This year’s artists are outstanding. Here are four from the two hundred to get you started. They all answered a handful of the same questions to help you understand more about their personalities and practices.
Lisa Cinar
Background:
I grew up in Germany and I think this really shows in terms of who my favorites are when it comes to children’s books and illustration for picture books. Some of my ultimate favs will always be Tove Jansson, Astrid Lindgren, Erich Kastner, Otfried Preussler, Wilhem Busch, Janosch, just to name a very few. These are all European authors and illustrators who’s influence I see not only in the work I make today, but also in the person that I am today. I just very recently started a blog about Children’s Picture book illustration, where I intend to cover the lives and work of these authors and illustrators I grew up with. I already started a bit with Jansson. But it’s really just the tip of the iceberg. So many books, so many artists, so many old ones, so many new ones!!!
Most interesting place you have shown:
Well, for me the most interesting place I’ve shown is the place I’ve been wanting to go to for years and still haven’t gotten around to. Japan! I’ve had work shown there on several occasions at the Birdos Flugas Space, a really interesting Artist Run Centre resembling structure of sorts, different from the usual Vancouver structure, which exhibits and sells work on site and online but also does many super fun outreach art project workshops for schools and children! I really like this type of space where you can’t really describe it in one word… it’s not just a ‘gallery’ it’s not just an‘artist run centre’. It can’t be put into this preconceived notion of what a venue that exhibits, deals and has to do with art in general should be, so that in order to really find out what the space is all about you need to have a real conversation with someone about it, or read more about it. I like that.
Medium of choice:
I am a real believer of the magic that is in the combination of the tactile-handmade-drawn (with your pen, brush, pencil on paper for example etc…) and the computer! The possibilities of this combination are sooo endless to me… so exciting! It’s really fun to have scanned a drawing in and have the image open in Photoshop. I look at it and go: “I could do this, or this or that” It’s the same feeling I used to get when coloring in a page in a really good coloring book when I was little. The pleasure of getting to decide what color to use first and where to put it! The excitement of getting to decide where to take something next. Photoshop really allows me to keep my ideas and actions loose and playful. That’s really important to me. If I’m not having a good time making something I don’t really see too much of a point in making it you know
WEBSITE
Les Ramsay
Most interesting place you have shown:
The most interesting place I have shown would definitely be at the Plaza de la Virgin, Valencia, Spain. While on exchange in 2006, I was studying painting and printmaking at the Bellas Artes UPV. Our painting teacher arranged a show for our class to showcase our paintings which were to depict our view of the Barrio del Carmen, Valencias old town built of tall buildings creating narrow and meandering alley ways. The exhibition space was directly across from the Cathedral which claims to hold the actual Holy Grail.
Most inspiring season to make work:
The most inspiring season for me is Autumn. Summer is lovely too, but I prefer the feeling of the two seasons changing.
Favorite pastime: Sweeping
WEBSITE
Lucas Soi
Background:
I’m finishing up my Teen Trilogy (Lolita, 2008; Cradle Stories, 2009; Opportunity In The ’80s, 2010). It’s about adolescence and how the consequences of our actions in the past relate to the circumstances in which we find ourselves today. Boy am I looking forward to moving on to some new material!
Most interesting place you have shown:
Oh, definitely Miami in December. My goal was always to show work down there while Art Basel Miami Beach was going on, and in 2009 I got the chance, showing at Aqua Art Miami with White Walls from San Francisco.
Medium of choice:
I’m known for my pen and ink drawings. But I love Gerardo at Preteen Gallery in Mexico because he likes to show my video and installation stuff.
Favorite pastime: I go to the movies almost every week.
WEBSITE
Jennilee Marigomen
Most interesting place you have shown:
Last week I set up a Polaroid art show in a phone booth. It lasted for 15 minutes.
Medium of choice:
Kodak Portra 160NC film
Most inspiring season to make work:
I love Spring! Sunshine, breeze and new beginnings.
Favorite pastime:
http://morethanfeelings.tumblr.com
WEBSITE
Let’s not mince words here. Les Ramsey is a babe…and I love Jenniliee’s photography.
…total babe, and lisa cinar’s blog is pretty sweet.