In this series, we highlight two of the many artists who contribute to the deep creative culture of Concord. Throughout Concord, there are many organizations dedicated to uplifting the arts and artists through exhibitions, educational programs, performances, and workspace, such as The Concord Museum, Concord Art, and the Umbrella Arts Center. If you want to see art or further your own artistic skills, you can find an excellent school, gallery, or workspace in Concord.

Steve Imrich

“A fifty-foot roll of paper can keep a kid busy for many hours,” remarked painter Steve Imrich, recalling how his mother supplied him with rolls of shelf paper for drawing as a child. Imrich, a Cambridge-based artist, remembers rolling out the giant substrate across his entire house, plotting action drawings like volcanic eruptions and battlefields. Imrich studied studio art in college but found himself drawn to the practicality of architecture. However, his interest in art persisted, and he now works full time on his painting practice. “It’s been a journey,” he said, “but I still feel as energized as when there was a roll of shelf paper beckoning.”

As a trained pilot, Imrich notes that his experience flying from a young age “has led to investigations about the power of aerial perspective, or the big picture overview.” In addition to his conceptual and philosophical work, Imrich has been building a daily practice of sketching and observing life from all vantage points, not just aerial. He has a friendly, running competition with his West Coast-based daughter, sharing, “We try to do a sketch-a-day, and then trade image-texts with each other to get our days going.  It’s a nice way to be less precious about making things, doing something in quick-time, and just keeping the toolbox full.” See more of Imrich’s work in SHELDON/IMRICH at Concord Art and at steveimrich.com.

Alexandra Sheldon 

At an early age, Cambridge-based artist Alexandra Sheldon had a desire to record things. As a young artist, she noticed how relaxed she felt throughout the process of making. She said, “It was like getting off the treadmill part of life and being in a timeless zone.” By 18, she was painting and drawing the landscape, compelled by its exceptional light. She notes her compulsion to record through making continues now. To this day, Sheldon’s practice is invigorated by a need to create a high volume of work, and to work often. This rigor allows her to enter a creative space of flow and discovery. She says, “I am after a feeling of looseness and freedom,” and that ethos is evident in her energetic, colorful collages and paintings.

Recently, Sheldon has been creating collages from stacks of old drawings, prints, and paintings. She says that there is something liberating about collaging in sketchbooks, and diving into a project that offers momentum. “I can’t wait to work on it again,” she shared. “This is all an artist really wants: to feel connected to the work and be working.”  See more of Sheldon’s work in SHELDON/IMRICH at Concord Art and at alexandrasheldon.com.

All images courtesy of the author.