An MFA painter in her creative space
Q: What draws you to the medium of paint?
I have a history with photography and printmaking and their influences are starting to come forward in the current work. I choose to paint not only because of the history of painting but the history of the paint body itself. When using materials other than paint to create visual work, there are some surprises and happy accidents that may occur to enhance the process or end product. In painting however, its more of an emotional relationship. It takes practice and above all, patience.
For Everything Now Forever, (final MFA visual show) I am referring to the literal topography of the picture plane. This pursuit has shifted the way that I apply the paint. The ultimate strategy is to develop subtle texture and tonal shifts.
Essentially, I am asking the viewer to slow down, come in close and investigate the surfaces.
Q: In Everything Now Forever you have very deliberate groupings of paintings. How did you decide which ones go together? How do the paintings compliment each other?
The intention behind the installation is either to respond to the architecture within the gallery space and/or to communicate a theme among the neighbouring works. Some of the pictorial spaces discuss paint on a formal level while others speak to phenomenological and psychological environments.
Q: What is the first thing you do to set up each day when you get to into your studio?
The first thing that I do when I get to my studio? Honestly, I fire up the electric kettle and make a french-press pot of coffee. After that, I flip on the tunes.
Search the studio (Can you find these objects).
1. I keep a picture of Andy Kaufman up as a reminder not to take myself too seriously. Working long hours in the studio can cause one’s brain to twist around and fold in on itself. It is important to have a laugh and take a break.
2. On the pallet: wax medium, brayers, mixing knives, brushes, paint
3. On the wall to the right: they are three of about three hundred compositional sketches. I use sketching as a tool to loosen up before I start to paint.
4. The work on the walls: some of the pieces are part of the thesis show while others are works in progress. I like to keep them hung together. It keeps the conversation within the groupings on-going.
5. The black cart: painters love traveling pallets. I’ll put castors on anything given the opportunity!
You can find out more about Nora’s work at noramyersvisualartist.com or email her at [email protected] or [email protected]
Everything Now and Forever is open to the public until October 25th, 2014 in the University of Alberta’s Fine Arts Building Gallery.
Event title: Everything Now and Forever by Nora Myers, MFA painting final visual presentation
Exhibition dates: until October 25, 2014
Venue: FAB Gallery (1-1 Fine Arts Building, University of Alberta)
FAB Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday and statutory holidays
Admission: Free.
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