Dolan Geiman is One of a Kind

I met Dolan Geiman back in 2004 at a show we were both a part of for the Chicago Cultural Center. I sat next to him during the presentation, and I remember thinking to myself that he was one of the coolest cats in the room.  He was also very genuine, witty and warm - and he had the best cowboy boots on!  I got a sense of how passionate he was about his work and art in general just by sitting next to him for a few minutes.  He is a mover and a shaker and super talented at what he does.  Dolan is one of those artists that you should really keep your eye on. 

Ron Sager (Fluxcore): When did you know you wanted to be an artist? 

Dolan Geiman: I was born as an artist, and it only took me a few years to grow into those shoes. My mother is an artist and my father a patient teacher, so I had a very inspiring upbringing in Virginia. I decided that my goal was to pursue a full-time career in art right after high school. I realized this goal in 2001, selling art and buying my groceries with that money. That’s a great feeling when you can create with your hands and survive.

Ron: Describe your work.

Dolan: My work exists in that space right before dark, and right after sunrise.  It shakes hands with the mountain man while tipping its hat to the first lady. It’s the square dancer and the caller. It’s the broken banjo string and the fingerling trout.

Ron: Who and what influences you?

Dolan: I’m influenced by just about everything.  Mostly I love to listen to bluegrass music and hear the stories those folks tell.  I’m influenced by my relatives, and by those who are possessed by a religious fervor.  The zealots.  I love someone who believes so much that it hurts. 

Ron: What was your most challenging piece of work?

Dolan: I think one of the most challenging things I have worked on recently was the project for Rockit Bar and Grill,  where I created a backbar installation using waste stream recycled metal and wood. You can see pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolangeiman/sets/72157621886952536/

Ron: What advice can you give to emerging artists?

Dolan: The best advice I can give is to always follow up on any leads that you have.  I’d like for people to see that making art and selling it is possible. You just have to work really hard and really love doing it.  If you are in art school, you should drop out. They aren’t going to teach you how to sell your art or make a living making art. Galleries are dead, and the oceans are dying, so stop eating seafood.  I think that sums it up.    Seriously, though, if you are in art school make sure you ask the professors to help you achieve what you want.  Don’t let them be lazy, and don’t skip class.  For those emerging artists who are tired of trying hard to sell their art, I would say keep trying, don’t give up.  It’s a new day for art.  The world understands that art is necessary, so keep making it. And if you do give up, call me, I might be interested in buying your supplies.

Ron: Tell us about your creative process.

Dolan: I used to keep sketchbooks in old found books and I’d work from those sketchbooks all the time.  After a while  though, I started spending more time working in the sketchbooks and less time on my other works.  Once the idea of the artist’s sketchbook became hip and a few had been published, I decided to stop all that nonsense and just make everything that came to my mind.  So now, when I get an idea, I just make it happen. I’ve made about 10,000 pieces of art to date, only a portion of these have been documented, but I love them all.Ha! I have a studio in Bridgeport where I can keep all of my stuff: old scraps of wood, rusted pieces of sheet metal, broken pieces of train yard glass, bins of ripped burlap bags, animal skulls.  These are my materials, and I keep then all ready to go.  When I  get an idea, I’ll grab a few scraps and strings and nails and then start making something.  I like my process to be fluid so I try to get the ideas out of my head and into a tangible form as soon as possible.  There’s no such thing to me a something coming out right or wrong.  If I can make it, it’s right.  That’s not to say that I don’t have less successful days, I just consider the less successful days like exercise for the larger marathon of art making.

Ron: Tell us about your involvement with the Renegade Art Fair.

Dolan: I’ve been participating in the Renegade Craft Fair since its beginning.  My involvement with the show is only as a vendor, though one of our former employees, Danny Orendorf, now co-directs the fair.  As far as the DIY movement is concerned, I think it’s been a wonderful thing for Chicago.  I was really into the idea of a lot of artists working hard trying to make a living off of their own handmade stuff. Now it’s gotten way too hip for its own good, but that’s all right because it’s an art movement and it’s been fun to see it.  I was a little unsure about participating when the show first started, because at the time I was selling my art on the streets in Wicker Park and I didn’t want to have to pay for a spot a few blocks away. But it turned out alright.

Ron: What is your life long dream?

Dolan: I’m going to have a nice old farm house near the Tye River in Virginia one of these days.  It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the world, far as I’m concerned. Oh, and I’ll be making homemade ice cream in that house.  Peach.  And catching smallmouth bass in the river.
 
Ron: What impresson would you like to leave with your audience?

Dolan: I’d love for people to be inspired to make art and to keep working hard.  I work longer hours than anyone I know, but that’s only because I love what I do.  I want people to see that making a living from making art is a reality.

Ron: Tell us about your holiday sale

Dolan: Every year , I discount everything in my online Etsy shop right before the holidays. This year, our sale will kick off on Wednesday, November 18. Subscribers to our e-mail newsletter receive special deals and discounts so head to the website and sign up if you’re not yet a subscriber.

Check out www.dolangeiman.com and shop at a discounted price before the holidays!

Dolan will also be a part of the One of a Kind Show and Sale at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.  For more information, check out their website at www.oneofakindshowchicago.com