Can you share as much as possible about the piece and how you conceived of it?
I actually made the piece for a themed show at a local gallery, MINT Gallery, and the artwork had to be accompanied by a mix tape. The original piece measures 18” x 22” and was done with watercolor with actual string sewn into it. I wanted the mix tape to represent how I feel about my work, and the mix tape to influence the actual piece. I don’t remember the actual thought process I went through, but I kept landing on birds carrying a woman. The color scheme was pretty different from what I had been working with before as well. It began a melancholy color phase with my work. I feel that it’s one of my best pieces.
Here are the mixtape songs that inspired the piece:
Azure Ray – “The New Year”
Hanne Hukkelberg – “Boble”
Laura Marling – “Night Terror”
Blonde Redhead – “Four Damaged Lemons”
Emily Haines – “Detective Daughter”
CocoRosie – “Bearhides and Buffalo”
Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg – “Jane B”
Sparklehorse & Danger Mouse feat. David Lynch – “Dark Night of the Soul”
Jon Brion – “Spotless Mind”
Vincent Gallo – “So Sad & Yes I’m Lonely”
Emily Haines – “The Lottery”
Rio En Medio – “Everyone is Someone’s”
Regina Spektor – “Lounge”
Emily Haines – “Mostly Waving”
Asobi Seksu – “Thursday”
If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
It’s feminine and stylistically illustrative combined with influences from the movements of art nouveau, art deco, symbolism, and surrealism. I think it feels like diving into the bottom of a bowl of rainbow sorbet where the colors begin to melt into each other. It’s cold, but sweet.
What’s your creative process when producing a piece of art?
If the work is going to be decidedly conceptual, I spend a lot of time researching and formulating the symbolism I am going to include. But in many cases, I work backwards… I keep a word list of tangible things that appeal to me on some level. I may combine a few and include the female figure and piece them together. It’s often not until I’m at least halfway through that I begin figuring out what is happening in the piece. So many of my pieces are a personal psychological discovery. I learn a lot about myself through this. I look at it as dream interpretation.
Would you share three unique things in your workspace that inspire you?
Hm. My computer/internet/wikipedia, my paint brushes (somehow they motivate me to work), and my dry erase board that holds tons of small pieces of art and postcards I’ve collected over the years, as well as other small notes.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received in response to your work?
I can’t remember exactly what was said, but my fiancé, (when we had just begun dating), was able to decipher my work and its symbolism and break it down to a point where I felt completely exposed. Not just as an artist, but as a human being. It was probably one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life thus far. It was at that point I realized my artwork is largely autobiographical.
What’s the art scene like where you live?
It’s a very supportive and family-like community. Everyone wants to see everyone else succeed. I’ve only been living in Atlanta for just over 6 months now, but I moved into the area I live in specifically to be close to the scene here and to be involved in its improvement. I love it. The creative energy here is incredibly motivating.
What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
Let’s see. I have two pieces by Megan Frau, a piece by Cristina Vidal, a painting my grandmother’s best friend did in the 60s, a few thrift store finds, a trade I did with Michelle Prahler, and a weird globe map painting I found in my parent’s garage. Also a few postcard sized prints by various artists, including James Jean.
What are you really into right now?
Planning my upcoming wedding, macaroni and cheese, music by Madeleine Peyroux, and complaining about cold weather.
What would be on your quintessential mixtape?
Emily Haines/Metric, Francois de Roubaix, Spoon, Blonde Redhead, Adron, Deerhoof, Nino Rota (scores from Amarcord and 8 ½), and a smattering of Tom Waits.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
A cross between Vincent Gallo, CocoRosie, Keren Ann, and the soundtrack to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Jon Brion’s score).
What websites do you check out regularly?
Other than Facebook, I follow and try to keep up with blogs like drawn.ca and arrested motion.
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
Glee, cappuccinos, and queso dip with chips.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
I remember drawing a lot of bunnies, with really huge feet.
If you were a dinosaur, what kind would you be and why?
I’d like to be one with short stubby arms (not necessarily a T-Rex) so I could have slap fights with another dinosaur with short stubby arms.
What was your last memorable dream?
Last night I recall dreaming about two separate, but somehow related things: a cave with lots of furniture and junk in storage with two cats (mine and my aunt’s) living in there with a lady and her cookie shop at the very entrance. I kept coming back to buy more cookies from her because they were really tiny and colorful. Later in the dream involved trying to fly a tin airplane over water. I had some mission to accomplish for a pregnant woman.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
If I had to move completely away from the arts, including teaching (which is a passion of mine as well), I think I’d study medicine. I’m really fascinated with human anatomy and physiology, especially neurology.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I’m currently working on my first major solo show with what has been voted as Atlanta’s best gallery, Beep Beep Gallery. I’m working with a new photographic alternative process and am excited to have the opportunity to focus on a new body of work. After that, I believe I’ll be seen at Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles this summer.
What’s your motto?
Hm. I suppose I’d say, “Make every accomplishment the result of a goal that you’ve set just beyond your reach, and take only a moment to revel in it before raising the bar further.”
Kelly McKernan
