10 May Interviews with Artists Judith Simonds & Yuliya Lanina for W.E.S.T.

Sculpture by artist Judith Simonds and mechanical music box by artist Yuliya Lanina.

I’m so excited to be participating in W.E.S.T West Austin Studio Tour which starts THIS Thursday night, May 11th, with Due WEST, the official kick-off fundraising event at the Dougherty Arts Center at 1110 Barton Springs Road Austin, Texas 78704, from 7 – 10 p.m.

All 300+ artists on the WEST Tour will have one piece of their art at this group exhibition event throughout the duration of the WEST Tour dates, May 13 – 14 and 20- 21. Come out and support this wonderful non-profit that creates both the EAST and WEST Tours in Austin. You can purchase your tickets HERE. And mark the Tour dates on your calendar as we’d love to see you from 11 – 6 p.m. each day!

Last week on Texture Tuesday, I featured an interview with two of the guest artists at my studio, Deborah Main Designs: painters Annie Darling (Stop #225) and Denise Jaunsem (Stop #226). Here’s that post if you missed it: Two Painters at W.E.S.T.

This week’s Texture Tuesday features the other two guest artists, sculptor Judith Simonds (Stop #227) and artist Yuliya Lanina who is showing her mechanical music boxes. Both of these artists also paint and Yuliya does film and installations too. Be sure to check out their websites to learn more about their work.

We all look forward to seeing you at my studio, Deborah Main Designs, during the West Austin Studio Tour. So if you live in the Austin area,  or are just visiting, please be sure to stop by from 11 – 6 p.m. to see 5 artists (Stops #224,225, 226 & 227) all in one place, Deborah Main Designs’ studio, in Austin’s 78704 neighborhood. You can’t miss four of our signs out front!

Deborah Main Designs studio, 1906 Collier St., Austin, TX 78704

Till then, please enjoy the  interviews below.  See you this weekend and next! XO PG

Artist Judith Simonds Interview. Please visit her website for more information and enjoy her one-of-a-kind sculpture below.

DM: You’re an artist in the upcoming WEST studio Tour, what events in your life prompted you to become an artist?

JS: My mother is artistic, she taught arts & crafts in our basement back in the 1960’s. Ironically, my mother discouraged me from becoming a professional artist (she’s very proud of me now!)

I don’t think there was ever an event that prompted me to become an artist. Creating art was all I ever wanted to do. 

For me, it wasn’t just the process of making art, I had something I needed to say visually.

DM: What inspires you to create?

JS: I have always had a deep connection to the natural world. Since I was a child, I have always observed nature closely. I’m fascinated by the perfection of design in nature.

I’m also intrigued by the mystery of life and death, my work is definitely reflective of that.

DM: How much time do you devote in your studio to your craft? To one piece?

It varies, I tend to work in “bursts” of creative energy. 

Some sculptures are very large and complex so they command more of my time. I started painting again several years ago and my paintings require months of working in my studio. 

Right now I’m spending several days out of the week working in my studio, but I wish it were more.

DM: Whats the best thing about being an artist? The most challenging thing?

JS: The best thing about being an artist is that I am doing what I want to do. I don’t do commissions, I never will. I’m the boss in my studio, no one is breathing over my shoulder telling me what to do or what to say. 

The most challenging thing about being an artist is finding the time to work in my studio. There are too many distractions swirling around. My inspiration comes from a quiet place, now we live in a very noisy world.

DM: What one tip would you give other artists just starting out about creating and exhibiting their work?

JS: I’ve got five!

1) Stay true to yourself. Don’t make art just to sell it, hold on to your vision.

2) If you decide to look for gallery representation, make sure the gallery fits your style. 

3) Make sure you have a good BUSINESS relationship with the gallery owner. Ask other artists if the owner has a good reputation for promoting their work and paying his/her artists in a timely manner. 

4) Never let the gallery owner make you feel like you should be grateful to them for showing your work, remember that it’s a 50/50 partnership. 

5) Always follow your dreams.

Artist Yuliya Lanina Interview. Please visit her website for more information and enjoy a few of her mechanical music boxes below. The music for her boxes is composed by her husband.

DM: You’re an artist in the upcoming WEST studio Tour, what events in your life prompted you to become an artist?

YL: Growing up I studied music. I loved singing and playing piano. When I moved to the U.S. I started drawing more. I did not know English well and drawing became my way of communicating my thoughts and feelings. 

DM: What inspires you to create?

YL: Life has been and continues to be my source of inspiration.

DM: How much time do you devote in your studio to your craft? To one piece?

YL: My work varies from painting and mechanical sculpture to animation, film and performance. It may take anywhere from a day to a number of years to create one piece.

DM: What’s the best thing about being an artist? The most challenging thing?

YL: It is never boring to be an artist. Now that I have two small children, the most challenging thing is finding enough uninterrupted time to spend in my studio.

DM: What one tip would you give other artists just starting out about creating and exhibiting their work?

YL: Spend a lot of time in your studio and spend a lot of time looking at art.