FEATURED ARTIST: MICHAEL FORTENBERRY

My name is Michael Fortenberry, Telluride as a portal to the mountainous region and tight knit community raised me to who I have become today and created guidelines for my approach to creative expression. The trajectory of my work has followed symbols of natural processes integral to the growth of an ecosystem. I’ve recently been grappling with fungal forms that emulate the Matsutake Mushroom as an emblem encouraging coexistence for a healthy future of human and nature longevity and fertility. The Matsutake mushroom is the first to pop up in areas of human disturbance, which creates a foreign comparison to the surroundings that it does not belong to, plagued with the industrial twinge of Man.

What is your chosen artistic medium?

I work mainly with manipulating raw materials such as wood and steel. Recently, I’ve been exploring the usage of other mediums that engage the viewer through sensory response, using light, sound, vibration, and interactive response technology to guide the audience.

Who/What/When are your muses?

Artists such as Martin Puryear, Alice Aycock, Yayoi Kusama, Olafur Eliasson, Anthony Gormaly, etc., have opened my eyes to manipulation of material and movement that pulls a viewer in. No human can create aesthetics like nature, so I’m constantly trying to pull a sense of constant movement and organic use of space into my work. Entering a flow state in the outdoors, at the skatepark, or in day to day activities enables me to create and find center in my work.

What are your prep or practice rituals to get you into the artistic headspace?

I’d like to say I have a ridgid day to day process that allows me to sit down and create, but that’s not who I am. I need to reach equilibrium in my body and mind to create, which I find in cooking food and the creation of a mediation practice that I maintain twice a day. Most of my artistic inspiration is documented on the spot from moving through life, drawn on coffee cups, books, and my arms that I later might transcribe to a more permanent spot.

What is your favorite awkward growth moment or barrier breaking time?

Sheesh, I would have to say I spend a lot of my life trying to reach the standard of the society mold, and then one day I just realized I need to throw that idea in the trash and make art.

During the period of social distancing and quarantine, what inspired you and kept you engaged and moving forward?

When covid was bestowed upon us I was in the last semester of undergrad, working on my thesis art show, told to basically go home and play with sticks in your backyard and photograph it for an online exhibition. It turned out to be a blessing, I’m a very social being and it provided isolation to create and maintain a simple lifestyle. No expectation, no distraction, just a time to focus on self. Two of my housemates left to be with their families, and one remained who happened to be a musician. Our days consisted of waking up, taking a few hours for coffee and a full breakfast and then we parted ways to both create until we came back together for a slow dinner. Since then I’ve seeked out opportunities that enable me to create in similar conditions of life.

What is your favorite quote?

“It is not me who is the clown, but this monstrously cynical and so unconsciously naive society, which plays the game of seriousness in order better to hide its madness.”

- Salvador Dali

Tell us about your upcoming events, new releases, or anticipated projects.

Stay tuned, I have just moved to New York to get a MFA in sculptural design at SUNY New Paltz to push my technical abilities and use of technology. The program is known for its push towards eco-sculpture and vast fabrication possibilities. Looking forward to emulating natural environments to create a bridge between humans and the natural world in efforts to make symbols of coexistence to encourage the healing of our earth. 

 

Any other details you would like to share?

We are nature, you don’t need to go find it elsewhere.

Follow and explore: WEBSITE

FEATURED ARTIST: DANIEL KANOW

Daniel Kanow is a visual, kinetic artist living and working in Telluride. Kanow creates dynamic and contemplative works using paint and mixed media – including acrylics, oils, canvas, wood, plexiglass, and various non-traditional tools. Drawing on inspiration from an apprenticeship in Taos, NM, lots of time spent outdoors, eclectic musical greats, and abstract expressionist artists, Kanow creates layered compositions that bring energetic motions onto a two-dimensional surface - his active marks deconstruct and reconstruct his pieces’ visions and narratives, revealing landscapes of pure abstraction.

Kanow’s muses are the people in his life, such as his family and students, as well as the prospective adventures of future travel destinations. He embraces Asian philosophical and spiritual concepts in his creative process, such as detachment, impermanence, creation and destruction, and beautiful imperfection.

When he is interacting with and producing an artwork, Kanow has an energy-invested and dynamic practice – sometimes elevated and physically demanding, and other times deeply grounded and spiritual. To get into the artistic headspace, Kanow sets intentions and uses poetry or stream-of-consciousness writing to break into the narrative of his work.

For Kanow, everything was reprioritized during COVID-19. He notes that social distancing and relative isolation provided a new opportunity to dive into and re-envision his art and professional goals. Kanow currently has a studio space at the Voodoo Studios – stop by and see his latest creations, or visit his website to explore ongoing projects.

FEATURED ARTIST: LVDY

In honor of Women’s History Month 2021, we are featuring LVDY!

HOW IT ALL STARTED…

Aubrey Mable and Kathleen Hooper met in 2012, while studying abroad in New Zealand. It was one of those chance encounters where kindred spirits resonated, which launched the beginning of a beautiful friendship and their musical partnership: LVDY (pronounced “lady”). While living in Denver, the duo started busking on the streets – slowly discovering their sound and enchanting audiences with their storytelling and folk-style voices.

In the last two years of producing music together, LVDY has travelled and performed around the world – including places like London, Paris, Dublin, Bristol, as well as all around the United States. Aubrey and Kathleen lovingly call their internationally-based, devoted fans the “LVDY Mob”, a following that grows exponentially every time these charismatic women set foot on stage.

LVDY POWER & GOALS…

The LVDY name – with the “V” – is a homage to historical symbols of womanhood. Aubrey and Kathleen use their voices and their platform to promote the feminine - digging deeper to recognize and celebrate femininity and beauty. With every gig they play, LVDY supports and endorses female-owned businesses, venues, and aspirations. They are an entirely self-managed and female-run enterprise; hiring female professionals on all levels of the industry, including: music recording, PR, musical back-up, and so much more.

STYLE & INSPIRATION…

On the whole, LVDY is inspired by nature, and seeking spiritual and sound alignment with powers higher than the self. As Kathleen expresses, LVDY’s songs are “heart anthems” and it is their purpose as musicians to “create light and love through sound, [since] music is one of the most powerful forms of connection”. For this LVDY duo, their muses include artists such as Rising Appalachia, Maggie Rogers, Lake Street Dive, Joy Oladokun, Sara Bareilles, and Joseph.

Aubrey and Kathleen speak to learnings gathered from performers across all genres – especially their “command of the stage and presence, and how they interact with the audience”. They also shout out to cultural and political feminist icons, and the women (cis- and transgender) who helped pave the way - including but not limited to: Stacey Abrams, Laverne Cox, Oprah, Ellen, their moms, and many more brave, courageous, funny, and wise lady trail-blazers.

FAVORITE SPACES & PLACES…

Some of LVDY’s favorite performance venues include the Wisconsin Arts Lab in Milwaukee, Hostetter’s in Steam Boat Springs, Hotel Utah in San Francisco, and Main Street in Telluride. Colorado will always be home and where the heart is for LVDY (check out their 303 Magazine interview here).

This last summer, LVDY got creative with open-air performances and conducted a Front Yard Tour in the Denver region: 7 front yards, pop-up shows every hour, performing for passersby and fans who travelled to see them play. Aubrey and Kathleen express their love of live audiences - especially during these socially distanced days when musicians are mostly performing for computer screens or remote applications. As Aubrey notes: “the energy shared with a crowd is what makes live music magical.”

LATEST & GREATEST…

“Everything has changed with live music, and it will take a while for things to come back around with the music scene,” Kathleen notes, “We want to be part of spearheading the movement and momentum.” Aubrey and Kathleen used this year of transition to be proactive in creating music, finishing an album via Zoom and Facetime collaboration – making it happen despite the physical distancing and various challenges presented.

LVDY’s album Gold will be released on April 16th, 2021 – available for purchase and streaming on all music platforms – check out their website and Instagram to purchase merchandise and stay in touch with the most recent news. LVDY is also the ecstatic recipient of an Augment Musician Grant (more info here), which they will use for their independent production efforts.

If you want to help support Aubrey and Kathleen with their self-managed musical production/performance endeavors - and provide financial backing for a collective of powerful, beautiful women - contact them here.