Aaron was one of my first "Twitter Artist Pals", and I am so happy to have met him. His artwork is inspirational and he has an encouraging and kind heart to match. I was honored when he agreed to be my "Featured Artist", so I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did:
.:.
When did you recognize your talent as an artist?
My joy and obsession have always been found in making things. When I was a kid, my hands were always busy constructing or assembling something, whether it was out of cardboard, plastic model parts, origami paper, or Lego building blocks. It’s what came naturally to me, and it’s what I loved to do. I didn’t start painting representational work, however, until about 5 and half years ago. I guess it wasn’t until then that I realized that there was something to my passion for making things. I think many people think I’ve been painting for a lot longer, but maybe that’s because it was something always inside of me.
Tell me about your process when starting a new painting?
I try to keep my approach simple. Painting is just so very complex that if I don’t keep it simple, I’ll drive myself nuts -- it’s just like life. After deciding on a subject, whether it’s a still life, portrait, figure, or landscape, I make several thumbnail sketches in my sketchbook to help me work out a composition. Then, I just dig right in and block the painting in, filling the entire canvas as quickly as I can. After that, it’s just a matter of adjusting relationships and building the painting. I remind myself that all I’m doing is painting light and shadow.
Do you have a favorite painting you have done?
I have a few. Woman Don’t Cry and Cradle, which are both monochromatic nudes, are favorites. My still life Oranges in a Green Bowl is another favorite. I like my landscape Structures too. I guess what makes them favorites is that I feel I really accomplished what I set out to do in each of them and that they are all fully “me” in expression.
Do you have a studio? Tell me about your workspace.
My “studio” is a small bedroom in my house. Georgio Morandi also worked in a small room in his home. There’s barely enough room to set up my easel, set up a still life, and store my work. My basement is my workshop, where I make my own frames and prepare supports for painting. I usually do my drawing in the basement too, since I don’t want charcoal dust and graphite powder all over my small studio space.
What do you do on a regular basis that keeps you inspired? What is your main inspiration?
I’m inspired when I look at the beautiful work of other artists. It keeps me thinking about what it is that I want to do in my own work. My main inspiration, however, is light -- light reflecting off everything around me.
What artist (past or present) most influences your work?
My hero is Georgio Morandi. His work is so incredibly sensitive. It touches me in a way no other artist’s does.
What is your dream goal for the next 5 years--where will you be and what will you be doing?
I would like to have a larger studio, to sell more work and to teach. I have no idea where I’ll be in 5 years. Only God knows.
What is the most encouraging advice you have received as an artist?
In her book The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron says that sometimes it’s more audacity than talent that makes one an artist.
What is YOUR best advice to offer someone who wants to be an Artist?
Be certain that it’s what you were born to do and strive to reveal your own voice.
When did you recognize your talent as an artist?
My joy and obsession have always been found in making things. When I was a kid, my hands were always busy constructing or assembling something, whether it was out of cardboard, plastic model parts, origami paper, or Lego building blocks. It’s what came naturally to me, and it’s what I loved to do. I didn’t start painting representational work, however, until about 5 and half years ago. I guess it wasn’t until then that I realized that there was something to my passion for making things. I think many people think I’ve been painting for a lot longer, but maybe that’s because it was something always inside of me.
Tell me about your process when starting a new painting?
I try to keep my approach simple. Painting is just so very complex that if I don’t keep it simple, I’ll drive myself nuts -- it’s just like life. After deciding on a subject, whether it’s a still life, portrait, figure, or landscape, I make several thumbnail sketches in my sketchbook to help me work out a composition. Then, I just dig right in and block the painting in, filling the entire canvas as quickly as I can. After that, it’s just a matter of adjusting relationships and building the painting. I remind myself that all I’m doing is painting light and shadow.
Do you have a favorite painting you have done?
I have a few. Woman Don’t Cry and Cradle, which are both monochromatic nudes, are favorites. My still life Oranges in a Green Bowl is another favorite. I like my landscape Structures too. I guess what makes them favorites is that I feel I really accomplished what I set out to do in each of them and that they are all fully “me” in expression.
Do you have a studio? Tell me about your workspace.
My “studio” is a small bedroom in my house. Georgio Morandi also worked in a small room in his home. There’s barely enough room to set up my easel, set up a still life, and store my work. My basement is my workshop, where I make my own frames and prepare supports for painting. I usually do my drawing in the basement too, since I don’t want charcoal dust and graphite powder all over my small studio space.
What do you do on a regular basis that keeps you inspired? What is your main inspiration?
I’m inspired when I look at the beautiful work of other artists. It keeps me thinking about what it is that I want to do in my own work. My main inspiration, however, is light -- light reflecting off everything around me.
What artist (past or present) most influences your work?
My hero is Georgio Morandi. His work is so incredibly sensitive. It touches me in a way no other artist’s does.
What is your dream goal for the next 5 years--where will you be and what will you be doing?
I would like to have a larger studio, to sell more work and to teach. I have no idea where I’ll be in 5 years. Only God knows.
What is the most encouraging advice you have received as an artist?
In her book The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron says that sometimes it’s more audacity than talent that makes one an artist.
What is YOUR best advice to offer someone who wants to be an Artist?
Be certain that it’s what you were born to do and strive to reveal your own voice.
.:.
Learn more about Aaron:
http://www.aaroncaycedokimura.com
http://www.aaroncaycedokimura.wordpress.com
http://www.twitter.com/AaronCK
very inspiring feature! thanks so much for sharing with us your passion and art, Aaron! God bless you!
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