An interview with Meaghan Busch

Crystal Clear, 2017

Ink, paper, moku hanga printing, relief and hand cut stencils, cut prints

1) Describe your typical week – in the studio, at home, other activities? Monday – Thursday I work part time at an antique auction house 10am-6pm and Friday – Sunday I focus on spending quality time with my husband, friends and making art.

2) Describe your influences – what sources or artists do you look to for inspiration? My favorite artists are Kiki Smith & Diane Arbus but I look at lots of botanical artists work, illustrators and I love reading biographies and folktales for inspiration. I use a lot of personal memories as well.

3) Where is your studio, and what does it look like? How do you find materials and resources to make work? My studio is in my home and it’s ground level basement where I have my press, desks and two work tables. I store materials in the garage in labeled bins with lids and some of my old work out there. I try to work with the windows open when its nice out. My studio is always a mess lol and I share it with my cat, dog and it doubles as our gym/ yoga space.

4) How do you balance your art practice with other jobs, art or non-art related? I used to teach as a full time art teacher to children for about 6.5 years but found it was too draining for me and my art was suffering. Now I work part time at the antique auction house and its interesting since I get to look at and research antiques and art that comes through but I have a lot more energy in the evenings to do my own work. Everyone there is really diverse and pretty creative so I enjoy it and relate to the staff better as well. I also sometimes buy materials to use for cheap that way or frames to re frame my own art. I still teach workshops and classes sometimes but I love how much more flexible my schedule is now that I’m not tied down to such a regular schedule.

5) What opportunities for professional development have been most helpful to you? What were more helpful earlier in your career? (e.g. print exchanges, workshops, conferences) I have learned so much through going to workshops and assisting other artists. I wish I had done it earlier! Working with other artists really changed my own work personal habits. I have worked with other artists professionally and for fun but also going to special workshops like frogman’s and penland really helped me.

6) What does your research process look like before or during a project? Some things I know I want to make before I know why but normally I think about something I want to make and why and then do 3-5 sketches before I start. I do leave myself to have the option of changing on the fly but I try not to throw away pieces I don’t like but just leave them alone for a while, and I end up going back to them later.

7) Can you share your process of getting your work out in the world? (types of venues, exhibition planning process, etc.). I apply to local shows at places such as craft fairs, exchanges, galleries and even coffee shops. I find this is great way to get invited to show other places this way via word of mouth! I try to say yes to as much as I can and constantly make new work.

http://www.meaghanbusch.com/