Paintpushers

“Seventy Two” is the merging of the styles of the eleven artists of Paintpushers and one special guest, working together to make one massive display. Each artist is responsible for 12 feet of wall space to make 144 feet of continuous art work.

The artists are:
Kristin A. Aulwes
Kristine Clemons
Kathryn Downing
Molly Free
Claudia Cole Meek
Charlotte Redman
Jacqueline Roate
Mike Roate
Ben Schuh
Hasan Tosunbegovic
Chris Vance
Julie VandeBerg

Fitch Gallery is located at 15th & Walnut in downtown Des Moines. Admission is free. Food and wine provided during the reception from 5 to 9 pm. For further information about Fitch Gallery call 515-770-3810, or visit http://www.paintpushers.com

Name: Julie VandeBerg
Age: still turning 29
School attended/ing:n/a
Degree:graphic design.
Occupation:painter
Statement about your work:I use paint, paper and magnets in a layered, colorful, handcrafted way to create interactive fun.
Influences (artists, genres, etc):childrens art, graffiti and anything that floats my boat
Fun Fact:I never thought in my whole life I would be excited about tools. Now that I am working in woodworking to my art, I fell in love with a drill press. hee hee

How did you get started in the arts?ever since I could hold a pencil I was started.
How did you find your style? Has it changed since you started? I am continously finding my style. i think i’m the kind of artist that may never, but i’m ok with that.
Do you have a gallery? Why/why not?I have shown my work the last 2 years at the Great Frame Up in West Glenn shopping center. I will have a one man show in August at this location. I cuurently have a show hanging in Andy’s Frame shop on Ingersoll Ave through the end of july. Also one piece hanging in the Iowa Heritage Gallery Downtown Des Moines.
What was one of your favorite paintings? Ironically…a self portrait. My first attempt to paint on a gesso board as well…
What do you enjoy most about your work? feeling good about accomplishing a great piece and making people laugh when they read my silly stories that I incorporate in my work.
Describe your work setting. my dining room
Do you have side projects you work on? yes, currently I paint on baby onesies, they are called vandebaby’s. a spin off my last name. They are really fun and a good way to be not so serious…
How do you maintain balance in your life between work and play?that is a good question, i still don’t know the answer…can someone help me?
Do you ever have creative slumps? What do you do then? all the time, getting out my sketchbook and going back to the basics of art helps me a lot
What do you do for fun/when you’re not working? going to music festivals, walking my huskies, watch a good movie, watching charmin toilet paper commercials with those cute bears, not really, i hate commercials.
Any advice for others who are pursuing creative goals? be proud of yourself. set goals. don’t procrastinate. open your mind to new ideas. come to a paintpusher meeting…it’s very inspiring.

Name: Big Mike Roate
Age: 32 and 11/12
School attended/ing: finally graduated after 14 years
Degree:. BA Visual, Graphic and Art Ed k-12
Occupation: caricature artist and still looking for new art teaching job
Statement about your work:I draw ugly people and every one is ugly… so the biz is good.
Influences (artists, genres, etc): Blum, Bob Caine, Richmond, Drucker, Beardm Hertato
Fun Fact: When African Elephants want to mate they make a sound so deep that humans can not hear it but the can feel the sonic vibrations.
Misc: I love walnuts

How did you get started in the arts? My Aunt Margret and Uncle Dave helped motivate me as a child to be in the arts with art supplies and comic books.

How did you find your style? Has it changed since you started? I’m still looking. I kind of have it but to have a complete style that does not change is impossible. It is a holy Grail which can never be fully obtained.

What is your process when working? Can you run us through a typical painting? Concentrate on a feature that caught my eye first and go to work. My mind is constantly looking for shapes in faces. I can not shut it off. There are few people I would say are flawless. Even Jessica Alba has chubby cheeks and Jessica Beil has a nose you could shave with.

How do you market/promote your work? Caricatures are a lot of work and I do not wish to give away my secrets.

Do you have a gallery? Why/why not? No, most real artists do not like caricature artists. We are considered bottom feeders.

What was one of your favorite paintings? Wretch of the Medusa, Rembrant’s self portraits, and Monet’s very early work.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I get paid to make fun of people and hear their stories.

Describe your work setting. Hot, Cold, sunny windy wet… I am outdoors.

Do you have side projects you work on?Always.

How do you maintain balance in your life between work and play? I do not. My work is my play. I need to drink more.

Do you ever have creative slumps? What do you do then? Yes rent a movie play a video game, look at Mad.

What do you do for fun/when you’re not working? Draw people in bars while drunk.

What has been inspiring you lately? People pissing me off.

Any advice for others who are pursuing creative goals? Do not buy into your own bullshit.

Due to the meeting space being used on the 5th of August the August meeting will be held at or regular location on week later on the 12th. Thanks!

Name:  Claudia Cole Meek

School attended:  Simpson College

Degree: Major Sociology, unofficial minor Art

Occupation:  Painter at Sticks, Inc.

Statement about work:   I truly love putting the color on paper or canvas.  I rarely plan or draw out,  I just let the color lead the way.

Influences:  Nature mostly, history some.

Fun Fact: I believe there is a little artist in everyone, and I believe art is in everything.

How did I find my style?  It found me.

Work setting:  My balcony for acrylics and the floor for watercolor.

What do you enjoy most about your work?  I believe that my work is something that you are drawn into,  A place to relax or travel to.

Somewhere that lets the mind depart from this plane to another.