Mike Davis, Eclectix Interview 28

A fantastic tableau portrait of Mike Davis taken by Purebred Photo - Purebred, ©2011

Mike Davis grew up in Ohio and currently lives in San Francisco, CA.  Mike is a self-taught painter who educated himself in the old masters, his style and subject matter reflect the warm pastoral, classic elegance of the medieval world. His works are surreal and symbolic narratives reflecting the obvious influence of Brughel’s works – old school yet new school. The complex compositions, golden colorings, masterful execution and flow of humorous humanity in Mike’s works place him over the top.  A veteran tattoo artist,  he is the owner of the internationally-renowned tattoo shop, Everlasting Tattoo.  Mike he also does woodworking, inlay, builds guitars and various other fun & crafty things when he isn’t painting.

A Wish and A Threat - Mike Davis

My favorite art memory from my childhood is ... watching my Ma make things, she is very artistic and crafty. Mad magazine, the Batman show and Ed Roth…

Mike Davis

My interest in art/painting started …. I’ve been making some kind of art since before I can remember…

- Mike Davis

I am often inspired and motivated by…. I’m inspired and motivated by various things. It could be a visit to a museum, an image in a book, an argument, a kiss, a person on the street, a dead pigeon…… I’m always super motivated when I come back from Europe – there is so much to be inspired by there!

Good Morning Sweet Prince - Mike Davis

If I could spend the day with any artist (dead or alive) it would be…   I think it would be Jan Steen…..he is one of my favorites. The reason I chose him is because I think he would just be a fun person to hang out with.  And we would … I don’t know how much we would talk about art but we would for sure enjoy some food, drinks and a laugh. Based on my knowledge of him, he was a guy who, despite his obvious genius, didn’t take himself too seriously. He liked to have fun and be mischievous. my alternate would be Jackie Gleason.

- Mike Davis

The tip or art technique (a specific tidbit of craft, advice or mechanical expertise) that has helped me the most is …  I can’t say there is any tip or technique that has been particularly helpful … I still feel like I have no clue what im doing.

Any thoughts on the contrasts between tattooing and painting?

There are major differences between tattooing and painting…. Tattooing has very strict boundaries you must stay within- and when you put the needle to the skin you are committed and must follow through. Every mark must be very deliberate. Painting is total freedom, you can make changes, you can paint over something if you don’t like what you have.

Getting A Foothold - Mike Davis

If I could own one piece of art, out of the world’s collections, it would be … “The Triumph of Death” by Pieter Brueghel (below)

"The Triumph of Death" by Pieter Brueghel

My favorite piece of my own art is…  I don’t really have a favorite piece of my own art…. I hate them all equally.

No way!  They say once you start liking everything you do, you stop growing as an artist.

I actually do like some paintings that I’ve done but it takes not looking at them for a while and them seeing them again at a much later time when I’m a bit removed from them.

Gluttony - Mike Davis

My ultimate project or fantasy is …  I would love to put together a music/art stage production involving a band, sets, theatrics, etc…  Not a corny broadway sort of thing but more like Pink Floyd circa 1970 except much heavier on the visuals …. Moving things, giant puppets, darker musically, etc. If there are any readers who would be interested,  look me up!!

Untitled - Mike Davis

The last song I choose to listen to was …  “Monkey Man” by The Rolling Stones

Waiting On A Friend - Mike Davis

The last book I couldn’t put down was … an art book on Hendrick Avercamp.

My favorite word is…  Armadillo.

- Mike Davis

I can’t live without … (not in any particular order)- Art, music, food, sex, the woods and the city.

It’s not hip, but I really love …  The Lawrence Welk Show….. soooo not hip … but very creepy.

- Mike Davis

My favorite motto (or quote)  is…. “I’d rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy” - I believe it was W.C. Fields who said this- one of my favorites.

The Other Side of the Bridge - Mike Davis

Mikes’S  PORTFOLIO  &  WEBSITE  LINK

Amy Guidry, Eclectix Interview 26

Amy Guidry

Artist Amy Guidry grew up and currently lives in Louisiana.  Some of her  arresting works have a wonderful Western movie  feel, with a surreal kick. Kind of like Clint Eastwood meets Georgia O’Keeffe, at the O.K. Corral. The clean, stark desert backgrounds have that white light that speaks so clearly of the desert climate – dry and expansive. For someone who doesn’t live there, she captured it incredibly. Other works place people in surreal yet everyday situations, altering and twisting our perceptions. One of  Amy’s series “New Realm” is composed of dreamy elegant, almost floating self-portraits – sometimes juxtaposed with not-so-pretty realities and emotions. 

Burden To Bear - Amy Guidry

From Amy: “My work stems from two loves- Psychology and Art. With Surrealism being the grand marriage of the two, I was naturally drawn to every aspect behind the movement. Using images conceived from dreams and free association that I catalog in several sketchbooks, I stitch together whole series from countless thumbnail sketches. Themes I explore involve the human psyche- who we are and how we interact with each other, including our relationship with other animals and the natural world. “

Vulnerable - Amy Guidry

My favorite art memory from my childhood is…  playing with oil pastels- such a big change from the crayons and markers I was used to.  I loved the vibrancy of the colors.

Amy Guidry

My interest in art/painting started …  since childhood.  I can’t even remember working on many of the drawings saved from my childhood since they were done at such an early age.  All I knew was that I loved to draw and apparently mass-produced so many my mother couldn’t keep them all.  I would blow through an entire package of paper in no time so there were always packs of paper kept on the ready for me.  I started off with crayons, obviously, but as I became more advanced, I really enjoyed charcoal, graphite, and pen & ink.  Then I became more interested in oil and acrylic, the latter being my preference today.

Adaptation - Amy Guidry

I am often inspired and motivated by…. dreams.  As of late, I’ve been getting a lot of my ideas from dreams or free association exercises where I just block out everything else that clutters my mind and let my imagination wander.  Usually at night when I’m just starting to fall asleep is my most creative time.  I’ve read about this and in my experience, it’s true.  When you relax and stop worrying about all your to-do’s for the next day, you mind is better equipped to tap into your creativity.  I’ll sometimes just think of a concept, or even just a word, and see what images come to mind.  Even imagining what my next painting will look like conjures up some useful ideas.  I keep a sketchbook nearby for these moments so I can jot down anything that comes to mind.

Complacent (cropped) - Amy Guidry

If I could spend the day with any artist (dead or alive) it would be… probably Salvador Dali.  And we would…. well, first, I’d love to hang out in his studio just to watch him work and pick his brain.  I’m curious about his process.  Other than that, it would probably be interesting to attend a party with him- “interesting” being an understatement.

Fleeting - Amy Guidry

The tip or art technique (a specific tidbit of craft, advice or mechanical expertise) that has helped me the most is ….  to learn more about marketing/business.  I read anything I can get my hands on about the subject, scour the internet, listen to podcasts, etc.  As a full-time artist you are now a small business owner.  One of my design professors said that artists fail not because they are bad artists, but because they lack business skills.

Hieronymus Bosch's "Temptation of St. Anthony."

If I could own one piece of art, out of the world’s collections, it would be … oh, this is such a hard question!  I think I’d have to go with Hieronymus Bosch’s “Temptation of St. Anthony.” (above)  His work is so rich with narrative as well as detail.  For me, he is THE pre-Surrealist and actually, if you were to ask me to name some of my favorite Surrealist artists, I include Bosch in that list.

Wild West - Amy Guidry

 My favorite piece of my own art is…. another tough question- it’s like picking a favorite child.  I guess I would say “The Wild West” (above)  because… of the challenges it posed.  I was working on a different series of work at the time when the concept for “The Wild West” came to mind.  I sketched it, made a few notes, and put it away for several months, maybe close to a year.  When I felt ready to work on it, I knew that it was going to be a challenging piece technically speaking, but also conceptually.  I’m always looking for ways to improve in both of those aspects, so that usually involves getting out of my comfort zone.  I had to play with my technique a bit, I also started using gel medium which was a first, and I wasn’t really sure what my collectors and galleries would think of the change in subject matter.  My work has always been surreal, but I upped the ante on this series.  The response has been really good, though, so I would say this painting is a “favorite” in that it reminds me of that personal journey.

Everything's Coming Up Roses - Amy Guidry

My ultimate project or fantasy is … collaborating on a project to promote global awareness of animal cruelty and promote the humane treatment of animals.  Also I’d love to be commissioned for a piece to raise awareness of the plight of stray animals and increase pet adoption- which would have to be done on a massive scale through a large organization like the Humane Society.

Amy Guidry

The last song I choose to listen to was… “Just One of Those Things” by The Rat Pack.  Technically Pandora chose it for me on my Big Band station, but I did give it a thumbs-up.

Synergy - Amy Guidry

The last book I couldn’t put down was …. wish I had a more exciting answer here, but “The 12 Million Dollar Stuffed Shark” by Don Thompson.  It’s an interesting look into the art market- the how’s and why’s behind art auctions.  Though I have to admit that reading about people that buy art solely as an investment/trophy is a bit depressing.  I try not to focus on that too much and just glean whatever information I can from the book.

Freedom - Amy Guidry

 My favorite word is … probably my cat’s name, “Baby.”  Seems like I use it a lot.  I work alone in my studio all day and he’s usually the one to come greet me or follow me around, so I’m always talking to him or I’ll sing his name.  That’s probably too much info…

Fragility - Amy Guidry

I can’t live without … my husband and my animals.

Symbiotic - Amy Guidry

It’s not hip, but I really love …. hmm, well, these days I think it’s hip to like things that aren’t hip.  That said, I guess it’s probably still not hip to like watching exercise/diet infomercials.  On the occasion that I find an infomercial on tv about exercise equipment or diet junk, I’ll actually watch it.  The more outlandish they are, the better.  I find them entertaining, especially when they have someone giving a “testimonial” and crying.  It’s all so fake, I can’t help but watch.

Was It A Dream - Amy Guidry

My favorite motto (or quote)  is….  “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.  I actually wrote this down on a post-it note that’s been stuck to my easel for a few years now.

Complete - Amy Guidry

Link to Amy’s Website and Portfolio

 

 

Edward Walton Wilcox, Eclectix Interview 25

Edward Painting, 2011

“We are spiritual creatures that our lower animal is at constant odds with, or so it seems.”

Twilight Circus - Wilcox

Edward’s art is a spiritual experience, imagery with such luminous light and aura to it that it refuses to be captured in a photograph. His colors are sepias, ambers and the warmest golds of sunsets – against the dark, murky depth of  our world’s underbelly. Seeing his work in person hooked me – classical masterpieces of mood, physics and unearthly delights. Edward is not only a master painter but an accomplished sculptor as well – he shares some of his thoughts here with grateful Eclectix.

“Wilcox uses glazes, paint removers and a sepia palette to construct glossy memento moris such as substance-abusing young blonds and Neutras flambés. Playing off the lurid Gothic Romantic style, Wilcox says his works, like the movement he references, rebuke and seduce…”  from Mindy Farrabee, Los Angeles Times

I Keep the Devil in a Small House Just Outside of Town - Wilcox

My favorite art memory from my childhood is…  My first, most impressionable memory has to be my kindergarten art teacher – Mrs. Tatem demonstrating to me how when painting a portrait you must always begin with the eyes of the subject.  Then you simply fill the surrounding area with the rest of the figure!  I liken that strategy to my fathers equally fascinating advice for carving a wooden Indian.“Simply carve away anything that does not look like an Indian.”

Sleepwalker - Wilcox

 My interest in art/painting started …  It was probably my learning disabilities that led me to an interest in art.  As a small boy, my parents did a stellar job convincing me that I was a genius and that my severe dyslexia and slight autism were signs that my mind worked in special and mysterious ways. I had an acute grasp of creative processes probably due to the fact that by comparison I didn’t understand much else.

Monocle - Wilcox

I am often inspired and motivated by… things I do not understand, by that I mean emotional responses such as fear or dread, love and death, sentamentality and faith.  Concepts that we all experience yet are not always rational.  We are spiritual creatures that our lower animal is at constant odds with or so it seems.

The Tethered Beast - Wilcox

If I could spend the day with any artist (dead or alive) it would be…

 And we would…. Well actually, I already have. When I worked for a gallery on Palm Beach years ago I had the amazing opportunity to spend the day with Robert Raushenberg and John Chamberlin. I will never forget the scene of those two getting high in the back of the Mercedes and playing the harmonica all over town.  Robert had polished off half a bottle of Jack before noon,  he was like the Hemingway of painters.

The Roman Gibbet - Wilcox

 The tip or art technique (a specific tidbit of craft, advice or mechanical expertise) that has helped me the most is …. a lack of fear when approaching a new challenge, knowing that there is no wrong way in art!

Ivory Tower - Wilcox

If I could own one piece of art, out of the world’s collections, it would be …

Brueghel’s Winter, Return From the Hunt (below)

Brueghel

My favorite piece of my own art is… I would probably have to say the ”Adam and Eve Altarpiece”. (below), because…   It was an ambitious work of sculpture that took years of tinkering. The subject matter as well. The perfect metaphor for the plight of humanity. Man’s ability to choose, whether it’s right or wrong, everything has consequences.

Adam and Eve - Wilcox

My ultimate project or fantasy is … to build a totally functional High Gothic wind mill with living quarters.

Man Tinkling - Wilcox

The last song I choose to listen to was… Last Night by Moby

Salome - Wilcox

The last book I couldn’t put down was …. Complete Works of Breughel

The Secret I Keep in the Red River Grows - Wilcox

My favorite word is … Taciturn

Girl from Wiesbaden - Edward Walton Wilcox

I can’t live without … My beautiful Family

Der Blu Hare - Edward Walton Wilcox

 A lot has been written about your style and the vintage patina your works have. What is the best link about the technical process you go thru to attain it?

http://youtu.be/KusZFszRZwc

Laughing Stock - Edward Walton Wilcox

What inspired or led to this “look” to your works? How did it evolve?  My exposure to some of the mansions of Palm Beach as a child was perhaps the beginning of the journey.  Then several trips to Europe followed and sealed the deal.  I site the whole “beauty of decay” thing. Nostalgia, they say, is a denial of the present and its attributes.  Perhaps its a common myth that we all like to share, that the past was somehow better than things are now.  Da Vinci was accused, as I am, of being a bit of an antiquarian, in the sense of making things appear older than they are. I find comfort in the practice somehow.

Edward Walton Wilcox

Upcoming Exhbition: “Guns & Roses” , opens Nov. 12, 2011,  at Fabien Castanier Gallery, Studio City, CA

Edward’s Website Link

Der Sinkken Yacht - Wilcox

LINK to the current Eclectix website – art news & exhibit listings

Sean Chappell, Eclectix Interview 22

Sean Chappell, at work in his studio

“It’s the kind of work that you’d love to put your hands all over - but won’t, for fear of being cut..”

The Grim Specter of Introversion Puts Down Its Book Long Enough to Look Perturbed - Sean Chappell

Sean was born in Oshawa, Ontario, the first first-generation Canadian to be born to English immigrants. He now lives in Toronto, Ontario. Sean’s work is a surreal and fantastic trip through his imagination. Warped and globular pieces of brain matter float and twist themselves into various scenarios and landscapes of the mind. Pumpkins, anatomy, monsters, organic life forms and fantastic explosions of color unfold in shadowed desert tableaus.

Work a Day, Lose a Day: The Yokes on You!- Sean Chappell

We first discovered Sean’s work while searching for artists for our Halloween “Dementions” exhibit and were blown away by the scope of his dementia ( a good thing)  and his excellent painterly skills. His older works are based on alcoholism and the dehumanizing effects of addiction. Sean’s art is strong, opinionated and hard hitting, a welcome oasis in the current oatmeal art catalog of semi-nude, pretty little girls. Intense and emotional works that drive thought and contemplation of our humanity.

Drawing, Windswept tree series - Sean Chappell

My favorite art memory from my childhood is … My favorite memory would have to be the time I won an award for drawing the new local old age home (I don’t care much for that kind of thing anymore but at the time, it was important). I always did battle with another kid in my class, Marcel. He was an artist too and he was light years ahead of me from day one. He was always considered better than me and, in our society of obsessive competition, I felt slighted to be second best. So, when we got the opportunity to truly compete (for a prize no less) I put on my drawing hat, outlined my drawing of the old age home that friday afternoon and then spent all weekend filling in the details. At the end of the battle I had come out on top (take that Marcel!) with my drawing taking top honors and the prize, a fifteen dollar gift certificate for the local art supply shop. I remember buying a bunch of Pigma drawing pens. The ninja turtles I continued to draw never looked so good!

I Hate It When My Eyes Blow Out! - Chappell

My interest in art/painting started …  I was born an artist. Since I could hold a crayon, I’ve been drawing. According to my parents, I ruined the basement of our first house (it was unfinished, so no big loss) with all my drawing shenanigans. Art has always been my personal form of self-expression and communication. When I was 16 I was introduced to acrylic painting by my art teacher. It was love at first sight. I’d only ever used garbage tempura paint or watercolor pucks, the kind of crap that little kids use. Acrylics opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.

An Investigation Of Cute - Chappell

I am often inspired and motivated by … My lack of ability to express myself properly. I’m in constant competition with myself. I see Art as the doorway to expressing my truest self, as such, the better I am at depicting who I truly am, the more deeply I can communicate with viewers of my work. Every time I see an artwork that has a better technique or is going down a path of depiction that resonates better with me than my own work, it pushes me to improve my own techniques and themes so that I might align my painting more with my true self.

If You Could See What’s On My Mind - Chappell

If I could spend the day with any artist (dead or alive) it would be …  Francis Bacon (the painter not the philosopher) (below)  And we would… Get totally ripped while crawling from pub to pub in London, England. His artwork is so genuine and expressive that I find it impossible not to love. He was a man of vision and will power and I’d love to hang out with that for a day. I wouldn’t bother asking him about his work or trying to pry techniques out of him. I think the day would be better spent having meaningful conversations about other topics while getting staggeringly drunk with the man. By the end of the day he’d probably tell me to “piss-off” and that I’d been “a  horrible drinking partner” (followed by a string of British expletives) while picking my pocket for as many free drinks as he could get. I could live with that.

Francis Bacon

The tip or art technique (a specific tidbit of craft, advice or mechanical expertise) that has helped me the most is …. The use of gloss mediums in my work. When I was at school I wanted to learn how to make sharp lines on my paintings. I used tape for this but for some reason my colors would always creep under its edges leaving me to do hours of touch ups. When I asked my TA (teachers assistant) how to get crisp lines she wouldn’t tell me! Apparently she used this technique herself and, like a magician, would not reveal her secrets. Well, I eventually wheedled it out of her and the ingredient that made it all work was gloss medium. By sealing the edge of the tape with a clear coat of gloss medium, my colors could no longer creep underneath it. Problem solved! Now I use it to thin or extend my colors, to do washes and make my paintings pop with a nice low lustre sheen. It really is magic!

40 Ounces: Love-Less - Chappell

If I could own one piece of art, out of the world’s collections, it would be …“Autumn Cannibalism” by Salvador Dali. (below)

Autumn Cannibalism by Salvador Dali

We had a big book of his work in the library at my high school . I used to look at it a lot and “Autumn Cannibalism” always struck me on a deeper level than any of his other work. It’s a beautiful piece, fluid and poignant, loving yet self-destructive. I appreciate the dichotomies that he depicts. It’s the kind of work that you’d love to put your hands all over but won’t for fear of being cut.

40 Ounces: Less-Love - Chappell

My favorite piece of my own art is … “Vignette #1: Skies and Eyes”(see image below) It was a return to a form of painting that I was involved in when I was at University, a more unconscious form of working that allowed the real me to shine through. I’ve been laboring under the pretense of conscious communication with my work for a long time. This involves coming up with a specific theme for a painting and then planning out the details so that the theme can be properly expressed. In retrospect, through this procedure I’ve denied myself the opportunity to truly communicate the most relevant parts of my inner-self. I’ve been stifling my creative impulses all the while dictating to my viewers exactly what they should be seeing. “Vignette #1: Skies and Eyes” is a partial return to that unconscious realm of Art production that will see me producing stronger, more truthful and better artworks. In this way, viewers of my work will be able to approach it with open minds, bring to it what they will and take from it what they will.

Vignette #1: Skies and Eyes - Chappell

My ultimate project or fantasy is … To put together an artists commune. There are so many artists out there like me who are struggling to put together even one day a week in which to get on to their true calling. I’d love to put together a commune where artists who work in the surreal arts could come together and paint, sculpt, draw or print to their hearts content without the ever present threat of financial necessity hanging over them. There would be room for their families to join them, a school close by for their kids, a studio space where all their needs could be met and it would all be supplied by me. No more need for a day job. When I win the lottery, it’s a done deal.

Detail from Vignette #1: Skies and Eyes - Chappell

The last song I chose to listen to was … “Stranger in a Strange Land” by 30 Seconds to Mars. I’ve recently introduced a whole bunch of hard rock and punk albums into my collection; Linkin Park, Green Day and Billy Talent just to name a few. Punk and hard rock has the right type energy that I’m looking for at the moment. I’m big into shaking up the status quo and I syphon a lot of energy from other peoples righteous anger. It moves me to action.

Things That Should Not Be Inside Eggs: All the Things we Love to Hate to Love - Chappell

I can’t live without … My wife Cath. With her, all things are possible. She is the raging yang to my raging yang but she keeps me grounded when the frustrations of the daily grind start to overwhelm me. She is my sounding board, my best friend, my tormentor and my movie going buddy. Spending any amount of time with her makes everything better. She fought to wrangle me and now I can’t imagine life any other way. The world would certainly be paler without her.

Mexican Skeleton Cactus - Chappell

My favorite word is … I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it. Chances are it’s probably a swear word and not really mentionable in this forum! I’m trying to hold myself to a higher standard these days. Sorry.

Untitled - Chappell

It’s not hip, but I really love … The pursuit of personal growth.I’m currently working in an industry where people couldn’t care less about themselves. They’re either grotesquely obese, avid smokers or slowly drowning themselves in alcohol and drug abuse. Through the disuse of personal protective equipment they’re also slowly going deaf, risking the loss of an eye or even their lives. They all know the outcome of these behaviors but seem to turn a blind eye to their coming derailments.

Pete's Potatoes: Revolution! - Chappell

I see this type of behavior outside of my workplace as well; people running as hard as they can toward self-destruction. I don’t get it. While I’m here I’m going to do my damndest to be the best possible me  that I can be. The longer I can continue on, the more chances I give myself to express myself through the mediums of my artwork. By training myself physically, mentally and spiritually, upgrading my skills as an artist, I hope to make my mark in the world, not become a casualty of it. It’s not very popular, but then again, I’ve never been either. Sounds like synchronicity to me!

Things That Should Not Be Inside Eggs: 30 Pieces of Silver - Chappell

Sean’s – Website 

LINK to the current Eclectix website – art news & exhibit listings

(This entry was  originally posted on 6/30/11 and transferred here –  as we are discontinuing our other blog site)