Interview with Chris Neuenschwander from Noosh

1. What does a typical week look like for you?

No two weeks are the same. But I try to keep a little structure and a little down time into each day. I like to work on my stuff in batches. Sketching, then production, carving, prep, painting and inking. On weeks that I don’t have shows I try to work 5 days a week while taking a little time for myself on the weekends. And I do fun relaxing things weekend evenings, like carving or drawing. Weeks that I have festivals I’m pretty much preparing for the festival all week. Getting everything together. I just tackle what needs to get done, when it needs to get done. I set personal weekly goals for myself and check them off as I complete them. 

2. How do you balance your art practice with other work?

I am a full-time artist. My art practice is my work. 

3. Are there certain artists who have influenced your style and/or imagery?

Probably, but the artists that I like are typically very different from me. I started working as a caricature artist while I was in high school so that genre of art inspired me as a young artist. Sebastian Kruger, Steve Brodner, Stephen Silver, Dan Hay, Joe Bluhm. Al Hirschfeld. As I grew and developed I went to art school and was introduced to printmaking and modern day printmakers. Today artists like Sean Starwars, Martin Mazorra, Mike Houston, Tugboat Press, Catlanta, Nosego and Matt Richie inspire me today. But I’m not sure that you can see the influence of any of their works in my work. 

4. What does your studio look like, and what kind of materials and tools do you use?

I’m adding a couple photos of my studio space to the end of this email. I also have a dark “dusty room” that I do all of my power tool use in. But it doesn’t photograph great and its really just a dark basement. As far as tools and materials that I use I’ll provide a list below.

Materials: Including but not limited to…

MDF, Linoleum, Acrylic paint, oil-based inks, t-shirts, paper, x-acto knives, rags… many more! 

Tools: Including but not limited to…

Carving gouges, sharpening stones, brayers, Conrad etching press, Adana 8x5 platen press, jigsaw, scroll saw, orbital sander, corner sander, circular saw, clamps, router… many more! 

5. What opportunities for professional development have been most helpful to you? 

I spent 5 years on the board of directors for the Atlanta Printmakers Studio. The friendships that I made and people that I have met there have led to endless opportunities. Just get involved. Show up at art openings. Meet people. Talk to people. You never know who you are going to meet. 

6. It seems like you're really active on Instagram. Do you have any tips for artists who are looking to improve their social media presence?

Share daily. Curate what you share. No one wants to see your selfies or your pets. They follow you for your work, only show your work. Show many aspects of your work. Your process, the finished piece, the successes, the failures. Everything. Post daily.