FIVE x SEVEN Interview: Size Matters to Julie Henslee Adams
Like many creatives born in Texas, Julie Henslee Adams spent some years living outside of the Great Nation. Despite being raised on "bbq, margaritas, and Tex-Mex", Adams couldn't resist the allure of the West Coast. But, after a stint in San Francisco and a jaunt in Seattle, she returned to Texas soil and currently resides and works in Austin. Adams works with oil, charcoal, and collage and her pieces often include images of women, girls, flowing hair, and animals. Evocative of illustrations to modern fairy tales, Adams' art looks equally at home in sophisticated gallery settings as it does hung in children's rooms. Julie Henslee Adams is one of nearly a thousand artists participating in Arthouse's FIVE x SEVEN art show and sale taking place this week.
As in year's past, all art at 5x7 will be displayed anonymously, with the artist name undisclosed until a purchase is made. Due to construction at Arthouse, this year's 5x7 will be held at the Whitley Printing Building (at 301 Brazos) and the exhibit will only be on display from Thursday through Sunday. Tickets to Thursday and Friday night's 5x7 parties can be purchased online and admission to the exhibit on Saturday and Sunday is free. Proceeds from the sale of art (all pieces cost $100) go directly to the Arthouse's programs, exhibits, and education events which are always free to attend. Austinist spoke with Julie Henslee Adams about scaling down her art and her not so secret desire to develop the power of teleportation.
A lot of the work you do is on a large scale - murals, big canvases, etc. How do you scale down for 35 square inches of work space?
I initially started out working on small pieces when I couldn't afford large work spaces. So this was a nice return to taking that size seriously. I did most of my 5x7 pieces while on planes and in airports during trips to Jacksonville and Nashville. Having something to do during that purgatory-like travel time reintroduced me to the joys of working on that scale, and I think I'll pick it back up permanently for those times on planes and in waiting rooms. What are these types of events for if not to inspire more creativity... in that sense 5x7 was a great success for me.
Without divulging your 5x7 piece's secret, anonymous identity, describe a few of the techniques, materials, or elements that appear in the work you submitted this year.
Except to say that the pieces involve drawing and painting and are definitely 'mine'... my lips are sealed!
Your website betrays your sense of humor - among other things, you profess your love for tater tots and admit a pedicure-phobia. How does that silliness manifest itself in your work?
I have a tendency to make fun of myself and the 'seriousness' of my own art, but you know I don't think it's terribly obvious in most of my work. For instance the piece for this article, 'Lost at Sea', I think is slightly humorous but I can certainly see that in the context of a gallery exhibit it may not be viewed that way.
Follow this post after the jump to read about why Austin is a great city for working artists and, of course, the merits of teleportation.
You've lived in Texas, San Francisco, and Seattle - how does being a working artist differ in those different locations?
Space! I can afford twice the space for half the price in Austin which was a huge change for me since I can now very comfortably work on an 8'x14' triptych. During my time in San Francisco and Seattle I rarely worked large. Other than the obvious benefits in cost of living differences, I find more similarities with plenty of folks flying their freak flags in all three places.
You mention that your most desired super power is teleportation. How would you use that skill?
OH WOW! I could probably write a whole book about this question. I watched 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' last night and would go to Barcelona right now just for a Catalan dinner and to listen to some Spanish guitar. If I were having a crappy day at work I could take a 30 minute break to Paris to eat some cheese and baguettes, and come back all Frenchy and refreshed. On a whim I could go to Seoul for some bulgogi, or to Germany to see a magnificent castle. And I'd definitely go visit my brother in the FBI at Quantico for a quick lunch, just to mock his 'top-secretness' (and tell him that I adore him in person).
How would the ability to teleport change your approach to making art?
Good question. Like most creative types I'm inspired by my experiences and right now feel like I have more ideas than I have time to express them. With the world at my fingertips I might just burst into a million little excited Julie-bits.
