Dandylyon
Background in art: “I’ve loved to draw and paint for as long as I can remember. When I was just 4 years old, I painted everything insight; Including the T.V., carpet and living room set as my mom was sleeping when we lived in San Francisco. I have never had any formal training in Art; I tend to be too dysfunctional to let anyone tell me how to be creative. However, I attained an associate degree at SC4 in Broadcasting and eventually went on to earn a Bachelor degree in Graphic Art from Baker College of Flint. Since then, I’ve done a lot of studying and learning on my own and enjoy the “Art’s” in every aspect. Other than that, I have had several successful art showings, and recently put together a Charity Art Benefit to help out a friend with medical bills.”
Media and genres: “I work primarily in water-based paints, mostly acrylics and once in a blue moon I break out the oils. Occasionally, I’ll do a piece in pastel or collage. For the most part I paint on canvas or watercolor paper, or if it is a hand painted mural I apply paint right to the wall. Abstract faces, dancing women and action landscapes make up the majority of my subjects. I love to work with palette knifes, brushes and also my hands. Since I am also a graphic artist by trade, I also do work with large format digital printing to make computer generated wallpaper, such as murals of family photographs or a beautiful landscape or even a painting of mine, really the choices are endless. Pretty much anything you can think of can be printed on anything you can think of. Contact me if you would like something 810-531-0884.”
Inspiration for painting: “I am intrigued by vivid colors, the unusual poses of people and magical flow of where my paintbrush takes me. Sometimes painting the background can involve a bit of trial and error, especially when I’m trying to convey a certain mood, I tend to paint when I am angry, sad and my favorite, in love.”
Working process: ”Since most of my paintings are acrylic with very intense colors, I generally start a piece by taking many reference photos. I’ll then develop a fairly detailed image of the colors I want to use in my head. I then turn my music up really loud, (usually punk rock), and I go in to trance while as brush hits the canvas. Usually the background goes in first before I start the main subject. Each area of the painting is built up gradually with several layers.”
Why make art?: ”I do what I do because I see art as a way to express my passion and share the love with others. When people commission me to do a painting, they give me a general idea and creativity comes out of me on the canvas or paper I am working with. I try to go beyond the norm to express something essential and intangible, and the feedback I get about a finished painting is immensely rewarding.”
