Finalists Exhibit Artist Profile – Albin Erhart
As part of the Pfister’s ongoing commitment to the arts and those incredibly talented artists who’ve taken the time to submit their candidacy for our Artist-in-Residence position, we’ve put together a fantastic evening at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts to highlight Artist in Residence finalists from the first four years of the program. The show, debuted as part of the Hidden River Art Festival on Friday, September 14th from 5.30-8.30pm. You can find an photo album of the show here, on our Facebook page (a Facebook account is not necessary).
The pieces are on display at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center through October 17th. Participating Artist in Residence Finalists include: Albin Erhart, Anthony Suminski, Brandon Minga, Bridget Griffith Evans, Hal Koenig, Jeremy Plunkett, Kate Pfeiffer, Katie Musolff (former Artist-in-Residence), Matt Duckett, Mutope Johnson, Pamela Anderson, Reginald Baylor (former Artist-in-Residence), Sara Mulloy, Shelby Keefe (former Artist-in-Residence), Steve Ohlrich, and current Artist-in-Residence Timothy Westbrook.
Your Name: Albin Erhart
The year you applied to be AiR: 2012 Finalist
Genre of your work: Outsider Art
Medium of choice: Acrylic
City of Residence: Hartland, WI
Q: What led you to apply for the Pfister’s Artist-in-Residence position when you did?
A: Exposure to visitors from out of state, art making in public, and the money.
Q: What have you been working on in the time since you applied?
A: Themewise: More self portraits, portraits of friends, dog portrait, commerical illustrations (Mom’s Gourmet). Stylewise: used underlayments for the top colors, multiple layers of colors, colored lines rather than black lines, using lines less dominant, larger formats – from 14″ x 17″ up to 4′ x 5′, experimented with wall sculptures, painting alongside my 18 month old grand daughter.
“2012 Fashion” by Albin Erhart
Q: What inspired you to become an artist?
A: Coloring books. I’m also an introverted individual – painting is like talking for me.
Q: What piece of art (or artist) are you most inspired by?
A: In the past: the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism (Ernst Fuchs, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Arik Brauer), Expressionists (Kirchner), Blaue Reiter (Kandinsky), Fantastic Realism (William Blake, Gustav Moreau, William Turner). Today: Artists around town that I meet in person inspire me most.
Q: What part of your process do you find to be the most difficult? Most rewarding? Easiest?
A: I’ve learned in recent years that the ugliest beginnings yield the most gratifying endings. Also if you’re stuck but then you get through it has the same effect.
Q: Is there another medium that you have, or would love to experiment in? If so, why does this appeal to you?
A: Sculptures, wall sculptures – the added dimension appeals, also working with and combining of different materials.