A Conversation with Logan Tansey

The Other Realm

BFA, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Spring 2020

KP: When you have an idea, what part of your process is important for you to do first?

LT: I like to picture my ideas in my head on how I want them to look. This involves daydreaming and getting lost in thought, two things that feed my imagination.

KP: Will this be an ongoing project?

LT: Yes

KP: What do you think your sketches can subconsciously say to the viewer?

LT: I've had many people tell me that my illustrations are fun-loving but also dark at the same time. I'm glad they caught on to that because that's pretty much what my illustrations are. It makes the viewer think about the ties between good and evil.

KP: How do you combine these images together? Do you try the same illustrations with different images?

LT: I layer the illustrations on the photographs as well as the other way around (layering the photographs on the illustrations. I scan my illustrations first and then upload them to Photoshop to edit and cut out the illustrations. I've experimented placing the illustrations onto different photos, but in the end I make a decision for which photos belong together.

KP: Can these elements live on their own, or do they need each other to exist?

LT: The elements can live on their own. Neither the photos and illustration have to be placed on each other, but doing this helps the viewer get into my mind of how I see my surroundings.

KP: How do the titles impact the images? 

LT: The titles are descriptions that give you an idea of narration. The titles are the same descriptions written on the back of each drawing in my sketchbook.

KP: If you were to give an artist talk what would be one thing you find important you want the viewer to experience?

LT: I would like viewers to see the connection between fantasy (the world I created) and reality (my surroundings). My imagination influences how I see what's around me. Some viewers might look at my sky photographs and think that there's nothing special about cloud photographs. But I see things differently. I look at the sky as another world above me that's separate from the land I walk on.

KP:  How would you typically display this body of work together if in a gallery setting?

LT: I get a lot of my creative ideas from when I'm spending time outdoors or in my bedroom. If I had to set up a gallery for my photos, I would design the space just like my bedroom. The gallery space would be small sized, framed photos will be placed on the walls and shelves, copies of all my sketchbooks will sit on top of my bed and desk for visitors to look through, scrap paper scattered on top of the desk to make it look like this is someone's been working there, etc. My description may not sound the best, but I'm sure you can picture it. I'm open to any ideas for gallery displaying.