NOW AVAILABLE !!!!!!

Paint me a poem - my newly self published book featuring much of my recent works

Preview it here

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/600033

 

 

I have been accepted as an exhibiting artist at the 2009 world art expo in California USA

WORLD ART EXPO 09  
BREA CALIFORNIA JUNE 7-14, 2009
THE LARGEST ART EXHIBIT EVER HELD IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA

 

I'm looking forward to this show with some friends and wonderful artists.

Upcoming events - "SPACES"  group exhibition at Chesser Gallery in Adelaide SA. Opening 30th Aug.

I will be in Adelaide for the opening of this exhibition 6.00 til 8.00pm.

 

I am pleased to be a featured artist in the June 2008 issue of the Australian Artist magazine. The article profiles some of my recent portrait and industrial works as well as an interview for Myartspace and a step by step illustrated breakdown of the creative progress of one of the industrial works.

http://www.international-artist.com/aam/current.aspx

The 2007 interview with Brian Sherwin from Myartspace

I recently interviewed artist Karl James. Karl is a self-taught artist working from South Australia. He is a multi award winning artist and his work has been exhibited widely throughout South Australia.

Mr. James is interested in discovering 'truth' through painting. In a sense, his work is a constant search for truth and a reflection of the soul. Karl has taken many paths on his quest. These paths can be found in the many forms of artistic expression that he has embraced.

Mr. James has utilized charcoal, printing, etching, collage, painting, and illustrative narratives to explore his vision of truth. His work can be both brooding and vibrant. In a sense, he explores the nature of the human spirit in a visually expressive manner.


Q. When did you first discover that art would be an important part of your adult life?

A. "I won a prize for my art when I was 5yrs old. My headmistress saw something in my work and entered it. She still after all these years follows my work. I think I owe it all to her."

Q. How has creating art shaped you professionally and personally?

A. "Professionally it hasn't really, but personally it is really the very essence of who I am. I am an artist in my very soul."

Q. How has society influenced your art? Are there any social implications in your art?

A. "My art is very cerebral, I am a studio painter and that is my haven. when I paint I don't think an awful lot about what's happening outside that sacred place, in fact that's where I go to get away from it.. I love the act of painting. Society is harsh and violent enough so if I can create some beauty it can only be for the good."

Q. What are your artistic influences? Has anyone inspired you?

A. "A great deal of my art is about or a reference to other art, so my influences lay there. Australian artists Brett Whiteley, Garry Shead, and of course Vincent, Braque ( It was a small book hidden away in a school library on Braque that stole my soul and really sent me on my quest as and artist - I stole the book) I love Rembrandt, Caravaggio and some of the new artists , Mark Ryden, Ray Caesar, Joe Sorren."

Q. Tell me a little about your background. Are your past experiences reflected in the work you do today? If so, how?

A. "I am a steelworker, Father, husband , artist. I think most importantly was the nurturing of art in a young boy by his teacher and peers ( other kids would get me to draw stuff for them in school) If I hadn't got those kind words early would it have made a difference I wonder. I firmly believe one should nurture the gift when it is recognised so as not to lose it."

Q. How long have you been a working artist?

A. "I sold my first painting at the age of 17 . I think that was an important milestone for me and I suppose the start of serious painting."

Q. If you could pinpoint the characteristics of people who collect your art, what would they be?

A. "Obviously a stunningly keen eye and good taste, (LOL) A love of colour and harmony."

Q. Discuss one of your pieces. What were you thinking when you created it?

A. "sunflowers (image above) This is one of my newest works in the Vincent series. As a young painter I had - as most - gone through the whole being in love with the impressionists and then Van Gogh. But over time one grows and becomes more enthused by other artists and what is going on around them. And besides, the impressionists and to even more extent Van Gogh have become over exposed to the point of almost becoming kitsch.

Recently however a colleague of mine put together some narrated letters of Vincent's (as read by Kevin Bacon) to some music so he could have something different to listen to in his studio. I got a copy. Hearing those intelligently and beautifully written letters prompted me to revisit Vincent's work and I suddenly found, after all these years, a new appreciation.

I decided to use some of his work as a base and add relevant text from the letters to some paintings. I did these paintings in my own style, loosely painting and trying not to make them overtly Vincent. The works including Sunflowers are oil on board."

Q. What is your artistic process?

A. "I rarely do any prep drawings preferring to work straight on the board or canvas. I do however draw up the piece first in charcoal. just to get some bones down and figure out some basic composition. Then I "distress" or destroy the background with a multitude of colour in acrylic, I cant bare the white canvas stage. this can bare some great accidents that can change the course of the painting. Then comes the hard slog, the practical decisions, the dialogue between myself and the emerging work. I try to make the work "look " painted, I leave mistakes, It shows a history of the work. The actual act of painting is difficult to describe as it is so intuitive now. Sometimes it feels as though I am just an instrument for some other force and just obediently obey, - that's the best and the work feels effortless. sometimes it is a struggle, .........it is a difficult pleasure."

Q. Why did you choose the medium's) that you use?

A. "I love to try all sorts of mediums and don't restrict my self. I often use many in the same piece of artwork." .

Q. Do you have a degree or do you plan to attend school for art? If so, how has it helped your art career?

A. "I don't have a degree but as a young man desperately wanted to go to art school. There are none where I live and my father wanted me to have a trade. So that's what I did. I often wonder - what if...........

However I never stopped painting and trying to find my own way. Having said that, I feel un encumbered by art school thought on what is supposed to be or how I should paint or think. Art for me has become a lifelong journey of discovery.

Q. Where can we see more of your art?

A. "I have a web site which is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/kjames05/ "

Q. Are you represented by a gallery? Do you have any upcoming exhibits?
A. "I am not currently represented but am currently working on new works to show to prospective galleries. I have shown throughout South Australia though."

Q. What galleries have you exhibited in? Can you provide links to their sites?

A. "Most of my exhibitions have been in community regional galleries, usually as part of a group show. The nearest metropolitan centre is Adelaide which is 400km away. There are no commercial galleries where I live. I find the intimacy of Cafes should not be underestimated either. That environment gives the viewer more time to relax and enjoy a piece of artwork."

Q. What trends do you see in the 'art world'?

A. "I'm Definitely very exited by the new "low brow" and pop surrealism, particularly the likes of Ray Caesar, Joe Sorren, Mark Ryden. This seems to be taking the world by storm "

Q. Any tips for emerging artists?

A. "Devour art books, find out as much as you can about whats going on now and get a good knowledge of art history. - Know what you are talking about. Be true to yourself, you are unlikely to make a good living so make sure you create for yourself - if someone else likes it that's a bonus, if they buy it all the better. Treat your gift as a life long journey of discovery, you will never stop learning. Push your boundaries."

Q. Has your work ever been censored? If so, how did you deal with it?

A. "I once had a series of works toured around the state by the country arts touring exhibitions program, They where etchings and pastelles of nude angels. - nothing overtly erotic. Anyway when I got the works back together with a list of various comments from wherever they had been I was shocked to find out that in one small town the headmaster of the school had refused to show them even to his senior students and put forth a formal complaint to the program Another said he would never accept touring programs again, and another said - "if these are angels I don't want to go to heaven" WOW!

How did I deal with it, - I laughed, I thought it was scandalous and scandal is good for an artist. Then I did a collage about it and keep that in my studio as a reminder. Don't you hate super conservative philistines."

Q. What was the toughest point in your career as an artist? Have you ever hit rock-bottom?

A. "My first commercial gallery show ( part of a group) I was so exited, my works looked great and I must say very strong against some of the others. I had travelled some distance for the opening. During the night I felt so alone - none of the city artists talked to me, the gallery directors snubbed me, it was awful. Then they sold a work for less than I had proposed and were very cold about the whole affair. I was devastated. I haven't dealt with that gallery since and have just concentrated on new work and showing at the local university's gallery."

Q. In one sentence... why do you create art?

A. "I have to, simple as that. Creating art is the very essence of me, its my calling and personal journey, its how my soul learns. Pity I cant make a living out of it as well."

Q. Can we find your art on MYARTSPACE.COM?

A. "kjarts"

Q. What can you tell our readers about the art scene in your area?

A. "I live in Whyalla, rural South Australia, a steel working town, a very blue collar town. Art is of little consequence here but there is a small band of tight knit artists. We create together, share our work and thoughts. A few have shown overseas. There are no commercial galleries so we show where we can or travel to the city. One of our objectives is to bring contemporary art to those who don't know about art and to educate where we can. A few of us are steelworkers, some are teachers and students."

Q. Has politics ever entered your art?

A. "Only in one piece (in my pics in myspace) called carousel of fools - that is a comment on the current Debacle in the middle east with strong references to what I think of US foriegn policy. But as a rule I don't think art and politics happily mix."

Q. Does your cultural background play a part in your work?

A. "No, I don't really think so, maybe some might see something that I don't."

Q. Is there anything else you would like to say about your art or the 'art world'?

A. "I hope my work makes the viewer stop and look, It doesn't matter if you like it or not as long as it makes you stop. What a waste if an artwork doesn't provoke some response. I must also say that the online art community is fantastic and very supportive. Art now belongs to the masses."

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with artist Karl James. Feel free to critique or discuss his work.

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin