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Spraygraphic Interview with Artist John Sharifi
By Spraygraphic | July 23, 2008
Spraygraphic interview with John Sharifi
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
JS: I really don’t like to call myself a painter in the traditional sense. I just enjoy creating things, and it doesn’t necessarily have to involve paint. I’m a “Creative.” Plus, it just sounds pompous to me to say “I’m a painter.” I’m no Caravaggio.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
JS: I live and work in Orange County, California. And no it’s not like how it is on the tube.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
JS: I’ll tinker with tools ranging from photography and spray paint to graphic design. My paintings are primarily in oil.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
JS: First and foremost is inspiration, if it’s personal work. Sometimes inspiration comes into play with a commission too, but usually not. If it’s a painting, I will do a couple of sketches and when it’s right I transfer it to the canvas. I’ll do an under painting with earth tones and once it’s dry I’ll go into it with color. The under painting helps a lot with overall tonality.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
JS: I’ll just switch gears and do something else. Typically I get blocked when I’m trying too hard and for me that kills the creative process. The initial part of making something should be fluid and after that comes the analytical part.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
JS: In my friends, music, film, and pop culture or sub cultures. I get inspired by people and the work they produce.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
JS: The Brewery in L.A., Thinkspace , Miranda Gallery , Ashley gallery in Philly, Subject Matter O.C., Rubber Rose, in some magazines…etc.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
JS: I’m working on a new series and I’m in talks with a couple of Los Angeles based galleries. So, somewhere in L.A. I’ll let you guys know when the series in finished.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
JS: Anything with full creative control and ample compensation.
SG: What is your favorite color?
JS: The combination of orange and brown.
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
JS: Currently it’s Zdzislaw Bekinski . He’s work is pretty dark but it’s just so powerful and poetic, it commands the viewer’s attention. He really had something to say and you can tell that the best way for him to say it was through a visual medium.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
JS: The Cheese Monkeys by Chipp Kidd
SG: Ever do a self-portrait? Where is it now?
JS: Once. It’s in the garage waiting to get painted over.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
JS: Downtown San Diego. On the weekends a group of us ride our bikes through there. I started a bicycle gang, “The Monsterfalcons.” My buddy Kevin heads the San Diego chapter. It’s not really a gang; it’s just a group of graphic designers, artists and illustrators that like riding bikes. The name comes from this guy Mark watching a censored T.V. clip of Die Hard. You know the part that he says “yepi kai hey mother f****er.” Well, in the T.V. version he yells out “yepi kai hey monsterfalcon,” We just found that hilarious.
SG: Any final words of advice?
JS: Analyze your mistakes in your art and don’t just dismiss them. It can be formula for life as well, to refine. I also like to add that this is a cool little community. It’s always great to see other peoples work, professional and otherwise. If anybody wants to drop me a line, feel free to tell me my work sucks or you think it’s awesome. Let me know. I can also be reached through my website
You can also check out John’s work on his Spraygraphic profile page
Images: 1. Betrayal of the Cosmonaut, 2. Girl, 3. Against the Grain 1, 4. Fallen, 5. Against the Grain 2, 6. Jarred, 7. Embrace 8. Industry, 9. Sharifi
Topics: Artist Interviews, California Art Scene, Paintings, Spraygraphic Apparel |
