Μeet the artists of our current art exhibition at Finch Lane Gallery. Steve Creson’s Repetition and Difference and Rob Chipman’s Simplicity on the Other Side of Complexity exhibition opens December 2.

1. How/where do you find inspiration?

Steve: Inspiration has never been much of a problem for me. My head is full of ideas, so many that I’ll never realize them all, but will keep plucking away. It’s a good feeling. Sometimes inspiration comes from a thought prompted by just seeing an object on the street as I pass: an old house, a worn and abandoned building, maybe an unusual combination of color randomly placed in our environment. I like the character time places on houses and one and two story structures. A personality seems to emerge. As well, an image might jump out of a book or article I’m reading. Inspiration come from everywhere!

Rob Chipman – Autum A Blaze

Rob: My inspiration comes primarily from nature. Gratefully, there is no shortage of stunning scenery here in Utah. From the majestic alpine peaks to the unique red rock formations, there are an almost limitless number of subjects to depict within the borders of our state. While landscapes are my primary subjects, I’m also drawn to the simple beauty of subjects like cacti, fruits & vegetables (slice open a red cabbage and you’ll see what I mean), flowers and birds. Since my work is created layer upon layer, I tend to view the world in layers and frequently ask myself the question “How would I do that scene as a reduction block print?” Sometimes, I’m even inspired by the challenge of depicting a scene with my process – like
watching the fireworks display on the 4th of July and trying to figure out if I could pull that off as a reduction print.

 

2. What techniques do you use in the creation of your artwork?

Steve: I’m a free form artist. I use collage and photography as foundation for most of my more
structural images. But not at all with the abstract work. I take photographs, then hand-
cut the prints. I’ll mix them with gesso, acrylic paint, spray paint, grease pencil,
graphite…anything goes! Everything is on panel. Finally, for the last 5 years at least, each
finished piece gets a coat of clear UV resin, which gives them modernity.

Rob: My work is a combination of sculpture and painting. Reduction block prints (woodcuts,
linocuts) are a relief printing process. I start with a completely smooth block and will often
print the first layer of color (the sky, for example) without doing anything to the block.
However, if I want to depict some white elements (like clouds) I will carve them out of the
block first thing so the white paper will then show through. I use a variety of gouges (u-
shaped, v-shaped, etc.) to carve away the surface of the block. Once I have applied the first
custom-mixed color to the block with a brayer (roller), brush or sponge, I carefully place the
paper on the block (precise registration is critical) and then run it by hand through the
press. I repeat this for each number of prints in the edition. Then, I carve away a little more
of the block and go through the same process for the next color layer. If I’m doing an edition
of 20 and I have 13 color layers, that means that paper touches block 260 times by the time
I’m done. At that point, there is very little of the printable surface of the block left – hence
the name reduction block print.

 

3. How do you balance your time in the studio with family, work/other commitments?

Steve Creson – Sky #1

Steve: I’m a full-time artist these days. I don’t have a job. My one off-spring is away at college. I’m usually driven by deadlines and priorities. It wasn’t always this simple. In the past I just did it… set aside whole days or a full weekend to be in the studio. Studio is a place to unwind and feel free. It’s invigorating, and that shot in the arm gets you through the
next few days or the next week.

Rob: I typically do my designing, sketching and carving at my home studio in the afternoons so I am ready to print the next morning, which I do at Saltgrass Printmakers – the co-op studio I belong to. That is pretty much my daily schedule. However, I enjoy the flexibility being an artist offers and so if something comes up I can adjust my routine. We are empty nesters at
this point, so life is simpler than it has been in the past. I sold my business about five years ago and wasn’t ready to retire. That’s when I started my second career as an artist. The truth is I am as busy doing art as I was running a company – but having a lot more fun!

 

4. How useful is social media for you? What other ways do you stay connected to your
audience?

Steve: I’m not a social media guy. I can go weeks without Instagram, and my website needs
updating. My wife and friends tell me things—identify proposals I might fit. Finally, I
have ideas for events, performances, open studio and short run galleries (pop-ups) and
then things just fall in one’s lap. I’m patient.

Rob: I find social media very helpful. Other than LinkedIn, which I used for business, I didn’t even
have a social media account. One of the first things I did after launching my art career was
set up an Instagram profile. I’ve not only been pleasantly surprised at how effective that has
been in getting my art seen and sold, but I am constantly inspired by the work of many
other artists I follow.

Steve Creson’s Repetition and Difference and Rob Chipman’s Simplicity on the Other Side of Complexity will open Friday, December 2, 2022, 6-9pm. To learn more about our upcoming exhibits, click here.