Thanks for Four Years of Awesome
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Blogged Around Philly: Farewell Edition
Photoist
Hi, Jim. The first thing we want to know is what compels your "cute," cartoony style.
I love making people happy with my art. People are so heavy with the way the world is and all. Making cool art that puts smiles on people is a rewarding thing for me. Lighten up and smile.
Besides the urge to make spread joy and happiness, what else inspires your art?
Everything!!! Other artists, dreams, rust, texture, music, movies, photography, architecture, nature, anything well designed, decay, time, etc. The list could go on forever.
With your unique style, do you find that there is a certain audience that really tends to gravitate toward your work?
My stuff appeals to younger adults. I'm older and have found that most people my age don't get my stuff. There is a boy in me that just lights up when I see really cool characters, design, art and beauty. I wish people wouldn't lose their childlike wonder.
So, it seems it's safe to say that your childish side is still alive and well. Can you remember a time when you were little that you knew you'd become an artist?
No doubt. When I lay on the living room floor with my dad at around three or four years old and watched him draw with his sharp number-two pencil as he skillfully doodled little 3-D boxes and cartoon characters, I was hooked. I knew right then that this was what I was put on this earth to do. I have never doubted that since.
You could say that you inherited your love of pencil from your dad. Any other reasons that it's your medium of choice?
There is something about the how spontaneous I am with a pencil in my hand. I love the smudges, the lines, the way it builds up and darkens. Acrylics are my favorite paint and I often mix them with pencil.
You've lived in New Jersey for most of your life. But, do you have any regular haunts when you're in Philadelphia?
South Street has a lot of energy. Not just for the shops and restaurants. I usually bring my camera and head down side streets to photograph worn out, paint chipped doors and stuff like that. Chickie and Pete's near the stadium is a fave place to get crabs and beer. Tony Luke's has the best hot pork sandwich on earth. IKEA! Proximity Gallery is a cool little place to see great art. Vincent Michael Gallery which just opened this year has been good to me so far. Much more.
Any upcoming shows or events that we should know about?
The "Sneaker" exhibition at Vincent Michael Gallery, which begins December 10. Currently, I have a painted custom vinyl toy in the Sketchbot Vol.2 show at Munky King in Los Angeles.
Are you an ArtIST who would like to be featured on Phillyist? E-mail Julie Davis at julie@phillyist.com.
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