| Who Is Justin Abraham? (and why would you want to know?) |
It's really quite simple...
...if you're a publisher, editor or writer...
| ... and you need an artist... |
| ... to help you with your book cover... |
| LOOK AT THIS!!! |
Justin Abraham Interview for Liquid Imagination
by Editor Sue Babcock
May 18, 2009
by Editor Sue Babcock
May 18, 2009
What did your parents, family, friends, teach you about life that you still hold close
to your heart today?
Tons! On the surface, my mother taught me that nothing is false if you believe it to
be true. My father taught me that you never know how you will feel about a
certain thing in life when the future comes to pass. One may be loving toward
something now and hateful toward the same thing later in life. Beneath the
surface, my friends and family taught me that true friends and family support you
no matter what the circumstance, even if what is supported is not what is agreed
upon.
to your heart today?
Tons! On the surface, my mother taught me that nothing is false if you believe it to
be true. My father taught me that you never know how you will feel about a
certain thing in life when the future comes to pass. One may be loving toward
something now and hateful toward the same thing later in life. Beneath the
surface, my friends and family taught me that true friends and family support you
no matter what the circumstance, even if what is supported is not what is agreed
upon.
What correlations or differences do you see between the way you would describe
yourself as a person and your art.
The main correlation, or similarity, between my art and myself is that the art is a
reflection of how I see the world and our reality. I feel that some things in this
world are serene, pleasing, and peaceful. At the same time, just as many things
are not. Both are expressed in my artwork, visually and written. The difference,
however, is the extreme to which the art is expressed as opposed to what I think
is physically possible. That is the only difference. I believe in the concepts and/or
ideas that I present in my art, but they are grossly exaggerated and sometimes
exceed what is possible in the physical world for the purpose of the
viewer/observer to more easily grasp the ideas themselves.
yourself as a person and your art.
The main correlation, or similarity, between my art and myself is that the art is a
reflection of how I see the world and our reality. I feel that some things in this
world are serene, pleasing, and peaceful. At the same time, just as many things
are not. Both are expressed in my artwork, visually and written. The difference,
however, is the extreme to which the art is expressed as opposed to what I think
is physically possible. That is the only difference. I believe in the concepts and/or
ideas that I present in my art, but they are grossly exaggerated and sometimes
exceed what is possible in the physical world for the purpose of the
viewer/observer to more easily grasp the ideas themselves.
Did you have a spiritual experience that changed your life? Can you tell us about
it?
To be honest, I can’t say that I’ve had or experienced a spiritual event at a
particular time that changed my life. I DO remember at age eighteen when I
mentally (and perhaps spiritually) parted ways with my religious upbringing.
Everything seemed to change, without really changing at all. Processes, behavior,
nature, and cycles in life seemed to become more apparent in almost everything I
saw. The “modus operandi” of the world made so much more sense to me, of why
things happen and play out the way they do, and how we all came to be at this
point in our existence as human beings. It was probably the closest thing I relate
to the term “enlightenment”, but more mentally than spiritually. I consider my
sole “spiritual experience” to be an ongoing to this day, drawn out over the past
fourteen years since that time. I have to admit that it’s been quite an adventure so
far!
it?
To be honest, I can’t say that I’ve had or experienced a spiritual event at a
particular time that changed my life. I DO remember at age eighteen when I
mentally (and perhaps spiritually) parted ways with my religious upbringing.
Everything seemed to change, without really changing at all. Processes, behavior,
nature, and cycles in life seemed to become more apparent in almost everything I
saw. The “modus operandi” of the world made so much more sense to me, of why
things happen and play out the way they do, and how we all came to be at this
point in our existence as human beings. It was probably the closest thing I relate
to the term “enlightenment”, but more mentally than spiritually. I consider my
sole “spiritual experience” to be an ongoing to this day, drawn out over the past
fourteen years since that time. I have to admit that it’s been quite an adventure so
far!
Take one poem or piece of artwork and discuss it in detail with us.
The piece entitled “Man and Machine” is one of my favorites. It’s a pencil drawing
depicting what is (or was) a human face being torn apart by machine-like prongs
from above. The large machine hovering above impales the face in five directions.
The tips of the outstretched prongs, when traced in the correct manner, form an
inverted pentagram, which in many schools of thought, signifies death. Hanging
from the face are four smaller heads awaiting the same fate of destruction by
smaller pronged machines. In the same fashion as the prong-tips of the large
machine, the five machines total can be connected by the “pyramids” to form
another “right-side up: pentagram, signifying life. This piece illustrates the
devastation of the human race by its own creation: machinery. As the machines
receive life from our construction, we die in the process. This is, in my opinion, one
of the main reasons we as a race of beings seem to have gotten further away from
being “human” and closer to living unnatural lives through everything that is
inorganic and synthetic. The closer we draw towards artificial intelligence, the
farther we drift from ourselves.
You indicated in your interview with Charlotte Arts that you consider your art as
surreal. What features or craft elements do you think make your art surreal? What
are your inspirations?
One element in particular that I think puts my art in this category is the fact that I
don’t make non-representational art, but rather, realistic art in rather unrealistic
situations. I prefer to paint/draw recognizable people and objects rather than
something that can be interpreted as something other than what I intended the
viewer to see. Not that there is anything wrong with other types of art, but I feel
my purpose is better served this way.
I know from your website "Art of Justin Abraham" that you want to show how all
things are related, and how everything has an opposite (reminds me of the
Chinese philosophy of yin and yang). Can you say more about this philosophy?
How do your philosophical beliefs affect your art and poetry? Can you give an
example?
This philosophy exists in almost every culture on Earth in some form or another.
The concept of yin and yang is one, however, it’s everywhere. Light and dark, fire
and ice, life and death are a few examples of this. Because we live in a relative
universe, everything in it is defined by what it is not. Light would never exist
without darkness to give it meaning…and a contrast so that we know what light is.
These observations predominate the aspects and subject matter of both the writing
AND the artwork. Both serve as mediums to creatively express this core belief.
The poem/prose “Shiva”, for example, illustrates how male and female physical
bodies are dependent upon one another in order to equally exist. Hopefully that
prose will see the light of day somewhere, so I won’t give away too much of its
content here. It’s an enjoyable read!
What are your views about spirituality and how are they reflected in your work?
I regard spirituality as the connection one has with a certain thing or idea. The
connection doesn’t necessarily have to be with nature or a Creator, but even with
an inanimate object. It’s a person’s energy and conscious essence that is engaged
with something. Of course, this is the driving force behind our will to do anything,
as humans. This can be found in the art, but more in the writing. The prose I like
to write is all about human will, physicality, psychology, and exposing the
connections that the subjects have with the particular theme in the stories. This is
a prominent reason I wanted to write in the first place; to express that we have
this spiritual connection with everything we choose as creative beings.
Do you follow any kind of organized religion?
Actually, no. None that is recognizable as a “religion” anyway. But I’m sure that
there are countless others who share a similar view of the world in organized
interactions. I was raised in the church for most of my childhood, and it did give
me a good foundation on which to base my later beliefs. As of now, I would say
that I am only an observer to the religions. I like to study all of them to an extent,
without necessarily believing everything that comes with them. It’s been good for
me to take with me something out of every one of them, however, for my own
personal growth.
The pencil drawings on you website seem to take more risks than your paintings.
They play with light and shadow, and the images seem darker. You’ve also said
that your pencil art is stronger. Do you feel that this is true? Why?
It is correct in stating that the drawings “take more risks”…it was completely by
accident! I would sketch drawings for future paintings that became more complex
than the original idea. So when I found myself detailing the drawing more than
necessary for a draft, they became works within themselves. Being that they only
consist of 2 tones (black and white), I was able to accentuate the values of light
and dark easier and faster. One reason for this was because I have always drawn
with pencils, since childhood, and long before I ever took a class for any other
medium. That is why I think the pencil work is stronger and more bold than the
painted work. Also just like black and white photography, the pencil work seems to
support the more basic contents of what makes a work stand out, which is
indisputably in my opinion, light and dark.
Why do you create?
I feel that creating is the only thing I was really meant to do as a purpose in life. I
never had the aspiration to really “become” something like a doctor, lawyer, or a
player in the business-corporate world. But when I’m creating something, I get a
high seeing something form from a mere thought in my head. It’s the idea of
taking non-material things and making them exist in the physical world that
excites me the most. But then again, I think we’re all creators in our own ways.
When did you begin to study the various forms of art that you are now involved in
today?
I’ve been studying the art of drawing since I was about 6. It was the cheapest and
quickest way to render something on paper in an artistic fashion. I didn’t start
creating with anything else seriously until college. At that time, computer graphics
were still in their infancy, so I didn’t learn too much about how to use them, which
is why I don’t use them now. I learned watercolors, pastels, graphite and oils while
a student in college, but nothing captured the essence like oils.
Who is your greatest role model and how have they directly influenced your art
and life?
I would have to say that just about everyone that I have ever come in contact with
has had either affected or influenced my art in some way or another. Most, of
course, have been indirect influences, but I have been able to take away some
renewed perspective on life and/or art as a result of this. I would feel a bit guilty
only naming one or two people that fall into the category of influence here, since I
think that an influential environment includes all of the people in it (hence, the
world, universe, etc.).
What is involved in your creative process? Do you have a set schedule, rhythm,
procedure, etc?
No set schedule at all! All I really require is the desire to do so, materials, and
some form of extreme metal music (this has been my muse for over 14 years). I’
ve been known to take my materials to work and on the road and slowly create
something whenever I get some free moments. Many of the prose pieces I wrote
were actually done during lunch breaks at my job! As for visual art, I usually start
with a sketch or drawing of some type in black and white, and then base the
painting off of that (unless I get way too involved in the sketch and turn it into a
black and white piece of its own!).
What do you value most? And do you think that shows in your art?
I think I value free thinking and the right to express your own opinion the most. It
saddens me to know that there are some places in this world where people don’t
have the right to speak out for something in which they truly believe. Just because
an institution is popular or large doesn’t mean that it’s for everyone, and people
should have the right to speak openly without ridicule or retaliation. This shows
through in my art, both written and visual.
What advice would you give to emerging artists?
Stay dedicated to expressing what you hold dear to yourself and your art, and
never compromise it for anything!
What kind of connection do you want to make with your audience? Does it vary?
Unlike some artists, I seek to convey a specific mood or atmosphere in my
audience rather than have people interpret what they see in their own way. This is
why I choose not to do purely abstract or non-representational art, since that style
is almost always open to interpretation. What I do is more like illustration in that I
want the audience to be able to see what I thought about when conceiving the
piece itself. If this is accomplished, there is a connection between the audience and
me in understanding what lies behind the illustrative art.
What direction do you see yourself growing as an artist?
As of now, I see myself going in the direction of the obscure, twisted, and more
complex expressions. I’ve debated whether or not to take a different path in
subject matter, but I think it’s best to do what I feel at this time. I expect to see
my current style magnified before it diminishes or changes into something else. I
will also more than likely stick to these two mediums (graphite and oil) since I feel
comfortable with them. In keeping with the style, I hope to also grow in technique
and quality as well!
What new ventures does your future hold?
I’m looking forward to doing more work in the dark fiction and extreme metal
communities, as well as commissions in the vein of dark and elegant subject
matter. I hope to also work on a personal art project called “Galactica Obscura”
which will feature paintings that marry astronomy and psychology, as well as a
project involving my writing called “Neomythologies.” These are long-term
ventures, but I should be able to share them with everyone sooner rather than
later!
The piece entitled “Man and Machine” is one of my favorites. It’s a pencil drawing
depicting what is (or was) a human face being torn apart by machine-like prongs
from above. The large machine hovering above impales the face in five directions.
The tips of the outstretched prongs, when traced in the correct manner, form an
inverted pentagram, which in many schools of thought, signifies death. Hanging
from the face are four smaller heads awaiting the same fate of destruction by
smaller pronged machines. In the same fashion as the prong-tips of the large
machine, the five machines total can be connected by the “pyramids” to form
another “right-side up: pentagram, signifying life. This piece illustrates the
devastation of the human race by its own creation: machinery. As the machines
receive life from our construction, we die in the process. This is, in my opinion, one
of the main reasons we as a race of beings seem to have gotten further away from
being “human” and closer to living unnatural lives through everything that is
inorganic and synthetic. The closer we draw towards artificial intelligence, the
farther we drift from ourselves.
You indicated in your interview with Charlotte Arts that you consider your art as
surreal. What features or craft elements do you think make your art surreal? What
are your inspirations?
One element in particular that I think puts my art in this category is the fact that I
don’t make non-representational art, but rather, realistic art in rather unrealistic
situations. I prefer to paint/draw recognizable people and objects rather than
something that can be interpreted as something other than what I intended the
viewer to see. Not that there is anything wrong with other types of art, but I feel
my purpose is better served this way.
I know from your website "Art of Justin Abraham" that you want to show how all
things are related, and how everything has an opposite (reminds me of the
Chinese philosophy of yin and yang). Can you say more about this philosophy?
How do your philosophical beliefs affect your art and poetry? Can you give an
example?
This philosophy exists in almost every culture on Earth in some form or another.
The concept of yin and yang is one, however, it’s everywhere. Light and dark, fire
and ice, life and death are a few examples of this. Because we live in a relative
universe, everything in it is defined by what it is not. Light would never exist
without darkness to give it meaning…and a contrast so that we know what light is.
These observations predominate the aspects and subject matter of both the writing
AND the artwork. Both serve as mediums to creatively express this core belief.
The poem/prose “Shiva”, for example, illustrates how male and female physical
bodies are dependent upon one another in order to equally exist. Hopefully that
prose will see the light of day somewhere, so I won’t give away too much of its
content here. It’s an enjoyable read!
What are your views about spirituality and how are they reflected in your work?
I regard spirituality as the connection one has with a certain thing or idea. The
connection doesn’t necessarily have to be with nature or a Creator, but even with
an inanimate object. It’s a person’s energy and conscious essence that is engaged
with something. Of course, this is the driving force behind our will to do anything,
as humans. This can be found in the art, but more in the writing. The prose I like
to write is all about human will, physicality, psychology, and exposing the
connections that the subjects have with the particular theme in the stories. This is
a prominent reason I wanted to write in the first place; to express that we have
this spiritual connection with everything we choose as creative beings.
Do you follow any kind of organized religion?
Actually, no. None that is recognizable as a “religion” anyway. But I’m sure that
there are countless others who share a similar view of the world in organized
interactions. I was raised in the church for most of my childhood, and it did give
me a good foundation on which to base my later beliefs. As of now, I would say
that I am only an observer to the religions. I like to study all of them to an extent,
without necessarily believing everything that comes with them. It’s been good for
me to take with me something out of every one of them, however, for my own
personal growth.
The pencil drawings on you website seem to take more risks than your paintings.
They play with light and shadow, and the images seem darker. You’ve also said
that your pencil art is stronger. Do you feel that this is true? Why?
It is correct in stating that the drawings “take more risks”…it was completely by
accident! I would sketch drawings for future paintings that became more complex
than the original idea. So when I found myself detailing the drawing more than
necessary for a draft, they became works within themselves. Being that they only
consist of 2 tones (black and white), I was able to accentuate the values of light
and dark easier and faster. One reason for this was because I have always drawn
with pencils, since childhood, and long before I ever took a class for any other
medium. That is why I think the pencil work is stronger and more bold than the
painted work. Also just like black and white photography, the pencil work seems to
support the more basic contents of what makes a work stand out, which is
indisputably in my opinion, light and dark.
Why do you create?
I feel that creating is the only thing I was really meant to do as a purpose in life. I
never had the aspiration to really “become” something like a doctor, lawyer, or a
player in the business-corporate world. But when I’m creating something, I get a
high seeing something form from a mere thought in my head. It’s the idea of
taking non-material things and making them exist in the physical world that
excites me the most. But then again, I think we’re all creators in our own ways.
When did you begin to study the various forms of art that you are now involved in
today?
I’ve been studying the art of drawing since I was about 6. It was the cheapest and
quickest way to render something on paper in an artistic fashion. I didn’t start
creating with anything else seriously until college. At that time, computer graphics
were still in their infancy, so I didn’t learn too much about how to use them, which
is why I don’t use them now. I learned watercolors, pastels, graphite and oils while
a student in college, but nothing captured the essence like oils.
Who is your greatest role model and how have they directly influenced your art
and life?
I would have to say that just about everyone that I have ever come in contact with
has had either affected or influenced my art in some way or another. Most, of
course, have been indirect influences, but I have been able to take away some
renewed perspective on life and/or art as a result of this. I would feel a bit guilty
only naming one or two people that fall into the category of influence here, since I
think that an influential environment includes all of the people in it (hence, the
world, universe, etc.).
What is involved in your creative process? Do you have a set schedule, rhythm,
procedure, etc?
No set schedule at all! All I really require is the desire to do so, materials, and
some form of extreme metal music (this has been my muse for over 14 years). I’
ve been known to take my materials to work and on the road and slowly create
something whenever I get some free moments. Many of the prose pieces I wrote
were actually done during lunch breaks at my job! As for visual art, I usually start
with a sketch or drawing of some type in black and white, and then base the
painting off of that (unless I get way too involved in the sketch and turn it into a
black and white piece of its own!).
What do you value most? And do you think that shows in your art?
I think I value free thinking and the right to express your own opinion the most. It
saddens me to know that there are some places in this world where people don’t
have the right to speak out for something in which they truly believe. Just because
an institution is popular or large doesn’t mean that it’s for everyone, and people
should have the right to speak openly without ridicule or retaliation. This shows
through in my art, both written and visual.
What advice would you give to emerging artists?
Stay dedicated to expressing what you hold dear to yourself and your art, and
never compromise it for anything!
What kind of connection do you want to make with your audience? Does it vary?
Unlike some artists, I seek to convey a specific mood or atmosphere in my
audience rather than have people interpret what they see in their own way. This is
why I choose not to do purely abstract or non-representational art, since that style
is almost always open to interpretation. What I do is more like illustration in that I
want the audience to be able to see what I thought about when conceiving the
piece itself. If this is accomplished, there is a connection between the audience and
me in understanding what lies behind the illustrative art.
What direction do you see yourself growing as an artist?
As of now, I see myself going in the direction of the obscure, twisted, and more
complex expressions. I’ve debated whether or not to take a different path in
subject matter, but I think it’s best to do what I feel at this time. I expect to see
my current style magnified before it diminishes or changes into something else. I
will also more than likely stick to these two mediums (graphite and oil) since I feel
comfortable with them. In keeping with the style, I hope to also grow in technique
and quality as well!
What new ventures does your future hold?
I’m looking forward to doing more work in the dark fiction and extreme metal
communities, as well as commissions in the vein of dark and elegant subject
matter. I hope to also work on a personal art project called “Galactica Obscura”
which will feature paintings that marry astronomy and psychology, as well as a
project involving my writing called “Neomythologies.” These are long-term
ventures, but I should be able to share them with everyone sooner rather than
later!
| Justin is available for the artistic design of book covers. Contact him at his website "Art of Justin Abraham!" |
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