Introducing Marla Kristicevich & Kristie Cornell
Marla Kristicevich is a contemporary artist and environmental sculptor living and working in Lafayette, La. Kristicevich uses natural objects, materials, and textures within her eco-installations that play on nostalgia and sense of place. She approaches her intuitive art-making process with an ephemeral philosophy when creating her work. Kristicevich is interested in the visual impact and creative imprint she can leave with the viewer. The process of collecting natural materials, the geographical location and the impermanence of these materials are very important and play an integral part in her work.
Kristie Cornell is a self-taught photographer in Lafayette, Louisiana. Trained as a scientist, she walks the line between the scientific and artistic worlds. Her work explores her relationship to the natural and cultural landscapes of her native Louisiana, as well as connections made to places she explores while traveling. Making photographs is Kristie’s way of slowing down, of truly seeing and understanding a place. She captures moody, evocative images of the details, patterns, and textures of an environment that bring her experience and appreciation of the landscape to the viewer.
Who makes up your art circle?
MK: Mostly artists working in some capacity in the realm of environmental art at the moment. Nature is definitely an active participant in my art circle these days!
KC: I am fortunate to be surrounded by many close friends who are artists of all types. This area is so rich in talented and generous people, and their feedback and support of my work has been invaluable in my growth as artist.
How do you expand your art circle?
MK: By sharing, whether through social media, word of mouth, and/or in some educational way, the type of art I’m creating and how it relates to us all and connects us in some way.
KC: Collaboration with other artists has always been the push for me to make and show work, which inevitably leads to meeting new people within the art community. Recently, social media has been a way for me to interact with people around the world with whom I share the same creative interests. These connections further my interest and motivation in creating.
What value do you see in having a creative community?
MK: In my opinion, it’s the greatest measure of an evolving community when you create space for and support the artistic voices who are willing to share their creative perspective. It ain’t always easy, but it’s always worth it and necessary for a community to support the creative class. We all benefit greatly from it in the end!
KC: Seeing other people actively creating, and gaining an understanding of their processes, is a huge motivator for me. Having and growing a creative community allows this to happen continuously and pushes me to continue to learn about process and to keep making work.
How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?
MK: That’s harder for me to say, but I’d like to think the perspective I can offer my community is reflective, stimulating, and experiential. Hopefully my artistic approach brings nature to the forefront and creates a conversation around building a better relationship with our natural world.
KC: It is my hope that my creative practice inspires the people in my community in the same way that their work inspires me. Ideally, I can be the support and motivation for others that so many have been for me.
