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Interview: Donna Bringenberg
September 16, 2005
1. How long have you been a resident in Siskiyou County? I’ve lived in Siskiyou County since I was 24 years old, so that would make me a resident since 1978. I’ve been here almost 28 years now.
2. Can you give a short explanation of your specialty or your artistic medium?
First of all, I have to say that I consider myself a very beginning artist who is still learning through the process of art. Mostly what I have learned about is color and shape and what it feels like to put these elements together. I felt thwarted as a young person because I wanted to draw as well as my best friend LuAnn, whose mother was an artist. When we had art classes in school, I could not do it the way everyone else was doing it so I tore up a lot of paintings out of disappointment. It wasn’t until 7 years ago, when I met a creative artist, Doug York, that I had an epiphany. I had deeply thwarted my creative self and focused more on other things that did not satisfy me the way being creative does. I found that after that I became an advocate for developing some creative expression within myself and also an advocate for others who need a creative outlet or a way inside themself. That was one of the motivating factors for wanting to do a Community Peace Mural Project. I found that through an avenue of color, texture and shape I discovered myself to be a happier person. The desire to be a peace-maker is the desire to create a world with happier people. I feel that art has the ability to make people happier.
3. How long have you been making art (professionally and unprofessionally)?
I have been making art unprofessionally for 27 years. I woke up one day and took a piece of clay, sat by the woodstove, and molded and carved for hours until I had finished my creation: an owl sitting on a tree branch. I realized then that I had never showered, ate or changed my PJ’s. It was like a day out of time. I loved the experience I went through and how it made me feel complete and happy at the end of that day.
I also really enjoy music, almost more than any other art form. I was involved for 3 years with the American Eurythmy School and was nurtured by going there every day to learn Eurythmy and Anthroposophy. I have also played Taiko for 3 years with Shasta Taiko drummers, Jeanne Mercer and Russell Baba. I am one of those people that likes to try everything but I haven't developed one particular art form in depth, and I may not ever do that. I don't know.
4.Is art your full time career?
No.
5. What else do you do as a profession?
I work as a facilitator for a social service program called Wraparound. I enjoy what I do and would like to see the expression of creativity be spread to all those who enjoy letting their emotions come trough. There are some incredibly talented young people who have not had a chance to “show their stuff.” Developing creative outlets instead of destructive ones work’s much better for them in the long run. I am also currently the coordinator for the Community Peace Mural Project and the president of the Board for the Siskiyou Arts Council. That is not a paid position, it’s just what I love to do.
6. How have you learned your art? Have you had any formal art education? If so, where, when and for how long?I am completely self taught in playing piano and painting. I think the way I get it in my skin is to compose a piece or just start painting with nothing in mind at the beginning. I would be open to learning other ways, but only ones that teach me techniques to better compose and create my own art. I don’t think I would ever be happy copying others’ pieces of music or art.
7. Have you had any special mentors that have influenced you and your style?
Definitely Karen McPherson, and Russell and Jeanne have been wonderful patient and kind mentors. Currently Jenny Johnson is a wonderful mentor. Jenny collaborated with me on the Peace Mural Project as the artistic director. Not only is she an incredible artist but she is a great orchestra leader. How she was able to bring folks together and know what had to be done when and where; I was simply amazed at the strength of her core and her talent. Also, I watch a lot when others are being creative around me. So when my friends come over and play my piano or the guitar, I pay attention. If someone is painting around me I check out what they are working on and how they may be thinking about and executing a piece.
8. Can you talk a little about your experience as an artist in Siskiyou County? (In other words, what is unique about being an artist in this area?) (Pros and Cons) (economic, cultural, physical/geographic)
I have played Taiko for 3 years with Shasta Taiko. They are respected Japanese drummers who have been teaching and performing in Siskiyou County for over 20 years. Also, being at the Eurythmy studio everyday gave me great joy. I was spending my energy and working hard on learning a new way to express what was inside me. I think it is amazing that these art forms exist side by side in Siskiyou County along with so many incredible artists. I think the beauty and the people who live here attract those “creative types” who do not necessarily fit other places as well as they fit here.
9. Do you feel like living in Siskiyou County has influenced your art? What aspects have you drawn inspiration from?
Maybe because I am amongst many other creative types, I am inspired. However, I also feel that I am in tune with the nature spirits here, and the mountains, the lakes, and the atmosphere. These are the things that really give me energy. When I first came here, I arrived from Boulder, Colorado. I loved everything about Colorado, the smells, the land, the mountains. When I got to Siskiyou County, and mind you that was 28 years ago, I thought I must be somewhere out of time; certainly not the same century. But there was something about that kind of feeling that I came to love and cherish.
10. Do you feel like art in Siskiyou County has any prominent trends or patterns? If so, how do you see your own art in relation to these?
Yes, I see that folks like the idea of community art. The Peace Mural motto is “Unity through Community” and I have seen several other community themed projects pop up. Also, I see the Mt. Shasta Third Friday art walk which gets community and tourists to mingle and interact with eachother, is a really great integration of community and art. I love how everyone can participate
11. Are there any other things you would like people to know about the relationship between your art and the place that you live.
I see that art and culture are so very important for us to survive “well” as a human race, especially when things are so mechanized. And if you don’t believe that, just imagine how your world would be if it were devoid of creativity and hand made artistry.
12. If you had to describe your style in a few words how would you do this? First 5 words that come to mind?…
Spontaneous, self created, colorful, experiemtental, and joyful.
13. What is it about making art and the creative process that you find most interesting or are most passionate about?
The happiness it brings me. The total engagement in the process, how I forget about the existance of time and what I go through inside when I am in the creative mode. It just feels “right."
14. Do you teach art in anyway or are you interested in being a teacher?
I would say that I am a passionate advocate for artistic expression. I look to turn other people onto the those who can teach them what they want to know. When I worked as a consultant for the Tulelake Community Partnership, I brought art, music and drama to the schools there. I located the presenters who could create assemblies and workshops for the students. The kids were so turned on with all the possibilities and how it made them feel. That was hugely satisfying for me.
15. Do you have one particularly interesting story about your adventures as an artist? The most unusual work you've done, the hardest work, the most interesting commission, celebrities you’ve worked with, your biggest success story or biggest failure, or your earliest memory of making art.Yes. This is for my daughter’s sake, she’ll get a kick out of this. When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grew up. I had books and books of drawings of women in different fashion outfits. This must have been at a time when I was transitioning out of Barbie dolls and into the “real” world. Well my mom came to my classroom one day for Open House, when parents come to see what thier children are doing in school. It was a day when we were talking about careers I guess, and I was drawing one of my dressed up ladies in her finest fashion. I made a mistake in the drawing. I had been drawing with a pen and I couldn’t erase my mistake so I kept going over it and over it to fix my mistake by thinking I was drawing a rose on the lady’s belt…well it turned into one big black blob that looked like she was wearing her pubic hair on the outside of her dress. My mom took one look at it and was dismayed. I could tell she was trying to be nice at the same time. I didn’t understand the confusion at the time. I remember it as a very awkward moment in the classroom. It wasn’t until I got older and it all came back to me that I understood her expression of dismay. Obviously, I did not become a fashion designer, probably not because of that.
16. Is there any way you would like to see your county arts organization better assist you?
The Siskiyou Arts Council has been incredibly supportive of my idea for creating the Community Peace Mural. They embraced it from the start and have encouraged others to start projects that would build arts and culture in Siskiyou County. I am deeply grateful.
I would like to see ongoing artistic and creative classes where folks can teach their craft at reasonable rates that people can afford. Maybe that will be my next project to work on…
Pastels and Colored Pencil
