Michael LaMarche

Interview with artist Michael LaMarche —

1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Michael H. LaMarche, I was born in Corning NY and I live in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. I am a pen and ink artist as well as a sculptor.

2. Why art?
I want to express things never seen, things that have imagination, things that will amaze you. I am heavily influenced by Sci-Fi and Steampunk.

3. What is your earliest memory of wanting to be an artist?
My earliest memory was watching my mum who was a fashion artist for Sears sit at our kitchen table and with a swift and accurate pencil, draw and ink the fashions of the day. In first grade I loved to express the fantasy’s of childhood through superheroes of the day.

4. What are your favorite subject(s) and media(s)?
My favorite subjects are the wild things from my mind, the strange things that may come from my imagination, no outside source or anything comes from anywhere else but from me. My media are pen and ink and clay as well as a newly discovered media ballpoint pen.

5. How do you work and approach your subject?
Sometimes a picture in a magazine or a book stimulates me or even a friend making a comment and it gets my creative energy working, however I do not rush off to my desk but ponder it more and I may even draw out my idea and it may change from point one.

6. What are your favorite art work(s), artist(s)?
My favorite art work is  “Gas and chop Suey” by Edward Hopper. Pretty much anything by him are my favorites. I love the clean and serene look of his work. I also like anything by Jack Kirby from Fantastic Four to New Gods and Virgil Findlay. In fact I learned stippling from him. Also am fond of Norman Rockwell any of his work is great.

7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
I get a lot of remarks from the art groups that I am a member of on Facebook, and from private shows I have done like with silent auctions for Toys for Tots. At the silent auctions, it is fun to sneak around and listen to splendid comments from people when of course they have no idea you are the creator of the work.

8. What do you like about your work?
I love faces and I love detail and I always try to give you lots to see and express something amazing in my drawings and sculptures. When I look back at it a bit later and seeing all the details great and small, and the impact of the whole piece, often I am amazed myself.

9. What advice would you give to other artists?
Never give up and keep going, listen to your heart. Don’t let anyone discourage you with their comments, it is what is in your heart that matters. People have said to me why do you draw what you draw? My answer is, that is what I love to do, so draw or paint what is in your heart. Always be creative and never let your self get burned out. Even if it means finding a new way and leaning a new media to express your self.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Knowing myself, I always see myself as being creative never stopping in expressing and using my imagination to picture things that I find fascinating.

Michael LaMarche

LINKS —

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.lamarche.14/about