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Spraygraphic Interview with Artist Ken Garduno
By Spraygraphic | August 20, 2008
Spraygraphic Interview with Ken Garduno
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
KG: I’m just a guy that likes the simple things in life. I like watching people, and making up stories about them. I spend a lot of time in my head. I keep the television on, but hardly pay attention to it. My imagination sometimes gets the best of me.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
KG: I currently live in Los Angeles, and I am nomadic in my work habits. i don’t really like to work in the same space too long.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
KG: I like to work with anything I can get my hands on. For my professional work, I work in acrylic inks. Once I started working with those, there was no turning back.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
KG: I sometimes have an idea ahead of time, but I mostly like to sketch out shapes and ideas until they form into something. I like to let my imagination take over and create something spontaneously. I don’t think I’ll ever run out of material working this way. I always make mistakes, and the mistakes end up being part of the final product.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
KG: If I get stuck, I just have to stop. There is no point in trying to force something out. I’ve been most successful with my work when I let it naturally flow out.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
KG: Everywhere. Seriously, I look to anything for inspiration. Art, music,history, nature, relationships, human interaction, science fiction, movies, etc…it’s all there for the taking.
SG: How did you get into being an freelance artist for magazines and other art-based companies?
KG: I had no real plan when I graduated from art school. I felt really unprepared, but there is no better training ground than the real world. I was given an opportunity to do a cover for some weekly newspaper, and I’ve been at it ever since.
SG: What kind of deadlines do you work with when producing this kind of work?
KG: So far, I haven’t been given anything too crazy. I think the toughest deadline I’ve had to deal with was a day. I work quick, so I don’t really get stressed out when given a big assignment to complete in a short time.
SG: Do the companies come back to you and say “change this” or “change that?”
KG: I think that’s inevitable, unfortunately. It’s understandable, but sometimes difficult to interpret someone else’s idea.
SG: How much are you willing to change? Is there some kind of negotiation process you go through?
KG: For the most part, editorial work I do has a different feel from art I show in galleries. It seems to be a natural split. If the job calls for change, I don’t really mind because it is a job. I can then do my personal work and not have to compromise.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
KG: I’ve shown in galleries all over the U.S., as well as Canada and once in Scotland.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
KG: I have a bunch of group shows coming up, and a solo show coming up early next year. Please check my blog for news.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
KG: I’ve always wanted to have an illustration in the New Yorker, Playboy, and Rolling Stone. Other than that, I am doing exactly what I would want in terms of the gallery world.
SG: What is your favorite color?
KG: Hmmm. Just as everything else in my life, that changes often. Currently, it’s the color of plums. I love both the color of the skin, and the red color when they’re bitten into.
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
KG: This is a tough one. I was just introduced to the work of an amazing French illustrator named Sergio Toppi. He is my favorite of the month.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
KG: I make regular trips to the bookstore to browse through the magazines and art books. I tend to check out art and design mags. I don’t read often, even though I’m making a mental note about all the books I have to read. Maybe someday, I’ll actually get to these. Maybe.
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
KG: I’ve done many of those. They’re all over the place. Recent self portraits are unintentional. Whenever someone meets me that knows my work, they frequently mention how they can see me in some of my characters.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
KG: I like to hang out in my friends tattoo shop. All the guys working there are great. I spend a pretty good amount of my time working on my own stuff there. I also really like outdoor shopping areas. I like to sit and people watch.
SG: Any final words of advice?
KG: Take a long walk. It’s a great way to get rid of stress, and very inspirational.
Topics: Artist Interviews, Paintings |
September 10th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
[...] Ken Garduno y Derek Albeck entrevistados por Spraygraphic [...]
September 11th, 2008 at 5:54 am
I love Ken’s work, which I’m seeing for the first time this morning. Excellent.