1945 Farmall International A, good tin, good paint, 4 new tines
media
47” x 36”
Briefly describe the work you do.
Basically I have a happening in my studio by myself. I photograph the results for prosperity and documentation. I enlarge the photos then place an actual artifact on top of the enlargements to make a painting.
Tell us a little about your background and how that influences you as an artist.
My background is in painting, I have an MFA from Indiana University in painting. I’ve also been working on golf courses for years. Since golf is a business I have learned to be creative in my problem solving in order to save money. While I’m working on artwork I resuscitate this creativity not for monetary reasons but because its natural.
The concept of the “artist studio” has a broad range of meanings, especially in contemporary practice. The idea of the artist toiling away alone in a room may not necessarily reflect what many artists do from day to day anymore. Describe your studio practice and how it differs from (or is the same as) traditional notions of “being in the studio.”
I go into my studio, crack open a beer, out on some music (right now it’s usually something like Bill Laswell or Devandra Banhart on Pandora), then I get lost in the studio. Over time I’ve collected enough junk or “things” as I like to call them to be a hoarder. I play with these things arrange them and paint them and unpaint them and put glitter on them. Then maybe I find a new straightforward thing to do. My studio is full of great distraction so I love to get lost there. Usually I leave and finish that cracked beer, but now it’s warm.
Four Winds Hurricane 34B__2007 3 Slides, bunk bed, pay what I owe
media
23.5” x 35”
What unique roles do you see yourself as the artist playing that you may not have envisioned yourself in when you first started making art?
Since I am a father I see myself being very serious about what I love to do. I want them to also love what they choose so leading by example I suppose it will rub off on them.
When do you find is the best time of day to make art? Do you have time set aside every day, every week or do you just work whenever you can?
I work when I can but it’s always at night or early early in the morning.
Parker Gravity Wagon w. Gehl
media
Variable/ 72” x 48”
How has your work changed in the last five years? How is it the same?
Hopefully my work changes everytime I go into the studio. I see myself with a wider lens these days so I make whatever I need to make. Before I was more structured, in a classroom it’s difficult grasp the scope of what you can actually do.
Are there people such as family, friends, writers, philosophers or even pop icons that have had an impact on the work you do?
Not especially anyone in particular.
If you had an occupation outside of being an artist, what would that be and why?
Since I have had many occupations outside of being an artist I’m pretty sure there is nothing else I’d rather do. Well maybe I’d be a fireman or politician. A fireman because all they really do is help people, unconditionally and a politician because that would be pretty exciting I suppose.
About
Shane Rodems is a Midwestern artist working in many processes. He loves the color that paints make and he loves the surfaces he gets out of photographs covered in varnish or resin. He graduated from Indiana University with an MFA in painting and from Eastern Illinois University with an MA in painting as well. He holds down a job working for his family’s golf management company but really wants to be an art educator. He loves to be outside whenever possible chasing around his two kids Ike and Lulu. Every once in a while he is lucky enough to have a date night with his wife Kathy. He likes music and dancing and fall leaves and deep snow and pizza…mmmm. He drives a little car and rides his bike often. In the next ten years hopefully he will be teaching at a great place with tons of bright eyed art students.
All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.
365 Artists | 365 Days 