Ingrid V. Wells: Feminism, Pop Culture & Mental Health
San Francisco-based Painter Ingrid V. Wells uses playful subject matter to explore more complex topics, including women’s issues and mental health. Drawing inspiration from pop culture and feminism, Ingrid’s eye-catching paintings provide the viewer with a moment of respite in these uncertain, and often anxiety-inducing times we’re living in.
How did your creative journey begin?
As a younger person I had an internal knowing that I was creative, but suppressed the call to consider it as a possible career until I was in my 20s. Theater, music, comedy, visual art were all somewhat guilty pleasures for me, as they were regarded as career taboos. At the time, creative pursuits were framed as beneficial within the context for pursuing other careers (the relationship between music and math for example) and the the value of being a “creator” (thank you TikTok) was not yet recognized the same way that it is now.
Since having found painting, I realize that it’s not a choice to have this practice in my life, but a must. Once I came to terms with owning this part of my identity, it became about carving a path to flourish. I now have a vision of my future self as a more experienced painter and visual artist who is very happily busy in her studio. I make moves in my life to support this future version of myself.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
My personal experiences, daily observations (which at times can be humorous), reality television and pop culture inspire my research for my work. I keep notes about anything and everything that piques my interest. Later I make sense of how those observations and topics of research are related.
My recent work engages with feminism, pop culture and investigates how paintings can affect the mood of the viewer. Right now I’m revisiting the book Chromophobia, celebrities including Britney Spears, the Miss Universe Pageant, and a poem by Melissa Lozada-Olivias entitled, “Like Totally Whatever.”
How has your work shifted and evolved over time?
After completing graduate school I began focusing on using small, still life objects to create scenes, or a series of repeated shapes, in order to communicate my ideas about the feminie spectacle. I also love making figurative and portrait paintings to express my ideas. Oil painting is my primary medium but I have also explored resin sculpture. Now that I’ve been through the process of painting many bodies of work, it’s easier to get in a rhythm/ find my flow. I continue to love setting up new puzzles and challenges for myself in the studio, this process is never dull.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
While I love structure (anyone who knows me will tell you this), there is no typical day in the studio and flexibility or “rolling with it,” becomes crucial. I am frequently rotating my priorities in terms of completing work (physical or digital) according to deadlines that I have with galleries, non-profits, press, other artists or organizations. When I can find the time, I love taking professional development courses and participating in art associations/ mentorship groups.
In addition to making paintings (selling through galleries and directly), I’m directing a decade-long artist interview project where I interview 40 artists annually (twirlproject.com), teach with San Francisco Art Institute, take on arts admin work with California College of the Arts, act as studio manager for San Francisco Artists Studios and pursue various ad hoc projects for funsies. For example this year for SFAS, I connected with Sample-Studios (the largest artist studio organization in Cork, Ireland) to host 10 trans-atlantic virtual events (grant-funded professional development workshops and group critiques) with our two artist studio groups.
My life is structured so that I can be as effective as possible when I enter my studio to paint, knowing that my time is my most precious commodity. This involves quite a bit of advance planning to be prepared and make sure I have everything I need to ensure my success. I’m aware of what it takes for me to do my best work and I strive to make sure that happens (positive mindset, being well rested, all tools/ supplies/ research in hand, organization, addressing finances, connection with others in the field, delegating tasks when needed, etc). When I’m painting I easily fall into a state of flow, similar to meditation, which is important for my health. Taking the reins in creating my own dreamy studio/work-flow situation is imperative to functioning at my best. I actively think about having fun with this type of creative work and implement systems to make it so. The narrative that work has to be miserable is a heaping helping of oppressive bullsh*t. Focusing on ways to improve and embracing a growth mindset have proved helpful in my practice.
Over time I have invested more into figuring out how to make my art practice sustainable and match my vision success. As a younger artist I was primarily focused solely on painting (improving my painting skills and how to express the concepts behind my visual work). Now with more experience, I am thinking more about the impact of the work, supporting my practice for the long term and how I can be more resilient as an artist. Resilience is key.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
Growing up as a plus-size girl in America (both on the East Coast and the Southwest), being neurodivergent, and experiencing the pandemic in San Francisco, have made an impact on why I’m making art and who it serves.
How has Instagram impacted your art career?
Instagram is acting as a nice record to have of the trajectory of my art career. The digital space has aided in the sale of my work, the growth of my artistic network and the development of opportunities. That being said, I'm aware that I do not own my instagram page, it's a rented space where someone else is creating the rules for engagement. With this understanding, I focus a healthy amount of time on developing my newsletter list and maintaining my personal artist website. These are items that can help continue the successful trajectory of my art career if (and when) there’s an issue with this third party platform.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
Thank you for asking this question. I have many areas of interest surrounding creating art and supporting other artists to help them develop work which makes for a long list of goals/ aspirations.
In the future I see myself expanding my practice by producing many oil paintings (large and small), exhibiting (domestically and internationally when that is possible again), publishing catalogs, curating, podcasting, arts writing, teaching, mentoring, leading critique groups and opportunities for arts-related professional development. I would like to be showing my work in woman-run galleries and dynamic non-profit spaces. Additionally, I have a particular dream to have my artwork reaching those who are sick or in hospitals.
VOSS GALLERY
www.vossgallery.com
PXP CONTEMPORARY
www.pxpcontemporary.com
LUNA RIENNE GALLERY
www.lunarienne.com
INGRID V. WELLS STUDIO