Recently, I published an Artistic Representations post on the wild landscapes of Iceland. Whilst researching it, I came across Andrea Krupp’s work. Last year she spent two months in Iceland, sketching and painting the scenery (jealous?) and she’s going back again this year for more of the same. Her pieces really capture the atmosphere of Iceland and make me want to go even more than I did before – if that’s possible!
Can you tell us a bit about your residency in Iceland last year?
My 2 month residency in Iceland (September and October, 2013) was an amazing, life changing experience. It was my first residency, and definitely not the last. I was looking for a quiet retreat, with a studio, where I could be immersed in both a beautiful landscape and in my own creative process.
At Gullkistan, in South Iceland, I found peace and inspiration, and a wonderful community of artists. The two directors, Alda and Kristveig work very hard to create an environment that fosters and supports every artist who goes there. It’s a very kind and accommodating environment. I really thrived while I was there.
Gullkistan Field
Why Iceland?
My mother loved to travel, and Iceland was one of her favorite destinations. She always recommended it to me as a place I would love to paint. Now I understand why she loved Iceland so much. It suited her character, as it does mine.
What was the motivation behind it?
To challenge myself artistically.
Before my residency I had always painted small format landscapes in the plein air tradition, outside, in one session. I began to want to say something different about my way of seeing the world and I needed to break out of some constraints. I went to my residency with the goal of working in a larger format, I chose 16 x 20 as a good size up for an overseas, remote residency location. (considering luggage size and weight.) I also wanted to bring more of my impressions, feelings, memories and associations about specific places into my artwork. Especially places where I feel a resonant connection with the land, its history, its people.
As a visual artist, I find meaning in my life, in the world, through the act of making art. Like my self, my visual language of expression is in constant evolution, so it’s an endless pursuit.
Pale Mountain
And the outcome?
The outcome is that I have turned a corner in my career as a visual artist. I am on a whole new path, and its very exciting. After returning to Philadelphia at the end of October in 2013, I have continued to draw from my residency experience, and am still inspired by it. I am now working inside the studio on a series of large woodcuts and monoprints based on some of the themes that emerged in my painting while I was in Iceland.
In Snow
What tips would you give to artists thinking of using KickStarter to fund projects like this?
I recommend it highly. It’s an innovative platform for supporting visual arts projects and the artists who create them. KS is not a kind of artists charity, not a “donation” site. Make sure you understand the KS ethos. Study the website to find projects of a similar ilk, note what works and what doesn’t. Make sure you have something of VALUE that people will want in exchange for putting up their dollars in support of your project.
What do you hope each piece tells viewers about Iceland?
I want to convey what it feels like to be standing on the earth, in that place, in that moment. I want to convey a feeling about the geological and historical rivers that soak the earth there.
Colossal
Let’s talk about process. What are the steps you take when creating each piece?
My first task is to open my eyes, refresh my eyes. For the past 5 months I have been making imagined, memory mountains in the studio. I am looking forward to being in the presence of Iceland’s mountains again, to see them this time in the winter, in black and white, with the snow revealing the mountains bones and sinews. I will do a lot of painting and drawing from the inside of my car during the precious few hours of daylight. In the studio I will work on larger pieces, shepherding them through the long winter nights.
To keep part of my brain immersed in a creative thinking state when I’m not in the studio, I tend to read and write poetry.
Laugarvatnsfjall in snow
Tell us about your upcoming KickStarter campaign for this year’s residency.
This year I have been accepted into a 6 week residency in the North of Iceland, at Listhus, in the village Olafsfjordur. I am raising money to cover airfare, residency cost and car rental. In exchange I am offering every sponsor a piece of artwork that I will create during my residency. So my campaign is, in effect, pre-selling the paintings (and prints, and drawings) that I will make. For example, I will be doing large-scale woodcuts in Iceland. I will also be making smaller woodcuts as studies and in preparation for the larger works. One of these small woodcuts will be editioned (by me, by hand) for my Kickstarter sponsors at the $15 level. An original, hand-printed woodcut for $15. I consider that to be a great exchange.
Mountain, horses, field woodcut
Finally, do you have any tips for readers who might be interested in painting places they visit?
My tip is always bring at least a pencil and a small note book when you travel. Make some time during the day to sit still and look, maybe draw, or write down your impressions. After your return, this notebook will be your most accurate and most valuable record of your trip and what it felt like to be you, there, then.
Painting and sketching while traveling is a great way to absorb the local landscape in a visceral way. Spending 2-3 hours in one location, thinking about the light, appreciating the patterns and colors of the earth where you are standing. These internal feelings and observations will become indelibly associated with the painting or drawing you make there.
All paintings copyright of the artist.
If you would like to find out more about Andrea’s residency, please go to her Kickstarter page or click the widget below.
Andrea’s campaign runs from May 21 to June 21 2014. To receive blog updates from Andrea’s residency in Iceland, please click “follow” on her blog.
Have you ever been to Iceland? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Finally… Musement, a site offering museum tickets, art tours, and cultural activities has kindly let Wanderarti readers get €5 off purchases up until the 31st July. Just use the code WANDERARTI and you can get discounted offers all over Europe!
It seems from the chart that you are funded – well done!