Amelia Verlin Interview
Amelia Verlin | @averlin75_
Tell us a bit about yourself. Who you are, where you're from and what you do! How did you get your start as an artist?
I was born and raised in New York and am now living in Florida. I have always been interested in art. If I was to cut school, it was so I could spend the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I knew the galleries there as well as anyone. Hand cut collage is my love. I learned about paper and collage early from two Austrian artists who took me under their wing but I didn't take it up seriously then. I have in the last ten years or so. I've always felt a need to be creative and was always up to something. The fascination with paper - Japanese, Italian, Brazilian, French marbles, Thai, Indian - never left me and, as time allowed, rekindled my interest in working in collage. And then discovering the translucent Japanese sanwa paper and unlimited glazes took it a step further.
“I believe that any art is a contribution to creating a better world. Imagine billions of people making some “small” artistic contribution each day.”
What do you love most about what you do? What do you find the most challenging?
Working on the collages brings me a satisfaction that nothing else does. I always have works in progress and am always aware of the materials I have in stock, often times for years, for when the next inspiration strikes, that unique match of subject and material. Art books inspire me, the masters old and new. "Coffee table" books are often to be found in my lap. And old Audubon books from which I can cut an illustration or lift a gel are in my house too. Inspiration can come from anywhere, anything that might catch my eye. Composition is the biggest challenge. In my mind I can see it. But getting it onto paper can be difficult.
When things get tough, where do you find the inspiration to keep moving forward?
Sometimes I can come to an arrangement in one or two tries. Sometimes it takes twenty-five tries. Nature can get my thoughts back in order – birds, flowers, animals. Just going on a tour through my papers and elements can do that also. And I love the photos from the Webb Space Telescope.
Who is another artist you admire most and why?
Picasso, Dali, Man Ray, Frida Kahlo, Botero. And there’s Isabel de Borchgrave for her work in paper and Wangechi Mutu for her collage work. To me they are all artists who had the right amount of courage and imagination.
What is an art supply or collage tool you can not live without?
My favorite tools are an agate knife burnisher, Castroviejo curved surgical scissors and an egret shaped scissor made of steel and titanium with a fine tipped blade, a gift from my husband.
Tell me something unusual that makes you happy.
Falconry has been a long-standing love, and I love doing laundry.
Anything weird on your bucket list?
Having a meal in the dining car of the Orient Express on its way from Paris to Istanbul.
Top three songs you keep on repeat?
September, Earth Wind & Fire. Lovely Day, Bill Withers. California Soul, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
“Working on the collages brings me a satisfaction that nothing else does. I always have works in progress and am always aware of the materials I have in stock, often times for years, for when the next inspiration strikes, that unique match of subject and material.”
Tell us about your vision for the future? Go big! We want to root you on!
I believe that any art is a contribution to creating a better world. Imagine billions of people making some “small” artistic contribution each day.
Amelia Verlin
