Interview by Tara Sasiadek:
The Buffalo Expat Network, the Emerging Leaders in the Arts and HandsOn Greater Buffalo are pleased to present the echo:
Art Fair which connects experienced collectors and first-time buyers
with emerging local, regional and international artists in a centralized
and creative environment; the Buffalo Central Terminal. echo:
Art Fair will showcase a broad scope of fine art disciplines, including
painting, photography, sculpture, print, works on paper, video and
combined-media. echo will commence with a VIP Reception on July 8th, 2011. On July 9th, the echo:
Art Fair will run from 9:30am until 5:30pm. The After-echo party, also
to be held in the Terminal, will take place shortly after the ending of
the fair featuring live music from The Albrights, Alex Kelly, and will
wrap up with a dance party featuring DJ Cutler and AVDJ PROJEX. Here is the next in a series of Buffalo Rising interviews with one of our featured artists, Joyce Hill:
Who are you, and what do you do?
My name is Joyce Hill and I do mixed media paintings. My work is created on paper and canvas with acrylic, stencils, spray paints, and collage.
What are the most essential elements of your work?
My most essential element is the photos I have taken on the street and incorporated within the works. These are usually what my street art paintings are based on.
If you had to choose only 5 materials or tools to work with, what would they be?
my photos, spray paints, collage elements, acrylic, and watercolor paper
Would you describe your artistic education as a guided or self guided journey?
Since graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a BFA in 1972 I have gone from jobs in a studio as a graphic designer after graduation to what I do now. It has been a self guided journey with me learning from previous works what not to do. I approach each painting with a basic idea and as I work it can go in any or many directions before I am satisfied with the results.
Do you have a connection to Buffalo?
Yes, I am originally from a suburb of Buffalo Grand Island. My father a inventor started a business here and my husband who is also from the area works there at the family company started in 1950.
How do you define success as an artist?
I have recently with my street art seen a great interest on the west coast in my art. I have in the last year picked up gallery representation in Santa Monica, Ca. . I feel success to me is getting as many people as I can to view my work all over the country. I hope to develop a large client base for my work and continue to share my ideas on how street art is changing our environment in a good way. If I can convince people that this form of art is “beautiful” I will feel I have achieved my goal as a artist.
Can you share with a us a harrowing tale of an artistic disaster?
I was once early in my career at a outdoor art show that got hit by a hurricane. One time that I had to admit defeat and not put my work out there.
Do you have a set schedule for studio time? How do you structure your creative life?
I paint every day in my studio connected to my house for at least six hours. I being a mixed media artist it seems that just setting up all the elements of my work takes longer at times then the actual act of painting on canvas. I take off on weekends to do tasks such as updating websites and sending out notices of exhibitions to clients. I love to take trips to the west coast especially LA where my youngest daughter lives and works. She is in the tv industry and a artist. We often “bounce” painting ideas off each other. I get many of my best ideas from the photos I take on the street out there too.
Can you tell us about where you find resources or inspiration for your work?
I am on the streets of cities as much as possible looking at the sidewalks, buildings and people. These elements from broken glass, paint spilled, to graffiti are where my best ideas come from in my work.
What quote or mantra or words of wisdom do you have for other creative types?
The smallest things you see a mark, a discarded can, or a person waiting for a bus on a city street….. Always look at the little things the forgotten elements around us. They tell a interesting story all on there own.
Where can we find more of your work?
My work currently can be seen at the Art Dialogue Gallery in Buffalo, NY, and the Jeanie Madsen Gallery in Santa Monica, Ca.
For full details on echo: Art Fair, visit the site at www.echoArtFair.com, or find us on Facebook
.