Cosmic Icon: Conversations with Artists, by Selden Rodman

Hello and happy Friday folks, sorry it’s been a week or more since my last post, but it’s been quite a challenge coming up with my first Cosmic Icon to post about. I had such a hard time choosing just one artist that I decidedly went with many artists instead…all of whom are featured in the most amazing book, Conversations with Artists, by Selden Rodman. If you’re not at all familiar with this book, than I am happy to introduce… 

Conversations with Artists really is a phenomenal book for any art lover; it features 228 pages of one-on-one interviews with some of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. Take one look at the list of artists on its cover and you’ll understand exactly how amazing this book is. Each chapter consists of about five to eleven interviews and each interview is prefaced by a direct quote from the interviewee. These quotes have become words that I live by.

To put it lightly, this book IS MY BIBLE. Every time I open its cover, thumb through its pages and revisit its content, my creative brain gets a jumpstart. It reminds me to keep on truckin’…keep on working…keep making new stuff and most importantly, keeps me sane as an artist. Thanks to this book, some of the artists featured within its pages, have developed into my biggest creative idols and influences. After reading page after page of interviews, the artists become more than just plates in an art book, or pretty pictures in a museum; they become at once human, profoundly living and recognizable as individuals with creative vision – a vision that, as an artist, I share.

And apparently I’m not the only one who values this book; just recently I did an Amazon search and realized that it’s a pretty sought after title. In fact I learned, thanks to Google, that this book influenced the singer/songwriter, Seth Swirsky when he wrote the song, “Herman Cherry.” You can read about it here. It’s a pretty interesting story.

So there you have it, I hope you’ve enjoyed this Cosmic Icon…that I fretted over for so very long. I plan to share many more in the weeks to come! So, stay tuned, stay inspired and stay happy…it’s Friday!

New Post...New Topic

Kathie Olivas, "Cosmic Pennie"

Jeez, it's been a while since I last posted...sorry about that! Life has intervened and become a bit hectic/frenetic these past few weeks and I haven't had much time to get posts up, ideas out, or photos organized. Good news is, I've got lots of goodies coming down the pipe line...including a new topic here on Cosmos!

The new topic is so different from the others, that I'm afraid you might not guess what it is...wink wink, nudge nudge...behold, it's called, "Cosmic Icons." It will highlight all of the talented artists and designers, whether living or not, that have helped to mold my aesthetic sense and continue to inspire me throughout my thirty, or more years. So, stay tuned for the very first "Cosmic Icon" to hit these pages soon! Until then, I leave you with this teaser of Kathie Olivas' work...Enjoy!

Providence Artist: Jacqueline Ott

When I first moved to Providence in 2000, I had a small one-bedroom apartment on the east side, was attending the CE program at RISD and all the while, working as a marketing intern for a web design company called Shazamm. The only thing I was lacking was my own studio, but thanks to RISD Artworks, I quickly found a small space on Union St. in the old Telephone Building. At the time, I didn’t know anything about renting work spaces in Providence. However, I did know that I could afford the rent on this particular space, and that I was to write my rent checks out to one, Ms. Jacqueline Ott.

As time progressed, I quickly realized that the space wasn’t that great, but that my studio mate was. On the rare occasion that we happened to be in the studio at the same time, I would stop by Jacqueline’s space, just a doorway away, meander in and say hi. She was always pleasant, rather calming in her disposition, frequently sporting black and hunched over a table in what was, a very white and rustic workspace. It’s interesting to say this, but at the time, I had no conscience interest in patterns, but I was immediately drawn to her work and her process. I thought wow, how insanely meticulous, but yet, so meditative her work was. And to this day, it still is.

Just recently I looked Jacqueline up on the “interweb” and came across this fabulous YouTube video thanks to the NetWorks 2008 Project. Watching this totally reminded me of all the things I love about Jacqueline and her work. Even nine years later, they remain to be a source of perpetual inspiration! Be sure to keep an eye out for Jacqueline’s work in the New England area and abound, it will definitely pop up and is totally worth checking out…