Artist of the Week: Ellen Gradman

It's a phrase that jumped right off the screen, "Spark Your Art". It's one of those calls to action, those rally cries that are simple enough to be remembered but still complex in meaning. The thought is that there is art inside all of us, and that we just need that spark to ignite this whole new world of creativity. There is a lot of power contained in just three words. These words ignite Ellen Gradman, her students, and hopefully everyone who sees her art on a daily basis. Her work is part collage, part mixed-media, and always vibrant and inventive.

Recently, Ellen was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): Where did the idea of 'Spark your Art' come from and what does it mean to you?
Ellen Gradman (EG): I was in the midst of ending a teaching position and beginning my own studio. I needed a name that would convey the atmosphere I was intending to create. I remember writing words ART* CREATIVITY*EXPERIENCE, ECT.. and drawing images of spirals, candles and hands in my sketchbook…

I closed the book and went on to something else. A few days later I was driving (I always have aha monuments while driving) and SPARK YOUR ART came to me… I knew I wanted the word creativity in the title so from SPARK the word IGNITE..
SPARK YOUR ART…..IGNITE CREATIVITY.

OA: You seem to enjoy teaching and sharing your passion with children, do you feel that art is something that can be taught or is more something that is drawn out?
EG: Simply stated ART is an innate human quality. EVERYONE possese the ability to observe and create. The issue is that adults interfere with this process. I always approach my classes with children and adults as an experience. I am there to provide the materials, the beginning idea, guidance and a supportive environment. The rest is in the hands of the student.

One of the things I am most proud of in my years of teaching:
I often have parents tell me that their child HATED doing art in early childhood classes or would never pick up a marker and draw at home. However, after being in my class, art is his/her favorite subject, at home s/he is creating all the time and s/he wants to enroll in after school art classes and/or art summer camps.

OA: The Cool Globes project and mission seems fascinating, how did you find out about Cool Globes and can you tell us a little about it?
EG: I saw a call for proposals for the project. I sent in an idea and was accepted. Creating the globe was an all consuming event… I created a blog about the experience.

OA: Your personal art also focuses on recycling at times. Where do you find the items that you use for collage pieces?
EG: Anywhere and everywhere. I’m always picking up stuff from the street. I especially LOVE really rusted, flatted bottle caps. I first started doing this type of work when I was taking a summer class at Bezalel, the Art school in Israel. I would tear down the posters I found while walking around Jerusalem. Now whenever I travel I always come home with and extra suitcase of found stuff.

OA: Do you feel Chicago is great city to be an artist?
EG: I love Chicago, so I think Chicago is a great place to be!

OA: What's next for Ellen Gradman?
EG: I am asking the same question. I am at a door closing window opening point in my life. I am starting to teach on my own again. I have begun to partner with some amazing places to use as a location for classes, workshops and other events. Most importantly I am taking time to look at my personal art work and start focusing on creating my art.

Bonus Questions:
OA: If you could sit down to coffee with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be?
EG: I would love to be able to have tea with my papa and Groucho. My grandfather was an incredible man and would like to talk with him now as an adult. He was a huge Marx Brothers fan (which I am because of him) so that would be a great afternoon!

OA: What was the last great book you have read?
EG: I recently listen to the audio version of: The Book Thief by, Markus Zusak. UNBELIEVABLE!!!

I have been reading a lot of books with my nephew who is in sixth grade. He is a very talented writer and artist. It is great being able to talk about the books with him but also extend the ideas found in the books. This summer we are planning to visit the art work or places from the books.

The first book was:
The Invention of Hugo Cabaret by Brian Selznick.

And now we are reading a series of books, which all take place in Hyde Park, by Blue Balliett:
Chasing Vermeer
The Wright 3
Calder Game

For more information on Ellen Gradman please visit her website.