An interview with Bill Fick
screenprintworkshop.com supergraphiclabs.com 1. Please describe your typical week (in the studio, at home, other activities)? I teach (Duke University) on Monday (Drawing) and Wednesday (Relief Prints) from 12 - 2:30. When I'm not teaching I work on projects, attend meetings and take care of paperwork. I head home around 6pm and make dinner and hang out with my family. 2. Describe your influences, what sources and/or artists give you inspiration? I've always been inspired by the German Expressionists. Currently I'm inspired by comics, popular imagery and signage. I'm all over the place with artists I like: Gary Panter, Kara Walker, Kerry James Marshall, Warhol, Guston, zines and DIY comics. 3. Where is your studio, and how is it set up? Where do you get your materials? My studio is in 2 places. One is called Supergraphic and the other Super G Print Lab. Here are links to the studios: supergraphiclabs.com screenprintworkshop.com I get materials at Bilck, Takach Press, Speedball
4. How do you balance your art practice w/ other jobs (art related or non-art related)? Its a lot of work. I carve out time for doing my own projects. A lot of what I do now is related to the studios that I run. Very interested in community based printmaking projects. 5. What opportunities for professional development have been most helpful to you (especially early in your art career)? Going to print conferences, meeting other printmakers, making as much work as possible and having it seen by others. Making enough art so you can always have a show ready to exhibit. 6. What does your research process look like for a project? I'm constantly doing research. I keep a sketch book so I always have ideas. Once a project is finished I'm on to the next. 7. What was the most effective way for you to get your work out into the world? Send images to curators and people who put on exhibits. Things have changed sinceI got started - 27 years ago - no computers back then so no digital media. Main thing is to get your work in front of people and make it easy for them to exhibit it. Always apply for exhibits - open calls. Make contact with print curators and find out what they're interested in - does your work fit that category. Get to know the print world and see as many print exhibits as you can to understand the print world landscape. Send out postcards and posters of your work. [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]