Jeff McMahon
Jeff McMahon is a painter, teacher, and graphic designer living in Chicago. He earned a BFA in Painting from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia in 1996 and recently received his MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (S.A.I.C). Now, Jeff is teaching at S.A.I.C while running his own graphic design business from his home. As an artist, Jeff has exhibited nationally. Past shows include "Visions" at A.T. Kerning, and "Subject Picture" at the Optimistic, both in Chicago, as well as a solo show at Bodybuilder and Sportsman Gallery.
The interview was conducted by Ilana Stanger of TheArtBiz.com.
Where did you go to college?
I got my BFA from Tyler School of Art and my MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (S.A.I.C.)
What made you decide to get an MFA?
I chose to get my MFA because it is a plug into the art world and is pretty much mandatory to teach at the college level.
What was your first job out of school?
I started teaching art at middle schools and high schools while I was in college, and am teaching at the S.A.I.C. now. I also started working in the graphic arts immediately after college and continued to do that while receiving my MFA.
How have you gotten your jobs?
I have gotten jobs from friends, teachers,family, and [then]... strangers.
Where was your first exhibition out of school?
A corporate office.
How did you get that opportunity?
From having my work in a slide bank.
Do you have a plan for the next few years?
Being an artist is a job, because of that I have no plan other than continuing to make work.
Where do you work now?
I do my own art in Chicago in a big...studio. I teach at S.A.I.C., and I run my own design business, Parallax, from home.
Do you have any suggestions for our members on exhibiting or applying for opportunities?
Research. Figure out where you want your work shown, because galleries, residencies, cities, etc. are all different in the type of work that they encourage / support. Research your market and your audience--that will help you focus.
This article was originally created for TheArtBiz.com. It appears on NYFA Interactive courtesy of the Abigail Rebecca Cohen Library.
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