Today we’d like to introduce you to Darcie Book.
Darcie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
As a child, I moved an average of once per year and grew up in several different states across the country – Maryland, California, Colorado, and Texas. I believe the regularity of being in new surroundings helped shape me into an explorer. I learned to be most at ease while expanding my knowledge base and having new experiences. I can’t stand the feeling of stagnation, and this has significantly influenced my artistic practice. Each time I work in the studio, I challenge myself to learn something new and to learn by doing. I develop new processes and these processes dictate the underlying meaning of my work.
My most recent move was last summer when I relocated from Baltimore to Austin. I have enjoyed a warm welcome from the Austin art community and I have lots of exciting projects in the works. I was invited to join ICOSA, an artist-run non-profit cooperative gallery founded in 2015 that showcases a diverse range of contemporary art and programming. I’m honored to be one of ICOSA’s newest members and I’m excited about our gallery’s new location at Canopy Austin. I’m thrilled to be in a new city with friendly people, warm weather, and lots of great hiking & swimming spots!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I view my studio as a laboratory where I develop innovative processes to explore painting as a sculptural material. My sculptural paintings push the boundaries and possibilities of a painting by navigating the realms between the two- and three-dimensional. Paint protrudes off surfaces, appearing to ooze or flow as it makes its departure from the two-dimensional picture plane. While my work embodies a sense of the otherworldly, I am interested in how the heightened physicality of the paint may generate corporeal resonance, and elicit desire or longing. My goal is to create experiences that enhance the viewer’s awareness of being physically present while also feeling fully connected to the world around them.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Early on, I wish I’d known how many hats an artist wears. If you are just starting to pursue a professional career as an artist, you really should expect to wear *all* the hats! It’s helpful to develop the following skills: photo/video documentation & editing, graphic design, web design, public speaking, marketing/promotion, budgeting/accounting, time management, and writing. If you hope to communicate effectively and share your work with a wide audience, it’s likely that you’ll spend a decent portion of your time *not* making art. I’ve taught myself many of these skills, but I would highly recommend a professional development course tailored to artists. Go at your own pace while honing these skills; your studio practice should be the sun that related tasks revolve around.
As you apply for opportunities like grants, artist residencies, and exhibitions, prepare yourself for repeated rejection. Even the most successful artists receive more rejection than acceptance letters, so don’t take these personally. You’re putting a piece of yourself out there for someone else to evaluate so of course rejection will be painful sometimes. Build a solid community of fellow artists, and support each other. My own network of friends and colleagues is invaluable.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I send newsletters every 1-2 months with updates about upcoming exhibitions, new work, and studio sales. Contact me directly via email or through my website with inquiries or to join my mailing list. Most artwork available for purchase can be viewed on my website.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.darciebook.com/
- Email: darciebook@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darcie.book
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darcie.book
- Other: http://www.blurb.com/b/9200394-the-matter-at-hand-darcie-book-and-sarah-hirneisen
Image Credit:
Darcie Book
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