I felt that the concept of Picasso-style cubism/free form/abstract would help accomplish that. I knew that I didn’t want to do that or anything real “traditional.” I tried to think outside the box and create something that would hopefully help the viewer see something other than just Bucky … to see what Bucky could represent to Madison and Wisconsin on a larger scope. What inspired you to come up with this take on Bucky? I figured that with such an icon like Bucky, and the obvious shape, there would be many “costumed” or ”dressed up” Buckys. I always say, “Graphic design pays the bills. I use mainly scrap metal that I have found or have been given, as I do love creating from what otherwise would be considered junk and discarded. I am working on creating my own zoo of metal animals and have completed a turtle, giraffe, lion, alligator, fish and some birds. The last three years I have started expanding my skills into metal sculpture and welding. I worked in the printing and publishing industries for 25-plus years and have been a freelance graphic designer, illustrator, and muralist for 12 years. I used that to begin a 25-plus year career as a graphic designer. I attended MATC and graduated with an Associates degree in Commercial Art.
I have sold pieces at art fairs and commissioned pieces, but I really just love taking a poem, a piece of music, or a feeling and trying to create an image of it. For the past 30+ years I have painted murals in homes, churches, libraries and schools. I did my first mural at our family’s church at age 14. It lived in the school library for several years and now resides in the DeForest Public Library. My daughter’s 4th grade teacher heard about it and with a “penny drive” the DeForest Elementary School was able to purchase my cow from the fundraising auction. In 2006 I was part of the Cow Parade and created “Cowpiary.” I perched my cow on top of a couple of large planters and painted it as if it was a sculpted topiary. Butterworth’s” syrup bottles. I have painted on furniture, clothing, walls, floors, indoors and out. As a child I painted costumes on the (old) glass “Mrs. What is your history as an artist? I have been painting anything I can get my hands on since I could hold a brush.
This summer we will feature a weekly Q&A with an artist who created one of the Bucky on Parade statues on UW’s campus to understand their artistic process, their inspirations, and why they love Bucky.
To be held rain or shine, this drop-in, family-friendly event, held outdoors in Alumni Park, includes a silent disco, live music with alumni DJ Saint Saunter (Sarah Akawa MA’19) and DJ Ace (Vanessa McDowell ’03), a collaborative mural project with Emily Balsley ’01, stargazing with telescopes from Washburn Observatory, caricature artists, performances from Pitches and Notes, a magic show with magician Matthew Teague, puppets from the Wild Rumpus Circus, caricature artists from Funny Faces, and free hot apple cider and cocoa.Īt 8 p.m., enjoy a pep rally featuring Badger football great Montee Ball, UW–Madison women’s basketball coach Marisa Moseley, and performances from the UW Marching Band and Bucky Badger, followed by fireworks over Lake Mendota at 8:45 p.m.! Enjoy the pep rally in person or livestreaming on Facebook.Artist Julie Hustad stands next to “Bucky come se Picasso,” an homage to Picasso’s cubist paintings she designed for Bucky on Parade, a public art project. CDT (immediately following the Homecoming parade)