Austin Art Talk – Details, episodes & analysis

A quick interview with Jacqueline Overby & Courtney Peterson of MotherShip Studios, who are spearheading the inaugural San Marcos Studio Tour! We talk about the inspiration for the tour, the many mentors and examples that made it possible, the importance of group artist studio settings, what to expect, all the details, and more. Text courtesy of SMST website. MotherShip Studios presents the inaugural San Marcos Studio Tour- anticipated to be the first of many years to come! This free, self-guided tour will feature over fifty artists all across San Marcos, Martindale, and surrounding areas. Artists will be showcasing their studio spaces and artwork during this weekend-long occasion, launching with a kick-off event held at MotherShip Studios, Friday, March 31st. As well, a group exhibition of all participants will be hosted at the MotherShip warehouse gallery featuring one artwork from each artist. The San Marcos Studio Tour will highlight San Marcos area artists and their studios, while fostering connection and engagement in the arts and local communities. Allowing the public an insider’s look into the artistic process creates an exchange between fellow artists, community members, and art collectors. We will showcase the messy workspaces, the paint-splattered floors, the at-home and garage studios, the cluttered art supplies, the inspirational walls of reference photos, and the clay-ridden wheels. We will provide an opportunity for artists to show the raw spaces from which they create. These environments, though sometimes unpolished, are where the magic happens and creativity flourishes. Mothership Studios will provide a tour map with numbers for each artist and signs to display during the tour weekend. A catalog of the tour participants will be available for purchase at MotherShip Studios. In addition to the map of all tour stops, this catalog will provide details on each artist, including images of work, and short statements about the artists. The kick-off event will feature our group exhibition, a live printing demo, music by local musicians, a raffle give away, and complimentary drinks sponsored by local breweries such as Middleton Brewing, Still Austin Whiskey, Austin Beer Works, and Thirsty Planet. Please join us for an inspiring and interactive weekend of San Marcos arts and events! When: Friday, March 31st at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Kick-off Event at MotherShip Studios/20027 San Marcos Hwy 80, San Marcos, TX, 78666 Saturday, April 1st 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tour Open/Town of San Marcos and Martindale Sunday, April 2nd at 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tour Open/Towns of San Marcos and Martindale
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/fPqkMUCc.jpeg Courtney and Jacqueline hard at work!
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian (http://stankillian.com/main/)

“The more I know about me and the more I explore who I am and why I am, trying to be objective about that, I think that transfers into the work” B Shawn Cox is a Texas artist who is best known for his iconographic figurative western cowboy paintings on fabric, realized in vivid colors and patterned layers. He also uses similar images in his digital lenticular work where your shifting perspective creates movement in each piece, with the use of juxtaposing portraits. Then there are also his meticulously constructed dimensional collages which transform 2D into 3D. Shawn has figured out how to combine these disparate bodies of work into cohesive looking and feeling exhibitions. This approach keeps things exciting for the viewer as you never know what you might see. The work is playful, adventurous, and exciting at first glance but can be delved into deeper for a full gamut and range of thoughts and ideas. Currently Shawn is exploring western societal and standardized mythologies, reflected and processed from a personal standpoint. He is looking at where he came from and where he is now, and the influences of the kinds of iconography that society celebrates in conscious and unconscious ways. Growing up in West Texas with a desire to be creative, but with limited means, taught him to see more possibilities of use in everything around him and a somewhat contrarian approach to the rules of around what is possible. Even though his family was in ranching, he chose to leave and focus on academia, studying and practicing both architecture and law. And consistently through the decades in his spare time he took art classes and the commitment and momentum grew until he got the attention of galleries and collectors alike. Shawn is really fun to talk with and is one of the nicest people I know. An inspiring thing about his art practice is what seems like an unwavering dedication to evolving the work and fearlessly trying new things. That keeps things fresh and fun.
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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. The podcast is sponsored by Ivester Contemporary (https://ivestercontemporary.com/) and East Side Picture Framing (https://eastsidepictureframing.com/) Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian (http://stankillian.com/main/)

"Out of the million brush strokes on this painting, I like his brushstroke. So it was worth the 20 hours I spent on it to learn this one stroke. Then I would take that stroke into the next piece. Then that piece didn’t feel right but there was a second brush stroke also that I liked. And then eventually I got to the point where I liked all the brush strokes on the canvas. That’s when I’m like OK, now I can start making art." Manik Raj Nakra is an Austin Based Artist who creates colorful and mythic-looking artworks influenced by his extensive research of cultures, ancient art, and architecture from all over the world. All that he absorbs through books, travel, and online research gets melded and transformed into his own unique but somehow universal visual language. I’m impressed with Manik’s boldness and commitment to his art practice and willingness to spend years out of view to refine his subject matter, experiment, and learn and improve his creative techniques, taking the quality of what he is producing to the next level, and then back into the world. Please enjoy this interesting and often humorous conversation with Manik and be sure to check out his Big Medium exhibition this month.
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https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/8uJ2LtEX.jpg MOTH, 2020, Oil paint, acrylic paint, spray paint, ceremonial bindis on canvas and wood, 96 x 67 in.
Manik Raj Nakra WILDLIFE March 13 – May 1, 2021 Big Medium 916 Springdale Rd, Bldg 2, #101 Austin, Texas 78702 512.939.6665 info@bigmedium.org Appointment hours: Thursday – Saturday, 12 – 6pm To allow for social distancing, appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes, with a maximum of 10 guests at a time. Scroll down to schedule an appointment with at least 24 hours advance notice. Masks are required at all times. Text courtesy of the BIg Medium Website "Inspired by stories of nature regenerating and reclaiming space during the Covid19 pandemic, W I L D L I F E examines what happens when humanity removes itself from the natural world. The exhibition also introduces a new material for the artist—the ceremonial bindi, worn for centuries on the forehead in Indian culture for spiritual, traditional, and fashion reasons. It can be seen as a third eye creating an opening to infinity or as a symbol of femininity. For the natural world depicted in the paintings, the renewed and rejuvenated flora and fauna are anthropomorphized with hundreds of bindis as wildlife reincarnated with third eyes. The twinkling of the jeweled bindis carry remnants of memory. The severed animal heads from which the new nature grows are depicted upside down to represent self-sabotage and the mistakes of the past. Influenced by the architecture of ancient forts and palaces of Indian Mughals, Iran, Oman, and Pakistan, the paintings are installed in window frames handmade by the artist. The pieces look out onto a world from isolation with new wonder, new honesty, and new beauty. At first, the viewer encounters these windows from the “inside looking out” but with bindis all over functioning as eyes, they equally become the “outside looking in” giving the paintings an existential feel to reflect on these uncertain times and space. Manik Raj Nakra’s work has been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Texas and San Francisco, a member of the 2019 Crit Group program with The Contemporary in Austin, TX, The LINE Residency with Big Medium in 2020, and a client list that includes Converse, The Oxford American, The LINE Hotel, Facebook, Urban Outfitters, amongst others."
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian (http://stankillian.com/main/) Support this podcast. (http://www.austinarttalk.com/supportpodcast)

Yuliya Lanina is one of the most diverse artists I know having already gained a lot of experience and wisdom in her life and career. Her work is evocative and multi dimensional and is most often intended to be interacted with face to face in an immersive way. She creates paintings, animations, animatronics, and often collaborates with others to create performances in person, and also through the movement of the beings and creatures she brings to life on paper and mechanically in 3D. The interview covers most of her life, starting in Russia as a teenager, to the present day in Austin with her family and her busy and inspiring career as a multimedia artist extraordinaire. She is also a lecturer at the UT Austin College of Fine Arts.
Some of the subjects we discuss: Growing up in Russia Moving to the US Pursuing art in college Moving to NYC Becoming a graphic designer Quitting to become a full time artist Working in the studio in Brooklyn Graduate school Moving to Austin Having kids Creating performances Collaboration Animated work Darkness and humor

Since graduating from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, in 2010, Paloma Mayorga has inhabited and worked in three different art worlds. She has had a great career, at a young age, as a professional artist, has worked with and curated many exhibits for other artists and organizations, and has years of experience in art administration. Her own art focuses on women's issues, meaning, relating to others, seeing, gender limitations, personal narratives, and how we can heal and empower each other with our own self expression.
Some of the subjects we discuss: Early art influences Falling in love with art in college Learning to see Art as self expression Working at the MACC Serie Project & Coronado Studio Print Austin Creating different series Evolution of a style Addressing issues Cruelty Free Photography Creating images Nature, women, & the planet #Metoo Healing & Inspiration Vulnerability Creating scans with nature Solo mía Curation Arts administration

Moving to America from England almost four years ago was a risky move for him and his family, but Steven Walker made it work because he knew it would. Persistence, hard work, and a love for music and photography were key ingredients. His vision was for a gallery focused on offering high quality classic rock & roll photography as well as fossils, rocks, and minerals. He knew Austin was the place to do it and now Modern Rocks is one of the best galleries in town. We had a great conversation filled with many lessons and insights into the world of photography, running a successful gallery, and a life well lived.
Some of the subjects we discuss: Origins of the gallery A life in music, touring the US Getting into photography Moving to America Kirk Weddle/Nevermind Overnight notoriety Scott Newton archive Freedom/Simplicity of the past Michael Zagaris Owning a gallery Selling the work Gallery vs. Solo Social Networking Instagram Up next-Contact Sheets Film to digital Aesthetic Standards Looking forward Closing advice

Painter, illustrator, and graphic designer Emily Galusha did not start out with the intention of becoming an artist, even though she had a very creative and supportive upbringing. After studying dance for many years she transitioned to 2D art and being a graphic artist and now uses that knowledge of dance to inform her artwork. She is also very influenced by the aesthetic of the southwest US and the rural lush green forests and county life of Arkansas. She has found a balance between her commercial work as a designer and her artwork through many years of deep personal work and dedication to her craft of drawing and painting. We talk about all of these things and more.
Some of the subjects we discuss: Creative beginnings in Arkansas Studying dance Shifting to visual arts in college Merging dance experience into art Choosing visual arts as a career Graduating from college Working for an Ad agency, design firm, marketing firm Freelancing on the side Transitioning to full time freelance work Discovering the southwest US Incorporating that aesthetic into artwork Drawing pistols Moving to Austin, starting over Getting out, meeting people Challenges and growth Artist residency in Italy Undercurrents dance series Nurturing your art Moving forward

When I arrived at Patrick's he offered me a drink and we had a great talk while sipping Old Fashioneds and trying to keep his hound dog Boudro calm and quiet. From his childhood and college years in Mississippi, to his 6 year hiatus from painting after moving to Austin, to painting almost daily for the last 6 years, we covered a lot of ground. With his fourth show at the Wally Workman gallery open for the month of November 2017, his work is as popular as ever.
"If one really looks, you can see the time pass on the canvas— the life of this figure born there. You can feel their ups and downs and the energy it took to get them to this place." Rachel Stephens - aether magazine
Some of the subjects we discuss: Beginnings in Mississippi Jim Meade at College Moving to Austin Starting to paint again Work ethic Figure painting Finding subjects Pre-visualizing Painting process Nostalgia Future plans

If you have been in Austin long and are into art you have probably heard of the East Austin Studio Tour or Big Medium. One person at the center of both from the beginning has been Shea Little. With EAST 2017 coming up it made sense to sit down with Shea and find out how it all started, how he got involved in art, and what the future might look like. Some of the subjects we discuss: How does Big Medium support artists E.A.S.T, W.E.S.T. differences Texas Biennial explanation and history Beginnings in art and school Having a job and making art Sodailtas collaboration Evolution of his art style History of E.A.S.T. and Big Medium Talking about and pricing your art Generous Art/Creative Standard EAST present and future
East Austin Studio Tour 2017 Big Medium's East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) is a free, annual, self-guided art event spanning two weekends in November. EAST provides opportunities for the public to meet the artists and artisans of Austin in their creative spaces. Dates & Times Free and open on November 11-12 & 18-19, 2017 from 11am-6pm. Tour boundaries East of I-35 West of HHW 183 South of HWY 290 North of Riverside
Big Medium at Canopy 916 Springdale Rd, Bldg 2 #101 Austin, TX 78702 Big Medium at Bolm Studios 5305 Bolm Rd #9-12 Austin, TX 78721

Troy Campa, co-founer with his partner of CAMIBAart, started out as an architect in Houston but then decided to change careers, and after a year break decided to open a gallery in Austin. We talk about that transition, what he has learned over the last three years running his two galleries, and his wonderful international art tours. Some of the subjects we discuss: Childhood beginnings in art Art and Architecture William T. Carson’s Artwork Leaving architecture career to open a gallery From pop-up shows to a business plan Lessons from running a gallery for three years Finding mentors Choosing artists Clarifying the galleries aesthetic Artist submissions Selling art Building relationships Communication and marketing Collecting art Helping artists Living with art Curating local and international art tours Supporting local causes at destinations Artists choosing a gallery Educating collectors Austin Art Alliance Why buy art?

CAMIBAart GALLERY is located in the Flatbed Press Building at: 2832 East MLK Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78702 Open Hours: Tuesday through Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm Saturday: noon - 5pm other times by appointment
CAMIBAart also curates the gallery at: 2000 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702 Open Hours: Saturday and Sunday: 11am - 5pm other times by appointment
Troy Campa, AIA : Co-Founder & Director, TroyCampa@CAMIBAart.com Rene Ibarra : Co-Founder & Director of Tours, Rene@CAMIBAart.com