Beat Kids Gallery

10.14.08 - Short interview for Layers Upon Layers, out November 13th.

How do you describe your work?  I generally leave that to the viewer, I don't want to tell anyone what they should be seeing.  I want them to interperate it in their own way.

What is your creative process like?  More often than not when I start something new I plan for a few days doing sketches and using proper referance material.  If the planning doesn't go well or Im just not getting into it, the whole idea is stored away for later.  I may pull it out months from then or I may never see it again.  If all is well and I decided to turn the idea into something on canvas I get into a bizarre sort of painting schedule.  I start in the early morning and do one layer at a time letting each dry then placing another on top, so on so forth. And that will usually take me well into the afternoon or evening.  One thing I definately dislike is to paint in silence, I have to have the right music the right drinks the right lights and the perfect atmosphere.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current
level of artistry?  I cannot say I have really ever had any formal training and I realise that to some people when an artist says they chose not to go to art college or the like it can sound a bit pretentious and egotistical but that really isn't the case.  I made the decision to learn in other ways, more renegade and more hands on.  I think too many people tend to focus on what they think an art degree is, I believe there is too much elitism in the art world. 

What inspires you to create?   Life! Everyday life.  The hypocrisy of our leaders, what appears to be a quickly developing mind numbing new culture that seems to proud themselves on being lazy and uneducated, the fascist overtones of the classroom & religion, so on.  I paint the world through my own eyes, I reflect.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?

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4.17.08
Adam was recently interrogated by Brenna Duval.  This interview can be found in a local developing art magazine, a run-off of Brenna's zine 'DominEarth'

What mediums do you most enjoy using? I started off with watercolor then I switched to acrylics which I really enjoy. Occasionally I will use watercolor but if I do its mixed media.

Favorite artist(s)? Any particular reason why? Im a real big fan of Gottfried Helnwein, I love his perspective and Im really into artists and writers like Marquis Du Sade who were punished and even jailed or killed for their thoughts and ideas. I take a lot of my inspiration from artists like that who actually have enough balls to say what they are thinking instead of painting a flower and trying to please everyone.

Favorite style? Do you think you’ve developed a certain style? I don't have a 'favorite style' but instead I just paint and let the brush flow naturally instead of pushing it in a certain direction. Im good at getting what I am feeling on the canvas. I remember when I was very young trying to mimic other famous artists, I guess as a child it makes sense to try to copy someone famous because the idea is then maybe you will be too but obviously I grew up and developed my own style which is still and always will be developing further and always changing.

What do you think of the term ‘artist’, do you consider yourself as such? Why/why not? I didn't for the longest time but obviously I am now and I know there are a lot of people out there who think they are or pretend to be an artist but they are really just some asshole who draws a heart with a safetypin through it. I think its my job as an artist to make people think but not give them an answer, art shouldn't be an answer...Im not a fucking politician.

Do your pieces have any sort of purposes to them? All of my studys have a purpose, absolutely. If they didn't, I would be just another asshole drawing hearts and happy faces. I purposely make my message a little vague so its open to more than one general interperitation.

Your art is definitely an expression of the mind and imagination. Why do you think you’re so pulled towards visual expression, if that’s even describable? That is a really good question. I've been drawing and doing little doodles ever since I could pick up a pencil but painting is so important to me because in a way its easier for me this way to get out what Im trying to say on canvas and I tend to use powerful imagery and harsh contrasts and it comes out raw and sometimes with a hint of violence, like my personality. I am my paintings.

Was it an easy decision when you decided to start selling your pieces and do you have any pieces that you refuse to sell? I think it is a difficult decision for any artist to start parting with their work because you put all you have into it, all your energy and ideas and selling it and having to see it go is hard. There are some at the moment that I definately can't part with but as time goes on they will definately up for purchasing. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't create something.

Do you believe exhibition is also part of the process? Absolutely. Some people are fine with creating as a hobby and just keeping them in their homes, its a great outlet. We all started that way, but things progress if you let them. Eventually I want to do something I guess you could relate with the Cabaret Voltaire. Music and art go hand in hand. I would like to see my paintings come to life, I will make them.

Have you been getting much attention or reaction yet? The last couple of months has been good and is continuing to get better. Right now Im just working really hard on the American Freakshow and getting the word out there of what Im trying to do. Some poeple get it, some don't and some don't deserve to.

How has your art progressed over the years? Looking back even to a year ago there is a massive transformation, back then I was really struggling with getting my ideas out and thinking of something to say which was the problem. I realized I didn't need to push myself and I had my ideas all along and I never have nothing to say. I was trying too hard to be someone else, I was scared of what I wanted to say, thanks to those who tried to make me feel like my ideas should be silenced..I bought into it for a split second...but I guess it totally backfired on you.

Do you think your style of painting or subject of inspiration will ever change? My style will definately progress and my inspiration changes with every painting that I do. I will never do the same thing twice.

 Could you ever imagine your inspiration in general dying out with time? Absolutely not. There will always be people who piss me off, there will always be something Im trying to say and the day I feel like I can't create anymore is the day I quit and is the day I die. This is my life.

What artistic goals have you set? I just do and say what I want, some people love me some people hate me. Im fine with that. As long as Im making people think then I have done my job.

What are you currently working on, what plans do you have—what can we hope to expect from you in the future? What would you like to see from yourself in a few years? Im about half way through the 'American Freakshow : 4th of July' and Im still unsure if I want it to transform into a series, I think everything I want to be said on this subject is being done well. You know, Im never sure what Im going to do next but I can promise you that you won't be dissapointed and Im going to push everything I can as far as I can. In a few years...I couldn't tell you. I know what Im hoping for, and I will get what I want.

Thank you very much.