10 Things Interview with Margaret Zox Brown

Margaret Zox Brown is next up in our 10 Things Interview Series. Margaret's colorful, abstract works can be viewed at Fresca Gallery here. Once again, questions are primarily submitted by Fresca Gallery patrons, employees and artists (although we recycle a few that we love).

Q1: What's your biggest source of inspiration?
Margaret Zox Brown: All my paintings come from my own drawings. I never know what I will look at and then see that will inspire me to draw. It could be a shape or a line or even a mood. Graceful curves, sensitive moments and unique shapes seem to catch my eye and result in my strongest drawings. And, it is the strongest drawings that inspire a subsequent painting.

Q2: What are 3 things you can't live without?
MZB: My children, exercise and nature.

Q3: Besides being an artist, what is your number one skill?
MZB: I am a pretty good cook. I cook like I paint; creating as I go, completely messing up the environs where I am producing and not knowing really what the end product will be. But like my paintings, I usually am successful at producing a savory, unique blend.

Q4: What's your favorite book?
MZB: I have many from different periods of my life and that I adored because they satisfied different parts of me. When I was younger I loved "Marjorie Morningstar" by Herman Wouk for Marjorie herself with her familiar and very real dreams. And, more recently, the 2 that have stood out have been "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides for it's humility of ordinary people wanting to be accepted in life just for who they are and "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger for its ultimate romanticism.

Q5: Do you have a favorite artist?
MZB: Again not just one. But if I have to narrow it down it would be Paul Gauguin for color and Pablo Picasso for drawing.

Q6: Did you ever consider being anything other than an artist? If so, what?
MZB: Other than being a mother, I have only wanted to be an artist.

Q7: What is the most intriguing place you've ever been?
MZB: I would say India because all the senses are tantalized: sights, sounds, smells, tastes.

Q8: Do you think that "good art" has to be more than a pretty picture?
MZB: "Good art" is really a subjective term. For me if the art reveals intelligence, knowledge of movements in Art History, expresses a personal passion of the artist and causes the viewer to take pause then I would consider it to be "good art."

Q9: What's one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to be an artist?
MZB: Keep making the art. You change. It changes. There are tons of obstacles for artists which will test you. But, just persevere. It is always and most definitely worth it in the end.

Q10: Do you have a favorite quote?
MZB: "Whether you think you can or can't, you're right," by Henry Ford. I think it says it all for an artist.

Stay tuned for our next edition of "10 Things...". To submit a question, email us at valerie@galleryfresca.com.

10 Things Interview: Pepper Pepper

This is Part 2 of our ongoing series of interviews with members of the Fresca Gallery community. This week, we have gathered some of the questions emailed to us and will interview Pepper Pepper, the Fresca Gallery featured artist for the month of June.

Q1: What's your biggest source of inspiration?
Pepper Pepper: My biggest source of inspiration is nature. Some people have called my art 're-interpretations' of nature. I love the outdoors and get most of my inspirations from the grass, the flowers, the trees, the hills, the lakes, the mountains and the fresh air.

Q2: If you could have houses in 3 places, where would they be?
PP: Italy, Alaska, Colorado - in that order.

Q3: What's your dream vacation?
PP: First and foremost, my dream vacation would be to go back to Venice. But as to places I have never been...to be near the beaches of Hawaii or deep in the Brazilian rainforest.

Q4: What's your favorite song right now?
PP: I am a huge Mary Black fan. I also like Tracy Chapman, Luka Bloom, and Janet Klein (1920's Vaudeville music). My favorite song right now and always is 'Summer Sent You' by Mary Black.

Q5: What's your favorite all-time book?
PP: I have read all the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries by Rita Mae Brown. I will pick 'Wish you Were Here' - the first in the series 1990 - as my favorite.

Q6: Do you have a favorite artist?
PP: Georgia O'Keefe. I am fascinated by her life and her work. She is one of those rare artists whose work and life are both interesting and compelling.

Q7: What are 3 things you can't live without?
PP: Apart from my loved one, my laptop (sadly), my sanity (it fluctuates) and a crossword puzzle book.

Q8: Do you prefer cats or dogs?
PP: I am a big animal lover. In fact, I am a vegetarian because I am an animal activist. However, I don't care much for cats. Better yet, I really, really love dogs more than I do cats.

Q9: Where did you grow up?
PP: Miami, Florida

Q10: Besides being an artist, what is your number one skill?
PP: Speaking, communicating. Not that I do it great, but I do it with a passion (and an accent). I am often a guest or keynote speaker for several local groups. I enjoy that.

You can see examples of Pepper's work at www.galleryfresca.com

Our first edition of the "10 things..." Interview

As a way to let the art world get to know the Fresca Gallery community, we will be holding periodic interviews with our artists, patrons and staff. The interviews will be 10 questions each and the topics will be selected from those submitted by various Fresca Gallery community members (plus a few repeats that we love). If you have a question you would like to submit, please email us at valerie@galleryfresca.com or post in the comment section.

First up in the hot seat is Valerie King, owner of Fresca Gallery:

Q1: Why did you start Fresca Gallery?
Valerie King: The idea started because of my brother - who is an artist in college. His work is amazing, but I don't think he yet has the business sense to get his work out there. I love public relations and marketing, so I thought I could help.

Q2: Where did the name Fresca come from?
VK: When Anne and I were traveling in Italy, we realized that we could create a business together that incorporated our talents, interests and the inspirations gathered from the Mediterranean culture. The idea has evolved to a gallery and design business. I fell in love with a little shop in England called "Fresh" and we chose the Italian translation, "Fresca" and that was it – off and running.

Q3: Do you have a favorite artist?
VK: My brother. And Anne!

Q4: All time favorite book?
VK: The worst question you could ask a bookworm! [laughs] I can't pick just one, but I would say my top three are Csardas, Pride and Prejudice and the House of Mirth. I've read them all at least 5 times...

Q5: Do you prefer cats or dogs?
VK: Dogs. I have two of them!

Q6: Do you have a favorite song?
VK: Right now? Probably "Fix It" by Ryan Adams.

Q7: What are three things you can't live without?
VK: Besides the obvious family, friends, boyfriend and dogs [laughs], I would say coffee, books and the ocean.

Q8: Did you ever think that you would own a gallery?
VK: Well, I do not have an art background, but have always been surrounded by art and artists through friends, my travel experiences and my general attraction to anything visual and aesthetically beautiful. I have always loved the creative energy that surrounds artists. This was a sudden chance to dive into that world, while supporting two great causes - charities and artists.

Q9: Any plans to open a physical gallery?
VK: Well, in my fantasies, yes. I would love to have galleries on both coasts - like Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon, for example - but since we have just opened Fresca Gallery online, it will be a while before we get to that point.

Q10: Any plans to expand the Fresca concept?
VK: Oh yes! But that's all I can say for now...

Fresca Gallery was created to support the work of artists, but also to provide charitable donations to a variety of organizations. After several days of trying to narrow down the list of charities that we wanted to work with, we suddenly thought "why pick one?" and decided to allow the artists and/or the customers to choose causes that were important to them.

Because we are social media addicts and have a secret love of promotion, we have decided to take on the work of a variety of artists and do all that we can to promote them without the traditional charge of joining an online gallery. While we do not accept every piece of art submitted to us, we try to be openminded about a variety of mediums, styles and perspectives.

To submit quality digital photographs of your work for consideration, please email us at frescagallery@gmail.com. Complete artist packages - with detailed information about the commission structures, gallery expectations and the benefits to the artists - will be available sometime in the next week or so and will be emailed to all that have expressed interest.

Our gallery launch date is 1 June - so stay tuned to this blog and our profiles on Facebook and Twitter for more information. And please, spread the word...!