Hello, and welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with Twin Cities collage artist, @GieslaAnne. Let’s get this started! Tell us a little bit about your background. Where you grew up and when your interest in art started.
Giesla: I’m a lifelong MN resident & currently live in St. Paul.
When asked in kindergarten what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said “an artist”!
I never really faltered from that. I studied psychology for a brief period, then interior & graphic design.
Where did you go for your interior and graphic design schooling? What kind of art were you drawn too?
Giesla: I went to the U of MN. I graduated with an Associate’s in Graphic Design from Globe College (now Globe University).
I appreciate all kinds of art, it’s really hard to pick an absolute favorite. I’m really drawn to modern art.
As far as graphic design, I have a soft spot for vintage design, particular graphics from the 50s and 60s.
When did you start making your own art for selling publicly, and what made you choose collages?
Giesla: I had a difficult time finding a job after 9/11. There were more layoffs than hiring so I started doing freelance.
I just wasn’t crazy about the work. I started making things by hand at the encouragement of a co-worker at the time.
I started my own business in 2002 & started doing art fairs. The collage work wasn’t the main focus initially.
I started doing collages b/c it was my favorite college project. I chose the local theme b/c I love where I live.
Can you describe some of the pieces that you’ve done to give people an idea of your local themes?
Giesla: The artwork is mostly done with my own photography, but I’ve also used vintage postcards & maps in some pieces.
The theme is either a major city or focuses on part of the city, for example, San Francisco or Bourbon Street.
Here in MN, I generally focus on parts of Saint Paul or Minneapolis or areas of MN, like the North Shore.
I’ve had a great deal of requests for MN colleges as they make great gifts & I’m slowly building a collection.
I also like to highlight the greatest parts of the Twin Cities, like the lakes and the arts, for example
When it come to MN and the arts community, is their a good network to connect with, or lots of independent people?
Giesla: There is an AMAZING arts community here in MN. One of my favorite parts of doing art fairs is connecting w/artists
We also have great organizations like @mnartistsdotorg and @SpringboardArts that do excellent work w/artists.
Great to know about @mnartistsdotorg and @SpringboardArts. Any location offline that people can see your work at?
Giesla: Absolutely! My favorite independent shops are the Artist Mercantile in St. Paul or Your Art’s Desire in Minnetonka.
If you prefer shopping at a mall, my work is at Deck the Walls in @mallofamerica or their new Rosedale location.
I’ll be at the Rosedale location on October 20th for a signing event from 1-4pm.
Thanks so much @GieslaAnne for sharing some of your life and activities on #MNMOtv today. Have a great rest of the week!
Giesla: Thank you, @JoelECarlson, for having me on #MNMOtv. It was my pleasure!
