Amanda Tollefson: Artist in Residence at Oconomowoc River Conservancy Park
June 13, 2024 | Topics: featured artist
The Natural Realm presents Amanda Tollefson, who is among 12 artists participating in a year-long residency program called ARTservancy, now in its fifth year. ARTservancy is a collaboration between Gallery 224 in Port Washington and the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, River Revitalization Foundation, Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy, Tall Pines Conservancy, and Lake Michigan Bird Observatory. The mission of ARTservancy is to promote the visionary work of both the artists and conservationists. Each artist has selected a preserve to spend time in and to engage with.
Artist Statement by Amanda Tollefson
I believe in the healing power of nature. I love to visit the lake or the woods and it always helps me reset. I was drawn to Oconomowoc River Conservancy Park (ORCP) because of certain features like the healing trail, labyrinth, and the “zen untangle” that were created by The Healing Nature Center in Three Lakes, WI. I love how they can be metaphors for inner exploration as well.
When I was a kid, there was a little wooded area by my house where I would go and build a fort with a log bench that I wrapped string around. I made tools out of sticks and rocks. It was like its own little world, that was a reflection of my inner world. I have been thinking about inner / outer exploration of nature as a theme for my ARTservancy project.
The main part of my project consists designing a piece of re-made clothing for each season inspired by the features of ORCP—a vest for spring, a dress for summer, a jacket for fall, and a snowsuit for winter. These pieces will be functional, but also act as a sort of ritual costume for my inner / outer exploration of nature at ORCP and beyond.
A big part of my artistic practice is cutting up clothing I find at thrift stores to make new things like quilts, clothing, flags, and such. I like to use recycled materials in the things that I make because it’s eco-friendly and it represents transformation. I select items for color and texture, much like shopping for paint, and I like to use the whole garment like a chef would use a whole animal. For this project, I have gone to thrift stores near ORCP every time I visit. I have been attracted to using canvas workwear fabrics.
My first piece for Spring is a “foraging vest” with large pockets to gather things like rocks and sticks when I’m walking through the park. The patchwork is an abstract symbolism of things I have observed during my springtime visits, including tree branch patterns, moss, lichen, blue flowers, and daffodils.
Another element of my project will include appliqué or patchwork flags made with thrift store clothes that will also use abstract symbolism to represent different features of the park. ORCP is a dynamic place with a steep trail that leads up to the second highest peak in the county. It has an overlook built into the hill, a wildflower prairie, a densely wooded area, and the river. It also connects to the Monches segment of the Ice Age Trail, so it can be a great workout.
One of my favorite things about ORCP is that there are a lot of great bendy roots amongst the trees in the wooded areas that are great for making “root snakes.” Inspired by the southern folk-art tradition, I have been collecting sticks that look like snakes on hikes and painting them to resemble different snake species for twelve plus years. These will also be included in my project.
Gallery
Bio
I live in Milwaukee, WI and earned a BFA in Painting from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2003. I make both functional and experimental textiles, clothing, and home goods from mostly recycled materials. My work explores color, pattern, and symbolism, with themes of folk magic and healing. I also work as a Costume Designer, Seamstress, and Prop Stylist in the film production industry, and occasionally sell at art/craft fairs. I have recently done a residency in the JMKAC Social Studio, and a work exchange artist residency at Oak Ring Ridge in the mountains of Northern California where I stayed in an off grid cabin for two weeks. I am currently doing production design and supplying the art for a feature film partially inspired by my stint as a mascot costume maker.
This residency was sponsored by Tall Pines Conservancy. To learn more about Oconomowoc River Conservancy Park go to our Find-a-Park page.
Related stories:
Oconomowoc River Conservancy Park and Healing Nature
Frankie Garr: Artist in Residence at Tall Pines Conservancy
Megan Muthupandiyan: Artist in Residence at Tall Pines Conservancy
This is the latest in our series of featured artists, which is intended to showcase the work of photographers, artists, writers and other creative individuals in our community whose subjects or themes relate in some broad sense to nature, urban nature, people in nature, etc. To see a list of previously featured artists, click here. The work of the 2022-2023 ARTservancy artists in residence is currently being exhibited monthly at Gallery 224. To meet the other ARTservancy artists in residence, click here.
All images courtesy of the artist, except as noted. Tall Pines Conservancy is a project partner of A Wealth of Nature.