What is LINK?This is an internship opportunity offered by my school. This includes interning with a company or business of your choice, and instead of going to school, you work this job for 3 weeks. This chance allows students not only to get a sense of working in the real world, but also a chance to explore possible career choices.
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My Internship at Studio &My internship was at Studio &, a local art gallery with my mentor Shay Lopez. Shay Lopez is one of many artists who not only collaborates in galleries displaying their work, but also continue to create authentic and original art that anyone can appreciate. With the variety of perspectives and types of art their is always something new to admire. Shay Lopez is a painter and sculptor who plays huge role in the direction of this studio, and I was very lucky to lock down an internship with a great mentor, and at a studio that will push my creative abilities.
http://anddurango.com/ |
Anticipation Post 2/12/16
I am planning on completing my internship with Studio & a local art studio, on main street in Durango, Colorado. I will be painting for 3 weeks, further devolving my skills as a painter, and also leaning new techniques that come with painting. My mentor will be Shay Lopez, one of a few collaborators at this studio. There are multiple artists who participate in exhibitions displayed by the studio and their work ranges from paintings to sculptures, and all with the goal of expressing their views on a specific topic or idea.
Through this experience Shay Lopez is going to be my mentor. He is professional painter and sculptor who participates in galleries, and works hard to continue to keep Studio & the best it can be. Aside from being a painter he was also my 10th grade humanities teacher for a semester, and also the teacher of my independent art class. This connection lead to him becoming my mentor in this experience. He plays an important role in Studio &, from participating in galleries to working with the other artist to help this shop to continue to run. Shay is very creative and a great teacher, I hope he will be able to offer me new techniques and coach me in my painting abilities. He is a professional artist and I am sure he will be able to critique my art and offer me a lot of help.
Through this experience I am going to be working towards my career, being an art therapist. To be an art therapist I am going to need to be an advanced artist and also have a solid understanding of how colors and lines are able to help someone express themselves, starting now and beginning to have an understanding is going to be very beneficial. Another benefit of going to intern at Studio & is that I will be able to see how a business can be run by multiple people and still function properly beginning to work on my entrepreneurship skills.
Through this experience Shay Lopez is going to be my mentor. He is professional painter and sculptor who participates in galleries, and works hard to continue to keep Studio & the best it can be. Aside from being a painter he was also my 10th grade humanities teacher for a semester, and also the teacher of my independent art class. This connection lead to him becoming my mentor in this experience. He plays an important role in Studio &, from participating in galleries to working with the other artist to help this shop to continue to run. Shay is very creative and a great teacher, I hope he will be able to offer me new techniques and coach me in my painting abilities. He is a professional artist and I am sure he will be able to critique my art and offer me a lot of help.
Through this experience I am going to be working towards my career, being an art therapist. To be an art therapist I am going to need to be an advanced artist and also have a solid understanding of how colors and lines are able to help someone express themselves, starting now and beginning to have an understanding is going to be very beneficial. Another benefit of going to intern at Studio & is that I will be able to see how a business can be run by multiple people and still function properly beginning to work on my entrepreneurship skills.
My First Day
This piece was completed using acrylic paint on the first day I was in the studio. This abstract piece is titled "Summer".
Week 1 Reflection
To begin the week Shay and I walked around town to the local galleries and examined the art being shown. This allowed me to understand what I was interested in and also experience some of the work local artists were creating. After discovering how much I had admired abstract, and nonrepresentational art I decided to create pieces of this style. I saw how the lines and shapes in these drawings weren’t perfect and were often a little messy, however this gave the entire piece an awesome look. I honestly didn’t know how to make these abstract lines because most of my art career I have been trying to make objects look recognizable, not making objects more distorted. Every time I would paint a line, I would almost begin to criticize that new line or shape instead of giving it time to actually have an effect on the whole piece. After Shay told me “to just go with it”, I was able to start to paint a little more freely with confidence in my strokes. I was introduced to a new tool called a pallet knife. This tool was crucial in my first abstract painting because it gives your canvas layers of paint in a unique way that you could never imitate with a brush. There are multiple ways to use the pallet knife that all offer different effects. In the first painting I created I used to pallet knife to spread, dot, and scratch my canvas to give the paint unique layers.
A big challenge that I encountered during my first week was finding inspiration for the art pieces I was going to create. Prior to LINK I had only worked with acrylic paint, watercolor, and some oil paint, and so I knew I wanted to do some kind of painting but I just had no idea what would be a good idea for my project. I talked earlier about how Shay and I walked around to the galleries, this was the perfect solution to my lack of inspiration. Aside from discovering how much I really enjoyed abstract and nonrepresentational paintings, I saw that the artists weren’t creating the art for anyone else, they simply were creating these pieces because they liked them. This allowed me to think about what I wanted to do, and not what people might want to see. This allowed me to start creating art for myself and not for the audience.
Though my first week at the Studio I worked mostly with Shay Lopez, but also got to talk a lot with Tim Kapustka and Elizabeth Kinahan, two other artist who keep the studio running. Tim is a co-founder of the studio and works to make really interesting vector art using online programs, and Elizabeth works to make very detailed paintings of western farm life. Both of them worked with me by engaging in critique and challenged me by suggesting I try different strokes here, or a different color in this corner, every suggestion made me evaluate if I liked that specific part of my painting or didn’t and that almost always led to some kind of change on the piece.
A big challenge that I encountered during my first week was finding inspiration for the art pieces I was going to create. Prior to LINK I had only worked with acrylic paint, watercolor, and some oil paint, and so I knew I wanted to do some kind of painting but I just had no idea what would be a good idea for my project. I talked earlier about how Shay and I walked around to the galleries, this was the perfect solution to my lack of inspiration. Aside from discovering how much I really enjoyed abstract and nonrepresentational paintings, I saw that the artists weren’t creating the art for anyone else, they simply were creating these pieces because they liked them. This allowed me to think about what I wanted to do, and not what people might want to see. This allowed me to start creating art for myself and not for the audience.
Though my first week at the Studio I worked mostly with Shay Lopez, but also got to talk a lot with Tim Kapustka and Elizabeth Kinahan, two other artist who keep the studio running. Tim is a co-founder of the studio and works to make really interesting vector art using online programs, and Elizabeth works to make very detailed paintings of western farm life. Both of them worked with me by engaging in critique and challenged me by suggesting I try different strokes here, or a different color in this corner, every suggestion made me evaluate if I liked that specific part of my painting or didn’t and that almost always led to some kind of change on the piece.
Week 2 Reflection
My second week interning at Studio & was filled with a lot of independent work, creating the pieces that I am planning to show at the exhibition. I have been working on an abstract dog over the past couple of days and because there are going to be a lot of patterns in this piece, I wanted the first pattern to be very strong and solid so I have spent tons of time layering and relaying the first pattern. A huge challenge at the start of this dog was me not exactly knowing how the dog would be positioned. I was planning on abstracting the dog, adding a different pattern to each shape of the dog, and using wild, vivid colors, but I didn’t know if it would look best if the dog was standing or sitting. I experimented by drawing abstract dogs sitting down and standing, this allowed me to see how I was able to make the dog much more recognizable sitting instead of standing, so in the end the dog was sitting.
Through my second week interning, I was still creating abstract images, therefore I was able to further explore working with the pallet knife. The abstract dog best shows the variety of unique strokes and layers that the pallet knife can create, because I used the pallet knife to create everyone of the patterns in the dog except for the very first pattern. From white dots to scratches cutting through layers each use of the pallet knife is very special. Although I worked a ton on my abstract dog, I was also introduced to a new technique called monoprinting. Monoprinting is a form of printmaking where you use pressure to transfer the paint from surface to canvas, this process works to develop the paint on your canvas in the thin ways that brushes could never. I was fascinated by this process because it delivered such unique lines on the canvas in a really fun way. Another of the artists I was able to work with was Maureen May, an artist who has actually created some of the coolest mono prints I had ever seen. One specific monoprint that stood out to me was a very unique abstract image, printed on a wood sculpture, this piece is so interesting because the sculpture adds even more depth to the already sophisticated monoprint that she had created. The monoprint that I created was process in a very easy way. First I created my stencil, this was a cat. The way you transfer paint from the surface to the canvas is by filling your stencil with the parts you want colored, then pressing your paper firmly against the surface. The pressure removes the paint from the surface and leaves an interesting print of your stencil on the paper. I did this 4 times, filling the cat a different color each time, then adding a second color to the stencil to cover up the negative space in the monoprint. Finally positioning the 4 prints in the way that I found most pleasing, then framed them in together. I am most impressed with my monoprint because it looks very professional and this was my first time ever experimenting with this process. During the second week Shay and I also visited an exhibit at the Durango Arts Center that was about the 1960’s and Vietnam, this gallery was put on by 2 artist, both who created the pieces when they were about 50 but it was by a father and son. All of these pieces were so detailed and powerful. There was a strong painting of the vietnam border with hateful words, images and symbols written on it really made me think about the way I stand up for my rights, and how I can do it in ways that work or ways that don’t. Another powerful piece in that exhibit was a sculpture of a triple barrel sawed-off shotgun, pointed at a mirror, with the viewer behind the gun, this piece was titled face the truth. This piece resonated with me because I feel like in the last 6 months or so I have done a lot more reflecting on the choices I make and how I am the one making those choices, this piece really makes me think of honesty and how you should look at yourself before just blaming other people or things.
Through my second week interning, I was still creating abstract images, therefore I was able to further explore working with the pallet knife. The abstract dog best shows the variety of unique strokes and layers that the pallet knife can create, because I used the pallet knife to create everyone of the patterns in the dog except for the very first pattern. From white dots to scratches cutting through layers each use of the pallet knife is very special. Although I worked a ton on my abstract dog, I was also introduced to a new technique called monoprinting. Monoprinting is a form of printmaking where you use pressure to transfer the paint from surface to canvas, this process works to develop the paint on your canvas in the thin ways that brushes could never. I was fascinated by this process because it delivered such unique lines on the canvas in a really fun way. Another of the artists I was able to work with was Maureen May, an artist who has actually created some of the coolest mono prints I had ever seen. One specific monoprint that stood out to me was a very unique abstract image, printed on a wood sculpture, this piece is so interesting because the sculpture adds even more depth to the already sophisticated monoprint that she had created. The monoprint that I created was process in a very easy way. First I created my stencil, this was a cat. The way you transfer paint from the surface to the canvas is by filling your stencil with the parts you want colored, then pressing your paper firmly against the surface. The pressure removes the paint from the surface and leaves an interesting print of your stencil on the paper. I did this 4 times, filling the cat a different color each time, then adding a second color to the stencil to cover up the negative space in the monoprint. Finally positioning the 4 prints in the way that I found most pleasing, then framed them in together. I am most impressed with my monoprint because it looks very professional and this was my first time ever experimenting with this process. During the second week Shay and I also visited an exhibit at the Durango Arts Center that was about the 1960’s and Vietnam, this gallery was put on by 2 artist, both who created the pieces when they were about 50 but it was by a father and son. All of these pieces were so detailed and powerful. There was a strong painting of the vietnam border with hateful words, images and symbols written on it really made me think about the way I stand up for my rights, and how I can do it in ways that work or ways that don’t. Another powerful piece in that exhibit was a sculpture of a triple barrel sawed-off shotgun, pointed at a mirror, with the viewer behind the gun, this piece was titled face the truth. This piece resonated with me because I feel like in the last 6 months or so I have done a lot more reflecting on the choices I make and how I am the one making those choices, this piece really makes me think of honesty and how you should look at yourself before just blaming other people or things.
Week 3 Reflection
My last week interning with Studio & I continued to work on the project I was creating, finishing the abstract dog and also another non-representational piece. Through this internship I was most surprised to see how much support local artists have in Durango. So many of the artist even if they aren’t in direct collaboration with Studio & still offer tons of support on the art they are doing, and in return the studio also offers all the help they can. It was awesome to meet a variety of artists who all were so unique and friendly. I contributed a positive attitude and also a unique perspective when helping to critique other artwork. During my time in the studio, I was constantly working on the projects that I want to display for exhibition. Through this internship I created 4 pieces of art that I am very impressed I was able to do. The internship was different than I expected by giving me way more freedom and less structure in how I have to create or make my art. For example I learned to use the pallet knife by exploring with the different strokes and marks you can make, not by being directed or taught how to use it. I expected my internship to be a lot of lessons when in reality it was me exploring my creative abilities, and then I was able to ask Shay for help or feedback when I needed it.
My internship goals were to push my creative abilities and learn more about the process of creating some interesting professional work. Through this internship, I was able to push my creative abilities by working with new mediums and techniques, while accomplishing professional art that I am proud of. My time at Studio & was awesome, but one challenging part was that I changed my career path from wanting to be and art therapist, to being the owner of an art studio. This was challenging because for that last couple of months I have been thinking a lot about where I want to go to school, and what direction I want to take my life, it was an unexpected change in my future but I am much more excited about owning an art gallery than being an art therapist, and it was a necessary realization to have.
I learned a lot through this internship, however one of the biggest things I learned was that it doesn’t matter what your art is, what it is made out of, as long as the artist likes it. Over the years in art classes I have always tried to make art for the teacher or for the audience but this internship allowed me to make art for myself. This was strange at first because without a topic I didn’t really know what to create, but once I walked to the other galleries and saw other art, I noticed that there was some very unique and funky art out there, and just because I didn’t like it, it was still art and someone eventually will. I painted everyday I was in the studio, therefore I worked on my painting skills, including both painting and pallet knife techniques. I learned new ways of adding texture that helps immensely with abstract and nonrepresentational pieces. I worked the most with texture and layers, I want to say I mastered adding layers and textures to my canvases but texture and layers can go on forever always discovering a new techinque, so I got very close to mastering them but not quite because I will continue to work on these skills throughout my art career.
As I mentioned earlier, this internship helped me discover that I am more interested in owning an art studio than I could ever be, managing my own art therapst practice. This internship showed me how art is for everyone and if you are able to continuously make original art, customers will come to you. I am more interested in owning an art gallery than being an art therapist because I want to be make a strong impression on the community, wherever I am, and being a studio owner and artist would be the way I want people to know me. I have always known that I wanted to do something with art in my life, but this internship helped clear my path, and direct me to where I want to be, I want to own a studio and be an artist.
My internship goals were to push my creative abilities and learn more about the process of creating some interesting professional work. Through this internship, I was able to push my creative abilities by working with new mediums and techniques, while accomplishing professional art that I am proud of. My time at Studio & was awesome, but one challenging part was that I changed my career path from wanting to be and art therapist, to being the owner of an art studio. This was challenging because for that last couple of months I have been thinking a lot about where I want to go to school, and what direction I want to take my life, it was an unexpected change in my future but I am much more excited about owning an art gallery than being an art therapist, and it was a necessary realization to have.
I learned a lot through this internship, however one of the biggest things I learned was that it doesn’t matter what your art is, what it is made out of, as long as the artist likes it. Over the years in art classes I have always tried to make art for the teacher or for the audience but this internship allowed me to make art for myself. This was strange at first because without a topic I didn’t really know what to create, but once I walked to the other galleries and saw other art, I noticed that there was some very unique and funky art out there, and just because I didn’t like it, it was still art and someone eventually will. I painted everyday I was in the studio, therefore I worked on my painting skills, including both painting and pallet knife techniques. I learned new ways of adding texture that helps immensely with abstract and nonrepresentational pieces. I worked the most with texture and layers, I want to say I mastered adding layers and textures to my canvases but texture and layers can go on forever always discovering a new techinque, so I got very close to mastering them but not quite because I will continue to work on these skills throughout my art career.
As I mentioned earlier, this internship helped me discover that I am more interested in owning an art studio than I could ever be, managing my own art therapst practice. This internship showed me how art is for everyone and if you are able to continuously make original art, customers will come to you. I am more interested in owning an art gallery than being an art therapist because I want to be make a strong impression on the community, wherever I am, and being a studio owner and artist would be the way I want people to know me. I have always known that I wanted to do something with art in my life, but this internship helped clear my path, and direct me to where I want to be, I want to own a studio and be an artist.
Resume
Brenden B. Wedertz
Durango, Colorado 81301
Objective
My objective was to secure an internship with Studio &. Through this I hoped to grow as a painter, exercise my creative abilities, and make positive connections with the community.
EDUCATIONAnimas High School 2013-Present
Current GPA= 3.77
EXPERIENCEInternship with Studio &(Art Gallery)
Durango, Colorado — March 1st, 2016-March 22nd 2016
- Experienced new original art.
- Produced my own art.
- Created art using different mediums and new techniques.
Cook at Dairy Queen Durango, Colorado — August 10th, 2015- Current
- Prepared food.
- Worked to disinfect the kitchen.
- Stocked ingredients.
- Collaboration
- Open mindedness
- Creativity
- Self driveness
- Perseverance
REFERENCES
Shay Lopez- Artist at Studio &