A few Q & A's with Christian Herr, Lancaster, PA.
If you are in the Baltimore area tomorrow night (May 14th) be sure to check out Christian's show with John Garrett Slaby at the Nudashank Gallery May 14th through June 4th.
Where are you from, where do you currently reside etc...?
I grew up in a small town called Ephrata located in Pennsylvania. Now, I live in a slightly larger wanna be city called Lancaster in Pennsylvania. I work in the studio by day, restaurant by night.
Describe your process of starting a new piece.
Currently my work is stemming out in a few different directions: mostly autobiographic, followed by direct documentation of selected events, and some fantasy. That being said, there are a few ways I approach making a new painting. A childhood memory can spark up an idea about egging cars, just as a demolition derby can give me an idea for documentation. My favorite by far are the day dreams of gypsy caravans of Dodge Ram vans postin' up in a desert canyon(look out).
Okay, okay... the process goes like this: idea, jotting down lots of details, minimal sketching, develop the ground work and see where it goes from there.
Materials? Tools of the trade?
I stand by Liquitex heavy body. As far as what I paint on... I prefer working on panels(wood) or Rives BFK(paper). The paper has a slight tooth and I like that. Plus, you can get really large pieces of the Rives for a reasonable price.
Influences?
Of old... Bosch, Caravaggio.
Of new... There are a few reasons I am dropping these names... dedication, great ideas, and finally outstanding quality and craftsmanship. John Garrett Slaby...His work is soooo clean and tight, and jam packed with humor. Michael Dotson... consistently pumping out new ill work. Benjamin Edmiston...killing it. Edward Max Fendley... Psychedelic nerd candy terror. Also, Matthew Craven...obsessive details... it feels good to know there are other people out there sitting in their studio for nine hours straight, thinking "damn, it doesn't look like I got anywhere." Really it all boils down to a real good group of dudes who are completely supportive and influential.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee.
Art school or no art school?
I think it is what you make of it.
I dropped out of the Art Institute of Philadelphia and then went to West Chester University, a state school that had a small art program.
Upcoming shows?
"The Finer Things" a two person show with John Garrett Slaby. Opens May 14th at Nudashank Gallery in Baltimore and runs until June 4th.
Completely honored and excited to take part in the next Beautiful Decay book # 4, "Exquisite Corpse"
I am looking forward to a solo show at Vox Populi, in Philly, March 2011
Other things are in the works...
Recent jams you can't stop listening to?
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Beach House, The National, Nirvana, Motorhead, Iggy Pop... I like a good mixture. Really tho... Nirvana has been good lately.
If you were stranded on a desert island and had to pick one painting from any artist (dead or alive) that you had stare at for the rest of your life, what/who would you choose and why?
I think I would wrangle something up from a painting pachyderm (elephant) or fine lining fox hound. Jealousy really. Me without my supplies and them with their proud, dollar sign eye owners.
Any advice for young up and coming artists, trying to make it in this crazy art world?
Give up.
If you did, good.
If you didn't, don't.
It is hard.
Take some pride in what you do. Spend some time on whatever you are working on. Presentation is very important. Get a website and a studio.
