TV GALLERY

 

We recently visited Athens, GA mixed media artist, Vivian Liddell at her studio to chat about her current work and her process:

 

When do you like to work (time of day, season, etc)? 

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VL: I can get the most done in the morning, although the light is best in the afternoon in my studio. Ideally, I go in around eight in the morning and stay until mid-afternoon. I have kids in school and teach full-time, so it’s really important for me to have a schedule and stick to it. I’m always quoting the Chuck Close mantra to my students: “Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work.”

 

What do you love about your work space? What would you change or add?

 

VL: It’s a warehouse space, which I’ve always wanted, so it kind of satisfies me in this way—realizing the vision of the studio I’ve always had in my head. I love that the ceilings are so high, because I can store things vertically and I never have to limit the size of my work. The worst thing about it is that it’s not climate controlled. This past summer was brutal, and I had to do most of my work at home. I don’t mind the cold in the winter though. I actually like to bundle up while I’m painting.

 

What's your biggest distraction? 

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VL: The biggest thing is making sure teaching and family commitments don’t eclipse studio time in the first place; I’m not easily distracted once I’m working. A few years ago I was having a lot of issues with side projects. I was doing so many little things that were creative, but not my main creative work--like printing t-shirts, knitting, sewing, little home projects. So as my 2015 New Year’s resolution I made a promise to myself that anytime I wanted to try a weird creative side project, I would do it in my art. That’s worked out pretty well. It may be the only New Year’s resolution I’ve ever stuck to.

 

How do you promote your work?

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VL: Well, I’ve made things difficult for myself by ditching Facebook (although I do not regret it, at all!). I do keep up my website and my Instagram page. Right now, I’m focusing on putting together a body of work for a solo show at Eyedrum in 2017, and am holding off on promoting new work until that show is up. I do show in a lot of group shows and participate in events and conferences, which leads to more in-person networking. I always carry my business cards on me; I love the Moo portfolio cards because you’ve always got samples of your work on hand. I think what I will tell anyone reading this, is that you should contact TV Gallery if you’re interested in buying something! :)