Check out our interview with artist Rigel Stuhmiller, as she prepares to join us for our 8th annual Roadworks: A Steamroller Printing Festival. Any word on Rigel’s Opera Man? Or is he MIA?
Allie: How did you get into printmaking?
Rigel Stuhmiller: I was introduced to basic printmaking in high school and experimented with it in college, but didn’t really become serious about it until after college. I’ve been experimenting with techniques since then and trying to learn from anyone who is interested in teaching me.
AW: What do you hope to achieve through your art?
RS: All I want to achieve in my art is a sense of personal satisfaction that I made something honest which expresses my feelings, and that I did a good job of it. Bonus points if it’s fun, looks good, and other people like it, too.
AW: What is art’s greatest capability?
RS: Art’s greatest achievement is that it makes me feel excited about getting up in the morning, helps me get over any bad spots in my day, and compels me to stay up late at night. Not even cloud computing, electric cars, plug-in Swiffers, or any of the other pinnacles of our modern era can do all that.
AW: What inspires you?
RS: I’m inspired by things that are unusually weird or out of place, or things that are very beautiful, or things that are very normal that I’m kind of surprised when I notice them. I’m inspired by people who make me really mad, or happy, or confused. I guess ultimately I’m inspired by things that make me notice the world and [understand] what it means to live in it.
AW: What is your favorite thing about San Francisco?
RS: My favorite thing about San Francisco is the guy who used to sing incognito opera somewhere downtown around Maiden Lane. I don’t know if he still does it.
AW: Most importantly, what are you ideas for your giant linoleum cut for Roadworks?
RS: I’m designing a poster for a nationally unknown but locally popular act: “Gus-Man, the Best Dog In The World.” He performs feats of ball-chasing derring-do every day, rain or shine, and I thought he deserved more recognition.
Rigel's Imprint publication with SFCB, Sideshow
To see more of her work, and the completed Sideshow project, visit her Facebook or her website!
More photos to come…
Image courtesy of the artist
