Today we’d like to introduce you to Andee Rudloff.
Hi Andee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
OH WOW…. In short, I doodled, a lot, with sharpies mostly. Some people noticed my doodles and wanted to buy them. I started putting artwork in group shows, small businesses, and galleries. I found that many of my working friends and family never saw my artwork because they were working when the spaces were open, so I started taking my work to the streets. Over 25 years, I have done hundreds and maybe thousands of murals. There are very few if any murals from the beginning still out there, but I like the temporary nature of murals creating an immediacy to take them in while you can. I believe murals should embrace and reflect the space and community in which they reside. I’m always interested in creating the next one and thankful for each and every opportunity. I predominantly do murals now with businesses, schools, communities, as well as personal projects/collections. You can find my current work at @chicnhair on Instagram, Artist Andee Rudloff on Facebook, and chicNhair.com
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing is easy about free-falling into a place of the unknown. I do not know anyone on my exact path, but I’m always willing to share and serve as conduit for other creatives. Collaboration is very helpful for me. I thrive on the opportunity to connect with others through a visual language. There is always that doubt, can my brain keep coming up with ideas and be open to new things? Can my body keep climbing, stretching, and creating? Will I actually be able to take care of myself and the ones I love through this work? Nothing about it is easy. Some days, I feel stuck so I run, skate, and paddleboard to wrap my brain around it. I need a moment to destroy the fear and doubt. I’m so very thankful for my clients and friends who BELIEVE in me more than I believe in myself some days. Giving myself the space to try, fail, create, break it ALL, and try again is vital.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Bio-ish stuff: I’m a consultant, educator and professional artist working primarily in Kentucky and Tennessee. My goal is to engage community through creative opportunities and I do so frequently through murals, exhibitions, greenway planning and interactive opportunities. Originally from Kentucky, I’m consistently working as an independent artist and muralist. I work as a teaching artist with Arts for All Kentucky and as Artist-in-Residence with Gifted Studies at WKU as well as the Idea Festival Bowling Green. I’m proud to serve on the Kentucky Arts Council Board where I have been appointed by three Kentucky Governors beginning in 2011 and reappointed for three-year terms sequentially. I serve on the board of trustees for the Tanne Foundation based in Boston, MA, which provides support to individual artists in need.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
This is truly a question for someone else…I was in my own world and delight in someone telling me what I was like as a kid growing up in Bowling Green, KY…and this is typically followed by, you haven’t changed a bit I was born in August on my grandmother’s birthday. I spent my days outside. I was in the water as much as possible and enjoyed swimming as well as our family pontoon boat. Despite being one of four kids, I spent much of my time alone, outside discovery the world around me. I grew up in a neighborhood where I could go out the door in the morning and return as the sunset. I had a paper route but never saw any earnings from it as my mom spent most of the money on us for random things. I typically swam, ran, hiked, climbed, biked, created, and got into mischief with the boys and other girls who enjoyed being messy. My mom made most days feel like Christmas which only increased my wonderment of what could be and how I could create it. I rarely brushed my hair and wore overalls…which is still true.
Contact Info:
- Email: chicnhair@gmail.com
- Website: chicnhair.com
- Instagram: chicnhair
- Facebook: artist andee rudloff
- Twitter: andeerudloff
- Youtube: chicnhair
Image Credits
1st image is by Nina Covington…
