Monarch Crewneck

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Madison Holler and I am the artist behind Rubinski Works. Primarily, I create metal and beadwork artwork that is inspired by my Anishinaabe, Scandanavian, and Dutch heritage. I also have a background in graphic design and photography.

How does your connection with the land inspire your work?

Connection to the land is my greatest inspiration and at the forefront of all my work. The flora and fauna that surround me are at the heart of everything I do. My greatest hope is that my work communicates that we are not just in nature, but of nature. There is no separation; therefore we must treat the natural world with the reverence, reciprocity and respect we would wish for. Our treatment towards the land and all its creatures should be precious and profound. Keeping this in mind, I really enjoy playing with the symmetry and cyclical nature of the elements in my drawings. This design specifically tells the story of a midsummer bike ride down lush roads of foliage, crickets chirping, and the sun setting.

Can you tell us the story behind this piece?

My Father, Dirk (Anishinaabe and German/Polish) was a man with many super cool interests, one being a total gear head and motorcycle enthusiast. He owned and operated an auto body shop for 35+ years, throughout that time owning many bikes. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are of trips down the countryside roads lining the Misi-ziibi (Mississippi River) where I grew up. Winding dirt roads, ditches lined with star flowers, cat tails, wild rose, and milkweed await the caterpillars who will later hatch into monarchs, filling the skies. This piece is an homage to those memories and of course, my Pops. The script reading “Rubinski Works” is his handwriting and the lettering at the top an ode to his hand painted sign roots (a beloved side gig he had).

What keeps you grounded as an artist?

There are two major themes I have found in my healing that help ground me. First, memento mori, a Latin phrase that translates to “remember you must die” or in a less macabre meaning, as I see it, the knowledge that everything is impermanent. The joy we feel is often fleeting, as is the sorrow. In knowing this it becomes easier to revel in your bliss and chase moments of awe! Alternatively, it becomes a beacon in times of grief or pain. For example, just today I indulged in a minute of solace under a Douglas fir dancing in the wind, for which I may have otherwise overlooked had I not been in the habit of practicing gratitude for brief moments of beauty. Secondly, I’ve found that you can only reach the depths of love, care and intimacy with others, as you have found within yourself. I believe this extends to nature and all beings. Nurturing growth and wholeness within yourself will allow you to go deeply into the care you show all things.