Art Ladders: The Creative Climb

We had the pleasure to spend an enjoyable hour with our artist friends, Nancy and Russell Thayer from their home and studios in Detroit via Zoom as we recorded this podcast. We couldn't help but compare and contrast our lives as artists and partners with them. We talked about sharing studio space, what a typical day would be and how each artist maintains their unique identity. As the conversation went on the secret to their successes as artists and spouses boils down to an unfailing respect for each other and unconditional love. You can hear it in their tone of voices and see it on Zoom in their expressions.  Armin and I came away from this interview feeling as if we were given a key to unlock the doors that sometimes slam but can be opened with respect for each other blended with lots of love.  

The work of Nancy Thayer is included in numerous museum collections including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Muzeum Papiernictwa, Duszniki Zdroj, Poland, Foundation MINT ALAPITVANY, Budapest, Hungary, and in over 200 private and corporate collections throughout Europe and the U.S. She was commissioned to create nine major sculptural paintings for the city of Detroit, and 3 for major health care facilities in Michigan. Her work has been shown extensively throughout the U.S and in Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland, The Netherlands and Korea.

“While the visual content refers to and suggests forms of nature, they are not meant to be photographic or site-specific. My intention is always to communicate the spiritual essence and impact of the environment. In one series of paintings, I focused on sacred grottos, caves, and stalactites to express a private place for contemplation and a sense of solitude deep within what has been formed by nature over long periods of time.” Nancy Thayer

Russell Thayer is an artist who creates sculpture in cast bronze, brass, aluminum and steel. Each piece, whether personal or a public collaboration, showcases his love of architecture, sculpture, dance, poetry and history. His long career as an artist and educator is distinguished by numerous works in public and private collections. An educator for 48 years, Thayer served as Professor of Art History, Sculpture and Drawing at Delta College, followed by 15 years as a Professor of Art at the University of Michigan. Thayer received his M.F.A. from the Instituto Allende, San Miguel d’Allende, Mexico, an M.A. in sculpture and a B.S. in Design from the University of Michigan, and a C.C. in Industrial Design from the Royal College of Art in London.

"My love of architecture, sculpture, dance, poetry and history has influenced and informed my work from my student days at the University of Michigan to my most recent sculptural work. I find pleasure and purpose in creating works that are personal as well as works that are collaborations with various private and public clients." Russell Thayer

Links:

Nancy Thayer website:  https://nancythayerpaintings.com

Heading West: Thayer + Thayer Exhibit at Westward Gallery, Denver, Colorado:   https://stamps.umich.edu/news/nancy-and-russell-thayer-exhibit-at-westward-gallery

Nancy Thayer LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancythayer/

Russell Thayer LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-thayer-618b1922/

There are many ways that art is mysterious both in the making and the meaning. Val and Armin discuss the categories in this episode that include symbolism, titles, history, content, elements and personality. Here are some show notes of topics discussed in this podcast.

Andrew Wyeth's art

Edward Hopper's art

Claude Monet Cathedral Series

Robert Rauschenberg erases a De Kooning drawing

Frances Bacon Studio

The Shock of the New: The Hundred-Year History of Modern Art

The Shetland TV series

Link to Robert Schefman's website

Crooked Tree-Traverse City Small Worlds exhibit

Muskegon Museum of Art Contemporary Michigan Exhibit

Fake or Fortune TV show 

Show sponsor: Golden Apple Studio and Art Residency

After following California artist, Bibby Gignilliat on Instagram, Val reached out to her for a possible interview. We were thrilled when she agreed! During the afternoon conversation-morning for her- we had a complete discussion of her creative art process, her studio in the ICB Building in Sausalito, California and her mentors.  Bibby (rhymes with Libby) Gignilliat (sounds like Gin a lot!) is a thoughtful enthusiastic artist who is generous with her knowledge and sources. Bibby is fun loving in spirit and all business when it comes to her art. Her background in marketing is a gift and we learned a lot from her in this taping. She teaches mixed media workshops in her studio and also online. Go to her instagram page at @bibbygart to see her wonderful abstract artworks. 

About Bibby

Artist Statement

Here are some links for you to explore:

Bibby Gignilliat Website: Bibbyart.com

Bibby's Instagram Page

ICB Building in Sausalito, California

Bibby's online class

Anderson Ranch 

Bibby has attended artist residencies and mentorships with the following artists:

Nicholas Wilton

Mark Eanes

Carl Heyward

Rico Gatson

Michael Shemchuk

Gallery in Maine that recently added Bibby to their group of artists. Portland Art Gallery

Thank you, Bibby, for sharing your art journey with us on Art Ladders Podcast.  

We recently returned from an unforgettable three weeks at Golden Apple Studio and Residency. It is a joy to relive this experience with our listeners. We cover six topics during this podcast. 

1. Flow of the Day with the other participating artists.

2. Gallery Trips in Down East, Maine

3. Influences of the Environment

4. Trials and Tribulations

5. Workshops

6. Magical Moments while traveling.

Our hosts, artist Shelley and Greg Stevens, are passionate in their commitment to provide artists everything they need to immerse themselves into this nurturing time to create art. They provide an environment that is both restful and invigorating. We highly recommend for artists to consider applying for a two-week session in 2023.  We return to our studios with a new perspective and appreciation for being artists. Thank you, Shelley and Greg!

Show Notes 

Golden Apple Residency   

Other residents who participated during session three. Barbara Hranilovich , James Steigengo , Sal Strom 

Littlefield Gallery 

Daniel Anselmi ( https://www.danielanselmi.com ) 

Robert Pollien ( https://pollien.com )

Philip Barter (https://thebarterarthouse.com/philip-barter )

Philip and Priscilla's pianist and composer son, Jack Barter has a Spotify Account HERE. ( https://open.spotify.com/artist/3pR0mi7xkFeVgKuWVOPYHa?si=XMnIY3bkRa6qL5w7QIBizA )

Matt Barter is Philip and Priscilla's visual artist son and here is a  YouTube link to an interview with Matt about his art in Maine. VIDEO  ( https://vimeo.com/655910103 )

A retro motel in Kittery, Maine we stayed on the way to residency. We loved it! 

The ride home: Sunset Harbor Bar and Grill on Lake Erie PS: After we had a late lunch a there, the Grill closed due to stormy and high waves on the patio. Crazy! 

Val's Abstraction Now! virtual online class "Last Minute" registration. The five-week class begins Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 6-8pm. 

Complete list of fall season virtual online classes 

Art Ladders Facebook Page 

Art Ladders Instagram Page  

In this episode Val and Armin discuss getting ready for their residencies at Golden Apple Studio in Harrington, Maine. Packing for a trip like this involves lots of thinking, lists and reminders. Not only do they need to anticipate the process they will land on when in Maine but they are also teaching workshops which adds another layer of supplies. To keep it not so overwhelming, they have devised ways to make it fun, lighten the stress and be detailed-oriented as well. 

While in Maine, they will be posting on Instagram and Facebook to keep you up-to-date on what a residency in Maine could be like. Golden Apple Studio and Residency is the sponsor this year for Art Ladders and we are happy that our missions are compatible. We encourage connections with artists and between artists through podcasts that include discussion and interviews. Golden Apple encourages time for artists to create, think and connect. They are now accepting applications for the selection of residents for 2023. Email Shelley Stevens at [email protected]. 

In September, when Val and Armin return, they will begin their virtual teaching schedule in mid-September. The link to their current collection of classes is available here.  LINK FOR CLASSES  These classes all have limited spots so it is best to sign up earlier rather than later. If you have any questions please contact us. 

This episode features the talented and generous artist and author, Tesia Blackburn. She is a true believer of abundance and shares her wealth of knowledge with artists all over the world. Val recently took a class with Tesia earlier this year and as a result launched her own Abstraction Now! online class. Tesia is Val's mentor during the further development of an online presence for Art Ladders and treasures Tesia's good humor and passion during this tech journey. You can listen to this podcast episode and "catch the wave" of this San Francisco based artist and tech professional. Tesia is known as the Acrylic Diva in the art world and her brand has grown to include online classes in visual art, multiple books, mentoring for artists, digital art and more. She has been a working artist in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 25 years. She received her BFA from the Academy of Art, studied lithography at the San Francisco Art Institute and received her Master's of Art from John F. Kennedy in Orinda, California. Tesia has three books available on Amazon listed in the show notes. If you have questions for Tesia, she asked us here at Art Ladders to forward those on to her! Thank you, Tesia! We had such a great party talking with you!! 

Show Notes: 

Tesia's Website 

Tesia's Instagram

Tesia's Facebook Page: Acrylic Diva

Acrylic Diva's Amazon Storefront

Marie Forleo 

Seth Godin

Erica Reitman

Books by Tesia: 

It's Only Painting: Essays On Creativity From A Veteran Artist, It's Only Painting: The Maker's Book, and Acrylic Painting with Passion: Explorations for Creating Art that Nourishes the Soul.

Whether you are a painter, draughtsman, sculptor or potter, you most likely have used drawing to begin, refine or examine your finished work. In this hour, Val and Armin discuss the many ways drawing has played important roles in their art journeys. Sketching can be the spark of an idea that will ultimately become a detailed graphite drawing in Armin's world, while a gestural charcoal mark-making session can be an active underpainting for a future abstraction in Val's. Each of them use drawings to solve problems, record details, journal thoughts, and just dream. They encourage you to look for ways you can develop your drawings skills to express yourselves in ways that can be as simple as sketching on cocktail napkins to committing many hours to a finished large-scale artwork. 

Tools of the Trade: 

Armin's Mechanical Pencil 

Val's Lithography Pencil

Armin's Mounted Paper on Board Supplier, Art Board

Val's Charcoal for Underpainting

Cocktail Napkin Architectural Drawing Competitions

Manifest Gallery and Drawing Center

Armin's August Drawing Boot Camp at Flint Institute of Art Registration Page

Alan Maciag's rural landscapes are a balance between form, distance, color and content. This balance creates a sense of calm and bucolic reverence for the rural heritage of Michigan, for the wonderland of it's vacation lakes, or for the sanctuary within a garden or public space. It is as though you have been given a gift - to simply "step in" for a moment and be surrounded by the spirit captured on that canvas.

“Plein air painters paint from life with a passion like no other in the world of painters. By placing myself among these magnificent gifts of light and nature, my visions are propelled from my head to my hand to my canvas,” writes Maciag.

In our conversation with Alan, we will discuss not only his creative process for painting but also his teaching career at the high school level. You will learn more about two of his students' success stories that stand out in the crowd. 

Alan's Midland studio and gardens are open by appointment. If you would like to visit him, please call his studio number at (989) 245-5584.

Thank you, Alan, for inviting us both to your home and studio over the 4th of July weekend. It is always worthwhile to visit artist friends. So happy you are on our podcast for episode 27. 

Show notes: 

Alan Maciag Facebook Page

Alan Maciag Instagram

Alan's gallery representation: 

Twisted Fish Gallery in Elk Rapids, MI

Hudson Gallery in Sylvania, Ohio

Former Students Who Made it Big! 

Anne Lemanski

Dan Abraham

Valerie and Armin recreate one of their weekend art talks and explore the topic of developing ideas. You can think of it as the aha moments or the  lightbulb moments that can motivate artists to push forward new plans. Not every lightbulb flash is destined to be the next big deal but the point is to recognize it and examine to see if it has lasting power. 

After a series of successful interviews with other artists, Val and Armin enjoyed recording and talking with each other during this interview. You will hear them discuss the topics of developing innovations in art making, art teaching and the development of art business. Armin will ask Val to discuss her recent Great Lakes Bay Region Art Award that she received from the Saginaw Art and Enrichment Commission on June 9, 2022. They both will discuss their teaching philosophies and their classes. 

Val and Armin spent an enjoyable afternoon with Cindy Patrick and William Mays of the Port Austin Artist Residency Program. Val is spending two weeks in the residency program and staying at the history Bee Barn, the headquarters for the program. Port Austin is very much an artist-centric community with projects ranging from architecturally converted barns, to sculpture gardens, residency programs and symphonic concerts. This small village of 700 is encouraging artists to visit and for art collectors to think about visiting this beautiful spot on Lake Huron. Economic growth for rural America can learn a lot from Port Austin as art increases economic growth when it has a viable and vibrant presence in communities.  Here are a few links:

https://portaustinair.org for Port Austin Residency Program

http://www.thumbartsguild.org Link for Thumb Arts Guild

https://www.facebook.com/mermaidscove.portaustin    The Cove Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/whitechurchgallery.   White Church Gallery

https://portaustinmusic.com/porch-fest    Link to Porch Fest on June 25, 2022