I try my best to remember how I stumble upon these artists besides well being on Instagram. Were we following each other? Was one of us following each other? All I remember was looking at the collages and reading "Hi! From the Tropical Texas Border" and I do love valley art soooo I just had to ask M.K Slayton a couple of questions. We will be referring to her as M.K. throughout this interview. I personally love collages and as a member of Never Before Zine I've been able to try my hands at zine/collage making little by little. A medium I find fun, but also find so....difficult. So when I speak to collage artists its like HOW DO YOU DO IT???? Well let's see what M.K. @_mkslaytoo has to say in this interview!
We begin with our introductory questions (maybe I should add some more or change them up?) by asking M.K. what she has been enjoying as of recently? As she says "Rupaul’s Drag Race season 16. The song “Young Joc” by Tia Corine and Luh Tyler. Birria from Tacos Pepe." Okay confession. I actually watched my first episode of Rupaul's Drag Race about 2 weeks ago? Honestly...It was really good! I loved every second of it. I would watch it again. I continue by asking if she has any shout outs she'd like to give out? "Rachel and Alex Comminos @comminnosstudio and fellow local collage artist @senoritasmiles_collage" I know Rachel actually! She is on my list of interviews, but a video I'd like to conduct in video format sometime this year. I'll checkout senortiasmiles (nevermind I actually already follow them and I also enjoy their work too.)!
Starting off, who is M.K.? Could you tell us a bit about yourself and the art you create? "I’m an analog girl in a digital world. I create handmade collages from magazines. Themes in my collages include fashion, food, nature, feminism, technology and politics." Well nice to meet you M.K. My name is Ram Jam and I have this little blog where I can dive into the arts and learn about new individuals such as yourself. By looking at M.K.'s art I has given me an idea on how I can pursuit or rather try my hand at a collage project I've put down. Giving M.K.'s art another look, I do see the work of political expression in her artwork, nature, technology as mentioned. That's only by a mere glance, but looking deeper there's always this energy a collage holds that no matter where you look...you stumble upon something new.
While your work centers around collages. I have a question for you. If you could give your own art style it's OWN name what would it be and why as she states "Psychedelic Slay" The feeling I get when looking at for example the scrap clippings, "play thing" or "hell yeah." I am looking deep into the waves, the in-between, the the movement? It feels like it's moving especially with my eyes going along each piece and the colors.
What is it about collages that has your attention? Was there any particular moment that made collages your main medium of choice? "I think it’s the controlled chaos that holds my attention. It seems rebellious and mash ups are inherently interesting. Graphic images are powerful and they often tell a story.
Combining them together just adds to the fun and improves on the story." YES! The "controlled chaos!" The word "sporadic" always came to mind when I think about collages, but I love the way M.K. put it better. "Controlled Chaos." I found my title.
Besides collages where there any other mediums you tried? If so which ones?
"I love working with watercolor, but I’m such a novice! The way the page absorbs the
paint and water is so magical and I want to be better at it someday. I’d also love to get better at creating digitally."
Is there anything about yourself that you implement into your work?
Whether that may be your personality, interests, favorite colors etc. as she says "I think conviction of belief plays a big part in being able to create effective political art. In that sense it’s also conviction that leads you to create playful things, a conviction of free spiritedness. My work really runs the gamut of high gloss fancifulness to intense political content." I feel that. I can write, but man when I put my heart into crafting the most lovey dovey, sappy, and hopeless romantic piece. It leads to creating and expressing what truly lies within me. I guess that'd be the conviction within me? Looking at M.K.'s work she's not wrong. If we had a spectrum bar of "runs the gamut of high gloss fancifulness to intense political content" would that running be consistently back and forth at tremendous speeds?
Whenever I'm making a zine or a collage I always get STUCK I never end up finishing or I'm just stuck in this "limbo." What is some advice to someone working on a collage? Any tips? "Sometimes taking a break and coming back helps. If that doesn’t work, keep trying different combinations until you find one that excites you. If it doesn’t excite you, it’s probably not worth making." I'm currently working on a new project series for March, but hmmmm I guess that's where "conviction" would play into it as well? I guess I'm also scared that she'll be there and hear my most inner feeling haha. It excites me to create, but scares me for people to listen. I'll try my hand at it again!
While working with collages what do you feel it has allowed you to express?
With expression are there any collages in your portfolio that you've created to portray a sentiment or message? Ex. The Greg Abbott collage
"I created the anti-Greg Abbott collage to express my disgust with him. He and many men and woman like him believe they have the right to make incredibly important decisions about people’s lives and that’s not right. I think it’s important for us to voice our disdain with people, especially politicians, when they are taking advantage of their positions of power." I do think art is one of the greatest ways to pass along a message, a message that folks can see and understand. Breaking language barriers when imagery tells the story. Especially being in South Texas, there isn't a week where Gov. Greg Abbott is plotting something new.
How would you say your earlier work compares to what you create now? How have you seen your own growth? "My earlier work was focused more on types of expressions of youth, whereas now that I’m getting older the images I’m choosing to include have grown up a bit. I’m trying to choose stronger pieces for each work so that the sum total is greater than what I put in. Kind of like renovating a house."
What do you think is your favorite part about creating a collage??
"I live for a mood board. I am the mood board queen so I really love the 'research'
moment before you begin to assemble a project. I love sourcing the images.
Trawling through magazines is actually fun for me." I've actually never done a mood board. Okay maybe in like high school for class, but not a mood board for myself. Mood board workshop? Oop! I love magazines, but then then I feel so bad cutting them, but then it's like you're going to make the coolest shit ever! So fuck it!
How do you wish to experiment with your work?
"There are so many collages I want to make. I’d love to do more collaborations. I want to make more political work. All of this is very experimental for me." More collaborations? Hmmmmm, I'll keep that in mind!
What are your thoughts on the local valley art scene?
I’m so lucky to be amongst such wonderful people that are in the local art scene in the RGV. They have all been extremely welcoming and kind. I think McAllen needs more art galleries and wish to open one eventually.
Any final comments?
Free Palestine. Free Tibet. Free Young Thug.
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