Artist Survey #17: Mindy Marlowe

{Jelly Belly Tomatoes : Acrylic on Canvas}

{Spats : Fabric and whatnot}

{Dapper Flamingo : Acrylic on Canvas}

{River Monster : Acrylic on Canvas}

Name: Mindy Marlowe

Location: Twain Harte CA

Medium(s): pen & ink, acrylic, spray paint, marker, sewing machine, random up-cycling of household objects.

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? shy gypsy crafter…so “Other”

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? At a young age, my family encouraged my brother and I to experience the outdoors so we would go tearing around making forts, dancing, laughing, petting bees, searching for fairies in the grass. (Which was so much fun, that I once ended up with poison oak in my eye.) Essentially, my concept of art is rooted in make believe, but it seemed real and that was the best part.

Who/What inspired your interest? My mom, she is the original free spirit.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? Waldorf school.

What is your day job? Driving school manager extraordinaire

Why do you create? Because I feel that I have to, it’s a comfort

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Extremely loose representation of personal freedom, wanton abandon, whimsy.

What do you want from your work? Challenge, solace.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? Hard question… commonality, or an interest in something that was previously uninteresting.

How often do you work on personal projects? A few times per week, 2-ish. At this point, its all personal to me and I hope that stays, I can’t imagine doing art for impersonal reasons.

Does your art support you financially? Not yet…

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? When I have an idea, I tend to dream of it and daydream of it. I just want to go home and lock myself in my little art space until the project is finished.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Camp, write, cook, drink wine, snowboard, read, play softball, sing, drink more wine.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? Tim Armstong, The Black Keys, Jolie Holland, Elliott Smith, Riverboat Gamblers, Tiger Army, O.A.R.

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? Next roller derby bout, horseshoe tourney at the Lube Room, Renegade Craft Fair in SF.

How long do you generally take on a piece? Hard to say, sometimes I get really carried away and finish things in a matter of hours. Otherwise, maybe days.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? Mostly I chicken out at Art’s expense, but I’m standing on the edge of the precipice now.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? No, I’m single minded, I have to get one thing out & done before I can start another.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? No, I usually give it away to good homes.

Manzanita Writers Press Presents… Zac Calbert!

Here is a press release for a local publication that a print of mine will be featured in. I will be at the event having a great time and selling prints. Best yet, the event is FREE!

Manzanita Writers Press Presents: Manzanita Volume 6 Book Release & Reading & Reception at Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County 11-6 Saturday, August 14

Manzanita writers will be reading new work published in the new Volume 6 book, Manzanita: Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra — and photographers and artists will display their art. The event is free to all, and the public is invited to participate and share in the community reading. A no-host Leger buffet lunch and dinner is available, so reserve ahead for lunch, dinner, and reading slot with Linda Field, Events Coordinator at linda@lindataylorfield.com. Or call Linda at (916) 454-5738. Be sure to sign up for one of the three available reading time slots.

Writers can pick up their free 2 copies of the book hot off the press at the event., and purchase additional copies at 1/2 off (7.50 each) as well as share their writing with the public at the reading. Writers need to reserve their time slot with Linda Field, Events Coordinator, for reading, lunch, and dinner as soon as possible as slots fill up quickly. Hope to see you there!

  • 11-11:15 Manzanita Writers Press staff introductions and acknowledgements—sponsor recognition and program details
  • 11:15-12:15 Manzanita Writers Reading their work from the book by sign up
  • 12:15-1:15 Lunch with the writers—buffet with paid reservations in advance 12.00
  • 1:15-3:15 Manzanita Writers Reading their work from the book by sign up
  • 3:15-5:00 Manzanita Writers Reading their work from the book by sign up
  • 5:15-6 PM Open Mic in the Lounge—open to the public—sign ups taken in advance and at the event
  • 6:00 PM Dinner with the Writers—Buffet pre-paid reservations in advance—19.00
    Mokelumne Hill Nut Company and a winery will be featured vendors.

For the Writers Table for sales of books: writers are encouraged to bring their books to sell—prices
need to be posted on books. All proceeds of individual authors’ books at the table go to the author of
those books.

Event sponsored by Manzanita Writers Press and The Hotel Leger

Summer Art Explosion: the Prologue

Everybody is always asking me, “Zac what are you doing‽ Why don’t you keep us informed on the interweb?” And I always answer, “Because I am busy doing stuff and junk…” And then they walk away. But really I have been very busy in recent weeks helping to organize a huge fund-raising event for REVAMP. For those of you squares out there that don’t know about REVAMP yet, they are a non profit dedicated to aiding our few remaining art programs with recycled and re-purposed art and craft materials. If you want to know more visit them here. The event is titled the SUMMER ART EXPLOSION and is being sponsored by the fantastic people at Help-U-Sell here in Sonora. The event will feature food, fun and entertainment such as an open mural, silent auction, craft competition and the kids craft of the day Toy-Hacking!

Here is a little more on Toy-Hacking: Basically we are taking your old and unwanted toys and disassemble them until they are nothing more than limbs, heads, torsos, wheels, wings, etc.

Then with the help of some big kids like Peter and myself kids of all ages will be able to reassemble them.

Once reassembled they will become Frankentoys that are ready for a new paint job and a lot of fun!

Come join us in the fun on August 1st and help REVAMP sustain the creativity of Tuolumne County’s children. If you don’t care to join in the crafty fun you can sit, eat and enjoy the music of the Minor Birds and the other great local bands that will be playing. I hope to see you there!