Tuesday, December 9, 2008

An Interview with Artist Mary Lundberg

When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
I realized it when when I was born.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
I love paper and canvas and boards and pencil and paint and pretty much anything that makes a mark or could be marked on....but I think my most favorite are my ebony pencil and my oil paints.

Describe a bit of your process...is everything planned or sketched out before hand? Do you work on impulse?

Well, I have different processes for different things. Most of my work is surrealist in nature and I usually look at actual objects around me and play off of the reality I see and create an imaginary world that evolves - there is no planning. I am more formal in my sketching and planning on my more reality based work.

Where is your favorite place to work? I like to make art while sitting in a comfy chair and good light. I have a studio and I work in there - but I tend to work in bed and on the couch or a park bench or wherever I land.

What inspires you? I am inspired by good music, NPR, fast food containers, bendy straws, nature, animals, bugs, clouds, monsters, fine cheeses, warm weather, life and good art.

What artist, past or present, has inspired your work?
I love the surrealists.. Dorothea Tanning should be on the cover of all art texts for one year.

Where do you see your work going in the next 10 years? I had been in a fairly monochromatic stage for awhile... but I feel color creeping in... ever so slowly.... and I hope in 10 years to be able to afford to pay a team of assistants to paint 10' paintings under my direction as I sample assorted bon bons.


How are you taking your work/techniques to the next level?
that is a secret.

Have you ever taught any art classes?
yes, I taught drawing/painting/ and 2D design at the University of Memphis .... I also taught a plethora of children in the Appalachian Mountains.. and I have done private art lessons.

What item are you most proud of on your Artist Resume?
My name.

What is the role of the Artist in our society?
Artists keep galleries and museums in business... so you see we keep people employed.

Has selling art on-line been a success for you? Why? I don't know yet.....

How do you encourage people (or why would you encourage people) to buy Original Fine Art?
Original fine art is not just something freaking awesome to hang on you walls or place on a pedestal in your living room - it is an investment. Just think of the people who bought a Warhol back in the day! It is so important as a personal investment, but also as a way to help support those making the freaking awesome work... buying original work means you have a one of a kind piece and you can be the envy of your neighbors.. it means that you may be able to sell it on Ebay 36 years from now and pay for the kids college .... and it means an artist can continue their dream and pay their light bill.

Your biggest sale or commission was... It was pretty big - like 7'

The biggest show/award you got was... I won a purchase award.. I spent the large check on bills. The award was nice, but I really liked the check.
Where do you sell your work?