by donald dusinberre imartsyfartsy@gmail.com
From time to time, I feel inclined to highlight a Jacksonville artist who doesn’t get enough attention for his or her work. This week, Dan May is our featured artist, our favorite illustrator of monsters and fables. Although I’ve mentioned him on a number of occasions, I still think it’s necessary to keep our readers in the know about where to find his work.
I caught up with May via email as he was completing some more work for his upcoming shows. As I had never communicated with him before, I had a few questions for him:
EU: Much of your work is smaller than a sheet of legal paper. Why do you paint so small?
May: Ha, yes that’s true…I guess I paint small for a variety of reasons. For one, I think that the size of my artwork is somewhat a reflection of the size of my studio…small. At the moment, I’m working out of a spare bedroom of our condo. Secondly, I began my career (and sometimes still work) as a freelance illustrator, working under very tight deadlines, at times with a 24-hour or less turnaround. An 8” x 10” or smaller painting is not only easier to complete in a short period of time, but it’s also easier to scan and send as a digital file. Finally, I thoroughly enjoy working on small canvases. I have worked on much larger canvases in the past, and I’m now in the process of going big again. Stay tuned!
EU: You paint many works on canvas, which adds an organic feel while avoiding a pure sharpness.
May: Funny you should mention that! For years I avoided canvas like the plague. I’d paint on wood, illustration board, paper, etc…I didn’t care for the canvas texture. In my recent work, which is almost 100% canvas, I’ve discovered ways to make the texture work for me instead of against me.
EU: Your paintings seem to say something; they contain an allegorical element. Do they teach a specific lesson or tell a story? Or is it completely up to the viewer to formulate his/her own ideas?
May: Yes, I would say my recent work is full of allegory. Most of the elements in my paintings are placed there for a specific reason, and are a part of a larger overall story. As far as specific meanings or lessons, I generally leave it up to the viewer to fill in the blanks. Based on the reactions I’ve received, some just see my work as a series of cute or scary creatures, while others see a much deeper meaning and formulate their own stories.
EU: If your pieces are indeed specific, do you first develop the idea and then paint, or do you paint to see what story comes out of you?
May: Ideas for new paintings come at random moments throughout the day, and even in my dreams. Often times I’ll wake up in the middle of the night, scribble down a concept or a short phrase, and I’ll revisit them in the morning. Some of these ideas get developed into paintings, while others just get filed away. Needless to say, there is very little “planning” that goes into each piece. I prefer to let my mind take control and see what flows out. My favorite paintings start out in one direction and end up becoming something completely different.
EU: I sometimes get a Tim Burton vibe from your work, maybe a splash of SpongeBob or Dr. Seuss. How much influence have they actually had on your work?
May: I can’t really pinpoint one direct “hero” or major influence on my art. However, the works of Tim Burton and Dr. Seuss have certainly had some impact on me, along with the work of Edward Gorey, Hieronymus Bosch, and Salvador Dali among others. As a kid I found myself watching Saturday morning cartoons, playing with Legos and Transformers, and drawing monsters, odd creatures, and cartoons until all hours of the night. I’m basically doing the same thing today, although I’ve picked up some new techniques and added a higher conceptual element to my work. I’d say the world around me has always been my biggest influence.
EU: Where in town will the fine citizens of Jacksonville be able to see your work over the next few months?
May: I have a selection of paintings, studies, and prints available through Bogda Gallery in Riverside, and I also have a series of prints available at the 9th and Liberty Gallery in Springfield. Other than that, my work can be seen in shows outside of the Jacksonville area (Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta and Chicago).
EU: “Alone in a Crowd” would make awesome pajamas, don’t you think?
May: Ha! That would be cool… any clothing designers out there looking to put out a line of monster pajamas?
You can see and learn more about Dan May’s artwork by visiting:
mayillustration.com
flickr.com/photos/danmay
myspace.com/danmayart
Dan May Prints are available through:
blueflipart.com
prettydarnswell.com
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
