Yep, here we are… back with the second half of my conversation with my amazing friend, New York artist Petah Coyne. In case you missed Part I, Petah was kind enough to take over as ‘podcast host’ so she could interview me. We’re talking about the opening of my show, what worked, what I’d change, what’s next, and all of the many feelings that come crashing in after you’ve worked really hard on a body of work for a really long time. Listen right up there under that lovely vinyl lettering (I love it when that goes up on the wall!), or download ART FOR YOUR EAR wherever you get your podcasts.

Alright, here’s look at a bunch of the ‘specimens’, most of which were shot by my talented friend Stephanie Seaton:

Yep. Gum and cigarettes and birds and flowers and mushrooms and crocodiles! Stephanie and I are gonna go back and shoot the collages once the sun goes down because, boy oh boy, that resin reflects allllll the light. I’ve posted a few videos of the collages though, so if you’d like to take a peek you can find those right here: one, and two.

And finally, a selfie taken on one of my many quiet, on-my-own, visits to the show…

… to ponder what might be next. Thanks so much to Petah for doing this with me, and thanks to you for listening. ~ Danielle xo

Other links:

1. Petah on Instagram
2. Petah’s “Black Sand” (complete with motor oil!)
3. Full video walk through of the show! (via Instagram)
4. Penticton Art Gallery
5. Alexandra Goodall, Artist
6. Sandy Skoglund, Artist
7. White Lotus, TV Series
8. Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2022

At her request, I’ve handed the host microphone over to my dear friend, New York based artist Petah Coyne. As you might know, I’ve been working away, alone in my studio, for just over a year on a totally new body of work. Well, I wasn’t totally alone in there… Petah and I would meet via Zoom so we could talk through all of the ups, downs, and sideways. Well, after all this time, my first solo show in a public gallery opens TONIGHT! We recorded this episode about a week ago, the day before I installed everything because Petah wanted to document the “before”, and we’ll do an “after” episode next! Listen right up there under me dipping yet another flower in white paint, or download ART FOR YOUR EAR wherever you get your podcasts.

First up, the very first “3D collage” (which I do like, it just wasn’t do the job I wanted it to do) that I showed to Petah over Zoom, followed by a bunch of work in progress bits ‘n pieces:

Cigarettes, gum, and matching the gallery wall paint to one of my ashtrays, and a lovely little blush butt.

And here’s that wall, plus “Self-Preservation” starting to be put into place:

Eep! It is so exciting that all of this work is out of my head, out of my studio, and in a lovely, sunlit space! More to come in two weeks with the full reveal, OR keep an eye on my Instagram feed where I’ll be posting at the show TONIGHT. Thank you so much to my amazing friend Petah for suggesting this interview, and for – well – EVERYTHING. And of course, thanks to you for listening… the “after” episode will be up in two weeks. ps. “Self-Preservation” runs until May 15th.

Other links:

1. Petah on Instagram
2. Danielle’s art on Instagram
3. Penticton Art Gallery
4. Alexandra Goodall, Artist
5. MoMA

Works on paper, the wall, and … um … filling the entire room! This fabulous collection of textures and color is the work of American artist Liz Miller. Here’s a snippet from her artist statement:

“I create elaborate site-specific installations that are equal parts absurd, menacing, and poetic. Pattern and tactility confuse and complicate identification, camouflaging recognizable forms and evoking recognition when applied to non-objective forms. The tensions between fact/fiction and dimensionality/flatness are endlessly fascinating to me, playing out in my work as a dialogue between reality and illusion.”

Absurd, menacing, and poetic… love, love, love! ps. Not only is she a working artist, Liz is also a Professor of Installation and Drawing at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Are you tired? If not, listening to everything Vancouver based artist Sandeep Johal is doing might make you wanna take a nap! Murals, residencies, installations, solo shows… oh, and she also has a 6 year old son. Told ya. This busy, full-time artist went to university for… biology? Yep. She refers to her twenties as ‘the lost years’, but as you can see, she is now very much found! Listen right up there under Sandeep beside one of her murals, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

So, where should we even start? Well, let’s jump in with just the tiniest peek at a few of Sandeep’s murals:

So fantastic, and seriously, there are a lot more where these came from. Keep an eye on her Instagram feed, because there is always a new wall being prepped!

Alright, let’s take a step back to the work Sandeep was just starting when I met her. Here are just a few of Sandeep’s very emotional “Rest In Power” goddesses:

The piece in the middle is Natsumi Kogawa, the Japanese woman Sandeep mentioned. It’s so horrific that this series could go on and on and on. Hopefully their stories will be heard, and justice will prevail.

That’s not an easy topic to segue from, but there is more work to show you. Here are a few of Sandeep’s ‘beast’ collages:

Yes, this is exactly what we were talking about! Different mediums, but still very much Sandeep’s style. FYI,  these pieces are currently available through @vanartrental … just sayin’.

Speaking of beasts, here’s a look at “Beast of Burden” Sandeep’s final show for her residency at the Burrard Arts Foundation:

So fantastic! This was Sandeep’s first foray into textiles and, yeah, she nailed it. And, of course, there was so much talk about Pennylane and Jamie that I had to pop this photo in!

And finally — oh my word this is so good — “What If?”. This installation is on right now, until December 11th, at the Surrey Art Gallery in Surrey, British Columbia:

Custom wallpaper, too!? Love. If you’re anywhere near Vancouver between now and mid December, get yourself over to the Surrey Art Gallery to see this show in person… So. Many. Details!

Let’s wrap things up with a little ‘how it started / how it’s going’ combo, shall we:

Oh hell yes! From a birthday girl at McDonald’s to a MAMA BEAST! Thank you so much to Sandeep for taking the time to tell us all of her stories; thanks to Storyblocks for supporting the episode, and great big thanks to YOU for listening. I’ll be back with a new episode of ART FOR YOUR EAR in two weeks.

Other links:

1. Sandeep on Instagram
2. Sandeep’s website
3. “What If” / Surrey (BC) Art Gallery until Dec. 11
4. “Beast of Burden” / BAF Residency
5. Thrive (Founder Jamie Smith)
6. Pennylane Shen, Artist Consultant
7. Sara Khan, Artist
8. Crissy Arseneau, Artist
9. Vancouver Mural Festival
10. VAG (Vancouver Art Gallery) Art Rental & Sales
11. Storyblocks

Whoa. These insanely fabulous sculptures/shoes are the work of Toronto based artists Marina Dempster. In the spring of 2021 they were under glass at the Art Gallery of Burlington as part of a two-person show, titled ‘In Visible’, with Meera Sethi {curated by Hitoko Okada}. Each of Marina’s shoes have an in-depth title/description. This is the writing paired with the shoe at the top of the post… with the tongue!

REFLEXIVE
1. directed or turned back on itself / 2. marked by or capable of reflection. / 3. characterized by habitual and unthinking behavior.

This piece speaks to the archetypal challenges of motherhood and an invitation to exercise self-compassionate awareness while inevitability having ones buttons pushed. An invitation to embody, like mother of pearl, ones strength, resilience, and iridescence over time.

Ah, yes, motherhood and the pushing of buttons!

Tiny sculptures made from found scraps? YEP! Philadelphia based artist & animator Lydia Ricci transforms the weirdest bits and pieces into beautiful little objects – from couches and hairdryers to cars and roller skates. We get into how she found her way to this kind of work, and she may or may not have admitted to a crime. Kinda. You can listen right up there under that tiny station wagon and the bike that’s hitching a ride on the roof, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify.

First up, a few of my favorite little sculptures from Lydia’s massive {yet miniature} portfolio:

Aren’t they fantastic!? Some of her pieces are available through Paradigm Gallery in Philadelphia {Lydia just had a show there… how did we not talk about that?!}

Okay moving on from that little slip-up, here’s just the tiniest sampling of her stop-motion animation work:

 

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Yes, that’s the mac & cheese reference that came up in the Not-So-Speedy speed round… and united us FOREVER! There are so many fantastic animations on Lydia’s Instagram feed, and I almost put allllll of them here, but I figured I’d just point you over there instead. Warning: You will be there for HOURS.

Oh, “PANTYHOSE”. Brace yourself for a crazy true story:

What!? Yep. Just one more reason to love her. ps. Fabulous music by Wonderly.

Up next, “Don’t You Forget About Me”. This is the short film that made me a little teary-eyed. I’m not sure why… maybe it’s the old photos? Everything in there was pulling at my 1970s heartstrings. Oooh, and the other great thing about this video is that you get a peek into her jam-packed studio!

So sweet, and her words are just perfect. Also, how great is that messy studio!? So. Much. Stuff. See:

And with that I will say, thank you so much to Lydia for doing this with me… and mark my words, we will make the dream retreat happen! “True Crime, Mac n’ Cheese, Art 2022”! Okay, I’m gonna have to workshop a better name, but you get the idea. Be there or be square.

Other links:

1. Lydia on Instagram
2. Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh
3. Sheridan College, Ontario
4. Ann Carrington, Artist : Episode No.193
5. Paradigm Gallery, Philadelphia
6. The Innocence Files on Netflix

Episode no. 200 of ART FOR YOUR EAR… what?! Yep, it’s true. I wanted to do something different for this momentous occasion, but what? I asked all of you on Instagram, and whole bunch of people said, ‘have someone interview YOU’. That felt weird… until I thought of the perfect someone! The wonderful, insightful, and brilliant sculptor Petah Coyne is asking the questions today! And her first question: “Were you an artsy kid?” Ha! Clearly, Petah knows the drill. Spoiler alert: My answer was YES. That oil pastel bird up there was the first masterpiece my parents ever framed… can you blame them?! Look/listen (1hr 36min) to our conversation right up there under me as a 7 year old Brownie, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify.

First up… STUMPKINS!

Look at that little bum in the mirror! Sadly, I don’t have photos of the many, many, many Stumpkins I made, but I’m sure you get the idea. Also, can you believe I found an artist!?

Next, a few photos from one of my three visits to Claude Monet’s house in Giverny, France:

That’s me, in my mid 20’s, standing in the kitchen window. Greg took this photo on a trip to France while we were still dating … I thought he was going to propose. He didn’t. ANYWAY.

Ahhh, Blanche. I had to share a couple of photos of my Grammy, so you could see who’s watching over me:

Doesn’t she look like a bit of a trouble-maker? ♥

And lastly, a little peek at what’s happening in my studio at the moment:

Yep, cigarettes & gum made from clay, and fake flowers coated in thick white paint… and of course, Petah, checking in from her insanely beautiful studio in New York to see what I’m up to. Huge hugs and thank yous to Petah for being the interviewER today {I was nervous, but that was fun}. I can’t wait to unveil all of this new work to you in the next few months… I think it’s finally coming together after recently being torn apart and put back together. Thanks so much to all of YOU for listening, not only to this episode, but the 199 that came before it! Your enthusiasm is what motivates me to keep recording week after week. Speaking of yet another week of ART FOR YOUR EAR, I’ll be back next Saturday with a new episode of “PAINT CHIPS” on AFYE with Pennylane Shen… get yourself a bag of cheese puffs for that one! ~ Danielle

Other links:

1. Petah Coyne on Instagram
2. Collecting rotten fish!… {in case you’re wondering what she meant by that!}
3. My art on Instagram
4. Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver BC
5. University of Victoria, Victoria BC
6. Elspeth Pratt, Artist & Educator
7. Podcast episode no. 82 with my mom, Judi Cumming
8. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
9. The NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH ART Society
10. Co-loop Podcast Network

Ahhhh, the work of New York based artist Johanna Goodman {yes, that’s Johanna in collage form right up there}. I’ve written about her “Imaginary Beings” before, and you better believe I’ll do it again! These statuesque figures are organized into all sorts of categories, from nature and cities, to animals and textiles. I’m a bit of a sucker for the Landscape Imaginary Beings, myself. Check out her “Catalogue of Imaginary Beings” if you’d like to add one of these beauties to your collection.

{NOTE: This is the final week that new posts will be going up on the blog. Starting next Monday, March 15th 2021, all new content will be packaged up and delivered directly to YOUR INBOX! If you haven’t already become a member of ‘The NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH ART Society’, you can SUBSCRIBE right here.} 

Gasp! I wish I could pack a bag and stay in one of these pieces for the weekend. These hand-cut collages are the work of Australian artist Holly Leonardson, all of which are from her lovely 2019 series, “Spring Time 4”:

“The inspiration behind these works stemmed from my early morning routine of stretching and then walking or jogging to the beach. Dew drops that had been captured on petals and leaves would capture the light as the sun began to rise, and easily became a visual treat that I looked forward to experiencing every clear Spring morning.”

Ahhh, dew drops on petals… I might put some yoga pants and a lotus candle in an overnight bag, just in case. Happy Friday.

Acrylic, fabric and wood veneer on board. What!? LOVE. This is just one of many bodies of work by Atlanta / Brooklyn based artist Adrienne Elise Tarver. The series is titled “In The Dark”, and here’s why:

“… with a practice that spans painting, sculpture, installation, photography, and video, her work addresses the complexity and invisibility of the black female identity in the Western landscape — from the history within domestic spaces to the fantasy of the tropical seductress.”

Okay, I dove into the “domestic spaces”, but I bet “tropical seductress” caught your attention! Take a peek at “Mirage”, Adrienne’s series filled with greenish-blue watercolor wonderfulness.

{via Artsy}