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Spraygraphic Interview with Artist Jennie Ottinger
By Spraygraphic | May 13, 2009
Spraygraphic Interview with Jennie Ottinger
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
JO: I grew up in Massachusetts and moved to San Francisco about 15 years ago. I just finished my MFA at Mills College. I have a dog walking business. I am learning to play the guitar. I love reading but I don’t have that much time for it because of rather serious tv and movie addiction. My favorite tv show is The Gilmore Girls and I have watched the entire series about 7 times. It’s because I’m an orphan.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
JO: I live in San Francisco, CA. I have a studio in the Dog Patch neighborhood with 7 other people. My studio used to be the storage closet so as you can imagine it is small and windowless but I kind of like that about it. It’s cozy.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
JO: I use pen, gouache, watercolor or oils in paintings. I also make books and am trying to find ways to present them in non-book form. I think I might try old fashioned slide show.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
JO: I use reference from photos from newspapers, textbooks, historical photo archives, encyclopedias. I work pretty small and usually paint the same image several times and then I post the paintings on my wall. I put the paintings in groups to form loose narratives. I like to move them around and see what associations emerge.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
JO: I draw in my sketchbook or look through my reference. I don’t really get blocked because I try not to think too hard about making art. I really try to just make stuff and then figure out the context and motivation afterwards. I can easily second guess myself which gets in the way of making anything at all. If something is stupid, I can throw it out later.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
JO: I am inspired by movies. They inspire ideas about story telling. I have season tickets to the San Francisco Ballet which showcases a lot of contemporary ballets. They use more abstract ways to communicate a story or concept.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
JO: I was just in a group show at Headlands Center for the Arts.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
JO: In July I’ll be in a group show at Adobe Books in San Francisco. I will have a piece at the Headlands Center for the Arts auction which is I think June 6th.
I have the project room at The Conduit Gallery in Dallas from May 2 to June 6.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
JO: I want to have some shows abroad. I love traveling and think it would be exciting to show in Europe or Mexico or Japan.
SG: What is your favorite color?
JO: I love blue and also grey. I tend to use the same color combination over and over.
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
JO: I love Larry Rivers, William Kentridge, Kiki Smith, Louise Bourgeois, Ben Shaun, Robert Rauchenberg, Jenny Seville, Christian Boltanski, Marlene Dumas, Eva Hesse, Douglas Gordon,
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
JO: Rabbit, Run in honor of John Updike’s recent demise. I have a magazine addiction. I regularly read Elle, Vogue, Elle Decor, Domino (RIP), Vanity Fair, Psychology Today, Living Etc., and Art Forum.
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
JO: I had to do so many in art school. I hated that assignment always so they are probably decomposing at the dump right now.
SG: Any final words of advice?
JO: Always send a hand written thank you note after a show to the curator, juror, etc.
Topics: Artist Interviews, Women Art |
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