Today we’d like to introduce you to M.J. Galvan and Grace Rose Galvan.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born in Chicago (1949) and raised on Halsted St. and Roosevelt Rd. For those not familiar with that part of Chicago it was called “Maxwell Street”. Here on any given weekend you could buy anything you wanted. They had the best polish sausage (50 cent each or two for a dollar) and the greatest pork chop sandwiches ever made. The proprietor pushed a wooden cart down the side walk and just with the aroma alone pronounced that Maxwell street was opened.
I went to Holy Guardian Angel School where we did not fear gun play on campus because we had ass kickin,name takin, doubled fisted cross bearing Italian nuns. And that’s a ‘Habit’ you do not want to mess with. I, on the other hand was born left handed. The devils hand! And those nuns literally broke more rulers over my knuckles more than the whole history of the United States.
After school I got to go to a wonderful place called, ‘Hull House’. God bless Jane Adams. This was where I learned to be an artist. They were kind, patient and encouraging, even though I was obviously afflicted with the left-handed sin.
My parents decided to move to Saint Charles and notified the nuns that I would be going to public school. They’re reply was ‘all public-school kids will go to hell’! And that one there has a head start. After high school I was drafted in 1969, went to Viet Nam (where I became an agent orange carrier) and luckily survived the war. Before I go on any farther I would like to make something clear; like most Viet Nam Veterans and all veterans alike; we do not want a hand out and like most veterans was denied even a hand up but want a hands-on opportunity to show what we can do, your magazine proves that it is possible. This magazine is a beautiful example of how art is evident in every aspect of life and touches countless live.
After the army I went to Arizona State University and graduated in 1976 with a bachelor of fine arts. Now it was time to go to work. I was a double major in art and education. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree, I taught art for 7 years at public schools in Arizona. Many of my students were of Native American descent, and I felt so blessed to work with people who share my ethnic background. I never stopped making art and will always be an artist who loves discovering new techniques and forms every day. I am constantly inspired by the people in my life and who are able to share in my lifelong love of art.
Please tell us about your art.
Someone once asked me how I created the concept of ‘the abundance of redundancy’? Well… I was lying in a field of tall grass doing one of my favorite activities, ‘cloud watching’. I loved to watch them morph from a bunch of whimsical laughing dragons into giant Viking ships then rabbits ears. It was always in HD, heavenly dreams.
Suddenly I heard a mysterious voice come out from one of the rabbit’s ears. ‘Hey you want to see something cool? Look over there”. As I turned to look I could see it was Mount Everest! Then it dawned on me who was speaking it was God. My curiosity got the best of me and had to ask, “God, what inspired you to create that”? Then one of the rabbit’s ears pointed down at my foot and said, ‘see that rock over there, pick it up’. As I picked it up it occurred to me that it looked just like Mount Everest! The voice said “I was looking for that one, and the mountain was the result”. Funny how you’re looking for one thing, you end up finding something else entirely. The rabbit appeared to have the best sense of humor. So, I decided to see how far I could get. I said “God, just exactly what were you looking for when you made the Grand Canyon?” and the rabbit meekly replied, “I fucked that up. I knew that I should not have created weed and shrooms on the second day. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.”
I then realized that the universe was one huge, living organism that is dependent on itself and others. When you view it with a spiritual lens focused on nature, you can see all the possibilities that the universe has to offer.
My art has been sculptures, photos and paintings that I have been creating all my life. I like to think of myself as a “discovery artist”. Which means that I don’t make the art, the art comes to me and I bring out its natural essence. I’ll take walks in the woods with my beautiful German Shepard and wait for the universe to show me my next project. I like using found objects, such as weathered logs and branches to make my sculptures. I have made dinosaurs, giraffes, elephants, trains, sports memorabilia and ships out of the found materials. I am also a painter, and I have a unique method of creating depth in my pieces. I use plexiglass as a canvas and I start with the foreground and finish with the background. I find this type of painting challenging and completely different that my classical painting training. When I finish the painting, the plexiglass gets flipped over and it always amazes me how beautifully it turns out. Who would have guessed that the backside of painting would be more interesting than the finished product? I was inspired by Dali, M.C. Escher, Thomas Wright (the Night Gallery Artist), Jack Kirby and Jonathan Winters. They all have their own unique perspective on life, and it shows in their artworks. I have been their biggest fans since I was young. Their works have kept me inspired as I grow and learn as an artist.
I spend months in my art studio working on my sculptures, even in the dead of winter, I am out in my studio working away. I’ll drag in a half-frozen log, look at it for a few minutes and then get to work. Sometimes, I start with one idea in mind, and halfway through the project turns into something completely different. I love making art, and meeting with people who are also passionate about art. I feel that the universe is too magnificent to live without creating something worthwhile. That’s why I spend each and every day working on a new project or meeting new people who love art like I do. I wish for people to take time from their ordinary day and appreciate the beauty the universe has to offer. We pride ourselves here on having creativity, and the ability to take anything and turn it in to something that wows people. In turn, I am constantly wowed by the generosity of others who are in my life, and from my family who has always supported me.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I do not believe that the role of an artist has change one bit. Because every form of art is intrinsically a comment on the mental and physical world of each other. When art is created it is an outlet for the creator to express themselves with rawness and realness. I am inspired by public servants who risk their lives every day so that I may have the opportunity to keep creating art. I make art so that people can understand who I am as a person. My art is an extension of myself, my family and friends. I felt the effects of the Viet Nam war for years after I came home. Now, I am grateful that I can make art every day when others are out protecting the world.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Our web page is www.parrallaxproductions.com and the studio is located in Saint Charles, Illinois.
As far as ways to supporting our art, please tell your families and friends the rest will come naturally. We welcome art enthusiasts to contact us through email or Facebook to come and see our studio. People can support our work by coming to the studio and engaging with us while we create.
I have done 3 exhibitions in the last few years, all that have pushed me to working even more on my pieces. The most recent show was at the Regional Steampunk Art Show in Joliet, IL. The Steampunk show was perfect for me. I loved interacting with all the patrons who came in costume and engaged with me during the show. I was not familiar with Steampunk before this exhibition. It was a total eye opener about where I could go with my art style. I participated in a charity auction for Ducks Unlimited, by donating handmade wooden ducks to the cause. Ducks Unlimited is a community of people who work to save natural habitats and wetlands in Northern Illinois. True to my art style, I was out shopping one day and I saw a set of golf clubs. It occurred to me right there, I could make wooden duck sculptures out of the heads of golf clubs. They were a huge hit.
I was involved with a fundraiser for Gateway, a drug rehabilitation organization. I gave them two giraffes to be raffled off. I felt that it was important to support those who struggled with addiction, because they are the ones who need help the most. I have been very fortunate in life, by working with Gateway is a small way I can give back.
Contact Info:
- Address: 304 south 13th ave.
Saint Charles,Illinois 60174 - Website: www.parrallaxproductions.com
- Phone: 630-802-1747
- Email: mjgalvan49@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parralaxproductions/
Image Credit:
John Serik, Grace Galvan Patricia and Joe, Felicia Montross.
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.
