Paintpushers

Several members of paintpushers will be at the Valley Junction Art Market this weekend.  Sunday May 17th I believe from 11am-5pm.  Come check out our new work.

Name: Jacqueline Roate
Age: not 30
School attended: Grand View University
Degree: Triple BA Fine Arts, Graphic Arts, Creative and Performing Arts
(emphasis in Set and Costume Design)
Occupation: Painter at Sticks
Statement about your work: Painting and drawing combined on canvas and paper. My
work is often based on history or classical literature, focusing on the Greeks.
Influences: Neo-Classicism, Art Nuevo, Pin up Art, Comic Books/Graphic Novels
Fun Fact: I use a lot of spray fixative without adequate ventilation. While
painting, I often have a horror movie playing in the background.
Misc: Married to Illustrator Michael Roate, no one ever called him Michael until
we started dating. It was always Mike; yes that’s right I started it all.
Favorite Quote:  “Moderation is a fatal thing; nothing exceeds like excess”
Oscar Wilde. “I DRANK WHAT?” Socrates. “Read my lips, no more new taxes”
bastards.

How did you get started in the arts?
I won free classes at the art center when I was five and took my first figure
drawing class at six.

How did you find your style?
It found me. I loved drawing and painting so I try to make both visible in my
work.
Has it changed since you started?
I use to draw pop icons, specifically X-Files and Star Trek. Now, post college,
I focus on literature. I incorporate more line work.

What is your process when working? Can you run us through a typical painting?
First, I read up on my idea. For example, I read literature about my subjects
and look at how other artists represented the subject. I try to make my approach
different and try to learn from their approach. Then, I draw some figures and or
objects that may be relevant to the character or story. Then, I do some small
preliminaries to experiment with color, form, line, space, and composition. If I
like one or more of the ideas, I attempt it on a larger scale. I put down a base
coat, usually something that complements the main color or a medium tone that is
close to the main color. Then, I draw out the composition with pencil; I
fine-tune it with watercolor pencil. The rest is up to the composition and how
far I’m willing to take it.

How do you market/promote your work?
I don’t really. I wonder if that’s my problem?

Do you have a gallery? Why/why not?
Not anymore. With this economy I think I’m going to just sit back and focus on
being an artist and not a salesman.

What was one of your favorite paintings?
Zeus’s Daughters at the DSM Art Center

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Finishing it. Learning about the subject. The perfect little area of applied
paint.

Describe your work setting.
Smelly, but well kept. It’s our second bedroom. I have an easel, a drawing
table, and a drawing horse. My computer on a mammoth desk in the corner and it
takes more space than I would like.

Do you have side projects you work on?
I work mostly on murals, and some graphics. I would like to do theatrical design
on the side, but I want to get paid for it.

How do you maintain balance in your life between work and play?
Weekdays, I try to spend at least an hour in the studio each day.
I reserve most of Saturday and Sunday for studio time. So weeks it’s more, to
often it’s less. Family is always more important than work.

Do you ever have creative slumps? What do you do then?
I never have creative slumps just execution slumps. I move on to another piece.
What do you do for fun/when you’re not working?
Read non-fiction, watch Nova, movies, watch Star Trek, shower, drink awesome
imported beer, play Wii tennis, pet my cats (MeuMeu, CC, and Jaws), talk
politics, and fix up my town home.

What has been inspiring you lately?
“Silent Hill: Among the Damned” Graphic Novel

Any advice for others who are pursuing creative goals?
Find a support group like Paintpushers

Name: Amy Wood Thomas
Age: 34
School attended/ing: Central College/University of London graduated in 1997
Degree:. Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Art Major and Psychology Minor
Occupation: Full Time Artist
Statement about your work: Acrylic paintings on torn paper. Pieces are sculpted on canvas or simply on paper.  My work contains multiple layers and is always finished with a Bible Verse.
Influences (artists, genres, etc): Anything creative I encounter.  I have recently been studying the St. John’s Bible for the beautiful calligraphy and paintings.
Fun Fact:  I have decorated my church the last five years for their missions convention.  We support over 500 missionaries and t he convention is the biggest Assembly of God convention in the country.  This year I designed several 11 foot tall and under African Masks to promote our Africa Special Project.  (While nine months pregnant!)
Misc: I have three children, Eva 6, Gabriel 3 and Levi 3 months.  My husband and I have been married almost 11 years and he helps with our art business.

My biggest fear as an artist is that I won’t know when to stop. I’ve been struggling with how thick or thin to paint. How much is too much? How simple is too simple? What’s a part of my process and how much is obsessive? How long can I ask these questions before I seem like I’m on a crazy rant? I sit in my studio afraid to start something because I won’t know when its finished.

For about four years I have been working conceptually on an idea, a painting about the three fates. Over the years I’ve struggled with composition, symbolism, color, and layering. All my work on this subject has been preliminaries.

The Fates, otherwise known as the Moerae, are the weavers of destiny. In Greek mythology, these old women control the lives of every individual, gods and man. Even Zeus was subject to their rule. The fates are in every part of Greek mythos if only in the abstract. Clotho is the spinner, Lachesis is the apportioner, and Atropos is the inevitable.

If I believed in the fates, maybe I could blame my compulsive and indecisive behavior on them. Maybe all this upheaval will lead somewhere, if the fates allow.

As most of you know, The Art Store hosts some fun events for local artist. The newest ones are an ATC swap, Shoes That Fit Auction, and this year’s Art Market.

ATC stands for Artist Trading Card, local artist create a small piece of their original work on a card and then swap them with other local artist. The Art Store will be hosting this event on Feb. 8th. Only the first 20 artist will be able to participate, but they will provide the cards and a space to work on them. They also have set up the swap with artist from Omaha. All you have to do is show up with your own medium and do your thing. (Sorry, no oil paint unless non-toxic)

Any local artist can participate in the Shoes That Fit Auction. Starting Monday, Jan. 19th, you can stop by The Art Store and pick up a used satellite dish to turn into a piece of art. Then drop it back off at The Art Store by Feb. 10th for the auction that weekend.

This year’s Art Market applications will be out soon. I participated in that last year and was very pleased by the turn out. It is a great way for up and coming artist to get their names and art work out there.

If you have any questions or if you would like to talk with someone about partaking in these events, you can email JoAnne at jzallek@shptheartstore.com.