Colleen Blackard

Colleen is a master of light.

Website:http://colleenblackard.carbonmade.com/

Blog:colleenblackard.blogspot.com/

= Division III =

This article is part of a Climax    Div III Issue. By Keith Putnam, Staff Writer.

Tell me about your Div III.

Well, being an art Div III you’re not quite sure what to do when you start. You just go with an idea and see where it takes you. So what I started out doing was tornadoes and storms and that eventually turned into skies and stars; which aren’t actually skies and stars at all! It’s more just ways of using light and dark to create my own universes, so not like images you see in a picture, for example. So the work that I’m doing now isn’t just about the end result but also about the process as well. I’m building up these blacks with my medium ballpoint pen, which is a really small medium to create large amounts of black in different values and to create space. Right now I’m using lots of circular motions or infinity signs to create images. Some people say it looks like hair, which is kind of funny.

How has the Div III process been for you?

I feel we have a lot of push from the faculty. I was surprised at the amount of direction there is in the program. I feel for other disciplines at Hampshire, like the writing program, there isn’t as much direction compared to the art program. You’re always in the art barn, you’re always in your space. There is a constant pressure to keep working. I guess I really needed direction to keep working and changing. What the faculty say really influences what you do; their suggestions can really help lead you to where you want to go. So I think I got what I needed out of the program. I don’t think I could’ve gotten to this place on my own.

How do you think you would have developed as an artist in a different setting, say if you weren’t in school?

The art I do in the summertime is definitely different from the work I do here. At home I have no one critiquing my work and it’s really very different, kind of static actually. When I’m home I’m usually more trying to capture what’s in front of me and then focus on making that as detailed as possible. Here you learn to really let go. The faculty helps you keep in mind all these things I normally don’t think about when trying to create an image. For example, keeping in mind technique, style, composition and all these other ideas that I wouldn’t necessarily think of or practice on my own.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I would definitely love to make a living on my art. I guess that’s my eventual goal so definitely trying to get more into the art world. I want to go to grad school later on but for now I want to move to New York City, try to get into some galleries and get to know the art community.