Check out Vanessa Sorensen’s Artwork

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Sorensen.

Vanessa, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
“Why do people persist in creating, even when it’s difficult and inconvenient and often financially unrewarding? They persist because they are in love.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

The road from tagging and tracking bears as a mammalogist to making giant linocut fine art prints of botanicals is definitely my love story.

I have always loved animals and studied zoology as an undergrad and graduate student. After studying black bear behavior in graduate school I worked at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences where I was an exhibit designer, whale re-articulator, and taxidermy overseer.

Then I fell in love with an ornithologist, got married and moved to Houston, Texas. I went back to school for art and became a graphic designer. This was a wonderfully creative time for me where I dove in to making large metal sculptures, learned the ins and outs of graphic design, and also really became interested in plants and gardening.

My husband and I eventually moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where I continued work as a graphic designer for over a decade. I also wrote and illustrated books, “Zen Kitty”, “Zen Birds”, “Birding Journal”, and “You’re Joking: Animal Jokes for Children”. In addition, I author a blog called “Nessy Designs” that focuses on creative projects and appreciating the joy that surrounds us every day.

Working as a graphic designer I was exposed to many styles and was always intrigued by printmaking. I took several courses while working full-time and learned many techniques but was most smitten with block relief printing.

In 2014, after years of working for other people and companies, I decided it was time to follow my own artistic muse and made the difficult decision to quit my graphic design work and pursue printmaking full-time. My goal was to make giant botanical linocut prints and I am now pleased to finally say that I reached that goal!

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Creating giant botanical linocut prints is my current focus although I tinker with just about everything including illustration, watercolor, sculpture and photography. But there is always a common thread throughout my work. My passion lies in drawing awareness to the incredible beauty that surrounds us. I love finding unnoticed treasures in the everyday, the mundane, in the aged and worn. I am awestruck at the way seeds are placed inside a milkweed pod, or the way cabbage leaves wrinkle in the fall, or the way the light hits water as it runs down the street.

And it is through my artwork that I try and express this wonder. I want the viewer to experience what I feel when I look at an acorn cap. I want them to see the tiny arms waving, trying to capture our attention. I am especially drawn to repetition in organic forms not only because it is visually stunning but also because there is a joy and vitality in abundance. I want the viewer of my art to stand in utter amazement just like I did the day I picked up that acorn and to stand breathless and transfixed for just a moment. Through this experience I hope I connect with the viewer of my work while falling head over heels in love with this world.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I have certainly suffered from working too many long days without seeing other artists. But about five years ago I luckily came across a group called “Creative Juice.” It is a group of freelancers in my area that get together for coffee and share their experiences. I can’t tell you how much I love this group and how much I have gained from being a part of it. We share marketing ideas, hold each other accountable and generally have a great time. So I highly encourage people to find other artists out there and if there isn’t already a group in your area, then start one!

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
There are lots of ways to see my work:

1) NessyPress.com has all of my printmaking work and is the main way to purchase my art.

2) NessyDesigns.blogspot.com is my blog and where I post my latest creative endeavors including everything from printmaking, watercolor, and sculpture, to photography and interior design to weaving and other fun projects.

3) VanessaSorensen.com is my graphic design and illustration website.

4) “NessyDesigns” is my handle on Instagram.

5) And I would also love it if you would like my business page, “Nessy Press” on Facebook.

Contact Info:

• Website: NessyPress.com
• Email: nessy@nessypress.com
• Instagram: NessyDesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nessypress/?ref=br_rs
• Other: NessyDesigns.blogspot.com

Image Credit:
Vanessa Sorensen

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.