Felicia van Bork is an amazing artist. We love her textured monotype collages, particularly her ongoing series, How To Fix Absolutely Anything. She’s also just a delightful woman…so why wouldn’t she be one of our Carolina Art Crushes?

HCLT: Describe yourself in three words.

FvB: Color, ideas, weather

HCLT: When did you realize you were an artist?

FvB: When I was young, I drew all the time but it was like breathing; I didn’t know I needed to, and that I was an artist. I imagined writers enjoyed a more conscious adventure, which appealed to me. Somehow, my perceptive mother convinced me to apply to both the University of Toronto for English and the Ontario College of Art for fine art. After I had been attending both schools for a month, I had to let go of U of T. My place was with the artists.

HCLT: Who or what inspires you artistically?

FvB:  1. Art just like mine only better, and art nothing like mine. 2. Spring branches against a blue sky; dirt clinging to roots; the shape of a dog’s chest; the movement of farmland. 3. My influences change often. These days, some are: George Bellows’ seascapes and landscapes; Joan Snyder; Peter Doig; Corinne Duchesne; Jasper Johns’ gray paintings; Hiroshige and Hokusai; Leonardo Drew sculptures and installations; some recent paintings by Scott Bennett; Kyle Staver, Egon Schiele; Claude Monet; children’s drawings; outsider art; primitive art; great design, science.

HCLT: Tell us about your current body of work?

FvB: It is a series of collages made out of pieces of my monotype prints. (Please see my answer to question 1.) There are a hundred-odd works in the series, which is titled How to Fix Absolutely Anything. Each collage has a “How To…” title.

HCLT: What do you think is the most valuable art experience in the Carolinas right now?

FvB: For me, the best is an artist residency at McColl Center for Art + Innovation. It’s life-changing for the artist and open to the public.

HCLT: What is your number one art piece/place/event in this area?

FvB: The art scene is too active for me to choose just one. I love Charlotte’s art museums and galleries. Recently, I enjoyed seeing Anna Kenar’s prints at 809 W. Hill St. and the Motherwell centenary (!) exhibition at Jerald Melberg Gallery.

HCLT: What book is on your nightstand right now?

FvB: My Kindle. I just read Essentialism, by Greg McKeown.

HCLT: Best meal in the Charlotte area?

FvB: Pisces Sushi

HCLT: Where can we see your work?

FvB: At wonderful Jerald Melberg Gallery on South Sharon Amity Road. There are also works of mine in State of the Print, an exhibition at The Block Gallery in Raleigh until July 24.

Visit Felicia van Bork’s website to learn more.