The Shiny Squirrel

The Little Interview with Alicia Bock

Alicia Bock's work is serene and beautiful.




What is last thing you discovered about yourself?
 I don't like being told I have to be somewhere at a certain time. This was made very clear this year when both of my kids started school. Routine, and having to be somewhere at a certain time is hard on me. Thankfully, summer is almost here.

Tell us about your art/ design background?
I really have no background, unless you count hanging around a lot of artists in high school and college, hoping some of their talent would rub off. I guess no one ever told me that photography is art too.  I can't remember not having a camera.  Though I have never taken any classes. It is just part of me, always what I have done, like breathing.

CURRENT WORK

What kind of camera do you use?
On a daily basis I use a Canon 5d, and a Polaroid sx-70.  There are other random film cameras I bring out occasionally.
 
How do you know when you have captured the moment?
 Usually months later. It takes some distance for me to recognize how special certain times really are.  Summer photos always appeal to me most in the middle of winter, and vice versa.
 
Who would you love to photograph and why?
 I would love to photograph my mom on a regular basis. I think she is amazing. We've lived across the country from each other for a long time so I would just like to spend some time photographing her daily life.

If you could collaborate with one person who would it be? I would love to work with Pia Jane Bijkerk. She is such an amazing stylist and photographer. I'd love to just follow her around for a week.



Where do you live and does your environment affect your work?
 I live in Michigan. And, I am greatly influenced by my state, mostly by the water that surrounds us. Our ever changing weather and seasons mean that there is always plenty of inspiration.  
 
What influences your work?
Nature, my kids (slowing down and seeing the world new through their eyes), my past....

If you could live in one other place in the world where would it be?
Oregon, the northern coast. As close to the ocean as I could get. I would move in a second, if my family was willing to come with me.




Do you dream and if so do you have recurring themes?
My memory is horrible... so I don't remember much. Though vaguely I know that the same people always seem to be there.

Currently reading/ Watching anything?
 Now that "Lost" is done for the year. I won't watch much t.v. Though, I enjoy a good evening talk show... Chelsea Handler, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Falon. I like to go to sleep laughing.

My reading pile is mostly how-to books on sewing, cooking and photography. I just picked up Davdi Lebovitz's "The Perfect Scoop". So, that will go to the top of the pile.  I'm dreaming of a neighborhood ice cream social.

Name some of your favorite contemporary artists?

Betsy Walton,  Mati Rose McDonough, Vivienne Strauss

Name the last 5 songs you listened to on your I pod?

 

From my morning walk:

 

1. Star Mile- Joshua Radin

2. Desiny Rules- Fleetwood Mac

3. The Idea of You- Dave Matthews

4. Keep Breathing- Ingrid Michaelson

5. Magpie to the Morning- Neko Case

 

What could you not live without?
 The obvious, a camera.... Otherwise, pasta. I get nervous when we are running low. And, when I say running low, I mean having less than 10 choices. I am just a bit Italian but it dictates my diet.

5 words that describe yourself? 
Dreamer, Impatient, romantic, sarcastic, Independent.

OFFICE

Potentially my cats

I put in an application to adopt these two cats today they will be named Monkey and banana. Cross your fingers that i get the adoption! They are incredible!    

 

New work from Blanca Gomez

New work from Blanca Gomez!





 

Zoodiac

I think this limited edition book is just so delightful!

Olive and Myrtle

Might be the cutest stuffed animal on earth.

Happy Girl Greetings

I am totally smitten with these calling cards. That Zebra seals the deal.

Alexander McQueen Mens' Fall 2009

Holy Shit! 

Molly McIntyre

Beautiful paper cuts. thanks erin for the introduction.

Roll and Tumble Press

Cute prints

 

The Little Interview with John Casey

I find it pretty interesting that a lot of the artists' I have interviewed thus far listen to audiobooks while they work. John Casey does and I was really intrigued by both his interview and especially his work.

 

What is your background in art/ design?

 

I graduated from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston with a BFA in painting in 1988. Since then I have veered into drawing and sculpture. Most of my materials knowledge and processes I've practiced outside of painting have been self taught.

What is the next step for your career?

 

I have some shows coming up in the Bay Area but ideally  I'm looking to show more in other cities with compatible galleries. I like traveling to places where I am showing.

 

CURRENT WORK

 

What is your inspiration for your art?

 

All kinds of things inspire me, science fiction, animals, plants and nature in general, politics, the human body, and architecture. Arty, weird movies like Cronenberg's "Naked Lunch," Julie Taymor's "Titus," Tom Tykwer's "Run Lola Run," Aranofsky's "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream," and Svankmeyer or Brothers Quay animation. Looking at other artist's art is usually pretty inspiring. I spend a lot of time at galleries and museums.

Whose opinion do you value the most? 

 

Of course, my opinion about my own work is pretty important, if I do say so myself, but in regard to my art, I don't think I have one person whose opinion stands above all others. I think I'm more likely to respond to a collective set of opinions. 

What are your favorite blogs/ publications?

 

"Fecal Face"  is probably my number one reference for local art.

 "My Love for You is a Stampede of Horses"

"Drawn" 

"Click Opera"

 "Bay Area Art Quake" 

There are lots of good ones out there. I have subscriptions to Cabinet, Art in America, The New Yorker,  and The Believer.

 

STUDIO

 

 

What is your artistic Process?

 

For drawing, I begin by simply imagining characters in situations. Sometimes I focus on gestures and poses. I'm not working with specific narratives per se, I'm looking for a feeling, tapping into a place normally hidden inside myself. As I begin laying out the drawing in pencil, I make choices about body mutations that might push the feeling of a particular piece forward. Although I am making decisive choices along the way, the work's narrative remains open. I finish up with pen work, inking in the pencil and adding volume and texture.Sculpture requires a bit more planning but the process is similar in that it emerges from an intuitive place.

Currently reading/ watching anything?

 

I usually read fiction but I'm currently reading Jared Diamond's historical "Guns, Germs, and Steel." I will often listen to audiobooks while I'm working in my studio. A good narrator is very important to a good audiobook. One of the best books I have listened to recently is "The Terror" by Dan Simmons. It's a great story about British arctic exploration in the mid 19th century. The narrator, Simon Vance, does an awesome job of differentiating between upper and lower society English, Scottish, and Irish accents.

 

Anyone you are dying to work with?

I'm not a big collaborator. I'm not sure why that is but I've shown with some really good artists whom I admire. I'd rather talk about art over beers or gallery hop and share opinions and ideas than work on a specific project with someone else.

 

Do you dream and if so do you have recurring themes?

I do dream a lot. I have dreams where I am being chased by an unseen entity, Those dreams are pretty dramatic and action-packed. I also have dreams that I am navigating a city, often within tall buildings, running up and down stairwells trying to avoid a giant creature that keeps peering into windows looking for me. Who knows what that all means?

 

JOHN CASEY