LC: Thank you so much for sharing your work here at the shop! What a wonderful reception thus far! Tell us why you chose them for the shop?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my work with the Local Coffee Montclair community - I really appreciate it!
I chose these particular works because of the time of year! When New Year's rolls around, many of us are thinking of goals, resolutions or ways to challenge ourselves. On January 1st 2019, I decided to challenge myself creatively by taking on the "100 Day Project", where I would do one drawing a day for 100 days in a row. I managed to complete my goal and exhibit all 100 works together in a solo show later that year (Image here: http://www.fionac.nyc/100-day-project). Now 2 years later, I have less than 50 still available in my shop, but thought it would be fun to showcase the project together again.
LC: What do you hope viewers take away from this showing?
I hope by seeing this, it may inspire others to take on their own creative challenge this year!
LC: You mentioned the 100 day project in association with these works. Tell us more about this -
I became familiar with it through seeing fellow artists online participating through the hashtag #The100DayProject. While some folks draw and paint, other people do gardening or other hobbies they want to invest more time into. There are also several artistic challenges out there, such as "March Meet the Maker" or "Inktober", but they involve everyone working from the same "prompts" for a month. Something about creating my own personal boundaries for 100 days was appealing. I also had stacks of leftover color-aid paper that I thought would go to good use for this type of project. For anyone interested in doing their own project, you can see more on the official website here: https://www.the100dayproject.org/
LC: In reading your bio, I smiled at the notion of the 'shoot from the hip' style as I can often find this approach incredibly difficult to accomplish. Even when we hung your work, we were relatively loose and fast in the composition - and it worked out so well! Tell me about this approach especially as you work in a medium where people will review your work.
My personal approach to artwork is to have a dialogue with each piece I create. If I were to plan every brushstroke ahead of time, I don't believe it would be as interesting of a conversation. As an abstract artist, I'm able to really invest myself into a work and explore my emotions on a deeper level when I leave room to react to the surface as I build layer upon layer. There is something exciting about starting a new work with an idea in my head, but then seeing the unknown unfold as I let the moment lead me. There is a constant push and pull between being in control and letting chaos rule, which I enjoy. Even with the installation, I like a level of flexibility. I can plan everything inch by inch, but I may miss an opportunity that comes up in the present if I'm too attached to a plan. Being in the present in the moment and being open to possibilities is what excites me about the creative process.
I saw James Victore speak many years ago and he said something that has stuck with me. He asked the audience, "what is the most important part of business?" People replied with "money", "productivity", "efficiency", etc. He replied, "No. The most important part is play." As adults, we spend so much time in schedules and having every aspect of our lives planned, that we forget to "play". Even with creating artwork, some artists forget to "play". I like to leave myself open to "play" in my creative process.
LC: In our conversation, we discovered that we shared a bit of history together having worked at the same fashion company. How has working in a creative based industry such as fashion served or frustrated your gifts as an artist?
Working as an graphic designer/art director has most definitely influenced my work. From my mark-making style, which developed out of my obsession with lettering, to the paper I work on, which is recycled from photoshoot backdrops. My choices with color, composition and even how I display my work are all influenced by my time in the fashion industry. With that said, it is also easy to burn yourself out creatively when working full-time in a creative role. I was spending my little free-time trying to harness any creative energy left to produce works for art fairs, gallery exhibits, etc. When I had a photoshoot call time of 8am, but was up at 5am to paint before going into work, I knew I was burning the candle at both ends. Thus I made the leap to be an artist full-time and this will be my 5th year of doing so.
LC: What is your favorite coffee or tea beverage?
I enjoy a latte, whether it's normal or a fun flavor like matcha. Hot or cold depending on the weather. Latte art or no art. Latte's just feel like a fun indulgence :)
Learn more about Fiona here