BEFORE THE HANG “abundance”

Sometimes we conceptualize shows to accent the non-profit and sometimes the non-profit is selected by the artists. Such was the case with Anna and Steve Bliss who really wanted to work with Migrant Equity Southeast due to the great and varied work they do for our local community. Adding in a third voice to the visual dialog between two creatives becomes an interesting, if unexpected, trio.

10 questions

With Anna and Steve Bliss

In one word, what is your present state of mind? 

Anna- Uncertain

Steve-Mmmmmm.

Were there any challenges or new techniques used when creating this work?

Anna-Editing is always my biggest challenge.

Steve- I think making new work should always be challenging. For me these works involved investigating older analog means and translating their aura to digital production. At the same time, the principal dichotomy that I wanted to play with was that of the mechanical grid versus the natural flower- that relationship, for me, paralleled the analog/digital conundrum.

How many UFOs have you seen?

Anna-Zero.

Steve-Only one that I recall.

Aside from art, what were your favorite school subjects in school?

Anna-History, because without it, we know nothing.

Steve-English, History and Geometry.

Name 3 people, living or dead, that inspire you the most.

Anna- Howard Zinn, Frida Kahlo, Michelle Obama

Steve-I have way too many people who’ve inspired me to cut a list down to three. Maybe I could commit to categories: visual artists, writers, musicians

What is your favorite snack food?

Anna-Peanut Butter.

Steve-That varies a lot too. I tend to love one thing, say a chocolate croissant... and then do it death and move on to another.

What 2 colors have you put together that resulted in an unexpectedly amazing color combination?

Anna-Pink and red after Wes Anderson.

Steve-I colored a lot when I was young; when I became a photographer finding that Red and Green light together created Yellow was a real shock.

What do you listen to when creating artwork?

Anna-My brain second-guessing me.

Steve-Pop songs until I burn out and then quiet works best.

What famous artwork blew your mind when finally seen in person?

Anna-Everything at The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

Steve-Again, a lot of artworks blow my mind in person- I love museums for that singular thrill.

What is the most important trait for an artist to have?

Anna-Freedom

Steve- Adaptability.

STAFF PICKS

BEFORE THE HANG “decades”

After ten years of running a gallery, showcasing artists, building a following and maintaining a solo art career, you learn a few things in the art world. The reason we start with an invitation to the artists (with a prompt), is not because we are “gatekeepers”, but because wee feel beholden to sell the work of hardworking artists within a framework designed for the partnering non-profit. Recognizing that some themes that were used previously to attract newer audiences may have been too narrow for creatives.

The prompt for “Decades” asked the artists to portray the decade that visually defines and/or inspires their work from the 1730s to present day. Knowing we only had 36 slots to fill, we asked artists that had shown before and started with solos then duets and then barely got to groups because we were full. The swift and positive response we attribute to a broad yet personal question that gave artists their own creative access and agency. So, yes, we are still learning and growing, 10 years later.

STAFF PICKS

MIND ITEMS

In today’s click-bait echo chambered world, the constant need for attention becomes a distraction ripe with self-inflicted drama. That’s why the majority of voice-to-texts read like a one-sided conversation. And coyly placed passive-aggressive compliments fall on deaf ears and questionable looks in public, leaving onlookers to question what personal inner conflicts the sayer possesses. So, punching in any direction while navel-gazing is at best inefficient by not seeing if they land the blow. Today’s world is challenging enough, and one never knows what other troubles our fellow travelers are moving through. Please try to Mind Your Gaps, as we are all on this crazy train together.

BEFORE THE HANG “Paper Dolls”

Having to deliver less than pleasant news to an artist is the worst part of gallery life. It’s similar to three cracked eggs upon opening the new carton. But sometimes a mess becomes an omelet. When Jamie Azevedo’s “paper dolls” project was shy one point away from winning the Up For Grabs, we knew we had to honor her lyrically morphic photographs of the divine feminine. Hatching the idea of offering her a show for Art Family Values to include her illustrator husband Lino, she was thrilled to share. Since Jamie’s work was already done, Lino responded with new work that complimented and contrasted hers. Proof positive that the hen came before the rooster.

10 questions

With Jamie and Lino Azevedo

In one word, what is your present state of mind? 

Jamie: calm

Lino: focused

Were there any challenges or new techniques used when creating this work?

Jamie: I'm continuing to practice layering in photo editing.

Lino: Being in sync with another artist to collaborate and make a cohesive show.

How many UFOs have you seen?

Jamie: Only the ones in Lino's paintings

Lino: maybe 4 to 6

Aside from art, what were your favorite school subjects in school?

Jamie:  History and Literature

Lino: Literature and PE

Name 3 people, living or dead, that inspire you the most.

Jamie: Anne Boleyn, Jackie Robinson, Eleanor of Aquitane

Lino:  Leonardo DaVinci, Gandhi, MLK

What is your favorite snack food?

Jamie: all the sugar

Lino: dark chocolate

What 2 colors have you put together that resulted in an unexpectedly amazing color combination?

Jamie:  mixing shades of blue

Lino:  Magenta and Yellow Azo

What do you listen to when creating artwork?

Jamie: history documentaries, classical music, Tori Amos, Yppah, and Film School

Lino: instrumental surf music, jazz, art podcasts

What famous artwork blew your mind when finally seen in person?

Jamie: DaVinci drawings (architectural/sketches/anatomy studies/technology designs) at The Met in NYC

Lino: Ivan Albright's works in Chicago

What is the most important trait for an artist to have?

Jamie:  to not take themselves too seriously

Lino: time management

STAFF PICKS

MIND ITEMS

Usually by December we have the next year’s line-up completely booked but having to shift due to unforeseen circumstances made our approach more circumspect for 2026. Being able to step back and guide each collaboration for the Art Family Values campaign has led us to foster our THEE guide.

T – Thoughtful

Is the work telling a story or using material to further a narrative?

H-Hardworking

Does the artist have a practice that professionally presents and finishes and does their artwork need to navigate after showing for further opportunities?

E-Empathetic

Is their work sensitive to the existing polarization in today’s world?

E-Elasticity

Does the work have an elasticity, an oscillation of color, form and/or composition that is compelling to the viewer?

The THEE guide is a guide, not a test or a strict parameter. Thee, in ye olde means you. You, the artist exchanging with you, the viewer.