Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!!

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
T.S. Eliot

Art is Moving wishes everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for your support and your voice.

ART=EMPOWERMENT! 2010 is going to be stellar creative year!

Cheers, Lauren and Lisa

I am an artist: Jonna Barnett

1. Why are you an artist?

To keep me sane. It's just something I have always done, just a part of who I am. I can not imagine not having some sort of creative outlet.

2. Is there a concept behind your work? If so, please tell us about it.

Hum! Sometimes but not always. I've done a series of house paintings, I'm drawn to doing birds and pears? My abstracts I'd say no. Its more intuitive, moving paint around, adjusting, adding papers or texture. Painting for me very meditative so I try not to think about what I'm doing or where it's going just letting things flow.

3. Why do you use the medium that you use?

I love working in oils but years ago when I had my daughter and had no studio I just didn't feel it was that safe to be painting with oils on the kitchen counter or table. I gave up painting for a while. I tried watercolor's but just never got the hang of them. Then I found acrylics. They are so versatile and can emulate both oils and watercolor. I love working with acrylics.

4. How do you decide on subject matter for your work?

Sometimes an idea hits me and won't leave me alone until I paint it. Other times it's a real struggle to get an idea to surface. Some of my favorite paintings have been ones that others have commissioned me to do, things that I would not have normally painted. When I get in a real slump I will do a pear painting. Not sure how or why the pear theme keeps popping up but I love to paint pears?

5. Is the scale/size of your work deliberate, is there a conceptual decision behind it? If so, please elaborate.

Not really. My abstracts I tend to do on a larger scale. I like to work on a flat surface so I tend to do smaller paintings since that is what will fit on my desk. I do have a nice big easel but I find it difficult to work on an easel unless it's a bigger surface.

6. What is the role of the artist in our society? and in Idaho?

I believe that different artists have different roles. Some like to make you stop and think about current affairs, politics, etc. Most of my work seems to make people smile and I've been told it makes them happy, and that works for me.

7. Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years?

In 5 years I would like to be selling more of my artwork to help support the habit. Have a solo art show in a gallery. Be more known in the art world.

8. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?

World Peace. Couldn't resist. Would love to be represented by a gallery and have a solo art show. Teach at some art retreats. Stop procrastinating and get more art work done.

9. What does art mean to you?

Emotion. Meditation. Escape. I remember seeing an exhibit of Georgia O'Keefe's at the Boise Art Museum, she has been one of my favorite artists for as long as I can remember. I must have visited that exhibit 4 or 5 times. Two of the paintings, one of a large tree the bark almost black another of a church. I would sit for 45 minutes just totally lost in the paintings and transported to another place.

Visit Jonna's Blog: http://www.jonnabarnett.blogspot.com/

Imagery Estate Winery

I went on a tour of Sonoma Wine Country yesterday and was led to Imagery Estate Winery.

To be honest, I didn't even taste the wine. I was so engrossed at their massive art collection. Every year, Imagery commissions artists to create the wine labels for that year's wine.

I think this is such a brilliant idea!

I recognized some of the names on the wall and others I had never heard of. There was such a great variety of imagery. Even if you aren't a wine drinker you should check out this place. And for those artists/art lovers out there who enjoy a glass of wine or two or three this will become your favorite new hangout!

I am an artist: Lori Yellen-Lilley

1. Why are you an artist?
I've actually only started doing my windows less than a year ago. I found myself unemployed and needed a hobby. Who knew I could be artistic!

2. Is there a concept behind your work? If so, please tell us about it.
I was inspired by another artist here in Boise, Heather and Ty Whitt. Their work is so fabulous! I wanted to see if I could work in the same medium. Although I was inspired by their work, mine has a very different look and style because I only use scrap and broken glass, I do not cut any of the glass I use.

3. Why do you use the medium that you use?
I like working with scrap glass and old windows because it is all recycled material.

4. Please describe your art making process.
Starts with looking for the right windows. I look on craigslist, antique stores, used building material resellers, etc. As I said earlier, I use scrap and broken glass, so these are glass on glass mosaics. I put the glass down with caulk then grout.

5. Is there a message, feeling, tone, etc. that you would like your viewer to hear, feel, etc when they view your work? If yes, please elaborate.
My art makes me happy when I look at it, I just want to make others happy as well.

6. What is the role of the artist in our society? and in Idaho?
I think that the role of an artist in any community is to support local efforts as well as global efforts. As for me, I periodically donate my pieces for charity actions and demonstrate my art to children's' groups whenever asked.

7. Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years?
I was a social worker for many years and now teach psychology at our new community college, College of Western Idaho. I never expected that I would discover any artistic talent, so it just thrills me that anyone likes my stuff! I currently have a website and do custom pieces and also sell my wares at the Boise Co-op. I have no idea what the future holds for me and my art....it would be nice to have a bigger studio I guess. I need to move the guest bed somewhere!

8. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?
My goals are to keep plugging along and hopefully find a larger venue for my art. I'm from Santa Cruz, Ca. and think that a road trip back home and along the central coast might prove profitable.

9. What does art mean to you?
My art transports me. It's my meditative practice, my solace, my savior.

Artist's Website: www.screamingflowermosaics.com

I am an artist: Norm Nelson

I'm an artist because I've been a creator since grade school I simply have a need, desire,
and dedication to create with in the traditional artist mode. I've no talent in expressing myself
in music yet my son is an excellent guitarists. I want to paint and find both frustration and
amazing satisfaction in the challenge of each. I'm inspired by the wilderness so when
'I am in it and confronted by it 's inspiration the rewards of painting it add greatly
to the overall experience. I don't pass it up casually.

My original concept was to express my passion and interest in what was before me, but
I've changed dramatically in the last few years to a more expressive individual statement
and one focused on the accidents the mediums provide. I don't have to express my
feelings for my subjects in representational results as much any more. I let my
paint flow, I go for values and colors that accidentally come from a loose
application and as true and expressive a stroke as I can muster.
Much of what I'm doing now is abstract from nature. I plan to pursue this
with more and more vigor, but the inspiration for the work remains the samej
as my first impressions of wild places, wild species, and the challenge of
artistic expression through the application of oil, pastel, or watercolor.

My mediums of oil, watercolor or pastel provide the satisfaction in color and
I think I've improved greatly in my understanding of how each one can get me
to the finish I want. Lately the watercolor has been really inspiring as I've combined it
'with ink, pastel, and salt to give some true impact to my abstracts. The oil saves me
so I use it for more representational work because I can fix it I need to and I am
thrilled by feel of heavy thick oil paint coming off a thin blade of the fine palette knife
or brush. I use palette knife painting as way to achieve the rich texture only oil allows
and my subjects dictate. Oil is perfect. The pastel results in moods, and a color
softness nothing else can achieve. I do it less but find it completely rewarding
at each attempt. I can change also as I need to so not only is it powerful color it
can be worked to a fine finish.


My art instruction, color wheel memorization, analogous with compliment experimentation has
helped me focus on essentially a palette of warm and cool colors for each primary, with orange,
cerulean, permanent green, and burnt zienna. I can have this palette in my head enough that
I can come back to a piece and see the color on the canvas. In short order I can match the
color I see. I often simplify my palette when I'm plein aire painting or doing watercolor in
the field but I always have a warm and a cool for each primary. I never use black as I can
mix a wonderful tone from crimson, green, and blue or a warmer dark by introducing
burnt Zienna. On rare occasions I will use a tube violet or extreme green or Prussian
blue. So far my palette has worked very well, but the challenge of getting the values from
this palette correct in a painting remains.

The artist whether he is in Idaho, Italy, or Manhattan has by nature a reflective quality to
share with himself and the viewer. It just comes out and it gives the view the exploration
of people, culture, and places, even in abstract art. In my case it's very simply I have
a desire to share Idaho with my audience. I satisfy me first because I really can't fake
it, then I hope what I've presented from my inspiration resonates with the viewer.
I'm will create something anyway, I'll just do it as my mentor often says.

I hope to have completed a traveling one man art show in 5 years.
Wilderness inspirations will be a combination of representational and abstract work
inspired by the wildest places I can visit and the mediums that best help me state
my impression.

The ultimate goal is to reach my complete inner expression, to be able to do what
I see and feel in a piece of work that fully presents my statement. I have a very long way to
go in art to get to this level of inner depth, but I am moving that way as many of my
latest pieces show some promise in this regard.

Art is just flat exciting, really exciting, to see work, to do work, to see an accident of paint
and color, to work hard and actually feel like you've done it right is exciting.
Some art whether mine or others blasts my vision, I'm a visionary, if blinded I'd be
done, art keeps brings a perfect and pristine clearity to me.

Website: www.normannelsonwildernessarts.com

Idaho artists, where are you?

Artist: Surel Mitchell

So, Lisa and I have had little response to our call for Idaho artists to interview with us. Are there less artists in Idaho or are they just not interested in Art is Moving? Don't know that we will ever know the answer to this question, but I wanted to let our loyal readers know that when we do find Idaho artists, we will share them with you.

I did discover the Idaho Commission on the Arts that has a few artists listed on their site. After glancing at the website, it looks as though Idaho has just as much public art as the rest of the states, the Internet presence is just not that great. It looks as though Lisa and I may have to travel to Idaho in order to seek out it's art scene. (Perhaps they do that on purpose.)

So, check out Idaho Artist in Focus to get a feel of some of the art made by residents of Idaho.

Artist: Marilyn Lysohir

Onward ..Art is Moving to Idaho

Lauren and I have had blast on our virtual journey discovering artists and the art scene in Washington State and Oregon. The artists that have participated in our "I am an artist interviews" are inspiring. From their reflections we have really felt the pulse of their communities. I truly believe that is one of the functions of an artist is to reveal the heart and breadth in every society and community.
Again thanks to all our interviewees for willing to be so open and vulnerable!

photo from http://www.lalli.it/index-foto.html

Onward we must go..
As Art is Moving moves onward across the fifty states and beyond our next state we are traveling to is Idaho.
Our first virtual stop wil be at the "Boise Art museum" to view their current exhibition IDEA AS ART:Contemporary Works on Paper.
Renowned New York collector Werner Kramarsky has assembled one of the largest and finest collections of contemporary works on paper, totaling more than 2,000 abstract drawings. From his celebrated collection,
Mr. Kramarsky states, “You have a responsibility to challenge, to move the world along, to add insight to what beauty can be.”
Organized by the Boise Art Museum


This is a totally new experience for me as I have never been to Idaho and I am looking forward to uncovering the Arts in Idaho. Also, I must admit that I have a preconcieved notion that Idaho is a state of landscape painters, hunters,and nature lovers and I look forward to shattering my perceptions and to reveal the many other layers of art and artist's that thrive in this state.

As always insights are loved. Have you seen some amazing art in Idaho? Let us know.

I am an artist: Nikki Brittain

1. Why are you an artist?
I have always loved art, but what makes me an artist is the fact that I love creating. For some reason, I was given this drive to "make" and I'm always thinking of new ways to convey something. I hardly ever sit still, and if I am that's probably because I'm daydreaming or thinking of my next project. Check out www.nikki.7down8up.com to see my work!

2. Is there a concept behind your work? If so, please tell us about it.
My work stems from the struggle within myself to find my place, my niche, or where I belong. My mom is full Japanese, while my father is German/Irish/Scottish. I was born and raised in Hawaii, and was always surrounded by my mom's side of the family, (all Japanese). I grew up in a house that had belonged to my mother's uncle, he was an art collector, who often took trips to Japan to acquire more. Thus I grew up around very traditional Japanese pieces, kakemono, Shinto style interior designs, woodblock prints, and silk screens. My grandparents were also a huge influence on me as a child, and taught me most of what I know about our culture. That being said, it is important to note that I looked like a white kid with red hair. Basically any local who saw me, probably had a lot of assumptions about me, my upbringing, and my loyalty to my home. I didn't exactly blend in and I found that my identity changed depending on what kind of situation I was in, and what was called for... to survive and thrive in the islands.
Attending a university in Oregon, I had no problems adapting, and was better equipped to observe the locals (from my previous environment), trying to work the new system. This started me on my investigation of identity formation in our culture. The backgrounds that come together to form my identity dominate in both physical and traditional ways, illustrating that one ethnicity may be absorbed by the more dominant or accepted side. Exploring this tension in myself, gives insight as to how identity is not just the state of remaining the same.


3. Why do you use the medium that you use?
I use pen and ink (or Adobe Photoshop for my digital pieces)! I love detail-- having control of the medium is a must, to get my desired effect. My strongest skill would have to be drawing in pen, so I took that to a new level by doing it on canvas. I just love the way I can blend colors and "paint" while still staying true to my style.
4. Are there symbols in your work? If so, please elaborate.
Tons of symbols. I've always loved eyes, not expressive ones, but blank stares. It represents mystery and the unknown, that impenetrable fortress of the mind. I use a lot of fish (koi) which remind me so fondly of my younger years (I also happen to be a Pisces, but I really don't follow that junk), specific flowers like lotus which stands for rebirth/renewing, also-- trees... I just love using trees. They seem like arms coming out of arms trying to reach up into the sky. I like stairs, bridges... things that take us places or lead elsewhere, doors, windows, masks, clouds and other imagery to create a dreamlike quality to my pictures. That probably didn't make sense, but I could go on forever.
5. Tell us why your work has so much information squeezed into it--why the collage of images?
I realized somewhat later in life that I feel things very strongly, whether it be joy, frustration, etc. It was important for me to create pieces that made people FEEL something. Personally, I find myself drawn to the images that are complicated and beg the viewer to dig deeper... anything that reveals more on second inspection. I also think that people are more affected when they are confronted with imagery that overwhelms them, whether it be with color or through design. Adding the conceptual nature of my work I feel like I am being very systematic in creating chaos, while still making a thing of beauty. I think that explains why I have such an obsession with space, and emphasizing exactly where one form ends and the next begins.

6. What is the role of the artist in our society? and in Oregon?
As far as the popular artists in our society, I would say their role is to continue to try to shock us, create novelty pop culture pieces, or to highlight/rethink current issues. As far as the role of the artist in Oregon... it's hard to say. I moved here to further my education, and since graduating made the next logical step by moving to Portland. I see a lot of artists trying to replicate the natural beauty of the area, while others seem to have a style that looks very similar to much of what is already out there. I feel that the Oregonians like to put their alternate views and lifestyles on canvas. That says quite a bit.



7. Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years?
I would hope that 5 years more experience would lend itself to a more refined version of my current style. Being able to have solo shows in galleries and see my artwork shown internationally would be amazing. I am also excited by the possibility that I could be living in another city, or maybe another country. I lived in London a couple years ago, and absolutely loved it. I would also like to spend time in Japan.

8. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?
To continue to create beautiful pieces of art with substance. Art that speaks deeper about our society, and humans in general. To utilize my style and illustrate perceptions that people can connect with would reach one goal as an artist. My ultimate goal would be turning this passion for art into my full-time job... that would be a dream come true.

9. What does art mean to you?
Art has the potential to do so many things... lift spirits, make people laugh, imagine, dream, bring back childhood memories... it's what I know. Art is where I can make something that existed only in my mind a reality. That is a powerful feeling.

Artist's Website: http://www.nikki.7down8up.com/

I am an artist: Garrett Price

1. Why are you an artist?
Because I hate to work regular jobs, and because I was always mediocre at everything, until I started taking being an artist seriously.

2. Is there a concept behind your work? If so, please tell us about it.
First off, I would like to say that concept in my work is almost always an afterthought. I come up with new ideas for pieces focusing on a specific image or the overall aesthetic of the finished piece, rather than a concept. I work more creatively when I have a visual problem to solve, instead of a conceptual problem. However, I do look back at work I've made with the purpose of finding a psychological thread that ties pieces together conceptually.

My art as a whole has always carried a theme of beings (human, animal, etc) and their environment. The more narrow concept has often been depicting the two halves, being/environment, standing in opposition to each other. Lately, I feel my art has been representing more of a unifying concept of how humans interact with and change their environment.



3. Why do you use the medium that you use?
I'm working right now using rust and screen-printing on steel plates. I like this combination of mediums because it's a good balance of both digital and analog techniques. This medium also has a strong tie to my subject matter, which I like.

4. What have you learned through the creative process ?
To trust the process. All of my really successful pieces have always involved a process of building and refining. My ideas almost never come out right the first time, they have to be refined. I have also learned to never limit myself the use of any tool. Just because a tool or technique isn't part of some grand tradition of art making doesn't mean it isn't a valid way to make art. Everything is art, not just oil painting.


5. What does graffiti symbolize for you and your work?
The graffiti in some of my work is more about aesthetic then concept. I take a lot of photos of freight trains because I like the extremely weathered look they have. I started to notice how visually appealing some of the photos were when they were cropped. They often look like a perfectly balanced design composition. The graffiti, the bolts and rivets, the railroad logos, door handles, locks and years of rust and grime layer on each other in an visually interesting way. The graffiti adds a very appealing layer to all of this, because it is a hand made element. All the other layers are more rigid and industrial looking.

6. What is the role of the artist in our society? and in Oregon?
I think the role of the artist is to evoke emotion. Any kind of emotion. The target emotion is different for every artist.

7. Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years?
Still trying to figure how to be at my most creative, efficient and inspired. In a bigger studio space with more tools and more knowledge.


8. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?
To sell enough art to not have a day job.

9. What does art mean to you?
It means I will never be bored, because drawing is pretty much always free.


Website: http://www.garrettpriceart.com