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Tori Siegel

Artist's Interview

How long have you been creating: I started painting when I was in high school, but at that time I was really focused on colored pencils so I didn't give much thought to painting. When I was a senior, I had submitted several drawings to our schools art show, and my teacher told me to submit a painting, so I did. My drawings never won an award, but the painting one first place. In college, I focused my attention on graphic design, and basically tried to float through all of my painting classes. After several moves and lack of anything else better to do, I started to paint again. That was July of 2000.

What other artists and movements inform your work?: Claes Oldenburg, Keith Haring and Andy Warhol are a few of my favorites. I also have a lot of influences from within EBSQ. I find it to be more exciting to talk to and learn from my fellow peers then to study from a master artist.

How would you describe your work?: Weird. I work in two different styles, one is very pop art like, and the other style focuses on celebrities and the human form. For the most part it is very bright and funky.

What are your motivations for creating?: I don't know. It's just a feeling inside of me that needs to come out... and it just so happens that it ends up on canvas! LOL I have an overwhelming desire to create and push myself!

How, if at all, have the events of 9-11 impacted your art making?: I try to stay away from politics and religion in my work. I'm not trying to change the world, or influence people's decisions in life; I'm just trying to make them smile.

What do you find stimulating right now? How does this influence your creative process?: The color red. I'm also drawn to complicated cubism and cartoon art.

You are a web designer--how does working graphically inform your art and vice versa?: My work tends to be more calculated. I have a very hard time being free flowing. There is a reason for every line I paint. I'm much more of a doodler then a painter, so sometimes I would much rather be able to just draw and color it with the computer then to take the time to paint it. Maybe one day.

Tell us about some upcoming projects.: I've been working on a new wine series and dabbling with a few cubist pieces. I've also been trying to experiment with different materials such as masonite and watercolor paper.

You are a very busy woman--how do you maintain your balance and sense of perspective?: One word. Pepsi. No seriously, I'm a pretty spazzy person, when I get off work, the last thing I want to do is get on a computer again, so painting is my way of going "analog" for the night. It is very relaxing for me. :).

What would you like your fellow EBSQ artists and collectors to know about you and or your work?: I'm just a strange little girl trying to make people smile. There are too many sad and upsetting things in life; I don't want to be one of them. :).