1 When did you start to make art?
I have been interested in art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I am not sure when it started becoming art rather than just scribblings and drawings though. That would depend on who you ask. There has never really been a time that I have not been involved in artistic endeavors.
2 How did you evolve into a professional artist?
It was less of an evolution and more of concerted effort. I had many starts and stops along the way, trying to find a medium I could live with, and a style that didn't change daily. I also had to get comfortable with marketing myself, because you can make all the art you want but unless you do the mare minimum to put it in front of people you can't expect to sell very much of it.
3 What drove you to make art as a professional vocation?
Boredom at my day job. Fiscal demands. Familial pressure.
4 Explain your inspiration?
I get a lot of my inspiration from mid century design and the modern surrealist movement.
5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
I'm not really privvy to the process.
6 From Ideas to production of art – how? And why?
Sometimes I make it up as I go along. Sometimes I have a very concrete idea, sketch it out, then paint it.
Sometimes I just need to use up a color that I have a lot of.
7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium?
If so which?
I sometimes use colored pencil, though the effect is pretty different. I have also done a few tattoo designs. I used to do relief prints but I got tired of cutting myself while carving the block, and then getting turpentine into the cuts.
8 Which artists would you most like to blatantly rip off?
I have blatantly ripped off Salvador Dali a few times.
9 Why is your art made?
I usually get down to business when a bill is due.
10 What does being an artists mean to you?
It means I may never eat at my kitchen table again.
11 Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
It can be difficult to get motivated, even when there are bills due. Sometimes the ideas just don't flow forth as well, or nothing I paint seems to come out how I wanted it. I feel like I'm sort of at the mercy of some inner drive that I don't have control over. I also can't eat at my kitchen table.
12 When does your art become successful?
When it looks good to me, or I get tired of fiddling with it. Whichever comes first.
13 What is art?
It's whatever you want it to be.
14 How do you start the process of making work?
It's a little different every time.
15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
I decide on my own prices. I tend to look at what similar pieces by other artists are selling for and arrive at a figure that I feel will adaquately compensate for the time I put into the piece. And I like numbers that end in 5.
16 What is your next; move,project,show etc?
I am thinking about a local show this summer but I haven't nailed down a location yet. I have an idea or two.
17 What are the pros and cons of the art market?
The biggest pro is that there's really no limit to how well you can do. The biggest con is that it's not very stable.
18 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
I don't think I've made them yet. I still see myself as a beginner.
19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
I make sure not to place my beverage too close to my rinse water. I have accidently rinsed my brush out in my beverage before, and it wasn't pleasant.
20 What has been the biggest break in your career?
I'm not sure, but getting the first commission request from a person I didn't know and had never met before was pretty nice.
21 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
My family.
22 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
I have given away a good deal of artwork to friends and family when I couldn't afford to send real Christmas presents. They seem to like it anyway.
Christels Blog Christels Website