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SPRAYGRAPHIC INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST JUSTIN NELSON
By Spraygraphic | May 6, 2010
SPRAYGRAPHIC INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST JUSTIN NELSON
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
JN: My name is Justin Nelson, I’m 24 years old, and I like to draw. I was born in Astoria, Oregon and I moved around a lot for the first 18 years of my life due to my father being in the military. I think the experience of always having a new home every three years instilled some sort of wandering spirit inside of me because for 18 years I thought I wanted to stay in one place permanently, but now that I’m older I want to get out and experience every culture and place that I can while I’m alive.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
JN: Currently I live and work in Tampa, Florida. Former death metal capital of the world.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
JN: Most of the time I work with ink and pencil, but recently I’ve started to incorporate watercolor into my work. I really like the subtlety of the watercolor against the black ink.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
JN: It all pretty much starts at my day job. While I’m working I’m coming up with different images in my head and typing them in my digital notepad on my phone so I don’t forget them. Sometimes it’s a sentence or a few words that I build an image around and sometimes I come up with an actual image that I want to experiment with. When I get home from work I very loosely sketch it out in my sketchbook to get a feel for how the image will look, and change things up as needed. After this is done I move the image to its permanent home on a nice piece of paper.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
JN: I’ll either scribble some doodles out in my sketchbook, draw on the walls in my studio, browse one of the many wonderful art blogs that are available on the internet, or sit and listen to my favorite music.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
JN: Hair, my daily routine, and the music I listen to all inspire a lot of my work.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
JN: I suspect my work has been seen in a lot of places thanks to the wonders of the internet. I’ve mostly shown in Florida galleries, but recently I’ve been a part of some wonderful group shows in Philadelphia, and Canada.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
JN: Currently trying to get some shows lined up for this year. I can’t really say right now, but keeping my fingers crossed it all works out.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
JN: Making album art for any one of my favorite bands. I know CD’s are going the way of the dinosaur, which really makes me sad because you can’t get the full effect of the artwork on a computer screen, but I’d still be down for it.
SG: What is your favorite color?
JN: I like red.
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
JN: Too many to name just one! If I had to name one then currently it is Kazimir Malevich. His Suprematist movement is really fascinating and inspiring. “Black Square” and “Black Circle” have had a hold on me since I first laid eyes on them, and I can’t stop thinking about the possibilities of what these paintings can represent. They are a fine example of what art is all about.
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
JN: I’ve done one self portrait and it can be seen on my flickr. It is titled “Golden Summer” and I currently have it in my possession.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
JN: Currently reading “The Kite Runner” as well as the latest issue of Juxtapoz.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
JN: Anywhere with my wife. If I’m not with her then it’s probably in my studio when it’s not flooded. Florida weather is brutal.
SG: Any final words of advice?
JN: Keep on truckin’.
Additional Links:
http://www.twitter.com/justinbnelson
Topics: Animal Art, Artist Interviews |
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