Interview with:Terri Lloyd [clnvngodess]
ART
 | What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist? I either cause problems on my own (as in my own work) or I'm hired to solve problems, as in the case of my creative consultancy and professional capacity.
So, if I had to put that statement into a few words that classify (ugh!) what it is I actually do, these are skills, merely tools subject to change as I do. For now, my favorite tool is my computer. But don't let that fool you. I started as a painter, and illustrator who moved to printmaking. And then to the computer. I waver between the old world and the new. Like the living and the dead in October and November. This is my life and my work since the 1980s.
Actually to know how to live and to ask the right questions is the art. Answering them in an actionable manner is what we do as artists. Whether or not we do this effectively, well, only time will tell. |
| What is your message? Are you asking me about my brand? Or something else? My message as an artist? As a business, and iconoclast or something else all together?
To be honest, I don't like these sorts of questions. They are cliche in a sense. Like we all as artists, must be perplexed with some inner sort of issue or dilemma that we must be compelled to share with world. That "message." And I don't know that this is a truth for many of us. For me there are many messages that I wish to get across. Indeed, I wish a lot of communication, whether it be through a political message or philosophical one or perhaps a whimsical one. But in the end, after spending many years working on advertising and branding, I know better than to boost my ego and shill "my message." The work I do is my message. It's up to you to engage it, enjoy it or reject it. Or simply find it silly. I'm just here recording my perception of my history. Like it or not. |
| Your biography in four lines. Latch key kid raised in the San Francisco Bay Area under the influence of things like Stephen King, The Grateful Dead, Mad Magazine, National Lampoon, Hunter S. Thompson and the 70s punk revolt. Transplanted to Los Angeles in 1980 and am now an unofficial member of Pocho Nation even though I'm Irish American. Self-taught and love a good pun and good story, can you tell? Am not waiting for the end of this by any means, ego is bullshit. |
| Do you upload your work to the web? If so, where could we see it? I do upload work in various capacities at:
http://www.blackbook.com/terrilloyd
http://www.hairycarrionarts.blogspot.com
Be forewarned the blog is a tad irreverent, well, I take on everyone and everything. So expect that Mad Magazine sense of humor and insanity. |
| How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration? How are any ideas born? Some things are triggers. It just depends on what it is one pays attention to and what things one desires to learn or perhaps tell stories about. Or maybe worse... ridicule.
If inspiration comes from source energy, or god, or what ever it is that cosmic goo is that our souls are made from, if you buy into that stuff, then what ever it is I am tapped into is pretty amusing and ironic.
So for me, inspiration comes from simply listening to the condition of the human equation, or the news. Or mainstream television. Or alternative media. Or any media. Current events. Anything. I listen. It's meditation. To be the Observer.
Things that I find interesting and observe are politics, current events, popular culture, philosophical explorations, drugs and shamanism (come on -- I came of age in the 70s and was disillusioned just enough with the times to embrace punk when it hit, thankfully!), socialism, communism, democrazy, Zizeck, Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, people who are provocative in any arena inspire ideas and art...(I am currently fascinated with Lee Atwater, and the Rev. Hagey) even if I don't agree with their agendas... the persona and the characters may inspire ideas and art. Let us not forget this, nor the context and the time in which we may take advantage of such wonderful fodder for imagery. |
| What role does technology play in your creative process? Technology is an important tool in the process. From research to communications to the actual tools of execution of art processes, technology plays a big part in m process.
I suppose I could forego some of these processes, but really why? I embrace what my tools do and I absolutely love where my work and identity as an artist/designer have gone because of the technology. The ease of use and communication with clients and through projects is something that can't be ignored. And for research, this too must be acknowledged. Besides, it's just plain fun. |
| What is art? Good question. I know what it isn't. It isn't defined by curtains and a couch, ha ha. That is unless it's a Lichtenstein. (That's a joke.)
Art is often easier to define what it is not than what it is. Or so "they" say.
I don't buy that.
Does it move you? Does it tell you something you've never heard before? Is it something that makes you not care about couches and curtains, and you must have it? Does it make you ask questions? Does it challenge you about how you feel, think, believe? Do you hate it and love it all at once? Does your husband want to divorce you if you buy it? Then it just might by art.... Of course, what the hell do I know? |
| When do you get your best ideas? After a night of mucho mucho Pinot Noir. Or.. seriously, when the pressure is on and I actually indulge a moment to take a break (Shower, doing the dishes, cooking a meal). Or early in the a.m. listening to public radio... good stuff.. current events... great material for writing and visuals...
The key is to learn how to LISTEN and RECORD the moments. Really. Pen, pencil, paper, or like, moi a digital recording device which conveniently plugs in usb and with the software allows me to do what I need to do to review actual conversations or documentation and then develop fictional or factual stories and art.
Of course there is Fox and other networks too. |
| How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not? Resistance. Honestly, I refuse to say more about this. |
| Three creative ideas that you would have liked to have created? Well, these are still in process, so I can't really discuss them. Just because "I would have liked to have created them" doesn't necessarily mean I won't.
With me, never assume anything. Especially failure. Yikes! |
| When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist? Oh, you'll have to speak with my family about the origin stories. They are embarrassing but cute nonetheless. Something to do with diapers and painting the walls. My first commission, if you will. Ask my daddy. Apparently the two surviving elders of the familia endorse this embarrassing first episode of my artiste history. And from there, as some will tell you, it's either downhill or a very wild ride. Buckle your seatbelt, baby. |
| Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities? I figure it a couple of ways:
Some of us are actually talented by genetics or other given abilities.
Some of us are perhaps affected by conditions.
I don't know. Some of of us are perhaps affected by other things altogether....
The answer to the question:
Most artists don't really have volatile personalities. The public is numbed down by what they choose to believe as reality in the media. Whether that be the news or any thing else. In art or branding, perception is reality.
Think about that.
So what's your brand, baby? |
| Do you consider yourself postmodern? Honestly, I don't care about labels. But yes, I am postmodern. |
| How should a work of art be evaluated? Oh Christ. This is always tough.
I judge work on two levels first:
How it hits me emotionally and then how it hit me artistically. And by artistically, I mean by how it hits me as an artist without any explanation or emotional requirements.
Of course the execution must be exceptional as well, as well as the artist self appreciation. |
| Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday? Hmmm. I don't know about this. Adaptation is good for commercialism, but not always. And I'm going to say in some cases, maybe for the utility or grocery bill, but in the greater scheme of things, fuck no. NO do not reinvent. Learn who you are. |
| Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work? Very few artists these days influence what I do. Although there are many I admire. The key is in willing to do go back many moons and doing the research. Truth be known, I'm pretty up front, the influences are right there if one is willing to see. But you have to be educated and informed. So, do your homework! |
| What do you think about public funding for the arts? I don't like it. Too agenda oriented. But when you get big money on the ticket you end up playing into big money games, which alienates other artists who may have big money through nonconventional means. It's time for art to recognize art beyond the freaking degree. Yawn. |
| Is art necessary? Yes it is. Art is the answer to society. |
| Does it pain you to let go of a piece you have sold? No, not really. |
| Is a work of art purchased, or is it better said, that it is the artist who is bought? Well, this is a question of perspectives, isn't it? |
| In art, there is no guide. How do you know what the next step is? Silly question really. How do YOU know what the next step is? I certainly don't. We simply take it, eh? |
| How do you feel about the fact that the pieces exhibited in contemporary art museums are often of artists already deceased? My answer no. I don't buy that. Go to LACMA. Many of their artists aren't dead. At least, that's the new deal. Try MOCA Los Angeles, too. We aren't dead. Really. I'm not dead, yet. Neither are my friends. So I don't by this question you ask. |
| What role have the figures of art dealer, gallery owners, representatives, and intermediaries in general played in your career? They don't. Not any more. I play the central role. The internet play the second role. Wake up world. It's a new day... |
| What types of jobs do you usually do? P.R., Marketing, Consulting, Business development, Design, Illustration, Strategy, Campaign planning; Workshops; Events; Concerts; Music; Blogging; Branding; and a whole lot more |
| Which of your jobs or tasks do you most enjoy? The kind where I'm doing what I do best:
service
illustrative
design
branding
creative direction
artistic direction
graphic design
copy writing
production |
| Do you personally collect any items? Well that depends. If you are talking about collection service, well, good night Irene. Yes there is collection service.
Do we collect things like baseball cards?
That's another story for another time. Sorry. |
| Which websites do you frequently visit? Google and Amazon. |
| What advice would you give to those just beginning? Read, learn and read some more. Seriously. Don't let the schools get in the way of your education. |
| 
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Terri Lloyd
losangelesusa
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