Q – WHO is Charlie?
A – Hi, that’s me. I’m Charlie.
Q – Okay…Who are you though?
A – That’s a loaded question. Right now, I’m a girl who’s feeling pretty silly, because I’m writing interview questions for MYSELF. Besides that, I’m a 20 year old Journalism student at SUNY Fredonia – formerly a Book Arts major (at an institution which no longer exists), also formerly an Art History major (a program which barely exists here at SUNY Fredonia anymore), last and very much least, formerly a Writing major (that one was just too broad for me). So I guess I am Charlie, and I’m indecisive. Except when I’m not. But anyway, I’m an artist, and I’m heavily involved in the music scene here in Fredonia. I’m heavily involved because I am a music FREAK. I am the same when it comes to art. My own, and that which others create. I just love it all so much. Sometimes, I even love to hate it. Those are the two things that I’m thinking about all day, everyday. Sometimes to the detriment of my school and social life. And I am someone who considers almost everything produced with passion and creativity art – I’m not just talkin paint on a canvas.
Q – What kind of art do YOU do?
A – A buncha stuff. Mostly, for work, I do collage. I am the head of promotions for a radio show here at Fredonia called “The Local Lo-Down”, so I digitally collage the promotions material for those weekly episodes. I also have done several posters for local Fredonia shows, specifically for the bar Valentines, the classic and well established BJ’s, as well as a house venue called The Toybox. I also do some tattoo commissions every now and then when someone inquires about one. I used to work for [REDACTED], and I did some of my favorite artwork I’ve ever thunk up for them, but I recently quit so you won’t be seeing any more of that. A sad but necessary development in my life. My drawings are typically linework, and sort of meditative. I really just do silly little doodles that for some reason can take hours and hours.
Q – Oh! Well, what’s this website all about?
A – I’m glad you asked! This website is going to, essentially, be me interviewing other artists. I love to pick peoples brains, especially about their artwork and/or passions. I’ve had several people remark that sometimes, speaking with me feels like an interrogation. This has both been framed as a positive, and a negative trait of mine. People just hate a curious mind I guess. But alas, I figured that I should put this skill (I consider it a skill…) to good use and get some portfolio material out of it.
Q – Why interview artists?
A – To be completely honest, I think it may partially be me projecting my own want to talk about myself and my art onto this project and the people I am choosing to chat with. Another part of it, is again, my passion for arts and my tendency towards curiosity. I love to get down into nitty gritty details of artistic processes that I find aren’t typically discussed. I think it’s important to give the people behind the scenes a voice, and to recognize what they do as an art even if it typically is not. For example, I plan on interviewing a music producer about his artistic choices and style within that process. Typically, on a large scale basis, I think music production isn’t something people consider unless they’re a musician themselves. But there are so many choices and skills required within that job, and I think it takes a very artful hand to mix and master music! Another example you’ll see on the website is an interview with the two awesome women who book the shows everyone loves to attend at our very own local BJ’s. Now, have you ever considered booking a show to be artful? Well, I argue that it is. It takes a special ear to compile a cohesive lineup.
Q – How will you choose the people you decide to interview?
A – To be so real – it’s mostly just people I know and already work/have worked/are friends with. There are a few on my list who I am not as close with, but for the most part I’ve already had extensive conversations with my interviewees about their artforms. I’m passionate about what these people do, and I desperately want for them to garner more respect as ARTISTS! Or, at the very least, give them a space and a platform to word vomit about the things they love doing.
Q – Well, Charlie, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me today!
A – Yeah, no problem Charlie. I never really have any choice but to talk to you. This was so weird and I can’t wait to interview someone other than myself. The next one of these will be way more normal don’t worry everyone.