Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Luetge.
Madison, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
While most kids were enthused with coloring books, I was the kid begging the teacher for “computer” paper to draw on instead. I was raised by a musician, so I spent most of my time growing up sitting in a corner of the dance hall drawing. My parents were (and still are) very supportive of my talent and encouraged me to pursue art. I was fortunate enough to have Janet Wilson West as my art teacher at Bellville High School. She provided me with everything I needed and eventually helped me to reach State at V.A.S.E. my senior year.
I graduated from Bellville High School and went about 4.5 hours away to Texas A&M Commerce to study Studio Art. My first studio course was Intro to Drawing with Gerard Huber. I can confidently say that he taught me how to be an artist. He drove me to be the best that I could be. I took many art history courses with Dr. Emily Newman and was able to have a well-rounded understanding of art history. After dabbling in each practice, I ended up in Michael Odom’s Intro to Painting class, and I never looked back. Commerce afforded me the freedom to find my medium and strengthen my studio practice. My time at Commerce will always have a special place in my heart. I graduated with a BFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in Painting in 2015.
I was accepted into the University of Houston’s Painting MFA program a semester after graduating from Texas A&M Commerce. I am now in my final semester and will be graduating with my MFA in May 2019.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I believe that every person shares in some universal commonality that is deeply rooted within the core of our humanity. In an attempt to pinpoint and reveal that connection, I collect remnants of our lives that reflect our desires and feelings. During this investigation, I have focused my attention on old discarded photos people were selling on eBay and garage sales. I started collecting these images and wondering why someone would want to get rid of these memories. Sometimes I wonder if they are remembered at all. My reaction to that was to selectively block out the figure(s) with a blue pigment. The unidentifiable figure shrouded in blue alludes to failing memory, our habit of glorifying the past and misremembering.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
The role of the artist is to respond to their environment and execute a vision. In my experience, artists usually focus on either the macro view of the world or the micro view. I prefer the micro and being able to speak to my surroundings. My small corner of the world involves the human condition, something that will never change. With today’s unpredictable social climate and constant inundation of information, opinions and ideas come and go. The issues that I choose to deal with are internal, constant and relatable.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My website is MadisonLuetgeArt.com! My Instagram is also @madison_in_real_life.
I am having a solo show in the Project Gallery in the Fine Arts building at the University of Houston opening February 28 and ending on March 21.
I will also be in the MFA Thesis Show at the Blaffer Art Museum opening on March 29.
Contact Info:
- Website: MadisonLuetgeArt.com
- Email: mluetge@sbcglobal.net
- Instagram: @madison_in_real_life
- Facebook: Madison Luetge Art
Image Credit:
Madison Luetge
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas 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.
