Artist in Residence

We are proud to introduce Promise McLeod as our first artist in residence. Find her work for sale in our taproom and give her a follow on Instagram at @namegoeshear.

To learn more about Promise and her work, check out her interview below.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I came to Columbus for college about 13 years ago where I studied sculpture and ceramics at CCAD. I took a pretty long hiatus from art after graduating because of massive burnout and feeling like I simply couldn't do art by myself or around people anymore. After awhile I started to feel a spark again and I started sketching here and there then it gradually built up to filling countless sketchbooks with ink and sharpie/whatever I got my hands on and now I've found myself painting, which is a medium that I never really saw myself getting into but I'm really enjoying at the moment. Eventually I want to get back into sculpture, and namely soft sculpture like I did in school: Lots of sewing, lots of stuffing, lots of large-scale art making. But for now painting has my full attention since it fits in with my current lifestyle of living in a small studio and bartending full time.

What are some themes or subjects you explore in your work?

The themes I'm currently exploring are the various emotions that I have toward making art in general. Feelings of anxiety or burnout as seen in my “Flowers” paintings. Feelings of being vulnerable whilst being seen/looked upon in my “Two Ladies (disjointed)” self-portraits. And finding hope/enlightenment in it all with my “A Little Glimmer” triptych. I guess through my art I'm doing my own soul searching to find out who I am as an artist. My fears, my imposter syndrome my need to be perfect even in the imperfections that is my own art process…but also my need to not take things too seriously. All of it culminates into paintings that are surreal, a little whimsical and also a tad depressing.

What is your process like?

I think of my process as more of an evolution. I usually have a general vibe when I start, but the more I work, the more ideas flow and the more the canvas changes. It's alot of starting, stopping, starting over and repeating until the surface becomes more than just flat white canvas. I really like working on a surface with memories/whispers of what used to be. Especially when you consider its usually old paintings that im starting over with (sometimes they're thrifted sometimes they're mine). The layers of paint that end up getting piled on become almost sculptural and I know I did I really good job if I can peel away at some of those layers to whats underneath. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does I'm very satisfied. I also use my home as my studio which is really nice because I feel like most of the time inspiration hits me at night so its really easy to just put on a movie/music and just make art until the wee hours of the day. I have a cat as well and he definitely likes to be a part of the process. Whether that be sitting in my lap (while I try my hardest to not get paint on him) or just lounging in the chair next to me in support, he's my little helper. I will say, one of the perks of living in a small studio is its easier to fill my walls with artwork, kinda like my own personal gallery in a way. It's always been a goal of mine to surround myself with art in some way so I'm pretty proud of myself that I've been able to do that with my own artwork.

Interested in being our next artist in residence? Be on the lookout for applications to open early next year.