Meet Melissa Schlobohm | Printmaker, sculptor, educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Schlobohm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
I disagree with the notion that you need to live in the city to “make it” as an artist and for your work to be seen/recognized. In fact, moving to a place you can afford to have proper space and freedom to work is the most important thing to creating. I’ve watched many friends move to the city and work their asses off to pay for a studio they don’t end up having time to use. I believe you have the potential to really stand out in a community where art is desired and appreciated. Being able to create a network of peers quickly when i moved to Beacon really helped with finding opportunity and important connections for my career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
wow, where to start….I’m still very much growing and figuring out my business plan, I think I’ve accepted it may always be changing with me as I grow, my interests change, my expenses change and when life throws hardballs. Initially I focused solely on creating a business centered around my woodblocks prints. There are so many applications for printmaking and not a ton of overhead (once you have the necessary tools). I was able to successfully sell my prints and tshirts while attending Skidmore College, I knew quickly I wanted to keep making and working for myself after college. Joining BAU Gallery really helped give me structure and deadlines to create new work and find my voice as an artist and teaching was rewarding and was a cushion for the bills. The most important thing has always been to make, I am unhappy when I’m not making art. However, it is incredibly challenging to wear all the hats you need to, to become successful; make the art, document it, promote the art, make connections, make the website, sell the work, take care of your health and find inspiration and energy whenever you can. I’ve never heard anyone say it was easy, but I do feel fortunate everyday that i can have FUN with what i do and that I have no boss. The twenties are a challenging decade for anyone and I managed through losing both parents in the same year and later injuring BOTH my hands for many months. Unable to carve wood I got back to my sculpture roots (my original passion) and found so much joy and excitement in learning how to use resin whilst navigating through grief. My experiences definitely influenced a change in my artistic narrative, adding some dark humor to my printwork and exploring themes of nostalgia and sentiment in the resin work I’ve created. Two examples of ongoing/growing bodies of work im currently making are a small print book called, “I love you, but” that I’m hoping to get published in the near future and “I wish we could go” a series of small fantastical resin ‘worlds’. “I love you, but” is a series of prints ‘animal punnies’ about love, relationships and ecology. The things people tell each other to stay together or not. A favorite of mine is a stink bug on dung ball saying to his partner: “but babe, I made this shit just for you.” they’re simple and to the point and still crack me up. I love to see peoples reactions to them or which they gravitate to. “wish we could go..” are 4×4′ almost dioramas of made up landscapes and scenes of things I’ve collected from nature, bought or found in old junk drawers. They celebrate the beauty of the natural surrounding world whilst highlighting how fragile we all are. For me they hark back to childhood, the feeling of limitlessness and excitement in discovery. I think there’s something that will resonate for every kind of person in my art,

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you asked me several years ago I’d say I would take them to DIA Beacon then my favorite restaurant/bar of all time: Quinns and then enjoy watching the sunset over the Hudson from the roof of my studio. However, I find myself moving farther and farther north and wanting to be in the woods and cooking in. I love Hyde Park, NY because there are just so many state parks with few people and gorgeous views and old forests. I go to Norrie Point on the Hudson everyday with my dog and enjoy the beauty and quiet. I would also bring them to all my favorite junk shops, consignment stores and scrap yards. I love digging through things people leave behind, maybe you wouldn’t want me to host you lol……

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out to BAU Gallery in Beacon, NY, where I spent six years creating an extensive bodies of work alongside some lifelong friends and peers. HYPERBOLE gallery/store also in beacon that is owned by some badass women who support local artists. The Garrison Art Center a non-profit in Garrison, NY where I ran education programs for a time, had my first major solo show and gave me strong roots ties to the local community.

Website: fledglingpress.org

Instagram: fledglingpress