 This SF based artist opens Megarealms at Fecal Face Thurs. Nov 5th in San Francisco.
Hailing from San Francisco this artist and illustrator prepares his solo show Megarealms opening Thurs. Nov 5th @Fecal Face Dot Gallery featuring illustrations/ paintings/ & installation works. Last year Hisrch opening A Season in Hell in San Jose at Anno Domni (photos). His clients include The New York Times, Nylon magazine, Virgin Records, Threadless, and many more. He states that he "is the hardest working illustrator and artist based in San Francisco, California." We love his work and are happy to have him here on Fecal Face.
So Maxwell, can you tell us what people can expect from your show @ Fecal Face Dot Gallery (opening Thurs Nov 5th)?
People can expect a wide range of work to stimulate the senses. Drawings and collages mounted to wood coated in resin, lino cuts spray painted in gold coated in resin, wooden figures and sculptures.
You note that Megarealms is the "first installment of ten exhibitions to be created over the next ten years"... How will the 10 shows be tied together?
There will be over lapping themes and deviations into specific territories of the megarealms. The next show will continue to explore the equilibrium between order and chaos, two ideas present in the upcoming exhibition.
But what/ where is a Megarealm?
A place I have created from the conscious and subconscious mind, a Megarealm is where I explore the areas of my brain, ideas, of thought itself, as they pertain to an image. There, I am liberated from everything: I can experiment with shape, color, and form in an infinite, ever changing, made-up reality that takes many shapes and forms at my will.
A Megarealm is a harmony and balance between objects. A playground.
You can find a Megarealm in your own head, in your own space. If you're really happy with the way you position your table next to your couch, then you've just created the beginnings of a Megarealm.
You've been doing a lot of illustration work for a wide range of clients. How has that been going?
My love for illustration has grown immensely in the past year. I'm especially interested in editorial work that challenges me to think more conceptually and very quickly. It has been wonderful and I look forward to getting more involved in the field.
Are you doing illustration full time now?
Yes, fulltime
Any recommendations to illustrators starting out? Any valuable lessons you've learned thus far?
Take it seriously. Challenge yourself with conceptual work. Be nice. Take the passion from your gut and put it into your portfolio.
Art school?
No Art school
If your work in this show would have a musical soundtrack, what would it be?
GUCCI
Can you describe the process for creating a piece?
It depends if I'm working on a drawing, collage or painting. Sometimes Ill have a complete idea in my head how I want a piece to look and I can accomplish my vision. Other times I cannot so I will throw the failed drawing into a box, the box of failed drawings. I turn to this box for collages and sometimes use the scraps for paintings and other mixed media works.
What are some of your favorite films?
I don't really have a favorite film but I do have a few I can recommend. The Color of Paradise by Majid Majidi and Santa Sangre by Alejandro Jodorowsky
I was so pleasantly surprised to see the Market St mural you did last year with Saelee Oh... Have you done any others or plan on doing any more?
I did a few around the block and a few people have asked me to do things in their homes which has been fun. If anyone wants me to paint a space or go paint send me an email. I do plan on doing more.
Where did you grow up? How did you end up in San Francisco?
I grew up in east San Diego. I found a place online and drove up in my Toyota Camry with everything I owned.
What's the best show you saw in the city?
The man who stands on the corner and makes shoulder sculptures.
What do your parents do?
My parents have always been creative types. They used to run Photo Blow-Up, a print enlargement lab in San Diego. In an economic downturn, my mother traded her photo enlargers for a teaching credential. She taught in one of the last art teacher positions left in public schools; as art-funding progressively diminished, she took on more subjectssocial studies, English, ESL, history, natural sciencesshe eventually stopped teaching art altogether. Now retired, she volunteers teaching art to the elderly and to elementary school students. My father ventured more deeply into art and music. For a time he played in Buddy Riches Big Band. Still making music, my father is focusing more on art these days. He'll have a show in the next couple years.
Time on a day off?
In my room, reading about the facts of life.
Influences?
The old circus family is a family I heard about who traveled around the United States in a horse-drawn carriage. They were performance artists. Their parents were in the circus and their parent's parents were in the circus; they passed down performances and tricks to each new generation. I don't know if I'll ever meet them or if I'll learn anything more about them.
Upcoming?
This Sunday's Washington Post
World tour
Megarealms II
Shirts for Nike
Shoes for Nike
Skateboard
100-foot sculpture/jungle gym in the middle of the city
More illustration
Links
fecalface.com/gallery
lorenholyoke.com
Anno Domini
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