What Smells in the Studio? with Zach Collins
I’ve been a fan of Zach’s collage work for a while and finally got an interview! This is also really exciting because I will also be doing a collaborative piece with him!
This is his studio:
Q. Where are you from?
I grew up in Iowa right outside a little town
called Chelsea in Iowa. I now live in Minneapolis, MN.
Q. How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to create?
Well I don’t believe a it is possible to no longer create. Creating can
and will be altered by unknown factors, but feel there is always a way
to create.
Q. How have you handled the business aspect of being an artist?
I really haven’t had to deal with much besides applying and shipping my work to shows at this moment in my life. Even thou I have been creating for a number of years it was just recently that I made it a point to apply
to shows and started using social media to get my work out there for
others to see.
Q. How do you keep motivated when things in the studio get rough?
One thing I do quite often when I am struggling with a collage is to put it to
the side. The next day I will take a look with fresh eyes. This seems to
help me as I sometimes looking at my work so long I tend to overlook
the obvious.
Q. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
My dream would be to make a living off of my artwork. I think this goes for most artists, but I am not counting on it. If it works out-Great! If not I will still be doing what I love-creating and doing collaborative works with other artists. Bottom line happiness means more to me than money.
Q. How did you get started? Any experience or story?
I have always been in and around the Arts looking for where I fit. I have taken drawing, painting, photograpy, ceramics, digital photograpy, foil imaging, graphic design, web design, art history classes ect, ect…along with two internships (with a potter and graphic design) looking for where
I fit. I started making traditional cut and paste collages in September
2011. Working in this way was influenced by my decision to revisit
my involvement in a horrific car accident as a child, which put me in
recovery for months. A year later I am convinced I have found the
medium for me! I wake up everyday thinking collage!
Q. How do you want people to react to your work? Who’s your audience?
When it is hanging on the wall I don’t want people to walk by without
a double take. Meaning I want a reaction good or bad. I think my
audience has a wide range from young to old.
Q. What’s the best music to listen to while working?
I have a ridiculous amount of music on my Ipod and usually just put on shuffle, but sometimes it depends on the mood I am in.
Q. What smells in your studio?
My studio smells of old magazines and ink.
Thank you for sharing your story with me! Check out his tumblr for more awesome artwork.
