http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php/site/index/ a group of central Iowa artists en dsgnteeny@aol.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-01T21:43:00+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/march_meeting_moved/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/march_meeting_moved/#When:20:43:00Z Hello everyone,  Hope there is no inconvience but we are moving the March meeting to Chris Vance’s studio, please email dsgnteeny@aol.com if you are interested in attending and I will get you directions. 2010-03-01T20:43:00+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/fiveonefive_magazine_feature/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/fiveonefive_magazine_feature/#When:16:23:00Z Check it out: http://www.drakejournalism.com/515/home/archive/33-pushing-art-to-the-next-level.html 2010-02-23T16:23:00+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_chris_vance/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_chris_vance/#When:20:33:01Z Name:  Chris Vance School:  Iowa State University Degree:  BFA in Visual Studies Statement:  Works composed to deconstruct to recompose.  The short and sweet is mixed up Influences:  Richard Diebenkorn, Basquiat,  Barry Mc Gee,  Thomas Campbell, and Phil Frost. Children’s art has always intrigued me the free flowing thoughts and creative spirit.  Graffiti as of late has really started to play into the new works. Work Setting:  I work in my basement surrounded by beer cans and garbage,  just kidding about the garbage. My children have a play room across the basement so it sets up a great creative environment. They are always coming down and checking out what is going on.  I love working out of my basement it just feels right.  Someday I would love to be above ground, but I will always have a studio connected to my house. Fun Fact: Probably the most shocking thing people don’t know about me is that I only watch like one or two movies a year. The second is traveling has become a huge part of my life and I hate to drive long hours.  I like to roller-skate,  love sports, and coach my kids in basketball and soccer.  Work and Play: Playing for me is hanging with friends and family having a few adult beverages.  Playing basketball with the kids or just working in the studio I love what I do. Slumps:  WORK THROUGH THEM…...  You can always paint over garbage,  I told you in the beginning of this spotlight that there is all kinds of garbage in my studio.  Someday I hope it becomes good artwork.  Never stop painting or whatever you do and slumps won’t set in. Misc:   Little known fact is that Misty my wife is the true thing that keeps Vance inc. a float.  She takes care of all of the business I just get to paint and create.  The four kids are Nicholette 16,  Givanna 11, Maddy 7, and Colton,  aka Little C,  is 4.  Out…..... 2010-01-21T20:33:01+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_charlotte_redman/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_charlotte_redman/#When:00:13:00Z Name: Charlotte Redman Age: 28 Degrees and honors: BA in Visual Arts from Grand View College, Magna Cum Laude Class of 2002 Grand View College, Alfa Chi Member, Best In 2D Valley Junction Spring Art Market 2008 Occupation: Painter at Sticks Inc. Medium: Primarily abstract paintings in acrylic paint, charcoal and paper. I am also trained in photography, ceramics, fibers and drawing. Statement about your work: I differentiate between influence and inspire. For something to influence me, it would have to have a direct impact on my life and work. To inspire me, it would just have to be something that gets my artistic mind flowing with thoughts, ideas, and creativeness. Every artist I have encountered, in person or through books has inspired me in one way or another. My most recent inspiration has been coming from Graffiti Art and an artist by the name of Aaron Petersen. Naturally, my family and friends along with the events in my life influence my work through my emotions. My color pallet will change from week to week depending on how my boss, boyfriend, or checkbook treats me that week. It might sound a little wishy-washy for some but how my influences effect my work is almost like the backbone of my art. I have a strong background in Art Therapy and have used it in my work since High School. This “therapy” part of my work has been the one component that hasn’t changed in my style no matter what medium I happen to use or what era of my life it happens to be. Fun Facts: I am tragically trapped in the in late ’80’s and early ‘90’s. Cher, John Hughes movies and Synchronized dance are a few of my great loves. I never thought that I would make art a career. Growing up I wanted to work in a mailroom or be a diva. (If you know me well, that makes perfect sense.) Advice: As long as I have been creating, I have known people who thought that I was very talented and people who thought that I wasn’t. It took a long time to realize that neither of those groups really matter. Clear your mind of all the junk, people and pressure so it is just you. Then ask yourself what you want to do? What would be successful for you? That answer is your goal. When you reach that goal, repeat the process. Never stopping, never giving up, and always reaching to achieve that goal is what matters. That is the talent that counts. 2009-11-07T00:13:00+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/making_lemonade/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/making_lemonade/#When:03:22:00Z Ben Schuh’s solo exhibition, “Making Lemonade” opened today and will be up until Dec. 15th at the Iowa University Pioneer Room. A reception will be held Nov. 21. For more information visit Ben’s website. Artists, Events, Local Art News 2009-10-30T03:22:00+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/72_a_paintpushers_exhibition/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/72_a_paintpushers_exhibition/#When:15:32:01Z “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 Artists, Events, Local Art News 2009-10-17T15:32:01+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_julie_vandeberg/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_julie_vandeberg/#When:10:52:00Z 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. 2009-10-13T10:52:00+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_micheal_roate/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_micheal_roate/#When:00:45:00Z 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. 2009-08-14T00:45:00+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/change_date_for_the_august_meeting/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/change_date_for_the_august_meeting/#When:04:24:00Z 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! 2009-08-10T04:24:00+00:00 http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_claudia_cole_meek/ http://www.paintpushers.com/index.php?/site/spotlight_on_claudia_cole_meek/#When:01:47:00Z 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. 2009-07-07T01:47:00+00:00