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Page 1
DVD Mania
Page 2
DVD Mania
(Cont'd)
Page 3
The Fan
Cams
Page 4
Rock in Rockingham
Page 5
Fan Profile
Global BTE
Page
6
In Step with Dave O' Connor of Martly
More Pics & Reviews
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Page 14
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News &
Links
Page 16
Kristin: The Artist in Residence
HAVE YOU SEEN THE MAP OF EZRA?
Click Here
HAVE YOU SEEN THE TTOY HALL OF FAME?
Click Here
MISSED EARLIER EDITIONS OF THE SERENADE?
March
2003
May 2003
July
2003
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THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE:
KRISTIN
The SERENADE is pleased to present an
interview with one of the many artists who are also fans of Better Than
Ezra. Kristin is a great example. She hails from Iowa, but attends the
prestigious School of the Art
Institute of Chicago and has been a BTE fan for many years.
Kristin, thanks for agreeing to share your story with the SERENADE.
Can you tell us how you first got started on the path you’ve followed?
I have been into art since I was a kid. I was in my first "show"
when I was in the second grade. In high school I was on a more
science-oriented path, but then my mom died and I took a look at my life
and turned back to art as sort of a therapeutic thing.
Who should get credit for encouraging you along the way?
My mother in the early years, she was a terrific artist. My high
school art teachers and my instructor Tim C. at the community college in
my home town.
Can you tell us how you came to attend the School of the Art
Institute of Chicago?
Well, I heard that there was going to be a SAIC (School of the Art
Institute of Chicago) Day in Des Moines and I had been developing a
portfolio of work, so I just went down to see what a "real" art school
thought about my work. I had already been accepted to the University of
Northern Iowa and Iowa State. It was basically a "I have nothing to
lose" thing. So one of my good friends and I hauled all these pieces
down to the review and my portfolio was accepted on the spot. I had to
send my transcripts, get letters of recommendation and write a paper
also.
How long have you been a BTE fan? How many shows have you been to?
I have been a fan of BTE since 1995, when I got "Deluxe" as a gift.
My mother was terminally ill at that time and the CD became like a
lifeline for me. All told, I have been to 13 or so shows.
Who are some of your Ezralite buddies?
Evelyn and Melissa from Minneapolis, Katie from Iowa, and Connie in
Chicago.
What other music do you listen to?
I really like the Gin Blossoms, Counting Crows, David Poe and Iffy
of course.
Have you ever done any BTE-related art?
I tried to draw like portraits once and never finished them. I am
sure I have them somewhere.
What’s your take on BTE’s CD artwork? What did you think of the
"Closer" butterfly?
I don't know really what to say about the CD artwork. CD design is
really, well, design. I am not that into design, but do I like how each
CD liner that BTE has fits to the content of the album itself. For the
Closer butterfly...that for me like symbolizes metamorphosis in some
way. Music is always evolving for BTE and I think that rocks. I also
like Travis's explanation of it in that one Indy interview...that it’s a
tattoo from Tom's, er, bum...just where is that antenna?
Do you have an artistic theme in mind for the forthcoming CD?
Ah. Not really...maybe some furry animal. ;)
How would you describe your art, does it fall into any particular
defined artistic category?
My art has been described as "abstract landscapes." I don't really
know if it fits into any particular category. I tend to ignore any
"rules." If it ever is in a category, it should have one that of it’s
own. Some of my professors have put me with the "regionalists" such as
Grant Wood and others have said that there is no one that is currently
painting or exhibiting works like mine.
If you were asked to recommend a few great artists for someone to
check out, who would they be?
Well, some of my favorites are Arthur Dove, Milton Avery, Wolf Kahn,
Mark Rothko and Kirk Johnson from Iffy. |
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Do you specialize in any particular for of art – i.e., oils, water
colors?
I primarily use acrylics, which is fairly unusual in the art school
world, most kids paint in oils. I also use watercolors for studies. I
have also dabbled in sculpture and I am taking a ceramics class in the
Fall.What's your main source of artistic inspiration?
It’s really hard to say what inspires me. I get a lot of my
landscape ideas from road tripping to see different bands and just from
growing up in rural Iowa. Some paintings are taken from events in my
life that have made a huge impact on my like the death of my mother and
the murder of one of my friends. Then there are the ones that just come
out of nowhere. I think that I also feed off of Kirk Johnson’s vibes
too. I have one of his paintings and I just sit and stare at it
sometimes.
Can you tell us about some pieces about which you feel particularly
proud?
That's a funny question actually. I rarely like my work. I am always
trying to develop my style and I am blown away when people enjoy my
stuff. Usually when someone says they like one of my pieces, I give it
to them. Here's a couple of particular pieces that I like:
Are you currently working on any projects?
Right now, I am on vacation. I did A LOT of road tripping in July
and I have tons of sketches for the Fall semester. I am trying to draw
up some plans to paint a mural on the floor of a sister's basement and
the basement walls in my other sister's house. I am also ironing out the
plans for a couple of shows here in my hometown for after I graduate.
When do you expect to graduate and what do you anticipate in your
future?
I plan to graduate in May of 2004 and I would like to continue on
with school to get my Masters of Fine Arts. I don’t know where yet, but
I will most likely try to find a market for my work and possibly teach.
And if all else fails, Katie and I are going to have a cover band and
play at a Ribfest near you...
Kristin, thanks so much for talking with us about your artistic
journey.
Note: You can view more of Kristin's art
here. |
