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Spraygraphic Interview with Artist Tom Budzak
By Spraygraphic | August 27, 2008
Spraygraphic Interview with Tom Budzak
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
TB: I’m 29 years old, married and have three rabbits. I have a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Ceramics from Arizona State University and a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree in Ceramics from New Mexico State University. Sometimes I put the TV and the stereo on at the same time cause I like to party.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
TB: Currently I live in Chandler, AZ and I work as a Ceramics Technician for the City of Tempe Art Center and adjunct teach for Central Arizona College and Paradise Valley Community College. I do a majority of my art pieces at my make-shift home studio.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
TB: Everything clay basically, but I focus my work on ceramic stoneware and porcelain with my work being fired at cone 10 reduction.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
TB: Usually, I keep a notebook, writing down ideas or titles to pieces and go from there. Sometimes one idea gives me work for months like my “ceramic quilt” idea. That’s an idea I had for some ceramic pieces that turned into groups of tiles on the wall.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
TB: I think getting blocked is kind of like giving in to the fact that something your creating isn’t working at the moment. And if you let yourself be blocked the artwork would stop being created for a time. Its important to keep working and creating no matter what. If the work of art comes out bad, that’s ok, there’s a dumpster out back no one ever has to see it and I can move on to the next piece. But no matter what I have to keep making art. I have had that mentality for the past ten years or so that has kept me going and being involved in the art world. That or I play my Nintendo Wii for a little bit.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
TB: I draw a lot of inspiration for my work from traditional ceramic shapes. I like to combine traditional shapes from different cultures into one unified piece. Like an Asian vessel with a European handle that has been made into a piece named after pueblo pottery. I think drawing from so many sources gives me a wide variety of subjects to choose from. At the same time its kind of odd for me, since I don’t really see myself as a traditional ceramic artist. I see myself as a contemporary artist. Right now is such a great time in contemporary art with artists like Greg Simkins, Amanda Visell, Tim Biskup, etc. Its just so easy to be inspired by what’s going on in the art world and I think my work is reflecting some of that with my color choices and textural glazes I use.
SG: Can you please tell us a little about your involvement with the Conspire Collective.
TB: I joined Conspire in October of 2007 as a full member. I work a shift there once a month, usually on a Saturday morning. I have a wide range of my work there.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
TB: Well, my work can always be seen at the Vision Gallery in downtown Chandler, AZ. Some other places I’ve been show are The Museum of Fine Art in Las Cruces, NM, RedSky Gallery in Charlotte, NC.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
TB: I’ll be putting up new work at the Vision Gallery this week. I have a show coming up at the Devonshire Art Gallery November 7 2008 through January 9th 2009 and I will be part of the Large Sculpture show for NECEA at Mesa Community College in March of 2009 I believe.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
TB: To get hired to teach at a University full time so I don’t have to keep four different jobs at the same time.
SG: What is your favorite color?
TB: Duncan Cover Coat 161
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
TB:Three way tie! Richard Notkin, Sergei Isupov, Greg Simkins because they are all on another level I hope to one day be on.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
TB: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
TB: Yes, a dry point I did in grad school, its in the dinning room of my house. It’s very lowbrow and awesome.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
TB: Lucky Lady Tattoo
SG: Any final words of advice?
TB:Don’t over think your artwork. Create everyday. Apply to as many shows as possible. Read Art and Fear and Advice to Young Artists in a Post Modern Era. Make a list of things to do before you die and do them.
Topics: Artist Interviews, Ceramic Art, Phoenix Art Scene |
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