Doppelganger Smackdown ( a convoluted artist statement in the form of an interview)

J. What are some of your inspirations for your work? Where in the hell are these ideas coming from?

A.It's a rare occasion for me to sit down with a blank page and have any pre-conceived intentions about filling the space. That's not to say I haven't tried it that way, it just never seems to work out as well. To be honest, most of my ideas kick in after the drawing has already begun. I just keep moving my hand and eventually I've given myself enough lines or shapes to use as a jumping off point. I feel pressured when I think I have only one opportunity to do something perfectly. As far as the "inspiration" I think there is an ever fluctuating list of things that inspire me. Most recently I guess it would have to be old women, the kind of conversations you can only overhear in the back of a SEPTA bus in the middle of the day, the good ole' days both aesthetically and theoretically.

J.As your doppelganger and probably one of your biggest fans (you should see my bedroom walls, seriously) I've always gotten a sense that there is a sort of "the ugly side to beauty" in your work. For example you seem to take things that are normally perceived as beautiful and/or innocent like children, fairies, etc. and make them into crippled, oozing forms. Is there a statement behind that or do you just find all stereotypical lovely things to be disgusting?

A.I don't know if it's as conscious as it seems, but I suppose beauty and innocence are two recurring themes. I wouldn't necessarily say that my distortion of it is profound in any way. Though, I would argue that mainstream interpretations of beauty are fairly restrictive, and innocence...well, innocence is fleeting.

J.What is a common response from individuals when they see one of your drawings?

A.I guess that depends on the audience. Most of the reactions I get from people are secondhand, but mostly positive. I could use some good negative feedback though, at least when people are giving negative feedback you know they're being honest.

J.Which artists do you admire, if any?

A.There are just so many people out that who are great at what they do, but that no one knows about. I guess some of the more well known artists whose work I enjoy are Nancy Worden, Judith Schaechter, Diane Arbus, Chris Mars, Jen Corace, Kristen Ferrell, Scott Radke...I could really go on and on.

J.Do you have the attachment issue that some artists have? Meaning, is it hard for you to part with pieces because it's like giving up your children?

A.Yes and No. If I give something away it's because I really want that person to have it, and I am usually comfortable with that. I'm still getting used to selling my work for money so I do get some amount of separation anxiety. Even if I've documented the work it's still hard to see it go off and live with someone else. I think the level of anxiety about it is based in the medium. I would bet that people who work digitally or in multiples don't have the same issues as those who make one of a kind pieces. I think if you find it really easy to give up your pieces you're unhappy with what you're making or you're getting paid a lot of money.

J.When you were a little Adriane what did you want to be as a big Adriane?

A.I don't really remember wanting to be anything specific, I just remember wanting to grow up. When you're a kid you think being an adult means staying up past 10pm every night, being allowed to eat cookies whenever you want...which I guess to a degree is true, but it also means having to have a job and feed yourself, and lots of other things that aren't nearly as grand or exciting as they seemed from that perspective. I did at one point think I wanted to go into Criminology, but then i found out it was more than just having a morbid fascination with sociopathic killers so I decided to just stick with drawing instead.

J.What are your plans for the future?

A.Oh you know the kinds of things that people like to talk about but never really get around to...move away, go to grad school, and conquer the world. I have a difficult time picturing the future, and I feel like if I spend too much time dwelling on it I'll be neglecting the present.

J.Did you actually learn anything in Art School?

A.People talk a lot of crap on Art School, but I feel like my experience was a positive one. I got to do things I never would've considered if they hadn't been so accessible. There are ample stereotypes surrounding Art School, and I think it's easy to hate on any institution that deals in something as intangible as creativity. There is a stigma surrounding higher education in this country specifically for people in our generation, but I think that's a lengthy discussion that we probably don't have the time or space for here.