Leona: Do you feel you have more ideas than you can ever use? Do you ever "give away" ideas you think you won't ever do anything about, to fellow artists who can and will turn them into something great?
Stephanie O'Connor: Yes, there is an overabundance of ideas, always. It's just the way it is, thinking 'ah I could do that'-but you have to be your own editor in eliminating and narrowing down in order to pursue certain ideas thoroughly. I still haven't gotten to that point where I can say I conceived, executed and finished an idea to my satisfaction; that's just the curse that comes with being an artist. In my experience, artists share ideas, but our nature rejects outside ideas for whatever reason.
L: Are you "successful project-oriented" or do you allow yourself time to play with what might be terrible ideas?
SO: Successful project-oriented ideas are the ones I expose to an audience. I've pursued random ones as well, just to experiment. But I'm learning it's more the process of creation that is the benefit of the art. The finished piece is only a minute experience for others.
L: When do ideas come to you most "loudly" (driving, the shower, napping, working on another project, etc)?
SO: Randomly. Reading, I suppose. Often if I just get started on an idea, it transforms into something other than I had anticipated, where serendipity in the outcome is the deliverance.
L: Do you conduct research (including visits to museums and art galleries, not just libraries) to spark and refine your ideas? If so, what form does your research take?
SO: I think one has to in order to keep up with the current trends in art. Know what people are doing now, so you know where you fit in. Genres of art are labeled for a reason, just like music or fashion trends. My research can be intuitive. I like to visit museums, I like to read, I pay attention to my emotions; some travel is involved.
L: When you get an idea, do you write it down in words, sketch it in a journal/sketchbook, etc, for later consideration, or do you just drop everything and work on it?
SO: I jot down ideas. Usually the ideas that I pursue are the ones I don't think too much about. I learn a great deal from the notes I keep, but the notes come in handy more often for just conversation.
L: Do you set aside blocks of time for brainstorming, actual production, marketing, networking, and research; or do you just 'wing it' and get done whatever you can as time is available or inspiration strikes?
SO: I've never really been one to keep a schedule. It's usually in my head and somehow things get done. I think keeping a sketchbook, having an outlet other than a means to a finished piece, is important because it allows to purge the ideas one won't follow through with. I've noticed that I do tend to get more creative at night; knowing the rest of the world is asleep and quiet, and the darkness outside, helps me concentrate.
L: What are your most valued day to day tools and resources?
SO: My reading material. It keeps me going. It reminds me that people do take this seriously and there is beauty in really thinking about what others create and how they've seen their world or where they've traveled or who they've experienced. It's a very human element.
L: Are you "successful project-oriented" or do you allow yourself time to play with what might be terrible ideas?
SO: Successful project-oriented ideas are the ones I expose to an audience. I've pursued random ones as well, just to experiment. But I'm learning it's more the process of creation that is the benefit of the art. The finished piece is only a minute experience for others.
L: When do ideas come to you most "loudly" (driving, the shower, napping, working on another project, etc)?
SO: Randomly. Reading, I suppose. Often if I just get started on an idea, it transforms into something other than I had anticipated, where serendipity in the outcome is the deliverance.
L: Do you conduct research (including visits to museums and art galleries, not just libraries) to spark and refine your ideas? If so, what form does your research take?
SO: I think one has to in order to keep up with the current trends in art. Know what people are doing now, so you know where you fit in. Genres of art are labeled for a reason, just like music or fashion trends. My research can be intuitive. I like to visit museums, I like to read, I pay attention to my emotions; some travel is involved.
L: When you get an idea, do you write it down in words, sketch it in a journal/sketchbook, etc, for later consideration, or do you just drop everything and work on it?
SO: I jot down ideas. Usually the ideas that I pursue are the ones I don't think too much about. I learn a great deal from the notes I keep, but the notes come in handy more often for just conversation.
L: Do you set aside blocks of time for brainstorming, actual production, marketing, networking, and research; or do you just 'wing it' and get done whatever you can as time is available or inspiration strikes?
SO: I've never really been one to keep a schedule. It's usually in my head and somehow things get done. I think keeping a sketchbook, having an outlet other than a means to a finished piece, is important because it allows to purge the ideas one won't follow through with. I've noticed that I do tend to get more creative at night; knowing the rest of the world is asleep and quiet, and the darkness outside, helps me concentrate.
L: What are your most valued day to day tools and resources?
SO: My reading material. It keeps me going. It reminds me that people do take this seriously and there is beauty in really thinking about what others create and how they've seen their world or where they've traveled or who they've experienced. It's a very human element.
An Interview With Stephanie O'Connor
copyright 2009 Leona Wisoker
Leona may be contacted by email at the following address:
leona at leonawisoker dot com (no spaces, of course)
leona at leonawisoker dot com (no spaces, of course)
