How do you approach the beginning of a project?

At first, I need to satisfy my hungry eyes and hands. Searching for anything
that I can read, study or play with is the best way to get me moving
physically and mentally. It’s really exciting to incorporate laboratory
technologies into the art-making process. Then I write exhaustive idea or
task lists that help me sort out the information overload.

What is your greatest fear when facing a project?

Working with living materials can be unpredictable. My fears are that they
might die too quickly, get over-run with illness, or refuse to thrive. The
organism’s natural defenses, exhibit design flaws, and Murphy’s Law will
all affect the work at some point. The project will take a life of its own in
the studio and in exhibition, so I must be adaptable to all changes.

What is your daily creative work schedule?

As a student nurse, visiting art educator, and founder of a new
studio/laboratory, time is valuable and limited. On weeknights and weekend
evenings I’ll crank out some writing, conduct research, or build. Maintaining
the balance between work and art can be exhausting. But being involved in
the medical field does inform my artwork/research and vice versa, making
all the effort worthwhile.

What do you do when you get stuck?

“Getting stuck” for me usually means I start to over-think or obsess on
something and my productivity actually slows down. So, I run for the hills –
literally. I change the scenery, soak up what nature has to offer and become
inspired again. As a result, I may go in a different direction than what I
intended with a particular project.

The Media Arts Fellowships program is funded by the Rockefeller
Foundation, with additional funding from Ford Foundation, Cinepolis and LAPTV.

The Media Arts Fellowships are a program of Renew Media
73 Spring Street, Suite 403 • New York , NY 10012
tel:212.274.8080 • fax:212.274.8081

Original post:
http://www.mediaartists.org/content.php?sec=update&sub=interview