CONVERSATION WITH THE ARTIST
What is the focus of the work for this exhibition. What themes and ideas are you exploring?
This work is a continuation from the previous work I have been doing. But this series in particular, I'm focusing more on breaking down the image with shape and line, as opposed to relying mostly on the hardline to feel that the piece is finished.
How is that different from what you have done in the past?
This series is more about taking away and using shape to continue on with the same subject matter as i have been doing over the years, i feel like there is still a lot more to explore with this direction before moving on.
How well do you and Freddy Diaz know each other? Have you collaborated in the past?
Malt
That's my dude and surprisingly we haven't yet! We've painted together a lot over the years but not as a collab, but I'm sure that will change in the near future.
How do you think your work fits with the other artist?
The first thing that comes to mind would be the contrast of colors. Freddy uses a lot of warm colors and I'm the opposite, using most cool colors. I feel that the two intertwined for the show will be a good viewing experience.
Has the format of your practice been impacted in the last few weeks? Are you using different mediums or sizes?
Actually, the majority of my work for the show was mostly finished before things got flipped upside down. But did make it a point to get any supplies i would need to finish the work before all the stores started to close. And now i'm in the process of varnishing/framing the work and this series is the same as previous, acrylic and spray paint.
Does the social distancing aspect of this period help you focus or has it changed the trajectory of your work?
Even though i'm usually alone when working in the studio, I feel it's changed the trajectory more than helping me focus. Never thought anything like this would happen in my lifetime, my heart definitely goes out to all that are directly affected by the situation that we are all in.
Are there any apps or online tools that you find helpful in this time? (They don't need to be related to art making).
I like using Procreate, which is a art based app and find super helpful at times to work out ideas. Other than that, when I'm not making art i might put on Netflix to watch a movie or series to get my mind off of things that are going on around me.
How are you remaining connected to friends and family?
Phone calls and texts at the moment.
What do you do to separate your practice from the rest of the day? Have you set boundaries or is it permeable?
Right now its pretty much an all day thing minus breaks here and there.
What have you been using for inspiration from home (tv shows, movies, cooking, reading)?
With the lock-down in place, I'm not really going out and getting inspiration that way, so just having a lot of friends art hanging around the house keeps me motivated.
Do you have any recommendations for books movies or other media?
Right now I'm watching the new season of Ozark on Netflix, definitely check that out if you haven't. Also HBO's Westworld is pretty rad as well.
Walk us through a piece that you are working on right now (please send a pic as well).
As mentioned above, I'm in the process of fine tuning a few pieces but mainly working on frames and varnishing at this point. But the process for the "Horizons" painting for instance. That one came about while waiting on paint to dry on other paintings i had going at the moment and just started playing around with ideas, which lead to the initial sketch. Once i like the basic layout of everything, i start with the background and build from there. This one went through a few changes before i felt it was done but really happy with the finished product.
Malt, Bronze Age #1, acrylic and spray paint on canvas.
