Introducing Austin Artist ... Douglas Brown

Name: Douglas Brown
Age: 31
Location: Austin, TX
Occupation: I do so many things: Painter, Graphic Artist, Illustrator, and most recently I've gotten into storyboarding for television and film. I guess you could say I do anything creative.

Websites:
For graphic design: www.albumartist.com
Plain ol’ art: www.douglasbrownartist.com
Personality: www.myspace.com/douglasbrownartist
To buy prints, magnets, mugs and more: www.cafepress.com/douglasbrown
This is the second in a series of interviews with Austin Artists.

1. Talk briefly about your work at Albumartist.
Albumartist is a graphic design studio based in Austin, Texas. Since 2003, we’ve been producing work for a wide variety of clients: musicians, bars, entertainment venues, film makers, manufacturers, and city departments. I provide identity branding, sales and marketing material, illustration and storyboard services. At Albumartist, I'm the lead designer so everything you see come out of that office is my work. My style as a designer is to have everything very clean and simple, but many times I have to follow the clients' aesthetics. After all, they sign the checks. In regards to my paintings and illustrations, it really depends on what the client is seeking. I'd love to have someone commission me to create a book cover where I could actually paint in my style.

2. At first glance your paintings and illustrations seem to have an Asian influence, but you say the influence is actually Andalusia, Spain. How did you develop an interest in the culture there and how has it influenced your work?
My influences come from all over the place. Let’s see if I can trace it back.

Comics I tried my hand at self publishing a long time ago. Got to the first issue and it was just too much work to write, draw, ink, and market the title. But the line work and style of comics stayed with me. I've sought out cultures that use a lot of line work and detail in their art ever since. I started with the Maya because that was the origin of the character. Then in 2002-3 I went to Panama to visit family during Carnaval. I loved it. It got me interested in looking into my heritage, Kuna Indians. They have a tremendous amount of detail in their work and very rich colors. After I made a set of paintings inspired by the rainforests, and those cultures, I decided to look into other cultures with lots of detail in their work. I'm making it a goal to try a little of every culture. My dream would be to raise funds to visit these places. Although books and the web are helpful, I'm missing something by not actually being there. So if anyone wants to fund a trip in exhcange for art, contact me through the sites listed above. :)

Shakira Yes. That's right. The pop singer. She's only a couple of years younger than me but she's been involved in her passion all her life. I used to draw quite a lot but I let myself go stale and got involved with everyday activities. It made me wonder what or where I would be if I'd dedicated myself like that. It pissed me off and got me painting again, and I'd love to thank her for it. She is the subject of "Something in the way..." which is pretty much the lynch pin of my style. It has everything: beautiful woman, tons of detail, exotic setting, mixed mediums. If I ever become collectable, that's the piece to own.

Ancient cultures After Mayan, my interest drifted over to Middle Eastern art, which in turn came from the war. I remember seeing on the news how people were buying lots of copies of the Qur'an and other texts to get a feel for the culture there. I thought about some of the buildings like the Hagia Sofia and thought "Oh yeah, they do have some cool looking stuff" so I picked up a book on Moorish architecture. I was totally blown away by it. Now that I've done a few works with those influences, I'm starting to drift again and look into Japan.

Women What can I say? I love looking at them. Pretty much every one of the cultures I've been painting has in unique way of painting their women through decoration. At first I did nothing but nudes because I love the curves women have. Then I started placing them in these wonderful settings of these far away places. After that, I started integrating architectural motifs of these cultures as tattoos on the women. Now, I'm painting drapery and revealing form through the clothing and making them sexy and strong is my challenge.

3. How does it feel to sell a piece of your work?

It is a rush to know that someone out there likes your work enough to pay for it. I'm always happy to sell a piece but afterwards, there is a little tinge of sadness because I'll probably never see it again except for the prints, and the memories making it. This is especially true when it is a piece that holds lots of meaning, like this one painting, "Oksana". It was a life size painting of a guitar player with a prosthetic arm and covered in tattoos telling the story of how she lost her arm. At the time I was writing a screenplay and had to get this girl out of my head, so I made the painting. She looked incredible. Late at night I would talk to her about the story, life, etc. Everyone else didn't care much for her, but for me it was difficult to let her go.

4. Austin is undoubtedly the creative capital of the country. How do you think growing up there influenced your art? What role has your Panamanian heritage had in your art and your life?
(Growing up in Austin) definitely influenced my love of music. My early work revolved around musicians. That is the reason my company is called Albumartist. Originally I made the company to cater to musicians but over time, I expanded to other businesses. As for my heritage ... I think going to Panama really sparked my curiosity in studying other cultures.

5. You talk about the influence of your mother on your work. Tell us about her and how she has made a difference in your life and those around her?
My mother was from Panama. She met my dad when he was stationed there. She was a beauty queen and won a number of titles. Shortly after I was born, we moved to Austin. I think things started to fall apart after he came back from being in Alaska. He started to drink. Then he left us high and dry. My mom didn't know much English and took two, sometimes three jobs to keep the house going. When she would work, her friends watched over us. My brother knows more about it than I do. I was kept sheltered from all the things that happened. I know that she's incredibly strong and never wanted anything back from us in return other than to do our best. When I decided to go to school for art, she supported the decision, and still does. I would say that she's the strongest woman I've ever met.
When it comes to my pantings, I'm not interested in having them be sexy. Let's face it, if I wanted a pin up girl, I'd buy a photograph. Instant gratification and perfect realism. In my work, I want to create women in fantastic settings that are sensual, caring, and strong, and be a reflection of the women I grew up around.

Introducing Austin Artist ... John Haney

Age: Old enough to know better, to young to care.
Location: Texas Hill Country / Highland Lakes.
Occupation: Graphics guy, creative, painter, lawn jockey and hillbilly.
Website: http://johnhaney.typepad.com



This is the first in a series of interviews we've titled the Austin Artist Series.

1. You "paid your dues" as a graphic designer working in advertising and marketing firms. How do you compare your work in commercial art to the work you do now that you have left the corporate world and devoted yourself full time to your art?
I wouldn't say I "paid my dues" as a graphic designer. I loved almost every minute. When I think of one paying one’s dues, its more like some physical endeavor, a test of endurance and/or nerves. Maybe I paid my dues before I got into the creative field. Farming and ranching, hot tar roofing, hardware sales, plus lots of other mundane jobs, it didn't take long to figure out these were not for me. Then rough-necking, the last gig before the arts, a love-hate relationship of a job. These are the men that punch the hole in the earth and drill down to where the oil or gas is supposed to be, and then move to the next hole every 1-3 months. I had only thought I had done physically demanding, dirty, nasty, and dangerous work before. This was the real deal. And the interesting characters one meets -- on one crew I worked on (four men), I was the only one that had NOT done jail time. I was in my early 20s and learned a lot of new
things.

Graphic design never felt like real work. I still love the graphic arts. I felt so lucky to be a part of the business, at the time in Austin there was only a couple of agencies with accounts over a million dollars. Getting into the business was the most difficult, the competition was stiff. And to stay in the business for 20 years seems like a miracle. I still enjoy collaborating and working on graphic design assignments from time to time.

Comparing the type of work for the commercial art world to what I'm doing now is a bit different. Organizations paid me to create on demand -- make some thing, convey a predefined message, make it attractive, pretty, easy to digest, move one to action. I have the most respect for great copy writers. Now, as a painter, no one pays me to create. Funding comes from those that enjoy the creations by electing to place them in their homes or offices to enjoy daily, to share with others. Would you think a lot of people have thoughts of escaping/exploring, to write, paint, create, sing, dance, to follow one’s bliss? In the dream it seems so romantic. But is it?

2. You do a great job of painting people's faces and, in fact, that's your most recent collection of work on your site. What draws you to this particular form?
This series "Painted Faces" started by chance and grew into some thing I hadn't imagined at the time. Most all of us are voyeurs. People watching is a past time is older than dirt. You could say that’s how it started, seeing someone that looked interesting. At the mall, in traffic, on the street, at a party, a snapshot, a picture, they are everywhere. Every person has a story or two, some times it can be read in their face. .


The series also began to grow from a desire to explore. Explore a singular subject matter, different techniques, styles, moods, color combinations, movements in art history, pay homage to artists of influence, have fun with it. I'm not sure if there is an end to the "Painted Faces" series. Maybe, when I get to one hundred paintings, I publish a book "101 Painted Faces by John Haney."

Throughout this journey of exploring the subject matter I've learned about Eastern and Western ideas about the human face. The Buddha’s face, the closest to what one would call “perfect,” demonstrates symmetry and balance from the top, middle, bottom and side-to-side, giving the viewer a sense of harmony and peace. In Chinese medicine, a beautiful face is said to be a harmonious face. The Chinese art of “face reading” is an expression of the belief that observation of the face can reveal the personality and health of the patient, thereby allowing for diagnosis and treatment. Even in Western corporate culture, the human face is used as a meter for one’s psychological and emotional profile.

I am offering the viewer the opportunity to reflect on a fleeting image and to examine it more intimately. Each viewer brings his or her own unique experiences to the table and is free share in the universality of the human face on his or her own terms. A hope to delight in the unusual juxtaposition of colors, the unexpected surprises found in the provocative personalities depicted in the portraits.

3. You grew up in small towns, spent your commercial art career in the vibrant city of Austin, and now have settled in Texas Hill Country. How has each influenced your art and your personality?
Living in Austin 20 years, it's not difficult to find/see an interesting character for inspiration. What a great city, I love it, and 60 miles or less in any direction is the prettiest country in the great state of Texas. All of my youth was living in
rural areas of Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. That old saying; "you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy" is true for me. I feel blessed to be on this chunk of earth. It is an easy drive into Austin, and Dallas, San Antonio and Houston are down the road to enjoy all they offer and to the airport to getaway to the cultural capitals of the world. Its great to get away, even better getting back. It's fun, interesting, inspiring to visit other places. I don't know if I could or would enjoy calling somewhere else home base as much as this area. Me Casa.

4. Tell us how you go about the process of your work.
My process? Hmmm. I don't know if I have one. It varies. Some days I try to make a plan, X amount of hours on this task or the other, then move to the next, X amount of time painting. Other times its the first thing I do in the morning, sitting in my boxers with paint on brush, before ya know its midday, I am starving and parched. Most of the evening/night, getting a bit irritated when I need to stop, eat, go to the bathroom and other mundane tasks. It's strange when all things are flowing in harmony, time and space slips away, you wonder how did all this come together and who did it. It’s been a great day.

5. Please share with us an image of one of your paintings and tell us how it came to be, the story that it tells.
The image I've chosen to share here is called "High-Lites in her Hair.” The idea/thought was born of overhearing some ladies talk about getting highlights. I had no idea. I then started to notice hair highlights, natural and cosmetic. I've seen hair jobs that are quite artistic. I thought how fun, to paint highlights of colour. Also this one was a bit of a break thru for me. I was loosening up. I had
executed a hand that I wasn't ashamed of, I really enjoyed playing with colors, the eyes fell into place, the composition pleased me. This one had more rights than wrongs for my eyes any way.

With my paintings I want to, I hope to, bring something, and offer something. Give, share, exchange. Bring joy, it may have visual appeal. Is it interesting or insightful. I am so thankful for the oppurtunity to share my craft. The hope is that others may find something joyful of these creations. Right now I think my gig is to try to provide, individuals with an imaginative experience that maybe a bit more intense, revealing, and a meaningful version of an actual experience. Art improves our surroundings and stimulates creative thinking. It provides cultural benefits and enrichments.