Artist: sarah askew / robotheartart

Featured Artist of the Week
Sarah Askew / RobotHeartArt

Background
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Chesapeake artist Sarah Askew also known as RobotHeartArt is as talented as you get for someone at the ripe old age of twenty years old. Her work is primarily paint on canvas or various materials. Her subject matter ranges from animals to rock stars. When she's not doing art, her day job is working in the fish, bird, reptile, and small animal area in PetSmart. Sarah's other hobbies include hanging out with her boyfriend, playing with her two ferrets, and enjoying her new female leopard geckos.

Interview
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How long have you been creating?

Oh man, I don't even know! Ever since I was very young I've always been into art. Finger Painting 101. In about the second grade I was voted most likely to be an art teacher when I grew up. It's funny because that's what I'm in college for right now!

How would you describe your work?

That's a hard one. Perhaps, funky paint-by-numbers? I've always been inspired by bold line and color..a mechanical feel. Roy Lichtenstein is one of my heros.

What are you motivations for creating?

A desire for beauty. And, of course, to express myself.

What do you find visually stimulating right now? Any local artists that we need to keep an eye on?

I love Michael Scott Younger III! His style inspires me.

What other artists or movements inform your work/ aesthetics/ sensibilities?

Well, Roy Lichtenstien. That whole comic book "machine-made" look. I love it.

Do you think that the notion of an artist's "style" is fabricated to boost sales and marketability? Are artists then forced to limit their body of work to specific content or media in an effort to facilitate easy recognization?

I'm not sure about this. I can see sometimes how maybe some artists would feel like they have to keep using what sold in the past. But, I am always seeing how artists are evolving in their styles!

What were your favorite cartoons as a kid??

As a kid?? I STILL have favorite cartoons! I suppose as a kid my favorites would have to be shows like "Ren and Stimpy", "Cow and Chicken"..Hah, I guess shows that had lots of cartoon butts in them? My favorite cartoon at the moment is "The Venture Brothers". Amazing.

What do you imagine is the role of your work in the lives of those who see it? What evidence do you see of your work achieving the goals you have for it?

I guess I've never thought about this! I think my goal is simple..the most basic goal of art..for someone to see my work and go "Wow! Awesome!". You know? It's not until recently that I've been putting my artwork out there for the world to see.

If there were no financial limits whatsoever for you, what constraints would you most like to overstep? Are there other mediums you would explore?

I would love to get a bit into photography! A nice Canon SLR. Also, I would love to have tons of nice oil paint.

Did you grow up in Virginia? (If not, when / why did you move here?)

I was born in Virginia Beach and lived there my first year of life. I've lived the other 19 years in Chesapeake.

Do you do gallery shows?

Not yet! I would love to though. It wasn't until recently that I've been putting my work out in the open.

What materials do you use to make a piece? Any particular brands in paints or brushes?

Recently, I've been really into painting on wood. As far as paints and supplies, it usually ends up being whatever is the most cost effective. (College student and all...)

Tell us how you start a piece. Do you sketch? Do you wing it? Then what? How do you make a piece?

Usually I'll use a reference photo for my work. I'm a big math person, so I end up making really detailed graphs for everything. I sketch after that. Then paint, with about the tiniest brushes you can buy.

The business side of being an artist: how do you market/promote yourself, and does it work? How do you cope?

I've been way to shy in the past! It wasn't until this year that I've really had a passion to get out there and start selling! I never even publicly sold a piece of my art until about 3 months ago!

Links
Deviant Art Page
Myspace Page

Artist: Mary Kay Hollday

Continuing our features on talented local ladies in honor of the Joan of Art show, we have hand selected the creative diva, Mary Kay Holladay to be included in this month's spotlights.

(please direct link to this feature and not copy+paste. Give us the proper credit for the work! thanks!)

Featured Artist:

Mary Kay Holladay

"Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." ---- Pablo Picasso

Biography:

Mary Kay lived in the mid-west (Indiana and Ohio) until her retirement. At that time she re-located to Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has found Virginia to be an endless source of new subject matter for her paintings, enjoying the weather, the flowers and trees, but most of all the beaches.

Mary Kay spent her career in the highly regulated field of blood banking and transfusion medicine. She has always loved the creative process but for many years her time was spent working, making a home and raising her children. Because of these commitments, she had little time to draw or paint. Since her children are now grown and have their own lives and responsibilities, she has once again returned to her art. Painting has given her a sense of freedom she never felt during her professional life.

Mary Kay started painting in oils but has since switched to watercolors and acrylics. She enjoys painting landscapes, cityscapes, flowers and still life arrangements. Mary Kay is open to trying new things, new techniques, and new subject matter. While most of her art is considered to be representational, she has also done abstracts and (what might be described as) impressionistic work.

She has taken many classes and workshops in both Ohio and Indiana. Her works have been included in numerous juried exhibitions, won awards, and are included in both private and corporate collections.

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art in knowing which ones to keep." ---- Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert cartoons

Interview:

How long have you been creating?

Forever – in one manner or another!

How would you describe your work?

Mostly representational/traditional although I also love doing abstracts – there is such a freedom in that process.

What are your motivations for creating?

My motivation for creating is the desire to create something that gives me joy and (hopefully) is also a source of pleasure for the viewer.

What do you find visually stimulating right now? Any local artists that we need to keep an eye on?

What stimulates me now is the same as has always stimulated me and that is the beauty that surrounds me each and every day. Regarding local artists, there are a few that come to mind: Nancy Lucks, Pam Hill and Patricia DeHart – all of these women are extremely talented and like me, are working hard to build a following here in the Hampton Roads area.

What other artists or movements inform your work/ aesthetics/ sensibilities?

Gosh, that's a tough one. I love the impressionists but enjoy equally artists like Kandinsky, Mir'o, Pollack and then on to Georgia O'Keefe. So, I guess, for me each artist has something to share with me.

Do you think that the notion of an artist's "style" is fabricated to boost sales and marketability? Are artist then forced to limit their body of work to specific content or media in an effort to facilitate easy recognition?

I do think artist have a "style" but I don't believe it is limiting (unless the artist allows that). As with all things, there is always change and it seems foolish to think artists would be any different. As their lives change, so may their work. It is as it should be.

What were your favorite cartoons as a kid?

Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig (guess I'm dated myself). When my children were young, I loved the Smurfs – you may never have even heard of them. (Mary Kay, we happen to love Bugs and the Smurfs. Cartoons are never outdated or out of style! We are all kids at heart!-k@t/Gabe)

What do you imagine is the role of your work in the lives of those who see it? What evidence do you see of your work achieving the goals you have?

I believe the role of my art is to bring joy and beauty to others. I have no social or political message.

If there were no financial limits whatsoever for you, what constraints would you most like to overstep. Are there other mediums you would explore?

I would be free to experiment more with different types of art and also see how different mediums interact. If money were not an issue, there would be absolutely no limit to what I would try or places I would go to learn different skills. It is just too much to even consider the possibilities.

Did you grow up in Virginia?

I have been in Virginia for only a year. I have always lived in the mid-west (Indiana and Ohio). When it was time for me to retire, my oldest son invited me to move to Virginia to be close to him and his family. I am glad I decided to do just that.

Do you do gallery shows?

I did some shows in Ohio and Indiana but have not had that opportunity as yet in Virginia. It is something I would certainly be open to doing.

Your work is very different from one another with subject matter and actual execution. What inspires you to create? How does a blank canvas become a finished piece?

I think the answer to part of this question can be found in my answer to question 9. I absolutely love to try different things! I love color and shape but I also find such joy in being able to put onto canvas or paper something that is as close to what nature has created as is possible for me to create. Not sure if that answers your entire question but it's the best I can do.

The business side of being an artist: how do you market/promote yourself, and does it work? How do you cope?

Recently I have joined with a few other local artists (we call our group Art X-pressions) and a great marketing person to work on getting our art 'out there' – that is how we got connected with Tanner's Creek Garden Center to form Tanner's Creek Marketplace. I do think it is working but we all realize it just takes time and perseverance. How do I cope? Well, I just believe it will happen and trust God will help with that – I'm a pretty patient person and believe anything worth while is worth waiting for ------ along with a great deal of hard work.

Upcoming Shows:

-Tanner's Creek Marketplace- Every Saturday 9am to 2pm.

(Tanner's Creek is located at the corner of Granby and Lavalette in Norfolk just past the Norfolk Zoo. It's a great opportunity to see a variety of art, check out beautiful plants, koi fish and pond plants and produce from local farmers.)

Links:

Mary Kay Myspace

artbymarykay@yahoo.com