Natalie Jeremijenco's xdesign Environmental Health Clinic

Natalie Jeremijenko is an artist whose background includes studies in biochemistry, physics, neuroscience and precision engineering. Jeremijenko’s projects—which explore socio-technical change—have been exhibited by several museums and galleries, including the MASSMoCA, the Whitney, Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt. A 1999 Rockefeller Fellow, she was recently named one of the 40 most influential designers by I.D. Magazine. Jeremijenko is the director of the environmental health clinic at NYU, assistant professor in Art, and affiliated with the Computer Science Dept.

When visitors come to the clinic with an environmental health concern—like children’s exposure to lead—the clinic’s specialists don’t simply trot out advice about limiting exposure to paint chips (it’s a conceptual art project, not a health provider). “What differs,” says Jeremijenko, “is that you walk out with a prescription not for pharmaceuticals, but for actions and … referrals to interesting art, design, and participatory projects.” Concern about lead in the neighborhood might call for a prescription for planting sunflowers to detoxify the soil in the park where children play. The clinic then might ask for samples of the flowers to determine how many chemicals the plants had absorbed, while keeping detailed records that are available to the public. “The data is precisely not private—it has to do with the shared space, air, water, and environmental systems we inhabit.”
To view the entire article check out Good Magazine.

Critical Feedback with Kay Walkingstick

Wind and Water
encaustic by Edie Morton

A number of workshops were available after the encaustic conference. I applied for the critical feedback session with Kay Walkingstick . Ten applicants were accepted based on a statement of intention and a CD including images of recent work. I was thrilled to have this opportunity. We had an extensive group critique session. Kay encouraged all of us to push beyond our present limits or comfort zone. She strongly recommended spending time each day drawing and keeping a journal. Kay suggested that art is more interesting when the artist incorporates symbolism and imagery meaningful to the artist. Journal keeping can help with this process and unveil clues to answer the question “what do I want to say or evoke in my work?”

I brought the painting above, “Wind and Water”, to the critique. The elements of wind and water often occur in recent works. The changing weather patterns are an influence. It feels as if the earth is trying to heal herself and return to a more balanced state while catching our attention with frequent and drastic storms.

Encaustic Conference at Montseratte College

Bang by Russell Thurston

I spent last weekend immersed in discussion about the medium, “encaustic”. Also I viewed maybe 75 encaustic paintings in three different galleries. I highly recommend this annual conference to any artist working in the medium.
This group of artists is quite an interesting tribe. There was an abundance of sharing of knowledge, support and technique inventions.
I returned home with almost too much inspiration and passion. I have been practicing a number of new techniques I learned. Then there is the familiar question, so what do I want to say or do now? What is my next series or comment?

I especially loved Russell Thurston’s work on paper, an image of two dinosaurs walking towards the future. This artist had a nice balance of imagery in context with the medium. It made surreal sense to me.