Artist Initiative

1) I set out to work with new materials, including stainless steel, to improve the durability and longevity of my work. In working with these new materials, I needed to make a safer environment for me to work and to keep my residential home studio free from contaminants, keeping my family and neighborhood safe. 2) I evaluated this achievement by first purchasing a air filtration system that filtered out the toxic dust and gas caused by working in steel and stainless steel. This gave me the confidence to work in the confined space of my garage studio. Next, I tested many different types of materials by studying their technical specifications and making macquettes. In this process of making the macquettes, I experimented with many cutting and fabrication techniques to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each material. 2: My biggest artist business achievement was having a Minnesota State Arts Board grant behind me as a way to establish credibility with manufacturers and other businesses. With this grant, I had the right access to engage these businesses in discussions about their materials and the funds to purchase their products. I evaluated my achievement by turning around two requests for information that had been previously rejected into two full tours of the facilities and extensive interviews with the person in charge of the particular products I was researching. I was also able to meet with other architects and manufacturers, and some of these meetings even generated interest in working on collaborative projects down the road.