We are thrilled with the feature on LOL covering our upcoming art party this Thursday; read it here. Check out their blog at http://loweroaklawn.com/.com—a definite go-to source for everything Design District.
Everyone knows that Artists think differently than most. How differently? You’d be surprised…
The Art Menu’s mission is to give local artists a platform, not just to promote their work, but also to share the sincere point of view behind what drives them to create. Get to know our talented roster of Artists as they describe their process, their artistic credo and what lights their creative fire.
Carmen Menza is our featured Artist of the Month for April. Here is her story…
TAM: Describe yourself in 5 words.
Carmen: improvisational, involved, tenacious, happy, thankful
TAM: Where is your hometown?
Carmen: Madison, Wisconsin, . . . yep, I’m a cheesehead:)
TAM: How long have you lived in the Dallas area?
Carmen: Since the “big hair” days of rock and roll.
TAM: When did you discover your creative talents?
Carmen: Pretty young, I can’t remember a time I wasn’t involved in music or art. My father was musical and my grandfather had a big band back in the day so music was always a part of my life. My mother was very creative and I remember her taking classes in art while she put herself through college while raising four kids. I especially remember being intrigued by her Josef Albers book Interaction of Color.
TAM: Where did you train?
Carmen: I’m primarily self taught but when I say self taught it not only includes my experimentation with techniques and mediums but also gifted and kind people in my life that have mentored me along the way. Rarely is someone ever successful on their own. JD Miller was a mentor of mine and still is. I remember seeing his work for the first time and being inspired to start painting again. He is one of those generous souls who encouraged me and shared his knowledge. I studied with his teacher Liz Richardson for 3 years.
TAM: Education?
Carmen: BFA in Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of North Texas. It’s all the same side of the brain right?
TAM: How long have you been showing your work professionally?
Carmen: I’ve been showing for about 10 years now. Another generous and pivotal person in my life is David Lee who owned DL Lifestyles, a wonderful home furnishings and accessories store that used to be on Travis St. He gave me my first chance at showing my work in his space. He is now at Mecox Gardens and continues to introduce my work to the public. Another inspiration to me has been Dallas arts advocate and artist Frankie Garcia. Frankie organizes guerilla style pop up art shows. Many of his shows are tied to a charity so the artists are involved in giving back to the community. The pop up shows are about showcasing new exciting artists in unexpected ways. It’s about artists carving their own path in the region and finding their own personal voice and and making an impact. Doing these pop up shows has served as a model for me in organizing my own shows. The audience for art in this region just amazes me. They are very passionate about collecting work by regional artists and they come out to these independent shows. Thank you north Texas:)
TAM: What jobs have you done/do you do other than being an artist?
Carmen: I had a career in television before my life as an artist. I did graphic design and editing and loved it. I still do my music and play locally.
TAM: Does your art carry a message or do you pursue particular themes?
Carmen: No particular messages or themes. My work is very improvisational when I create my lines and motion. I try to put some “muscle” into my work. Sometimes I hover on a ladder above my pieces. The color choices are more thought out and planned ahead of time. For me it’s all about the choice and placement of color. When you get it right you just know it and the painting sings.
TAM: What’s your favorite part of being an Artist?
Carmen: When I feel like a painting has really come together. Every artist can relate to that moment when they know a piece is done. You take a step back and just take a deep breath:)
TAM: And your least favorite?
Carmen: Revisions:) I’d rather just start over.
TAM: Have you been inspired/influenced by any artist or artists or movement in particular?
Carmen: Abstract expressionism and color field painting. My first love of abstract expressionism has always been de Kooning.
TAM: How long does it take to complete a work of art? (depends on detail, size & medium used of course)
Carmen: Some happen fairly quickly (a few weeks) and others over many months. A commissioned piece is usually 10 weeks from start to finish.
TAM: How do you know when a painting is finished?
Carmen: You just know. I’m not sure how to explain it.
TAM: How has your artistic practice changed over time?
Carmen: Primarily I am an oil painter and have worked in encaustics also. I’m stretching out lately and trying some new mediums. With my background in media I’m starting to think about how I can incorporate some of those concepts and practices in my work.
TAM: What memorable responses have you had to your work?
Carmen: Last year my husband Mark Menza, who is a music composer, and I did a piece for the Aurora festival titled “Wish”. Our exhibit at Aurora was at the Trammel Crow Center in the outside pavilion. The installation included an original music composition with spoken word woven throughout. Each visitor was encouraged to take a small piece of the installation with them as they left. Translucent red Chinese take out boxes each containing a wish that I had written on a piece of paper and an LED light were meant to be taken by the visitors one at a time into the world. As the installation of lit boxes grew smaller the reach of the piece was greater. The Wish installation was meant to disseminate into our community and then continue to exist in good will. The emotional response to the installation was for me a little unexpected. The people that we met and were able to interact with during the exhibition was very rewarding. Children and adults seemed to be genuinely excited to open their boxs. Some even brought their friends back so that they could have a turn at it. Usually there is an invisible line that you are not supposed to cross when viewing art. The cool thing about this installation was that they themselves were part of the art and the message! The audience was just as important as the actual physical properties of the work.
TAM: What music inspires you?
Carmen: Everything from Chet Baker singing “My Funny Valentine” to Chris Cornell.
TAM: What is your dream project?
Carmen: Doing a piece on a grand scale that touches many people.
TAM: What is your favorite or most inspirational place?
Carmen: Love New York and love Paris.
TAM: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Carmen: Just do good work. Everything else will fall into place.
TAM: What is an artistic outlook on life?
Carmen: One of my favorite quotes,
“A line is a dot that went for a walk.” - Paul Klee
I think I like the quote in part because my son got such a kick out of it.
I love it though! We are all artists. Each and everyone of us. Make a dot or make a line, just make something today:)
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