Interview with Spraygraphic.com
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
I was born in suburban Texas to a father who was a painter and a mother who was a schoolteacher. I grew up in a household full of books, country music, college sports, film, jazz, painting, and cartoons. I have been drawing for as long as I can remember but I started studying painting, seriously at the University of Texas at Austin as an undergraduate. I went on to receive my MFA in painting, on fellowship, from the University of Wisconsin-- Madison.
Currently I reside in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco with my wife Jessica and our avocado plant D.R. We share a studio in North Beach. Some of my other professional activities include writing, curating and teaching art. Additionally I help run Fivepoints Arthouse with longtime collaborator Jason Bryan. Other than that, I do very little else.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
I live and work in San Francisco, CA
SG: What mediums do you work with?
Recently I have been using acrylic paint, enamel paint, graphite, ink, oil paint, various papers, and watercolor, but not necessarily in that order.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
I am seriously interested in every aspect, from developing to displaying my artwork. Often the work I make starts out in some form of drawing. After I source reference material I make choices about what to cut or add in response to what is happening visually and physically, as it pertains to my initial idea about where I wanted a particular piece to go.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
I find it helpful to pace my studio work so that I have enough going on at different stages, at any given time, so that I do not have to stop. However I am not immune to getting "blocked" so I have been making these books that I do not exhibit or show anyone, where I work when I get "stuck". Having a place that is completely invisible to anyone but me is very liberating.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
Gerhard Richter, Olafur Eliasson, The Refused
SG: Where has your work been seen?
Blankspace Gallery in Oakland, FluxFactory in Queens, The Headlands Center for the Arts, Momenta Art in Brooklyn, Southern Exposure in SF, Beverly Art Center in Chicago, Museo de Arte de Brasilia in DF Brasil
SG: Where will it be seen next?
My work is on display at Blankspace Gallery in Oakland through March 9. (Oakland Art Murmur Reception on March 6)
On February 27,2009 I will be drawing at Southern Exposure's Monster Drawing Rally
In August I will have a solo exhibit with portland based Beefmaster Gallery
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
Painting and exhibiting. I feel fortunate to be living, in some respects, the dream.
SG: What is your favorite color?
red
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
A few important artists for me, include Janine Antoni, Beuys, Caspar David Fredrich, Kathleen Hannah, Ian MacKaye, Sigmar Polke, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Kurt Schwitters, and Joe Strummer.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
Aesthetics and Painting by Jason Gaiger
Cabinet Issue 32 Fire
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
I painted my first self portrait as an undergraduate and the second, I made one year out of school after losing a fistfight and I have not completed one since. My parents own both paintings.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
Fivepoints Arthouse
SG: Any final words of advice?
Nothing in Vain