Every month PelotonLabs co-founder Liz Trice interviews a local Peloton or community member. This month, Liz caught up with Rachael Murphy the inaugural EMERGE artist in residence at Running with Scissors (RWS), a shared studio space in Portland Maine’s Bayside neighborhood.
What kind of art do you make?
I primarily work in woodcuts, a form of relief printing, which involves carving into a flat piece of wood, applying ink, then pressing it onto paper. My subject matter is often inspired by my outdoor adventures in Maine and incorporates larger environmental issues with human activity like power lines or bridges.
One of the unique parts of my prints is the inclusion of a waterline, so you can see above and below the surface. More recently I’ve been focusing on endangered and threatened species in the state of Maine.
Where are you from and how did you end up here?
I moved from Mass in 2017 to go to school in Orono, and just moved to Portland. I heard about the opportunity at RWS from a professor and was invited to apply. Right now, I’m dividing my time between Portland and Blue Hill where I work at a gallery/frame shop.
How does the artist in residency work?
It’s July through November; there are two cycles per year, and each cycle has two residents. We get five months of studio space and a $50 per month stipend for materials. This is a pilot program. At the end, I will do a workshop or demonstration on a particular medium. Or I can donate work for an RWS fundraising auction.
I have a few freelance jobs but am looking for work in Portland. One thing I do is manage collections for artists and art collectors. I’ll document the condition of the work, how to improve the storage of the work, any history of the artist and previous owners, and document the dimensions and media. I have a BFA in Studio Art and a BA in Art Education, a minor in Art History, and I interned at the Zillman Art Museum in Orono.
What does Running with Scissors do?
Running with Scissors is a shared art studio space in Bayside. I really missed having a community space once I left Umaine. The printmaking professor, Susan Groce, did a great job at building community. The studio was open 24/7. Late nights were my favorite because everyone working would get a little nutty at times. It’s hard to get access to materials and tools outside of school, and it can be messy, so having a shared space really helps with that.
Where would you like to be in 3 years?
I feel that I’m at the edge of discovering something I want to keep doing. The large format wood prints, and incorporating the personal with the larger issues, is something I want to keep exploring. I want to continue refining my skills and subject matter. I’m always searching for something new and challenging in my artistic practice.
How to Apply for an Artist in Residency
Next call will be in December 2022. Join the mailing list via their website to find out when it opens: rwsartstudios.com
How to Visit Running with Scissors
Contact RWS at info@rwsartstudios.com for a tour or contact individual artists directly to set up an appointment.
Link to Work by Rachael Murphy
PelotonLabs is a coworking space in the West End of Portland, Maine with a mission to connect and encourage people working on their own to manifest their visions without fear.
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