My Top 5 Influential Female Artists

Yesterday I was sitting on my porch sipping coffee and scrolling through instagram, typical Saturday morning. As I was planning my day, I stumbled across the Perez Art Museum Miami's post, stating "Free second Saturday and lecture with Polly Apfelbaum..." My heart sank to my stomach, and I knew what I was doing for the day. I texted my friend, Malika, threw on some make-up, changed my outfit 3 times, and then finally got in the car. We were going to PAMM!

My enthusiasm radiated as I listened to Brenmar's Grey Zone DJ Mix Vol. 5 (my fav), drove across the state, and arrived in Miami just in time. Once I arrived I realized what an amazing day, I get to to listen to Polly talk about her work first hand. In college I was instructed to look at certain artists that my professors and mentor believed my work related to. Polly Apfelbaum was one of them. At the time, I could only identify one similar characteristic, hand making of smalls to create mass installation. After yesterday's lecture, revelations of identification became more apparent. Here is a brief look at my top 5 influential female artists. This overview discusses color, material, concept, line, and process.

Color: Polly Apfelbaum's work showcases color to the extreme. Her work is highly influenced by pop culture, kitsch, and craft. Each piece is hand dyed, hand cut, and arranged on the floor with no adherence. The intimate process renders the work a singular experience either situationally, or site specifically. 

Polly Apfelbaum

Material: Eva Hesse is a material transformer with her work. With Eva's sculptural installations you discover elements simplicity and complexity as she diversely manipulated latex, fiberglass, resin and cheesecloth by hand. The irregularity is what creates intriguing intimacy for the viewers. The true impact of her work is about material, and the absurdity of life.

Eva Hesse

Concept: Ann Hamilton adds a layer of performance, viewer engagement, and found object as material with a focus on environment. Ann conceptually illustrates the importance of removing ourselves from the media world, and socially projecting tactile, sensory experiences through site responsive installations. 

Ann Hamilton

Line: Agnes Martin has a level of intricacy and focus with each of her paintings, and drawings. The content of her work expresses emotion, while her method is repetitive, geometric, and soft. Favoring minimalist form, she celebrated unmistakable small flaws, and the delicate nature of artists hand. 

Anges Martin

Process: Tara Donovan process is tedious as each form is produced by layering everyday materials to create biomorphic sculptural installation. The underlying theme is how things grow, organically. She chooses the materials first, and then processes the form creating massive installations. 

Tara Donovan

How I identify: Handmaking repetitive forms, I've been attached to that for the last 12 years. Utilizing a method of obsession in material that dictates the final outcome. The use of the artists hand whether paper, fabric, wood, or found object. Spatially fitting the installations into space so that feel apart of, not detached from. The feminine attributes of soft material verses hard composition. Conceptually relying upon experience with the final sculptural installation as it relates to culture.

The Magic Hands Behind the Brand

Welcome to Alchemist Productions! I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. I am Ariana Franco, lead creative and the magic hands behind the brand. 

I am currently the Display Coordinator for Anthropologie in Naples, FL. I landed here in 2014 via Sarasota, FL where I obtained my BFA in Sculpture from Ringling College of Art and Design in 2008. In Sarasota, I gained valuable knowledge and experiences with the visual arts community, events, and retail market. Over the last 2+ years, my creative and life partner, Jared aka DB Cooper, continues to support me spiritually, and emotionally. He also pushes me creatively with my personal legend, and that means sharing the love from my magic hands. This is how alchemy works in my daily life. 

Alchemist Productions was conceived in September 2016, due to a general vacancy of what my life was like, where it is now, and where I want it to go. This happened because I was able to have an engaging conversation with a trustworthy creative, Stephen McFadden. The idea grew through more conversation and support from other creatives. It takes a skilled and creative village. I am choosing my own adventure, shouldn't you?

Optimism is key with the Alchemist brand, and discovering what we can bring to life from fanciful ideas. Authenticity, morality, and experience are the foundation of who I am, who I surround myself with, and what I will provide for our clients and collaborators. The fabric of my personality is woven into an eclectic lifestyle of music, travel, and intimately connecting with people. A sense of ease, wonderment, and a hint of urgency, are what guide my dreams, and hopefully yours too. I welcome all questions and feedback!

This is just the beginning, so I ask you to join me as we build all day, and dance all night. 

Let's make magic together!