After almost fainting during dinner (at a restaurant too, nonetheless), looking at some art might be just the thing to soothe my mind and body tonight.
Artist Robyn Rognstad was kind enough to answer my lengthy email asking about her artistic inspirations and admirations, as well as a few questions from the timeless Proust Questionnaire. She does a variety of works from prints to installations to paintings and drawings. A lot of the subjects of her work are animals like rabbits and turkeys. Her style is dreamy and eery all at the same time. And as a self-professed girly girl, I’ve got to say that I love her use of very girly colors – pinks, magentas, plums, reds, etc. But don’t get me wrong. As much as her work seems dreamy to me, it’s not fluffy.
Fleeing the Scene by Robyn Rognstad, mixed media, 2009
Pink Turkey by Robyn Rognstad, ink and watercolor, 2008
Brown Rabbit by Robyn Rognstad, reduction linocut, 2008
What/where do you find inspiration?
My greatest inspirations are random occurrences and little things which induce a sort of associative thinking. Something seemingly insignificant makes me think of something related, then I think of something related to that, and so forth, until the final idea is only vaguely related to what I actually saw. More than one of these chains of thought will converge in one image. Of course animals are an inspiration also. I spend a lot of time in the forest.
Who are some of your favorite artists, whether they’re dead, alive, local, etc.
I enjoy the work of so many artists, and quite a variety too, it is hard to pick favorites… Some I will never be able to stop looking at include Folkert de Jong, Beth Cavener Stichter, Jacob Magraw-Mickelson, Stanislaw Wyspianski, Barnaby Whitfield, Alexis Rockman, and Beth Van Hoesen.
Proust Questionnaire:
Your favorite virtue
I doubt I could even list the virtues. I know temperance is one so I’ll go with that.
Your favorite qualities in a man or woman
I feel it is important for all people to have the confidence to stand by what they care about, regardless of what other people might say or think.
Your chief characteristic
I’m not sure what this means. I think I have a nice nose.
What you appreciate the most in your friends
They are there for me when I need them and I am able to be there for them when they need me, and just have a good time together all the rest of the time.
Your main fault
I dislike wearing socks unless it is for the sake of fashion, so my shoes might not smell too great.
Your favourite occupation
Forensic science seems to be pretty intriguing, though I imagine it’s not actually like on the show CSI.
Where would you like to live?
Right now I’m thinking Iceland, but I’ve never been there, so who knows.
Your favourite colour and flower
My favorite colors are pink and orange, preferably at the same time, and I love hydrangeas.
I am not too fond of beetles, but hate is a very strong word.
The natural talent you’d like to be gifted with
I was hoping to be a prodigy at handball, but I’m pretty happy to have my artistic talents.
I don’t plan this far ahead.
What is your present state of mind
Optimistic.
Your favorite motto
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then you’ll be a mile away from them, and you’ll have their shoes.
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