, I begin this graffiti style, self-portrait again, because, in the end... It's about the process! And once the process is correct, the product will be phenomenal (if I say so myself). I haven't totally given up on screenprinting and continue to spend time in the printmaking studio, but just not for this project. I know you are wondering about a few pictures, well, you'll have to come to the exhibition, "Pulp Possibilities" at REDLine Milwaukee in March. Hopefully this piece will make the cut and give you a chance to see what this process is really all about. Until then, you can always follow me on Twitter@FotoFans