Filed under: Artst Interviews, Events | Tags: Drawing for Life, Logan Zawacki, Logans Heroes
Jax Artist: Logan Zawacki
1. Hi Logan. Thanks for taking the time to do an interview. I am very interested in learning about the charity work you are involved in, especially Drawing for Life, but first I was wondering if you would give us some background information. How did Jacksonville get lucky enough for you to end up here? How’s it been treating you thus far? (laughter) Well, Jacksonville was lucky enough to have my Mom & Dad give birth to me here in Jacksonville and I liked the place so much I’ve just never left. I think Jacksonville is an amazing city and I’ve actually grown to appreciate it more as I’ve gotten older. The art scene is thriving, despite the overall lack of financial support, and there’s a huge movement being organized by all the 20-30 something artists in our city. When I graduated college back in 2003 I had the dream of making it big and being a professional photographer working on $20,000 photo shoots in New York, California, Paris, etc. The reality is that you don’t get those kind of jobs with zero experience and a 4-year degree, and after getting a peak into the commercial photography world by doing weddings and family portraits I realized that I don’t have any desire to actually do those jobs for the rest of my life. I was extremely fortunate to land a job working in UNF’s Photo Department a couple years after graduating and it helped me realize my calling is to become an instructor and share my knowledge with others. Working for UNF and staying in Jacksonville has provided me with so many opportunities to work with other local artists and get involved in our Arts scene. I am proud to say that Jacksonville has been very good to me in retrospect.
2. I have to say that you are one of the biggest kids I’ve met in the fact that your imagination clearly fuels your work. How would you describe yourself and your art exactly? Would you say you are an illustration artist? I think the best word to describe me as an artist would be revisionist. A lot of the projects I’ve worked on recently involve taking something pre-existing from my past and applying a new twist to the subject. For instance, in my book, The Excavation of Mushroom Island, I recreate the Super Mario world from an archaeological standpoint. I provide the scientific explanations for “how” these characters existed in our reality. In my newest series, The 200X Product Catalog, I’m creating blueprints of various Mega Man characters and providing factual prices of the equipment and employees they’d replace as a social commentary on the American job market and how multi-functional machines are replacing real people.
Now, both of those examples use digital montages and classic photographic processes to create my art, so does that make me a Graphic Designer, a Photographer, or a Fine Artist? I honestly don’t think I fit into any particular niche of art. I don’t work exclusively in one medium so I would be perfectly happy if people just referred to me as an Artist.
3. Tell me your thoughts on the term “Lowbrow” and how you think it pertains to working artists in Jacksonville right now. Any predictions….?? Have you looked up the definition of “lowbrow” lately? I hear that term used a lot around Jacksonville for several of the illustrators and the definition is “a person who is uninterested, uninvolved, and uneducated in intellectual activities or pursuits.” Isn’t creating art an intellectual activity? If that term is in reference to the fact that Jacksonville has a large underground culture of artists who aren’t willing to put on a suit and kiss somebody’s ass in order to sell a $1,000 painting at an art show…then “Yes” we do have a large community of Lowbrow artists. (laughter) My prediction is that Lowbrow art will continue to thrive and flood all the local shows and eventually galleries will have to change their interpretation of Art to include more of the contemporary work being produced by local artists. Galleries prefer to display safe, unconceptual paintings of a pretty landscape or a serene beach scene, showing off an artist’s technical abilities over his/hers creativity.
4. What is Logan’s Heroes? How can people get involved? Logan’s Heroes is the name of my Relay for Life team. The name was inspired by the headline used by Owen Holmes in an article he wrote about my toy photography in Folioweekly several years back. The name also refers to all the people in my life who I considered “heroes” that I lost to cancer-related deaths. My involvement with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event is a way for me to honor all those “heroes” in my life, and a way for me to pick up their torch and continue to find a cure for cancer so that no more unnecessary deaths have to occur because of this horrible disease.
5. Thanks for your time Logan. Before you go, please give us all the details about the 3rd Annual Drawing for Life Marathon. Absolutely! The 3rd Annual Drawing for Life Marathon takes place this Saturday, March 6th, from 10am-10pm inside The Art Center II (111 E. Bay St., Jacksonville, FL 32202: located above the Ivey Bar). This is a Drawing Marathon where myself and 13 other local artists will draw for 12-hours straight and all the artwork we create during the day will be sold with all the proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society. Some of the things you can expect to see is new Art projects throughout the day by each artist involved, Door Prizes will be randomly distributed over the 12 hours, Silent Auctions and Raffles, and (4) Power Hours!!! For those of you who don’t know, a “Power Hour” is an entire hour dedicated to working on one theme where the artists have to create a new sketch every 5-minutes. The final result is 12 different sketches by each artist and it really shows off each of the artists’ abilities to produce excellent work in a short amount of time. Not to mention, it is fun to watch them get stressed out because they have to work in a hurry. (laughter)
Please come out to the 3rd Annual Drawing for Life Marathon and help us raise the funds needed to find a cure for every form of cancer!
Filed under: Artst Interviews, Openings | Tags: First Friday, Kristi Howell, underbelly
Jax Artist: Kristi Howell
1. Hi Kristi. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer a few questions. I am curious to know how long you have lived in Jacksonville. What the personal connection to this city is for you? Oh, Jacksonville… I was born and raised in Jacksonville. I left for a bit, for college, and eventually moved back after graduating. I have a strong connection with the city… family, friends, memories. Although, honestly, there are frequent moments when I get a bit stir crazy and just wanna pick up and get out of the ‘ville. It’s events like this, First Friday, Art Walk, RAM, misc. shows at the beach, and other admirable strides people are taking to get this city up and running that keep me hanging on. I don’t know if I am just now getting to the age where I am recognizing some of the culture offered in this city or if it is truly growing and evolving, around me, as it seems to be. Either way, I appreciate it and am looking forward to witnessing future growth.
2. From what I understand of your work, it has strong ties to your graphic roots. Would you say that is correct? Can you elaborate on that? Actually, my “roots” are fine/studio art. It wasn’t until college that I was exposed to Graphic Design. I went to school for Studio Art and because of “practical reason” focused on Graphic Design. With the OBVIOUS influence of design on my work, I still feel it is a merge of design and the fine arts. I love the initial control I have (w/ graphic design) when it comes to laying out my beginning concept… and how I almost lose that very control with a more hands on execution.
3. Are you inspired by music? What are you listening to at the moment? Anything local? Yes, to question #1. Music, in my opinion, can absolutely affect your mood and as a result your work. There is nothing I love more than sitting down, making a playlist on my ipod, hitting play (with the volume rather loud, HA HA), and getting to work. My music interests are constantly changing, but there are a few that have kept my interest over the years. A few faves: Minus the Bear, Pinback, Death Cab for Cutie, Norah Jones, John Coltrane, Postal Service, Cursive, M.Ward, Thievery Corporation, Imogen Heap, and the list goes on and on.
4. If you could work for any design firm, who would it be? There are quite a few firms I admire around town. Ideally, I would be honored to work at any of them (not that I am not completely satisfied with my current employer, HA HA). I know there are many firms, around town, I haven’t come in contact with, but from those that I have, here are some that have left a mark: On Ideas, Burdette Ketchum, The Robin Shepherd Group, and I’m sure some others that have slipped my mind. The fore mentioned firms seem to produce inventive, out of the ordinary work, and I am very impressed by the products I have seen. Like I said before, I would be honored to work at any of these firms, but I know the talent is fierce and very competitive.
5. Are there any local Jacksonville artists you particularly admire? I know there is tons of talent in this city! With that said, I still feel like there is so much I have yet to see. For those, that I have been fortunate enough to take in, here are several that have stuck out: Tim Lenior (even though I think he is now a NYC transplant), Brittni Wood, Dan May, Terry Densford, Megan Cosby, the oh-so-talented Shea Slemmer, Devin Balara… and I am sure I have missed quite a few.
6. Thanks again for your time. Can you give a little insight into your upcoming show at Underbelly on March 5th? Hmmm… in a nut shell: mixed media, small to medium scale, a definite design influence, a little paint, a little wood, and lots of Modge Podge. Hope you guys enjoy it.
Filed under: Events, Gallery Happenings, Openings | Tags: Super Wonderful
Grand Opening Friday, Feb 12th from 6-9PM - 1992 San Marco Blvd
The line-up:
Matt Allison
Clay Doran
Barrett Fiser
Dustin Harewood
Tonya Lee
Kyle Lemstrom
Jen Morgan
photo by Laird
1. Hi Jim. Thanks so much for taking the time to do an interview. Tell me a little about your experience thus far in Jacksonville. How long have you lived here? I have been in Jacksonville since 1992, I guess that is eighteen years. In 1994 after deciding that I had to make my own art career, I quit my last real job and put together a way to work which included teaching part time at FCCJ, Flagler, UNF, The Cummer and just about anywhere else I could along with having my own work space. I did several large scale murals around town, the one that is left, though fragmented is the one at the corner of Ocean and Bay with the big Jaguars in the windows. I did that one along with Anne Banas with whom I worked at FCCJ (Florida State College.) During the late 1990’s I was active in a program sponsored by the Cultural Council called CANVAS. It was dedicated to form a link between inner-city kids and artists. The program was a huge success, not only were a lot of kids inspired to go on to great things, we were also able to pay over a hundred thousand dollars in salaries back into the community of artists. During that time my painting career took off and I was selling in galleries all over the country. I was part owner of a gallery called Pedestrian, an art supply store called Raw Materials, and an art center called Brooklyn. Now, I am teaching part-time at UNF and painting at my studio on King St. at Park.
2. Let’s suppose you were the “fly on the wall” for a sec. How do other people describe your work? Arrrggghh! I get all sorts of descriptions from glowing accolades to highly critical. Luckily I have had a pretty large fan base which has helped me do more. I did a series of Palm trees for several years around the year 2000. I think that those made
a large imprint and became a sort of brand.
3. Tell me about your new studio at Park and King in Riverside. Is the best way to see your work to contact you directly? Yes, I am open from 11-5 Tuesday – Saturday and have a phone, 655-4551. You can also send e-mail to draperjr@gmail.com.
Deciding on the studio at Park and King has been a really good thing for me. It is great being back in the Riverside area. I am doing a lot of new work.
4. Has New York ever been an influence on your work? How do you feel about that scene now that we are going into 2010? New York has become a bit of a Yawner as far as I can tell. There are some pretty interesting things going on in LA. So many good artists have moved out of New York and are scattered across the country. I have shown there at two different galleries. Each experience was pretty bad. One gallery sold several paintings and stiffed me for my part. The other sold 9 paintings and charged back everything from postage to utilities to me.
I think I got a check for $236.00 from that one, the first one was a big zero. New York is certainly not the answer.
There is good stuff out in the world. I like some of the books that are coming out and some multi-media exhibits. Regular, put-a-painting-up-on-the-wall stuff is
a little off. Hand-made prints are big all over the world. Young smart collectors can get into some pretty cool stuff for not a lot of money.
5. Where do you get your news from? Do you read any local Jax blogs? I stay pretty busy and have a lot to read. Most of my local news comes from hearsay. I wish there was a talk radio show that had a daily scene art and culture radio show. That would be very cool.
6. I’m sure you have seen quite a few changes over the years here in Jacksonville. What advice would you give to emerging Jacksonville artists? Advice: Work, stir it up. Be kind and supportive to one another. Watch each other’s back. Consider yourselves in relationship to the larger art world, not just local.
7. Thanks again Jim. Before you go, please tell us about the work you are exhibiting on Fri, February 5th at Underbelly in Five Points. I am delighted to show some older figurative work that has not been seen in a while. This will be fun. It may be more about me than anyone would want to know.
A Future Memory
A new project by Matt Allison
January -March 2010
Nullspace Gallery & the asteRISK residency
108 E. Adams St., Downtown Jacksonville
www.nullspacegallery.com
During the 3 months of my residency, my main focus will be a collaborative project tilted A Future Memory. Its goal is to publicly (re)engage and (re)interpret key figures and moments associated with the Modernist Avant Garde timeline. This will happen in a variety of ways, and for a variety of reasons. The following are some of my plans:
- Create an open-to-the-public reference library located inside Nullspace Gallery
This collection of essays, interviews, catalogues, sound and film recordings will create the historical context with which A Future Memory will engage. I intend to make this an extremely collaborative endeavor, and I urge all who are interested to drop off contributions at the gallery or e-mail me at matt.t.allison@gmail.com. More info on that very soon.
- Web-based Interaction through Nullspacegallery.com
In keeping with the interactive nature of A Future Memory, visitors will be able to experience the project via the web. Excerpts from the reference library, exclusive content, announcements, and live video feeds will all extend the piece well beyond the physical space of the gallery.
- A series of collaborative events which correspond to the moments/ characters of A Future Memory
In a series of loosely improvisational events, other members of the creative community will be invited to join me in digging into the Avant Garde. Brought on as guest curators, these invitees will present their own perspective through the what, why and how surrounding each evening’s festivities.
- The creation of a sprawling multimedia installation in the main gallery of Nullspace
With its construction scheduled for the entire month of March, this installation will unfold entirely within the public’s view. Originally proposed as an attempt to read the future, the work will ritualistically explore the possibility of connecting what did happen in the past to what may happen in the future. As with all methods of divination, the ability to embrace chance, interpretation and mystery will be essential to A Future Memory’s success.
If you haven’t met Justin Netti, then you’re about to have your last chance. I highly recommend it.
Riverside Avondale Preservation hosts an inaugural social for a new young professionals group called RAP180.
RAP180 aims to encourage involvement from young professionals in the Riverside Avondale neighborhoods and to progressively nurture the arts, culture and history of the area. It will be strengthening the communities where we live and work through monthly collaborations.
For more information, go to: Riverside Avondale Preservation
An Opening Reception for the Book as Vessel will be held at the UNF Gallery of Art Thursday, January 14 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
The Book as Vessel: an Overview of Contemporary Book Arts is an exhibition of book arts in including work by Carol Barton, Sarah Marshall, Lane Cooper, Werner Pfeiffer, Edwin Jager, Bridget Elmer, Jessica White, Marti Hobbes, Matthew Liddle, Sarah Bryant, Shanna Leino, Shawn Sheehy, John Smith, Todd Sanders, Anna Embree, Roberta Lavadour.
The event is free and open to the public.
The UNF Gallery of Art is located in Founders Hall Building 2.
The UNF Gallery of Art is open from 10-4 Monday-Friday.
For more information contact Gallery Director, Raymond Gaddy at rgaddy@unf.edu
UNF Gallery of Art
