"I am an artist" in Texas

In May AIM is moving along and we are continuing our virtual interview series called I am an Artist to Texas. We are making a call out to all Texas Artists! Art is Moving would love to hear about your vision and inspiration. Please e-mail us at artismoving@gmail.com if you are interested in being part of this project.

Art is Moving first began this art investigation called I am an Artist in October of 2009 with the intention to virtually travel to all of the fifty States and beyond. Thus far we have gathered an amazing selection of interviews from artist's in the States of Washington,Oregon,Nevada,Idaho,Utah,New Mexico and Colorado.


Below I found this powerful installation from two artists in Austin, Texas.



Image is from-Installation artists Mags Harries and Lajos Héder have completed the largest public art installation for Austin, Texas: a set of 15, 30-foot-tall "sunflowers" studded with solar power petals. The flowers use the energy gathered during the day to power blue LEDs at night, illuminating the bike path they flank. On top of that, they toss about 15 kilowatts of extra energy into the grid daily.
"Click Here" to read more about this project.

Also, in tandem with our exploration of Texas, Lauren and my research project will continue as we seek to discover Art blogs and individuals artists on the Internet. We are really wanting to dive deep into the virtual art worlds that have been created.

If you know of any artists in Texas please lets us know.
Also, if you know of any killer artist blogs or Art Blogs send them our way. Artismoving@gmail.com


Fundraising mode:
We also are trying to raise monies to become a non-profit. As Art is Moving really believes that Art is Service. And we want to expand our projects. The ARTcart in every city. The ultimate intention of Art is Moving and ARTcart is to reveal that art is a gift that exists in everyone; it has the ability to transform our lives as well as the potential to transform the world we live in. If moved pleased click the Chip in button on our Blog. "Chip in" site. Everyone and everything helps!

Thanks and Namaste, Lisa

Kelly Heck of Red Dog's Studio--I am an Artist

I've always loved to create. It is calming for for me and a definite sense of release. I won my first award in 3rd grade (the piece is still hanging today) and have never thought about doing anything else.

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

I started seeing my characters in high school. I see them everywhere, especially surfaces with texture. When I start a new piece, it's as if it has already been drawn. I see the figures and shapes and trace them. Then, with paint, I start experimenting with color. Each color I lay invokes the next and so on...

Why do you use the medium that you use?

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I like to work very fast and acrylics allow me to do so. I started using found objects, jewels and such because I think they add to the visual imagery.

What role does humor play in your work?

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I think you can touch on a variety of subjects with a greater audience through humor. I love to add little touches to my paintings that unless you really look you would never know they are there. For example in "the Birds and the Bees" (see attachment) the dog is handing the boy a condom with a horse on it (Trojan), the bird has an egg body (which came first?) that has been cracked (not a virgin anymore), ect... Because I work with characters and very bright colors I think a lot of people miss the underlying dark humor that I add to a lot of my work.

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What role does color play in your work?

-Color is everything.
I would say that color and the flow of color in my work is just as important as the images themselves. The more color the better!

What is the role of the artist in our society? and in Colorado?

-I think artists help us to see outside of our own boxes. They expose us to new ways of looking at the same subjects over and over again. They provide a temporary escape from whatever reality it is that we are in, and let's face it, who couldn't use a vacation!

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

-Still doing what I love to do...painting.

What are your ultimate goals as an artist?

-My ultimate goal would be to be a largely recognized artist that has monetary success and is able to reach a broad audience. However, this usually doesn't happen until after an artist has past on. So, short of staging some elaborate death, I really just want to continue doing art. In the end it's my therapy, a dairy of sorts. I release it to the world and hope that it finds some like minded individuals who can relate!

What does art mean to you?

-Art is something that evokes a thought process and sheds new light on an old way of thinking/looking/or seeing.

Click Here to check out Kelly's work.

Join the ARTcart Tonight!

Lisa and I have made an amazing connection with a local Bar/Gallery in Oakland and will be setting up art making for FREE tonight!

Join us at The Layover in Oakland for their happy hour for some drinks, music and FREE art making.

You can even take BART to get there! Here are the directions.

Address: 1517 Franklin. Take the BART to 19th street. Take Broadway south to 17th street, turn left on 17th, then left on Franklin.

See you tonight! Happy Art Making!

I am an Artist: Michael Herring

1. Why are you an artist?
Because I accidentally drew a proper monster truck in grade school and surprised myself. Once I made that early jump from drawing height/length to height/length/width with perspective and all that, I decided I should investigate further.


2. Is there a concept behind your work? If so, please tell us about it.
Frustration about the way things are and the difficulty of changing myself to adapt to them. Most of my art involves symmetry and layers, which I mean to relate to nature and the processes of thinking and living in the current time.


3. Why do you use the medium that you use?
Pencil, ink, and acrylic paint are easy to set up and clean up. There's not a large barrier to beginning and finishing work sessions. Also, many layers of acrylic paint creates interesting textures.


4. How do you come up with ideas/compositions for your artwork?
I just start drawing/painting lines. Usually I'll start with a face/skull in the middle and go from there, but sometimes I'll just throw wild lines down. The process is important, as the initial forms lead to others until the piece is eventually finished.


5. What does the face represent to you? (you seem to use it a great deal in your work.)
The face/skull works as a crutch upon which I use to throw color, brushwork, and color fields. I was inspired very early by the artwork of Pushead and Derek Riggs for Metallica and Iron Maiden, respectively. Since I was exposed to Abstract Expressionism, I've been trying to create decent abstract pieces and color fields. This goal is still in progress, and the face with abstract elements acts as an acceptable compromise.


6. What is the role of the artist in our society? and in Colorado?
The role of the artist is to educate and/or agitate through their own form of expression. A good piece of art goes beyond its initial creation and encourages a response from viewers.

Luis Jimenez' Blue Mustang at the Denver International Airport is an excellent example of provoking a reaction in viewers, both positive and negative.

Since I've only been in the state for two years, I'm still trying to figure out my role in Colorado. Perhaps to offer an additional alternative to traditional Western- and wildlife-themed art.


7. Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years?
Painting more often and exhibiting at least four times per year.


8. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?
It would be nice to see art involving skulls and horns not be perceived as evil. I'd like to show more drawings and paintings to people who are willing to look at them. And making more money with my artwork than my web development would be chill.


9. What does art mean to you?
To me, art is a mysterious way of putting intangible ideas into form using time and materials, hopefully initiating some sort of response from viewers.

Website: http://michaelherringdesign.com/

I am an Artist, Warrior of Peace-Jon Orlando

Jon Orlando is an artist activist that uses photography to deepen our collective sense of humanity. He is an emerging artist who’s work asks us to not only recognize the urgency and necessity for a cultural transformation but also challenges us to relate to those he photographs on a deeply personal level as a means for providing us a space to acknowledge our own interconnectedness.
His current project, Warriors for Peace was recently accepted by the Blue Earth Alliance. Images from the series have been exhibited in group and solo shows throughout the US and recently won the Viewers Choice Award in the 2008 American Society of Media Photographers exhibit in conjunction with the Center for Fine Art Photography.


1. Why are you an artist? and why photography?

I often times have a hard time with the label of artist because it so often has the connotation of elitist and being somehow set aside from a large part of the public. To me though, art is everywhere you look- in architecture, advertising, movies, etc. It's all art. I wanted to use that fact- that art is everywhere and that we are a visual society, a society that reacts to images, to help us recognize our interconnectedness. I chose photography because honestly I suck at drawing or painting and somehow I got pretty good at photography. Also with photography you are not recreating as much as you are capturing or documenting that moment. That's important to me because there is a lot of emotion in individual moments.

2. Would you consider yourself an an art activist?

Yes definitely. The intent of my work is to get people to think, to react, to connect, to feel, and ultimately to engage people. And although most of my work has an obvious political message to it, my real intention is not political but emotional. I want to provide a space for people to connect with the subjects of my images. To me, lasting change comes from our ability to connect on a human level.

3. Do you think art has the potential to transform? If so, how and why?

Certainly. I should say, that I see everything as being in constant transformation. Therefore, everything effects and transforms everything around it to some degree or another. Art has the potential to create radical transformations in society. We have been, and are becoming even more so, a visual society. Everyone has certain images that have stuck with them and changed them in some way- the boy in Tienaman Square, Mi Li Massacre, the first images of Earth from space, etc. These are the classic examples that created big changes, but art and especially imagery transforms our world constantly. From advertising campaigns to family photo albums. We are constantly shaping and reshaping our lives in response to the imagery we are exposed to.

4. What is the most powerful photo you have ever taken?

Not sure. That's really up to the viewers of the images to decide. There are images that I had an amazingly powerful experience creating, that I will never forget, such as the ones of the harvest ceremony in Ecuador, or the veterans at the DNC protests, and of course many of the portraits from the Warriors for Peace series. But honestly I can't say which is more powerful.

5. How did your "Warriors for Peace Project" get started?

I did a studio portrait of a veteran for my portfolio and in doing so I got to know him and his story. He was an Iraq veteran that was opposed to the war and I was intrigued by his story and the reality that there were a lot of veterans like him that we weren't hearing about. In addition I was really interested in the issue of self-transformation- people that radically transform their lives, their viewpoints, and how they interact with society. I wanted know what was behind those transformations. At first the series was really about simply showing the individuals that were resisting the wars. Rather quickly though it became about the emotions and stories behind their transformations and about issues of humanity and my desire to encourage people to connect with these soldiers on a very human level.

6. What responses have you gotten from veterans you've photographed? How has the project effected you?

I've had a lot of good responses from the veterans I've photographed. I've stayed friends with quite a few of them. Often before I do a portrait I spend hours or even days or weeks with the person, getting to know them and their story and gaining their trust. I would like to think that most have appreciated the experience and my support of their efforts. The project has effected me in numerous ways. I've gone through just about every emotion from excitement and inspiration to depressed and angry. It's not easy to listen to story after story and I've often times found myself depressed and saddened over it all and then of course I get angry because I know all the destruction, death, and ruined lives was unnecessary. And yet at the same time I've been so inspired by the transformations, the personal growth, the relationships and all the good things that have come of it. At the end of it, I think it's our obligation at the very least, to listen to the stories and to understand the implications of sending our fellow citizens off to war. Weather or not we supported the war, it was our government and our lifestyles that sent them there.

7. Tell us about the "Tribe" project. What does "Embracing the Feminine" mean to you?

TribeAll is a documentary film that is being created and I was hired to do all the still photography for it. It's an inspiring film that is highlighting efforts and individuals that are recreating the world and helping us to find more balance and harmony. Our world has become a very male dominant one and in order to re-find our balance we must re-embrace the feminine aspect of ourselves and our cultures.

8. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?

I've given up on goals. Usually they just lead to either hyper inflated joy when you reach them or depression when you don't. My intention with my art is to create art that inspires people to reconnect with their sense of humanity. That means recognizing themselves in others. That means realizing we are all interconnected. However I can do that I will, and wherever that leads me I will go.

9. What does art mean to you?

To me art is a means for doing what I've described above as well as a means to express and process my own feelings and emotions. I don't think you can ever separate yourself from your art.

Thanks Jon for your inspiring and amazing work. Art is service!!

To check out Jon's website "Click Here"

Also, please join and support Jon's amazing project on FaceBook at his fan page Warriors of Peace Project

I am an Artist: Geremy George

1. Why are you an artist?

When I was younger, like many other children, I felt a strong desire to create and illustrate. I never really grew out of that, and during my pre-teen/teenage years, I found drawing and creating art in general to be very stimulating. It functioned as an outlet for my thoughts and imagination and helped me find a place to fit in during those of self-discovery.

Now, as an adult and as an artist, I find that art allows me the ability to explore, express, convey and translate the intangible (ideas, emotions dreams, inspiration). I have also found that I'm intrigued by the external interpretation of my work, mainly because of the connection it brings with me and the interpreter/viewer. I believe my images stir emotions, memories and contemplation on the part of observers, even before they being to investigate what my initial meanings/intentions were for the images.

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

In a simple statement, the concept behind my work is the experimentation and manipulation of inspiration.

Once I became serious about creating, it was important for me to seek out what actions, environments, thought processes and other circumstantial catalysts spurred inspiration in my mind. For me, many times, inspiration comes through my desire to problem solve on an existential level. Utilizing random statements, I found that I could jump start my philosophical mind, which often produced an inspired thought that I would need to convey. In school, I had a wonderful design professor that introduced me to the idea of exquisite corpse. Using a variation of this method, I have been able to successfully stimulate inspiration, somewhat eliminating the chaotic variability that usually accompanies the occurrence of artistic inspiration, generally. I've been able to force it, without corrupting the honesty of it.


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

My most recent work has been digital photo collage, utilizing both raster and vector-based softwares. I've really just felt comfortable with the process and enjoyed the range of capacity that it allows me, to convey exactly what I wish to convey (what I see in my mind). It's a comfort that isn't always present in my physical, hand-painted/cut-out collage work. For me, it's a fulfilling medium.


4. Elaborate on your "Exquisite Corpse" method. How did you come up with the idea? What do you think it does for you as an artist?

I first learned of the exquisite corpse method in a design class that I took at a community college near my hometown.

Quoth Wikipedia, "Exquisite corpse (also known as "exquisite cadaver" or "rotating corpse") is a method by which a collection of words or images is collectively assembled, the result being known as the exquisite corpse or cadavre exquis in French. Each collaborator adds to a composition in sequence, either by following a rule (e.g. "The adjective noun adverb verb the adjective noun") or by being allowed to see the end of what the previous person contributed."

My method is a bit different this description, but still holds to the basic principle. As a derivation, I created a computerized randomizer that uses lists of nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. to produce randomly generated sentences/statements. This adaptation addresses a couple of issues I had with the original exquisite corpse method.

1. Influence of the players. Things like Rorschach testing show us that choice can be greatly influenced by personality. The nature of a standard exquisite corpse method leads to a creation based off of group influence, because each player is choosing the next step based on their intentions, influences, perceptions, etc. Now, while that is intriguing in itself, I wanted to create works solely from my own mind, based on my own expressions and interpretations, connecting to the group, or external world after the fact.

2. Interpreting the product. The goal of the standard sentence-type method is to play the game, let the players choose the words and interpret the product. This goal was too limited for what I wanted to accomplish. My adapted method doesn't just seek to interpret or convey the product of the exquisite corpse game, but goes a step further, to where the product formed by the game is used to inspire my ideas, or to force/trigger inspiration in my mind. So for instance, if the game were to produce something like, "The blind auctioneer gobbles the towering roller skates," my goal wouldn't be just to start chopping up images of auction houses and roller skates (not that I don't do this as an exercise from time-to-time). My goal would be to have this sentence trigger certain memories, emotions or tangents that would lead to an image or idea that I would have a desire to convey. Many times, my method produces junk statements that do nothing for me. Every once in a while, though... it works. I feel my mind ignite, and I can't shut it off after that.



5. Why black and white?

To a very large extent, I get off on the contrast of it. It's exactly what I see in my mind when I visualize an image. I hardly ever daydream in color. A part of me wants to equate it psychologically with the exposure of some type of truth, or objective realization, and in some ways that's there when I feel like I've meaningfully conveyed or expressed an idea, but it's hardly well thought out on my part and because of that is has to be at least half bullshit.


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

So before I elaborate, I have to add a disclaimer that every time I engage in the type of thing that I'm about to describe, I feel absolutely pretentious, as though I should be wearing a beret and urinating on a blank white canvas. That being said, I will continue and let the external world judge me without any more concern.

To me, the artist is the human in all of its complexity. For every psyche, for every contemplation, for every emotion, there is an artist. The artist can create and convey order, chaos and every state of flux in between. Art is the whole of the human condition, struggling to present and expose itself tangibly. The artist is the means of this presentation.

Colorado is a reduced-scale model of the bigger picture.... just with a disproportionate amount of yuppies thrown in.


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

I don't have a LOT to say about this. If I'm here in 5 years, I'll be experimenting and creating. It's been a part of my life since I've been able to do it.


8. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?

My goals have always been to convey my ideas as honestly, accurately and creatively as I can. As long as there are new ideas to explore and meanings that I am compelled to express, I will be fulfilled.


9. What does art mean to you?

Art is the voice of the human, whether it is ignorant of itself, or fully enlightened. It's when humanity looks to itself to solve its own problems, whether the product is reason or perplexity. It's the realization of the intangible and the interpretation/transformation into the tangible.

Website: http://www.geremygeorge.com/

The ARTcart needs your support! We have a dream that on every corner in every city within our concrete jungles there shall be an ARTcart!

Lauren and I have a grand vision of what the ARTcart will become. We have a dream that on every corner in every city within our concrete jungles there shall be an ARTcart!

This creative place is a sanctuary that honors and is devoted to ones own personal expression and to the community as a whole expression.

A place to Be, create, to relax, and to connect!!

From our experience in Oakland we believe in the ARTcart and we feel that the ARTcart is such a powerful community art reach project. It can transform our communities and makes us all feel more connected. Our goal this summer is to cross the bridge and facilitate free art making in San Francisco! Please help us out!

With every donation you will be put in our raffle to win a complementary "The ARTcart" book. This is an amazing documentation of our journey on Telegraph Ave in Oakland.

Please support the ARTcart by clicking on this link

"Chip in" and donate at least five dollars if you can!

We are on our way to raising funds for a Non-Profit Status and an Art Project in San Francisco. Please help by donating to our cause!

About our ARTcart experience in Oakland

Lauren and I began this project in July 2009. During the next three months we pushed the ARTcart down the potholes that filled the sidewalks of Oakland, we were stationed on various street corners on Telegraph Av between 20th and 35th streets through the Koreatown-Northgate Community Benefit District in Oakland. Every day that we were creating with the community we felt the pulse of the street and saw the kindness and vulnerability that exists in the city. In this urban jungle we experienced the brighter side of humanity. We were also awakened to the many worlds that exist within this neighborhood. We experienced the splendor and plethora of diversity that exists in Oakland.

At the ARTcart, lawyers and biologists have created art alongside students, skateboarders, and persons who are homeless. We have witnessed so many amazing connections that have been made though the act of creating art together. Creating together blurs the boundaries between self and other. The ARTcart was a successful art intervention for the postmodern crisis of alienation and fragmentation in individuals that live in the urban jungles and suburbs of America. As I reflect on my experience at the ARTcart in the Korea town-Northgate neighborhood my heart opens up and I smile with the complete knowing that Lauren and I were facilitators and we were witnesses to the transformation of this small section on Telegraph Avenue through the communal act of making art.

"Chip in" and donate at least five dollars if you can!

Thank you all(:

Chipin-- Everything Does Count! and Never forget your dreams!!

Namaste, Lisa

I am an Artist: Kevin Donahue

1. Why are you an artist?

I chose to be an artist because my older brother drew cartoons. I was inspired by the worlds that would spring up from his pencil and paper. He was a natural at drawing and I wasn't. That frustrated me, so I started working at it.


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

My current drawings are from a live figure drawing session on weekends at the Cottonwood Art Center in Colorado Springs, CO. There is an appreciation for the human form and all its dynamics in my work.

3. Why do you use the medium(s) that you use?

Prismacolor pencils and magic marker on paper. I then color, some of the pieces digitally and print them.


4. Your work seems to stem from several directions, explain the pros and cons of each and why you choose one of the other at times.

Sometimes realism comes out, sometimes a cartoon style evolves, sometimes abstraction prevails. I think the different styles are the testimony to my range as an an artist.



5. What is the role of the artist in our society? and in Colorado?

You'll never see an artist on American currency or on Mount Rushmore. The role of an artist as visionary, guide and inspiration has been lost in our culture. In a society dominated by the youth culture and the entertainment industry who wants to take the time to see and appreciate the value of a poem, a dance, a sculpture or a flower blooming in a field?

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

Hopefully I'll be making a living as an artist. As of know, I am unemployed.

7. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?

I think I answered this in #6. I want to make a living on art and show my work in galleries. I think every artist wants to broaden their circle of people that view their art. I hope that my art reaches many people in the future.



8. What does art mean to you?

I appreciate art that reflects an artists will, determination and skill at their craft to bring something of value to the themselves and the public. Art that is both subjective and objective. Art that is held to those standards is capable of inspiring and moving people and society in a positive direction.

Check out the artist's online portfolio: http://homepage.floodcity.net/users/odmor/

I am an Artist: Frank Kwiatkowski

1. Why are you an artist?

There's no choice to my being an artist. There's no why.

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

The dominant concepts behind my work are insulin syringes and diabetes with capitalistic medicine being a tormentor. The syringe is such a taboo object. People have different ideas associated with it--mostly in its use of drugs. It's an object that might be looked on as filthy, dangerous, or as a weapon. To me the syringe is like a handcuff and it has a sexual vibe to it.


3. What is the inspiration behind your work?

I'm inspired by raw emotion. I get really pissed off and art is the best way to channel that energy.

4. Do you consider yourself a guerrilla artist?

Absolutely. I take construction cones off the streets and cut them. Once I have cut the cones I carve a template similar to woodcut or linoleum cuts. The last step is pressing the prints. A transformation occurs at this stage. Everything is reversed--left becomes right. It is a mirror image of the template. This past year I stapled posters around the hospital areas. Guerilla work can have a public outcry. It almost always involves some type of defacement or vandalism and it isn't elite. There is no monetary value attached to the work. In the case of conecuts, I steal the material from the streets and eventually return it to the streets.



5. What is the role of the artist in our society? and in Colorado?

I don't know that the artist has a role in society--he/she might be an antagonist to society.

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

I have no idea. I think in the moment. I suppose my prospects are sketchy--pun intended.

7. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?

To me it is a spiritual pathway. I don't have goals. I just don't want to be caught in matter once I am dead.



8. What does art mean to you?

I don't know. Art is a trick. I consider language and visual art as acts of magic

I am an Artist: Jonah Jacobs

Lisa and I have been loving the awesome connections we have made in the short time we have been active on Facebook. We were so happy when artist Jonah Jacobs posted some images of his art on our page. Jacobs was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about his art, process and concept. Thanks Jonah!


1. Why are you an artist?

First of all, because I really enjoy the act of creating. Making art of course, isn’t always stress free, but more times than not I find it to be relaxing, joyous, and fun. I also really enjoy the sense of community I get from being an artist. I’ve met so many wonderful people, from fellow artists, to fans of art, to gallery owners. Art is also a way of sharing, a way to give back to the world. The most important reason I am an artist though, is because I want to share with others the sense of awe and wonderment one can get from gaining a greater understanding of nature. Hopefully such understanding leads to not only a greater appreciation of nature itself, but I also hope that with understanding comes an appreciation for life in all its manifestations. Being an artist therefore is about expanding humanities sphere of understanding, increasing our emotional depth, and educating people about possibilities which prior to our imagining them, were unexpressed.

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

For many years now I’ve been fascinated by the structure of nature. Cezanne talked about the sphere, the cone, and the rod, and how such shapes are used in nature. Before I came across some of his ideas though, I was already experimenting with how basic shapes such as a rod, or a tube as I like to call it, can be used in mass to create complex structures. In my own art I’ve been amazed at how a few basic shapes and colors, when repeated over and over, lead to harmony and complexity. I believe there is an ordering principle inherent in biological organisms which ultimately leads to beauty. In using simple principles and shapes, I try to replicate the structural reality of nature, and hopefully do so in a manner that is pleasing to the eye. Instead of painting a bush or tree in a landscape, I want to understand how it is put together. I want to understand what shapes make up its structure and how and why does the replication of those shapes seem appealing or beautiful to us. Those are just some of the questions my art tries to grapple with.

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

I use a lot of found objects and recycled materials as building blocks for my organic looking compositions because the idea of them being used in a manner outside of their norm fascinates me. Imagine a world where instead of nature reclaiming our human made spaces, our junk comes alive, assembles itself into organic looking structures, and then creeps across our human made world reclaiming all that we have built. What would such a world look like? Can we mold it into something of value and beauty or will we and our earth simply be overcome by our waste?

The tension between nature and our trash and how each shapes our environment is a battle which unfolds daily, yet we hardly pay attention to it. Largely because most of our trash is quickly whisked out of view and sent to landfills. But what if our trash, and household goods, were infused with new meaning? What if these materials were taken out of there normal context and used to make beautiful organic looking structures? I think using such materials to create beauty is the next logical step in how we look at recycling. So far, recycling has focused mostly, but not entirely on practical matters. More and more though, artists are using such materials to make beautiful pieces of art and like myself, to draw attention to our natural world.

4. Would you consider yourself an Eco-Artist?

To a degree, yes. A lot of my material is stuff that otherwise would end up in a landfill. But I don’t want to give the impression that my art is made from one-hundred percent waste material. I still have to buy a fair portion of my supplies. And since I use a lot of dyes and acrylic spray, I am a bit nervous calling my art earth friendly. I like to think my art focuses more on potential. I am trying to educate people about the possibilities of waste materials and to highlight what I feel is the inherent beauty and wonderment of the natural world. I have a lot to learn of course and am always looking for ways to reduce what I have to buy for my art versus what I find and recycle. I am also constantly pushing the limits of whatever material I use. Doing so gives me a greater appreciation for the types of material I use and it also gives me knowledge as to their limits.



5. Why do you use found objects in your art?

Because I think it’s important as an artist to take things out of their normal context, manipulate them, and then recast them as something new and different. Doing so points to new possibilities, opens up our imagination, creates new meaning, and creates new aesthetic possibilities.

6. There seem to be two sides to you as an artist; what do your "creatures" fulfill that your mixed media pieces do not, and vice versa?

The creatures started out as a fun way to use recycled paper, for they were originally painted on paper that was headed for the trash heap. Mostly though, the creatures were just a whimsical side project. I no longer make them except as gifts for friends. My main focus has always been on transforming space and creating large scale installation pieces.

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

Hopefully, I will be fortunate enough to be able to create ever larger and more complex installation pieces. My ultimate goal right now is to transform an old unused and dilapidated building into a large scale installation piece. I would like every room and even some of the outside walls to be covered with organic looking artwork made from surrounding recycled materials. Honestly though, such an undertaking is impossible without the support of others. So in order for me to expand as an artist, I ultimately have to engage with and create a community of like minded individuals who have a similar vision or at least would like to participate in the many art projects I have plans for.

8. What are your ultimate goals as an artist?

To continue to push the boundaries of the materials I work with. To explore the possibilities and limits of new materials. To increase the percentage of recycled materials I use in my art. To educate others about the structural components of nature and the aesthetic possibilities of waste materials. To use my art as a community building tool. And of course, to create ever larger, more beautiful, and complex organic looking structures.


9. What does art mean to you?

So many things. Art is discovery. Art educates. Art opens us up to possibilities. Art on many levels is experimenting with new ideas, perceptions, and means of communication. Art is self expression. Art preserves and expands our humanity. Art grapples with beauty, harmony, discord, chaos, symmetry, and hundreds of other concepts. Art is about building communities. Art buffers us against the cruelties of the world. Art is self soothing, joyous, and sometimes frustrating. Simply put, art is one of the core ways we go about understanding ourselves and our world.

Check out Jonah's Website: http://jonahjacobs.com/

Creativity in Motion an interview with Art Blogger Gretchen Miller

Lauren and I are very excited to have are first Art Blogger interview with Art Therapist Gretchen Miller. We are so interested in the web of connections that has rapidly evolved in the last couple years on the Internet. How does and has the Web affected the art world and the artist? How does it affect arts and healing world? We are also curious on what makes a successful and dynamic Blog in the vast ocean of Bloggers online. Also, who Blogs and why?

I saw Gretchen’s Creativity in Motion fan page on

Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/CreativityInMotion as I researching arts and healing on FB. I was instantly intrigued. I sent Gretchen a quick e-mail about wanting to interview her and she responded with a YES! Love it!!

This is one of the coolest things about the internet and social media is the ability to connect.

Here is our interview with Gretchen!! Thank you Gretchen for being so open! We look forward to collaborating with you in the near future.

Gretchen tell us your story?

I am Registered Board Certified Art Therapist who practices in the Greater Cleveland, Ohio area. For over 10 years, I've worked with children and adolescents, with my work over the last few years specializing in youth and families impacted by domestic violence, as well as grieving children and adolescents who have experienced a death of a loved one. I'm currently President of Ohio's Buckeye Art Therapy Association and also serve as an adjunct faculty member for Ursuline College’s Master of Arts in Art Therapy & Counseling Program. In 2008 I founded The Art Therapy Alliance (www.arttherapyalliance.org), a professional group for art therapists that embraces social media and connection on-line to

promote art therapy, the work of art therapists, and build community. I've had a special interest in art therapy and the use of technology for over a decade, especially in relationship to the benefits of e-networking and social media for art therapists and students. My experience with this includes creating, designing, web editing, and managing websites, forums, and publications that provide resources to art therapists.

Tell us about your Creativity in Motion Blog

I started Creativity in Motion in late 2008 to merge my writing and art-making around topics about how creativity, connection, and collaboration foster inspiration, energy, and empowerment in my relationships, life, work, and play. Content for posts include a combination of my own art-making, current events and topics related to art therapy, and the creative process.

What are the Pros and Cons of Blogging?

I really enjoy the connection that the blogging community can stimulate. It's great to connect with other bloggers and readers who take interest in the some of the topics or art that I post. I also like having a space to write about my own creative process, collaborative art projects, and art I've made.... Describing or processing some of my art in this way has been really helpful. As many bloggers experience, what's been most challenging is keeping up with posting and interesting ideas, topics that others might find helpful or inspiring and having the time to do this!

What role does social media play in the world of the arts, art therapy, and the artist?

One role I believe social media brings to all three of these areas is the ability to connect people together for the purpose of sharing and exchanging ideas or inspiration related to creativity and experiences with art-making for self expression and transformation. Arts advocates, art therapists, and artists can all easily access social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogging, Flickr, YouTube, Animoto, etc. to meet and network with others, collaborate on projects, or support and promote important causes related to our work.

How does art heal?

The arts provide an important outle

t for self-expression of thoughts, feelings, and experiences for many when words through verbal communication may be difficult, not safe, or just not possible. Engaging in art-making to express and explore the self or particular issues can be less threatening and can reduce our defenses and anxiety to view and experience things with new meaning or from a different perspective.

What advice would you give someone interested in starting their own Art Therapy Program?

Art therapists in the US are Master level mental health professionals educated in both studio art and psychology principles. I would recommend that anyone who is really interested in implementing art therapy into their work to look into art therapy education programs to receive the appropriate training. More about art therapy education and where to start can be found via the International Art Therapy Organization [IATO] @ http://www.internationalarttherapy.org/arttherapyschools.html.

Where do you think the arts and healing world is heading?

It is exciting to see how the therapeutic use of art is being implemented globally and reaching so many people in need. The arts and I also believe social media's role have been very important with helping in times of disaster relief in different parts of the world. Art therapists and arts organizations are coming together and organizing to provide trauma intervention services through art. An important example of this is the International Child Art Foundation and their Healing Arts Program: http://www.icaf.org/whatwedo/healingarts.html. The ICAF are now sending teams down to Haiti and Chile in partnership with IATO and the University of Massachusetts Boston to help with the aftermath of the recent earthquake crisis’s in both countries. It's amazing to see how technology and the ease of this connection through social media contributes to this kind of organizing and connection taking place in the world of art therapy and utilizing art for intervention and transformation.

Tell us a little bit about your own art practice.

My own art-making gravitates to painting, altered art, and collage work and often focuses on themes connected to balance, visioning, detachment, and self-awareness. In the past couple of years I have created several altered books around these topics. Art for me is about the process and what I learn about myself from this creative action, as well as how art-making makes me feel and the connection it can provide to others. I enjoy being involved in collaborative art projects focusing on different themes.

What does art mean to you?

Art to me means authentic self-expression, freedom, permission to be myself, to make mistakes, play, and an opportunity to discover and try new ideas, concepts. I have much gratitude for art helping me stay grounded, balanced, nurtured, and sane. Art is also a way for me to help others and help facilitate expression that words sometimes cannot reach. When I make art, I re-connect with myself. 4

Thanks Again Gretchen for your amazing insights! Check out her Blog at "Creativity in Motion"