Where are you from and how’d you end up in New Bern?
I am originally from New Bern. I moved to Greensboro, NC in 2000. From there I moved several times, including NYC and Baltimore. I moved back to Craven County in 2011, got married and had our awesome daughter Liza.
How did you get into art?
I have always loved to draw and sketch since I was in elementary school. I didn’t start to take notice to the art that inspires me until I was probably 15 and really started enjoying skate art on skate boards and clothing. I met a friend in my early 20s that got me into graffiti. I was never that great of a graff writer so I started to develop my monsters and characters. Those translated to canvas well although I had no idea what I was doing. A lot of try and fail but kept at it. I was given my first showcase at a gallery in Greensboro called The Space in 2004.
Is there a theme to your work, or several different themes?
The theme to my work is controlled chaos. Whether it be my monsters, wildlife of just a mix of colors or drips. I like the layers and it has kind of become my thing. I love when you see things through a previous layer pop out in an unexpected place in the composition.
Can you tell us a little bit about your technique and the mediums you use?
My technique is layering paint over paint over paint. It usually builds a complex, colorful background. Most of my subject matter in my pieces are either flat and look like a screen print or the subject is also layered and layered until it takes shape and is lined out.
Your work combines detailed imagery with abstract graffiti style backgrounds, have you always worked this way, and how did you develop this style?
Almost always. My fun in my work has always been the layered background. I love vibrant colors and overspray with drips and graffiti tags in it. I like using letters and then almost fading them completely out with spray paint or drip and splatter. Once the background is done I decide what goes on it. I hardly ever have a plan with subject matter except that this one is going to be some kind of bird or this one gets a couple of fluffy skulls. I let shapes of color develop into my subject matter.
Is there an artist, in your field or any other, whose work inspires you or you admire?
I am mostly inspired by my friends. Whether it’s a friend that paints or just someone hanging out and pops off a cool idea. I am definitely inspired by several artists such as Buff Monster, Nychos, and countless anonymous street artists. Natural and urban landscapes inject a lot of inspiration as well. And most importantly, my biggest fan is Liza.
In one sentence, what is art to you?
Art is breath and choking at the same time.
Is there any specific award, exhibition, or piece that you’re particularly proud of, and why?
I’m most proud of the first showing I had here in town at Brewery 99. Pete gave me a chance to put some stuff up and after 9 years of not painting it was what I needed to feel like my old self again. The show was well received and I met a lot of my closest friends from it.
Do you have any advice for other artists about creating work, their career, or anything else?
My advice to other artists is to just paint and paint a lot. Try to keep it fun and don’t get discouraged or stale. Explore all available avenues and be original until you find and develop a style that suits your personality. Personality translates to canvas and it’s important to leave part of your self in your work I think.
I know you’ll be having an exhibition in the Director’s Gallery for March, where else can people find your work?
I’m super stoked about the Director’s Gallery showcase of my birds. I have work hanging at Tonic on Middle Street here in town and will be showcasing my work and others at Tap That very soon. I always try to put what I’m working on up on social media (Facebook and Instagram). After this show, I’m going to open up for commissions again after I’m caught up.
By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.
317 Middle Street | New Bern, NC | www.cravenarts.org | 252.638.2577