Interview with the First Place Winner of our March Show – Simona Zecca
“23 Diesel” {Acrylic} by John Sharp was selected as an “Honorable Mention” in our July show. Here is our short interview with the artist.
1. How did you start creating art?
I’ve always loved to draw and create since I was a child, In highschool I really started taking seriously and knew this was my life’s trajectory. In college I started to learn about the photorealism movement. Artists like Robert Cottingham, John Harder, Richard Estes, Ralph Goings, all those guys. Their work made a huge impact on me and is the major influence for the work I am making today.
2. Please tell us a bit about the artwork that was selected as the “Honorable Mention” (style, technique, your inspiration etc)
Most of my work revolves around abandoned objects, signs, and spaces. This piece, Sun Rot, like most of work, was the result of happenstance. My family was in vacation in Arizona at an old ghost town attraction and I came upon this old sun rotten tractor tire. I always find my self standing before these old kind of things and wonder, “How long has this been here? Who decided it was no good anymore? Will this be gone soon?” Since I can assume these objects are at their imminent end, I treat these painting are like a memorial of sorts. I think there is beauty in the abandoned.
3. What quarantine has meant to you? Was it difficult to work in isolation and what effect this unprecedented time had on your work and creativity?
Honestly, it’s been one of the most creative and productive surges I’ve had in a very long time. They way I see it, I could either sit around and freak out about things outside of my control or I could seize the opportunity to get after it and make some paint happen.
4. What do you think about trends in contemporary art?
There’s a lot of great work being made right now. And very diverse. There’s an artist I’ve been following who does all Plein Aire painting in urban settings. Buildings, bridges, sign. Rather than taking photos and going back to an art studio, she just sticks it out, sometimes for days. Her work pushes the boundaries of realism. I would love to see this catch on.
5. Please tell us a bit about your current work and some future projects.
I’m just trying to do as much painting as possible. There are many photos I’ve had on deck for a while and so long as things are the way they are, I’m just going to hunker down and paint as much possible.
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