Interview
Eugenie Diserio
Eugenie Diserio is a life-long visual artist. Her work is in juried shows, permanent and solo exhibits, and private collections.
She studied at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University . She further earned a Masters in Fine Art from Columbia University. As a graduate student, she co-designed the catalog ‘Rooms’ for the inaugural show in what was to become MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, New York.
After experimenting with conceptual and performance art, she co-formed the seminal 80's art rock bands, Model Citizens, The Dance and Chandra, whose music continues to be licensed and sampled in films and recordings today.
In the late 90's, she founded the astrology website Astronet. As CEO, and with her persona Genie Easy, she was named an ‘Internet Content Pioneer’, a ‘Dot-Com Diva’, and one of Harvard Business School's Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the Year.
From all of her diverse life ventures, she has learned to trust and follow intuition during the journey of a creative project. Eugenie Diserio lives and works in Stamford, CT, USA.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“For as long as I can remember, I was drawing, painting and doodling. Growing up in the suburbs of New York City, I spent a lot of time going to art museums and theatre. I was awarded the art prize every year in high school, and knew I would pursue a creative career. While at Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, the renowned glass artist, Dale Chilhuly, was one of my teachers. The art and music scene in New York City in the late 70's and early 80's was so innovative and exciting. Many of these individuals would go on to make history.
A personal watershed moment for me was designing the catalog for the inaugural show ‘Rooms’ at what would become MoMA PS1 in Long Island City. Having discovered the work of the most cutting-edge artists in the contemporary art world, I stopped painting and started making conceptual installations and performance art. Soon thereafter, I was co-forming rock bands and becoming entrenched in the New Wave/No Wave music and club scene. Our first band, Model Citizens recorded an EP produced by John Cale of the Velvet Underground. The Dance, the next band, made music that was more visceral and funky. I wrote all the lyrics and was lead singer. We released 3 LP's, several singles and toured worldwide.
Fast forward - all of The Dance's music is being reissued in 2022, in vinyl, CD and streaming bringing the 80's to a new audience today.
My next venture was founding a company, during the infancy of the Internet. Astronet.com became the largest astrology destination online. I received an Entrepreneur of The Year award from Harvard Business School, and was named a ‘Dot-Com Diva’ before the company was acquired by a large media firm.
I eventually returned to my roots, painting full time with work in many exhibits and private collections.”
What inspires you most?
“Inspiration comes from many places: in nature, color and atmosphere. Sometimes a work I saw from another artist, music or a quote urges me to make something.
When I feel stuck, I pick a limited palette or use up old paint colors and make a bunch of fast small paper paintings to get the energy moving. Sometimes, one of those will ask to become a larger canvas.”
“Most times, it really isn't about being inspired at all. You just have to show up in the studio and do the work. Chuck Close said, ‘Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up.’”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I am a longtime yogi and meditator. Themes of consciousness, spirituality, light and energy run through my work. Art is channeled energy, and channeling that energy is a daily spiritual practice.
I often work in series: Crystal Matrix, Babel, Zodiac, Chakras and Shells are some of them. Metallic, interference and iridescent paint colors along with gold and silver leaf and artist grade glitter create reflective surfaces. Historically, and now, reflections have to do with human beings communicating with the spirit world, and connecting with life's deeper mysteries.
The Babel Series grew out of my fascination with the calligraphy of Eastern languages. I don't know what any of the words mean, hence the title Babel. I tried to convey the chaotic distancing and communication in our COVID culture, our diverse politics and voices, and our common connection as human beings.”
How would you describe your work?
“I am an abstract painter. My language is evocative marks, brushstrokes and personal calligraphy. Colors mixed in advance can be brilliantly saturated or monochromatic. Then, I surrender to not necessarily knowing where I am going. I let the painting take me where it wants to go.
My work has been described as ‘bold, intuitive and grounded in spiritual, intellectual and physical truths.’”
Which artists influence your work most?
“There is no particular artist who influences my work. I try to let my language and energy come from my own heart, soul and vision. Miles Davis said, ‘Sometimes, it takes a long time to learn how to play like yourself.’
Artists I do respect are Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler and all of the ‘9th Street Women’. And today, I find the work of Mary Weatherford, Keltie Ferris, Katharina Grosse and Marilyn Minter to be brave.”
What is your creative process like?
“First, I usually make sure the studio is neat and organized, and that I am in a mental state that is clear and calm. I mix colors up in small containers and usually have a palette in mind. If I'm really starting from scratch, I may flip through my Color-Aide paper to find interesting colors to mix and match.
Whether on paper or a canvas, I always start a painting flat on a table or on the floor - spreading the paint around with sponge brushes, squeegees, making marks and calligraphy with my tools, spraying water and seeing what blends. After everything dries, the color gets reinforced and then areas of glitter, gold and silver leaf are added to create reflective areas of light that are continuously changing.”
“Regardless of what medium or context you are working with, the process and expression must reflect your authentic voice and be true to who you are. Then, your work will connect with other people. You just have to trust your instincts and believe that The Universe has your back.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The role of the artist in society is pretty much the same as it always was. Artists reflect back to society the state of the world, and the human condition.
When I was younger, I made dark, edgy art that reflected the underbelly of humanity and society. My Babel Series present a subtle political statement, and were exhibited in many shows with themes of isolation and separation.
Today, I strive through my work to create beauty and energy to nurture the human heart and soul. At this point in my life, and in the current state of the world, I hope my art creates a peaceful pause for the viewer to reflect, re-calibrate and reboot.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share? Please also include any links to these (if applicable).
“One of my favorite solo exhibitions was at The Mayors Gallery in the Stamford Government Center, titled REBOOT. It opened in early January 2020 to bring in the new year, and closed just before everything was shutdown because of the pandemic.
Here are some press articles where you can read about the exhibitions:
Temple News, Hamlet Hub - Mayors Gallery, Hamlet Hub - Creativity.”
