An Interview With Myself

I plan to interview my classmates and other artists in the coming months. I thought it might be a good idea to begin with myself. 

When did you consider yourself to be an artist?

I have been an artist all of my life, but around eighth grade was when the ah ha moment came for me. I knew then that visual expression was a joy and a challenge for me. In considering full-time work as an artist vs. being an artist, I wonder how do you define full-time? How do I separate my life from who I am? Recently I have begun to feel that how I have lived my life is an extended expression of my artistic practice. I am always looking for balance of family, fun, and freedom–with stability as the glue. I will feel I have reached my preferred professional level of practice as an artist when the art I make is sold regularly and supports making more work. 

Suzanne Utaski (Gibbs). 8th Grade project in clay. Good Night Moon

After school where do you plan to locate your studio? Do you have a plan for how you’ll set up?

I plan to find a studio space in a building with other practicing artists–I crave the community of other creative individuals. I’d love at least 500 square feet and natural light with really good ventilation. I will set up a huge worktable smack in the middle and buzz my way around the workstation making work.

Does your studio location influence your work?

Yes, if it is not amongst others I am less productive. I like the buzz of work and activity happening all around me.

Describe a typical day of work.

Arrive early, 8ish. Turn on lights and my encaustic table. Look around for what needs my attention–I purposefully leave work unfinished so that I always have something to go to–and jump right in. I move around from project to project often to let paint dry or wax cool. That’s why I love having a big work surface. I get hungry rather early, around 11:30. I like sitting in my studio right after I eat to plan what I can accomplish with the time I have left in the day. I make some phone calls, especially east coast contacts. I usually try to leave a half hour in the end of the day for clean up. I do not like coming into a mess in the morning. During clean up I am also trying to get into the habit of photographing the work of the day so that I can update Facebook. Often the day does not end there. I still have correspondence, a blog post and sometimes openings to attend. I work far more than 8-hour days, but I want to because I have the flexibility to not work at times and that is important to me so that I can spend time with my children.

Do you listen to music?

Not often. If I do, I use Pandora – world beat, jazz or drums. My iPhone has lots of music in it but I hardly ever listen to it.

What materials do you most often use?

Silly question, I am a materials junkie. All paints, all surfaces and then some. When studio mates need something a common phrase I hear is: “Ask Suzanne she might have some.”

What is your most coveted studio furniture piece?

A big work surface in the middle of the studio and lots of good storage.

While this IKEA work station has served me well for 12 years, bigger would be nice.

What unique tools or devices do you use which are critical to your creative process?

Ones that I find in unexpected places, like a cake decorating spatula or PVC pipe connectors in different sizes. I also make my own tools. I make them with bits and scraps from the studio, what others might consider garbage. A used up roll of tape and a bit of unused shelf liner becomes a tool with which to make ben-day type prints. A scrap of wood will get cut into many more pieces and reassembled to make a pattern that I then use to print repeated patterns. Nails embedded into a strip of scrap wood can become a tool to print with or to scrape away paint. Old art erasers, pencil bits, plastic pieces of pipe, buttons, and many other items that would normally end up in the bottom of a family junk drawer are all fodder for possible use as tools. The possibilities for turning materials that would normally go unused into tools that serve my purposes are endless.

Can you tell me about an item in your studio that has significant meaning to you?

It used to be my pallet knives, but then I began working in encaustic. I guess in a very real way all my studio accoutrements are important to me. While I have moved constantly in my lifetime, and I have given away furniture, clothing and other personal items, I always hold onto my art studio supplies.

Describe your project schedule.

This is still evolving. When I begin to have projects due for clients or a show to get ready for, I know I will handle the workload with considerable planning and attention to deadlines. I work better with due dates that are imposed by others.

Do you have a contemplation zone? Inside or outside your studio?

Yes, while walking, showering or when I am moving artwork around in my studio. I am not a sitter.

How often do you clean your studio?

I sweep regularly, but I hate cleaning. I tend to take things out, work with them, and put things back. I like to be organized, I hate looking for what I need, that can ruin a days work. It seems that about every 3 to 4 months I do a kind of deeper organizing, you know, getting rid of things that are no longer servicing the work.

How do you title your work?

Still working on this, inventory numbers might be the best way to go. Often I will reference materials in the piece or what the piece reminds me of. My husband is great at giving me titles for pieces.

Suzanne Gibbs, 2011. My husband named this piece Fiesta. Oil on Canvas.

Do you have or plan to have assistants?

Do my kids count? They have helped me, so has my husband. As far as production assistants–I do not foresee that being a part of my practice. I do and will continue to use the services of professionals to make things I need – such as panels. I also envision a bright future with a team like an accountant, bookkeeper, house cleaner, and web maintenance specialist supporting the work I do. Right now, I do it all.

Have you or would you work for anther artist?

I have worked for a graphic design sole proprietor. I enjoyed that. I do not foresee working for another artist, but I would consider contract work from another artist.

Tell me your artist motto, manifesto or creed.

Motto: Keep making.

Manifesto: Link to other post.

Creed: I will keep making the work (quantity), I expect that the quality will come through a higher source.

Any advise for other artists?

Don’t fall in love with your last piece; fall in love with the next. It takes a lot more work than you can imagine…