An Artist, An Influence

“One can paint with pipes, stamps, postcards or playing cards, candlesticks, waxed cloth, collars, painted paper, newspaper.” – Apollinaire, Paris, 1900s

In 1974, I was 15 at UWGB art camp, when I met professor David Damkoehler. Maybe it was his forceful intellect, maybe the Mr. Peanut printed pants…but he made me nervous.

Years later, burnt out on ceramics and school, I returned specifically to study with Davy. I made it my mission to read anything and everything in his vast collection of obscure books and magazines housed in an overflowing museum of an office.

When I complained about not having a visiting artist program, he produced a book of current phone numbers of world caliber artists, and matter of factly suggested I make it happen. So I did.

Davy affirmed my most personal tribal imagery at a time when I felt daunted by traditional drawing and painting, and I have remained rooted in that for almost 30 years.

I felt him at my elbow when my husband Wence and I painted up a sign 16 years ago to open our own studio gallery here. Davy taught me to reject a hierarchy of materials, to in fact, reject anything that stopped me from making something. As a direct result, I have had a great life, making a huge variety of things all the time, and I love the “shop” aspect of directly selling my work. Art as life…or as he said it in a 2009 retrospective upon retirement: “Art is where you find it.”

A teacher that can empower you is a gift directly from the universe. I remain deeply grateful.

Martinez Studio is seeking any photographs of the wide range of work they have produced in the 16 years of the studio. The studio/gallery, located two miles south of Jacksonport at 5877 Highway 57, is open 10 am – 5 pm May through November. For more information call 920.823.2154 or visit http://www.martinezstudio.com