Untitled Document

The collaborative paper artwork of Nancy Waterfield and Wendy Young

Nancy Waterfield & Wendy Young

Photo by Jenifer Young & Phyllis Hornbrook

ABOUT US...
Once upon a time there were two moms. They were very creative people (an architect and an actress) and they got sick of getting up and going to boring jobs and feeling like they weren't using their "true gifts". So they hatched an escape plan to go back to their more artistic roots and make something beautiful for people. They began by playing with their two favorite mediums: paper and fabric. Eventually the paper became their singular passion. They figured out (all by themselves!) how to make molds from their sculptures and cast them. They took paper making classes and began experimenting with paints and dyes. Soon other materials starting showing up in their collages. Thirteen years (and several children and houses later) Nancy and Wendy moved their studios out of their homes and settled into a studio in downtown Minneapolis. There they meet almost everyday to work on their latest creative ideas. Their work has changed over the years from simple white relief cast scuptures and fiber collages to vibrantly dyed papers mixed with sticks, wire, etc. They attribute their foray into color to the long winters in Minnesota. Their "visual parables", as they call them, continue to evolve as their skills grow and their need to keep "trying something new" pushes them into new territory. As Degas said "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."

In other words, Waterfield Young is the creative collaboration of Nancy Waterfield & Wendy Young. Nancy lives in Stillwater, MN with her husband, Richard and two children. She received her BA in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Wendy lives in Plymouth, MN with her husband, John and two children. She received her theater training at Bethel College in Arden HIlls, MN.

Each piece of art they create is original and made completely by their own four hands. They have been heard to say that this job requires both of them as each possesses half the skill set.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

How did you get started?

Nancy I met at a property management company downtown Minneapolis in 1986. We became fast friends and determined to find a means of expressing our more creative origins. Nancy was a registered architect and my training was in theater (I was going to be an actress once!). These different backgrounds have proved to be excellent foils for one another. In November 1990, we entered our first art show with a simple set of cast paper ornaments and Amish style quilts. The rest is history! The past 17 years have brought changes, growth and an evolving style that bears our signature blend of talents. Nancy and I get a real kick from keeping each other "unstuck" as progress in transforming ideas into artwork.

How did you learn to do this?

Frankly, we don't know! Nancy and I have found that uncommon backgrounds and not knowing "the rules" have actually helped us in a lot of ways as we've figured out our own style and methods. Our casting method is self-taught and discovered theough the standard means of trial and error. We did take a class in western style sheet making from the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and highly recommend them for anyone interested in paper arts. Nancy received most of her calligraphic training as part of a calligraphy guild in St. Louis and through various workshops. At present our schedule does not allow time for teaching classes, but we do demonstrations at our Studio Open Houses.

Does one of you do one part and one another?

Oddly, NO! All work is fully collaborative. Sometimes we even have both of us applying paint to a piece at the same time. The only "exclusive" domains are the calligraphy which Nancy does.

What's this stuff made of?!

You would not believe what we've been asked! No - it is not chewed up toilet paper or plaster! All paper and casting is made from 100% cotton. That is why they are that beautiful white! We make all our own molds using a special plastic. The originals are sculpted, carved or collaged. Our favorite carving medium (you're going to love this!) - Rutabagas! Our other favorite sculpting medium is "Sculpy".

How long does it take to make a piece of artwork?

This is a hard question to answer because each piece is a process of many different parts. The original development of an idea may come together in a day or may take months. Creating the original carving or sculpture from which the molds are made may take many hours but the paper castings themselves take only a few hours to dry. The more detailed and diverse the elements in a piece, the more time is involved creating that image.

Do you have a store or studio?

Yes! In February 2003 we began work in our new studio in the Minneapolis warehouse district. After twelve years of working between our in-home studios in Stillwater and Plymouth, we made the decision to create a central, consolidated studio that would give our customers more access to viewing and buying our artwork. Our retail hours are still limited but we hope you will stop by and see our new home and check out our latest creations! We are located 4 blocks west of Hennepin Ave on Washington Avenue N. Our address is 424 Washington Ave N, #101. The studio phone number is 612-333-2025.