"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." - Dorothy Parker
Something tells me that artist Nick Papadakis is rarely ever bored, especially since he fully admits he is often very curious. An artist since he was a teenager, Nick Papadakis, has a body of work that spans across decades; twisting and turning through a variety of different mediums and techniques. With a penchant for questions, his artwork serves as a series of explorations in search of the answers to life's many mysteries.
In this ART Punctuate! Artist Profile, Nick talks about what inspires him to create, and explains how a fascinating occurrence in the studio lead him to a unique technique he calls "Erosion Painting."
Jan Huling’s booth at last week’s SOFA Expo caught my eye with its vibrant colors and interesting sculpture. But it wasn’t until I got closer that I realized everything was covered in beads! Gazillions of them. Tiny, tiny beads only a few times the size of large grains of sand.
Jan Huling calls herself "The Beadist" and beads just about every interesting object she can get her hands on: guitars, matchstick boxes, tables, teapots, Buddha statues, a box of mannequin hands she bought off a friend, the list goes on and on…
Her website warns “she is liable to bead anything that stands still.” I secretly kick myself for not holding my breath or standing still enough during the interview.
Jan’s designs are so intricate and well designed, with a seemingly perfect placement of every single bead. Had someone like Jan Huling showed up at Career Day decades ago when I was in middle school, I surely would have chosen a different career. Why didn't anyone tell me that "Beader" was a viable option?
Here is what ART Punctuate found out about Jan Huling during an interview with “The Beadist.”
Most of the things she beads are found objects. She says, “I always have my eye open for a good shape.”
She was inspired to start beading after her sister beaded a Pez Dispenser. Jan joined her sibling on the "beading bandwagon" and first beaded several Kazoos.
She quit her day job two years ago because she knew that in order to build a complete body of work she would have to “bead” full time.
A signature trademark on her beaded birds, dolls and animals? A fancy beaded booty-hole, "just in case they need to poo.”
She was a commercial artist for 30 years, including time spent at Hallmark as a greeting card designer.
She turned down a full-time job with Avon after 9/11, to pursue her passion, not because Avon isn't completely fabulous and wonderful, but because "life is too short to go out working for someone else."
One object Jan beaded that was not a "found object", was a mold her husband, who is also an artist, made for her in the shape of a human heart (I guess you could say "she beaded his heart...lol")
I checked out Jan's website and particularly liked "Beaded Mao Shelf" and "Bad Baby". I speculate that a woman who can bead this intricately must be disciplined, organized and head-smart, but also judging by her subject matter (and the silver studded booty-holes) whimsical, fun and open-minded. If my thoughts are correct, a very nice combination indeed.
Jan Huling not only seems to love what she does, she looks like she loves what she does. Youthful and effervescent, I have a hard time believing she has been a commercial artist for 30 years. Goes to show, do what you love and the beauty will follow.
When I ask her what’s the best thing about being an artist, she takes a moment to think….but then perks up and quickly replies “It’s Sexy!”
Would you be grossed out or intrigued if someone told you they had just purchased the most magnificent painting ever...and it was all made with human blood?
I have been thinking about the Daily News article my friend sent me the other day reporting on celebrity photographer/artist Tyler Shields' latest artistic endeavor; painting an artwork using celebrity blood. My emotional pendulum regarding this concept is still oscillating.
At least 20 of Hollywood's famous have offered up their veins to give Shields the "ink" he needs for this sanguine artwork . The finished piece will be the focal point of his latest show "Life is Not a Fairytale" scheduled to open up on May 7th in Los Angeles.
I think about all that blood commingling, on the canvas and get a little unsettled....ok, strike that, I'm skeeved out.
The Daily News reports, "We drew vials and vials of blood from people,"Shields explained, as we grew weak in the knees. "I have a refrigerator full of blood right now in my bedroom, which is hilarious." ...or gross depending on your particular sensitivities.
Like a rubber-necker staring at a train wreck, I am curious about artists who have the desire and stomach to create this way. I think it is macabre and slightly creepy, but nevertheless fascinating.
Intrigued by the whole concept, I found a few more artists who paint in blood, including the Australian tattoo artist Rev Mayer who uses his own blood to create intricate works of art. At a recent Tattoo and Body Art festival Mayer was supposed to paint live, but the Health Department shut the whole operation down citing health reasons.
The next two artists on the list, Tinet Imgren and Vanessa Tiegs come with an extra caveat. Not only do they paint in blood, but the way they procure it is, well, very unorthodox. I am too squimish and grossed out to go into details here... but if you dare, follow the link under each painting to see how these female artists get the blood they need to create.
By now much of the arts community has heard about how East Village artist VH McKenzie was strong-armed by the MTA for selling oil paintings she made on discarded Metrocards. The MTA wants a piece of the action if McKenzie is going to sell the paintings (10 percent to be exact), claiming copyright infringement and lost revenue. Hmmm...
Under their proposed profit-sharing agreement, The MTA would have collected a measly $10 from this local artist who up until yesterday had only sold two of the Metrocard oil paintings in 3 months (now, thanks to the media attention they are sold out).
But what I want to know is, why is the MTA harassing this artist for cleaning up their trash?
If you ask me, the MTA has far bigger issues it could (and should) work on correcting.
Watch the video for Ms. McKenzie's story and then scroll down...
So now, lets ask ourselves...
1. If I purchase a Metrocard...isn't that card now mine to do what I want with? If not, then aren't I simply LEASING the Metrocard and must return it?
3. If the MTA is concerned about lost revenue from cards, then what widely advertised program does the MTA have for salvaging and recycling the tons of discarded Metrocards that litter streets and landfills every year?
4. Ms. McKenzie says she found many of these cards littering the street. In essence, shouldn't Ms. McKenzie be paid for cleaning up the MTA's trash? (If we don't own the Metrocards, to be able do what we like with them, then it is still the property of the MTA and they should handle their mess. )
Artists Highlight MTA's Bigger Issue
As far as I am concerned, a much BIGGER issue the MTA needs to focus on is why these artists are able to get their hands on all of these extra Metrocards in the first place.
Last week artist Stephen Shaheen was in the news for designing a beautiful bench using many of the 5000 discarded Metrocards he was able to find from different sources. Another blog called singlefare displays Metrocard art made by artists.
Ms. McKenzie, Mr. Shaheen and other artists are able to make this kind of art for one simple reason. Metrocards are incredibly wasteful. On any given day, the average New Yorker can pick up (in under 10 minutes) 15-20 cards lying around on sidewalks, steps and subway platforms. Should Ms. McKenzie and others be applauded or harassed for turning this trash into treasure?
These artists are calling attention (albeit unintentionally) to an issue that is far more consequential than a few bucks in copyright revenue. The MTA needs to be more concerned with the environment and find a way to recycle, reuse, repurpose these cards. Artists are doing it. So should the MTA.
In the past, the MTA has been otherwise very "artist friendly." Over several years, the MTA has supported the arts, in particular musicians with their Music Under New York program. Why not do something similar with visual artists? A couple of suggestions:
1. Team up with visual artists and turn Metrocards into Collectibles: VH McKenzie's work reminds me a lot of Artist Trading Cards. The MTA should partner with artists and create a "Metrocard art series". Maybe this way the cards will then have value, interest and appeal beyond their 5- ride shelf live. People may have incentive to hold onto them or collect them rather then tossing them onto the subway tracks.
2. Sponsor an "Subway Art" exhibit:Good publicity for the MTA could be supporting rather than prohibiting artists and celebrating the art they make from the MTA discards.
The MTA has much BIGGER FISH TO FRY and it's called "cleaning up Metrocard litter." Until the MTA can find a way to solve this problem...
leave the artists alone who are cleaning up your trash.
Last week, after receiving an announcement through the "internet grapevine", I went to see the work of Delphine Diallo and ended up having quite a unique experience. The collaged photograph on the invitation intrigued me so much that I decided I would go and see her work up close and in-person. I hadn't encountered Ms. Diallo's work before but it was reminiscent of the renowned photographer Peter Beard's style. I rsvp'ed to the event and asked for a confirmation. Radio silence. I decided to go anyway. Little did I know that I'd be crashing her private art viewing party.
As soon as I walked into the studio space on 20th Street, I could tell that I had stumbled into a party that was a little bit more "exclusive" than I expected. The space was small and intimate. Everyone knew each other and exchanged the hugs, kisses and banter of familiar friends. I was the orange at this party of apples. But, life is entirely too short to pass up an interesting opportunity, so I stayed and eased my way into the mix...
ART Punctuate! is organized and curated by Rashida "Chida" Craddock. Rashida is an artist, journalist, writer and all-around creative rejoicer who believes that art when lived in action enriches both the individual and the world. Enjoy a little bit of art everyday.
