Edward Gorey. Since I was in elementary school, I have always enjoyed his art (both visual and written.) The dark humor which permeates his work has always been inspirational; finding a balance of silliness and absurdity in sadness. It may not be something we normally pick up on, but it is there. He did so much with just black and white -- a simple palette of positive and negative space. Yet this simplicity carries with it such complexity of emotion. Less can be more.
Who in the world is interesting to you right now, and why?
Wow, "interesting" is such a broad term. I would have to say right now, it would be the Pope (because he is retiring). That hasn't happened since the 1415! That's almost 600 years ago. What are his motives behind it? They state (he's) not feeling physically or mentally up to the job, but that hasn't seemed to be a deterrent for most of the previous popes.
How can you retire from something you have given your whole life to and are married to? I could never retire from art -- no matter how long I do it, how much (if any) money I make, what the world's perception of my art is. I will always create art, even if it can only exist within me.
What's one art trend you want to see die this year?
If it's that bad and hasn't taken its own life yet, someone will take a hit out on it soon enough. Be patient, Grasshopper.
What's your day job?
I do computer drafting for American Stainless Steel -- a family-owned and -run business that does custom fabrication of commercial and residential stainless steel kitchens and components. It's the technical yin to my creative yang, and keeps me in balance and harmony. Although at some point soon, I would like to throw my life into chaos and just create art. More than likely, I would just develop two totally different styles -- one precise and calculated, the other fluid and subconscious. Or maybe I would just take up solving complex math problems -- I think either one would work.
A mystery patron offers you unlimited funds for life. What will you do with it?
Honestly, the first thing I would do would be pay off my student loans. Then, make sure my immediate family's needs would be taken care of. I also would establish art and music programs in all schools, community centers, and senior living homes -- across the globe for groups that want them. I would get every book that I turn into art digitally scanned, then distribute copies to anyone that wanted them. I would probably volunteer a lot, and just keep producing art, exploring art and try to develop an understanding of one another within the masses -- through artistic expression and appreciation.
