Art, // May 13, 2015
Josh Hunter — ARTIST
Josh Hunter
Interview with artist Josh Hunter —
1. Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Josh Hunter, a collector, traveler, color pusher, wanna be snake charmer, artist, friend, & husband to my beautiful muse.
“Exhaustion”
2. Why art?
As a child, I loved the iridescent colors of blue jay’s and caterpillars, the way that action figures were packaged, the way i felt by looking and collecting Garbage Pail Kids, Cracked and Mad magazine stacks, and my first real love, comic books. Art or the admiration of the artistic influencers have always been there.
3. What is your earliest memory of wanting to be an artist?
I was sick and home from school. I was about 10 years old. My dad and I were making one of those grocery store visits that almost always happens when you’re sick. I ended up standing in front of the magazine stand transfixed by the cover of this certain image, Iron Man #208. This shiny and slightly menacing red robot was flying directly at me chasing after a flurry of runaway missiles. It was so visually compelling. We bought it and from that moment on, I wanted to draw comics. My heroes were Todd McFarlane, Erik Larsen, Frank Frazetta, and my Uncle Jamie.
“Jerry Joseph – Solo Tour Poster”
“Daniel’s Piece”
4. What are your favorite subject(s) and media(s)?
People. Growing, living shapes and beings intertwined within. Narratives are potent factors of my work.
I’m spending most of my time working in graphite and gouache right now. And my favorite surfaces right now are Arches 88 and BFK Rives.
5. How do you work and approach your subject?
I wake up, workout, eat breakfast and take a few steps up to the studio. Currently, I’m working above our place in a beautiful loft space overlooking San Diego’s airstrip and harbor.
I have several stations where canvases are on easels, paper is taped to drawing boards for new or ongoing studies and drawings, and my drafting table these days usually streams Spotify and thoughts over whatever drawing is before me.
My work usually appears in images and pictures that arise in my imagination when I’m furthest from the studio. Sometimes its my wife as she moves, bends or makes her way through the world. Other times, they’re spurned from outdoor sketches or no particular conversation. A lot of times I just freeze in whatever moment I am in and Hope to catch it. I think this is why I love portraits so much. When you’re giving all of your attention to another person, staring beyond the uncomfortableness, and just listening and feeling the moment, its very intimate. You’re both very vulnerable and its very real.
Mural painting.
6. What are your favorite art work(s), artist(s)?
A short list would be: any drawings by Vincent Van Gogh, any of Pablo Picasso’s later works, Henri Matisse in Nicé, Jean-Michel Basquiat is schooling me these days, Moebius, James Jean, Egon Schiele, Pat Perry, Jen Stark. I’m a big fan of fashion magazines, Selby’s photography, Spotify playlists, flowers in my studio, the word helicon, Alphonse Mucha, you name it…
“The Launch”
7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
I’ve had several people make mention that my work reminds them of James Jean. Because I respect his work so much, how couldn’t I be charmed?
To be truthful though, I haven’t shown my work much outside of letting social media do the work. I know that has to change. But I’m realizing it and I’m getting there. I had my first exhibition in 3 years two nights ago and it felt pretty incredible.
“Brian-and-Forrest”
8. What do you like about your work?
That its constantly transforming, that I feel good while making it, that I can tell it sometimes makes others feel good, that I always discover an opportunity to improve my process, technique or solution capabilities. My style and interests have long been varied. Yet, these past few months I’ve begun to exhibit a certain handling of the brush and pencil that is sculpting. I’m digging for an essence and I know there’s a lot of clarity to come out of this time.
“Mahoney Tattoo”
9. What advice would you give to other artists?
The best advice i can give to anyone is to focus on doing the work.
Second, keep seeking inspiration, and look everywhere for it. Avoid mimicry but boldly borrow to find its essence and introduce that to your own work. Make it yours.
Lastly, strive and push to be better.
“The Salt Fountain”
10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Sailing in Nicaragua with my wife and friends, exhibiting more of my urban portraiture, building a studio, continuing to make pictures, maybe a border collie sleeping beneath my feet. Artistically, you might see some apparel or objects making there appearance into my collection before year’s end. Maybe a mural or two… Gaining some new exposure. Which is part of why I appreciate your time and questions. Arts Illustrated keeps exposing great talent and art, I’m psyched to be here so thanks for taking the time. Cheers!
Josh Hunter
Links —
Website: http://www.joshhunterart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshHunterArt?fref=ts
Instagram: https://instagram.com/joshhunterart/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joshhunterart
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user11112467