REDMAN @ REDLINE MILWAUKEE

Blog by Julia Ott:  Be sure to look out for the Red Man at RedLine Milwaukee. One of RedLine’s own resident emerging artists, Jessica Laub, participated in a community creation of the Red Man in order to guide the public to RedLine’s door. Aside from the most apparent mission of the Red Man’s construction, more meaning is derived from the mosaic masterpiece.  Jessica Laub grew up knowing that art was her passion. She was always painting and working on different projects such as re-finishing furniture in high school. Though she did not attain an art degree in college, a lack of art classes was inexistent. With inspiration from artists like Matisse and Kandinsky, Jessica has been able to create a variety of artworks using different mediums from painting, to print-making, to ceramics.  Her talent in ceramics allowed Jessica to see a page in a Martha Stewart magazine and draw inspiration from a mosaic piece in an article featuring community gardens. Such a piece reminded her of her time in the Peace Corps. in Nicaragua and the art she was involved with during that time.  The Red Man then evolved to mark the RedLine building as a place for artists to know they are in the right place. Not only was the goal to determine the location of an artist hub, but the Red Man was a community-building project aided by teen and student artists as well.  The sense of community-building also contributes to Jessica’s reasons for creating art. She explained her urge to create, a need to express herself, and a desire to communicate. She accomplished all of this through her art and believes that such communication through art should initiate a reaction of some kind.  Jessica’s communication through art instills a celebration, a joyful and positive message, and the beauty and positivity in the world.  Head down to RedLine and see for yourself what type of message can be conveyed through the Red Man!