What are you trying to communicate or explore in your work? <\/strong><\/p>\n (exploring exploring)\u00c2\u00a0 I would say that I am exploring a domestic space, the characters\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 functions or dysfunctions that inhabit the space, and the materials found there that are used to build it up, feather the nest, dress the space, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 My current body of work, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153All the Trappings\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is exploring material sickness and desire.\u00c2\u00a0 I am using lots of found cardboard to make structures (forts) that are decorated with magazine cutouts, textiles, and objects.\u00c2\u00a0 Sometimes a large doll can be found inside waiting around for its partner.<\/p>\n Where were you when you created one of your favorite works?<\/strong><\/p>\n At Elsewhere Artist Collaborative<\/a> in Greensboro, NC.\u00c2\u00a0 It was during my first visit in the summer of 2005.\u00c2\u00a0 I made a tea tent in a small room on the top floor.\u00c2\u00a0 The room was used in the former life of the building to store train travelers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 trunks and luggage.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 The tea tent was a response to my time there learning about Sylvia Grey (the building and collections former owner) and touching and exploring her collection of textiles, objects, clothing, etc\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.\u00c2\u00a0 The building might be haunted so I decided to try and play games with maybe the ghost of Sylvia and in the tent there was two pillows for two occupants (her and I).<\/p>\n Elsewhere was a former \u00e2\u20ac\u0153junk\u00e2\u20ac\u009d store and in the past it had been a boarding house, furniture store, and army surplus store.\u00c2\u00a0 All of it run by Sylvia over, I think it was, 70 years.\u00c2\u00a0 Sylvia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s grandson George Scheer along with Stephanie Sherman are the directors of Elsewhere.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 They have done an amazing job at growing the museum it has changed so much since I have been there and there have been so many amazing artists that have participated.<\/p>\n How do you see your art in relation to cultivating community, and how does community affect the work you make?<\/strong><\/p>\n The way I gather material is very reliant upon community.\u00c2\u00a0 A lot of my material comes from the places I work, from free piles in the neighborhood I live (or others that I visit), trash, and hand me downs.\u00c2\u00a0 What is available is dependent on those around me.<\/p>\n I think that my enthusiasm as and artist to be working on my own work but also experience other artists\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 works is key to cultivating a community.\u00c2\u00a0 I like to share information on all sorts of things, deadlines for shows and residencies, materials and techniques, books, projects\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6. And I appreciate it when information gets shared with me.<\/p>\n I have work that really needs the community that I do not necessarily know personally and its support in order to be realized.\u00c2\u00a0 I would say an example of this is my Portable Doll Fort.\u00c2\u00a0 The piece is a mound sewn together out of these handmade stuffed creatures that I had made over the years.\u00c2\u00a0 The mound is put on and worn into a public space (I have done this several times in downtown Northampton).\u00c2\u00a0 It is about protection and buffering but also engaging and trying to charm people.\u00c2\u00a0 I hope that I spark some conversation and shared experience for those who become engaged with the piece.<\/p>\n What is your spirit animal?<\/strong><\/p>\n Magpie.<\/p>\n What spaces in Northampton are you most curious to see inside of, or to make work in?<\/strong><\/p>\n I am curious to see inside the round house next to the bus station and the round house on Conz Ave.\u00c2\u00a0 There is a\u00c2\u00a0 large Victorian house on Rte 9 going west from downtown that looks like the building that my grandmother, who was a nurse,\u00c2\u00a0 ran her nursing home in.\u00c2\u00a0 I wonder if the layout is the same or different.<\/p>\n I really love the top level of the parking garage behind Thornes.\u00c2\u00a0 I feel that the land around the Northampton community gardens and the burial ground from the former Northampton State Hospital is a place I would like to engage with more.<\/p>\n What are some strategies you use to sustain your art practice (while living in the Northampton area)?<\/strong><\/p>\n Along with having a distinct body of work going, I like to do exercises.\u00c2\u00a0 These are many times private explorations of, I guess I will say, whatever.\u00c2\u00a0 Balancing, touching, gathering, smelling, tasting, looking, putting, listening, finding, drawing, writing, moving, and placing.\u00c2\u00a0 I mention these exercises because like many artists I have a job outside of the studio and am not currently able to be in there full time so these explorations, absorptions, and tests are important to my practice and feed into my concepts and visual vocabulary.<\/p>\n I have really great friends.<\/p>\n Drawing club on Thursday nights.<\/p>\n I apply to shows, residencies, and grants regularly.<\/p>\n I try to go to shows, open studios and artist talks as much as possible<\/p>\n I try to find jobs outside of the studio that relate to what I am working on in the studio if possible.<\/p>\n What 5 items do you always carry with you?<\/strong><\/p>\n Most times I will have wallet, spoon, keys, small digital camera, and cell phone.\u00c2\u00a0 Once it hits the time of year when I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wear my coat, keys would be the answer.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/c3artscollective.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/01_photo_credit_-Burns_Maxey.jpg\")
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