Artist Statement

As the definition of art expands, so does the notion of an artist’s studio space.  Whether it is due to economics, function, or ingenuity, artists have challenged and questioned the idea of a private and closed creative space.  In designing my studio, I wanted it to be in a space where I could engage in different environments to create work.  The back of my truck seemed like the most practical choice as it would offer both mobility and freedom from confined walls.  I made a work table that also functions as a display wall, a bench that also functions as a drawing horse and an assortment portable storage compartments.  All of these tools fit in the back of my truck, which allows me to travel anywhere and therefore it allows me to work anywhere.

Work In Progress

When presented with the challenge of creating a mobile studio I wanted to make something useful.  I decided to use my truck because it is the one thing I rely on in my transitional life.  I purchased my truck to make my move across county to live in Washington D.C., Florida N.Y., Brooklyn and now Beacon.  As much as I hate the idea of being attach to a vehicle I am.  At first I thought I would be making my studio a permanent feature of the vehicle, but I realized that was completely impractical because of all of the hauling I do with my truck.  So, I began rethinking my plan and decided to create things that can easily be removed and stored in other places.  I thought about what I needed in a studio:a table, a chair and storage compartments.

I wanted to challenge my construction skills with this project.  I decided to make a bench which could be used as a drawing horse this allowed me to work in a variety of directions and places.  I decided to have a table extend from the bed of my truck to give me work space.  After much consideration I decided to make the storage space out of fabric.  For one the fabric is more practical in terms of actual storage and because it offers a different aesthetic that I liked.

I do not consider my mobile studio an art object, but more of a design project.  I learned so many construction skills and problem solving  about usage of space.

Artist Statement

In creating this project, I wanted to address the idea of generosity on two levels; one by giving something away and two by bringing awareness to a societal problem. In thinking of generosity I immediately think about food and the issue of hunger.  Both, how making food can be a generous act as well as that people with food insecurities depend upon other people's generosity, come to mind.  I decided to bake cupcakes because they can easily be given away.  I baked a statistic about hunger issues into each cupcake and then handed out the cupcakes at Occupy Wall Street as well on the school campus.  I found both experiences to be very different.  The handing out of the cupcakes at Occupy Wall Street was the act of generosity because I felt that the people there needed the food more than the message.  On the other hand,  I felt that the message became more important than the actual food on the school campus.  Overall, my goal was to do a generous act while highlighting how significant the hunger problems are in the United States.  

Occupy Wall Street Pictures

Campus Cupcakes

Handing out cupcakes on campus was a much different experience than at Occupy Wall street.  I felt mobbed on campus.  I could barely get down three stairs before all of my cupcakes were gone.  Like Occupy Wall street I felt a warm reception to free food (especially cupcakes), but I felt that this audience may have a different reaction to the message.  

Occupy Wall Street

My experience handing out cupcakes at Occupy Wall Street was very rewarding.  It provided a great venue and audience.  Since it was my first run at this project I wanted to pick a place that I felt the message would be received well.  With that being said I think it may be almost too safe of a place, meaning most of the people participating in Occupy Wall Street have thought about the issue of hunger.  I did feel that I was helping out the cause even with the small gesture of a cupcake.