"That's Interesting"

It's a show about the exposition of an artist's creative process, and it's also the prompt of this year's Fresh Produce creative challenge. To approach this subject, I began with a necessary examination of my own creative process. Immediately the question arose: "Where do my ideas come from?" Instead of sitting down for a long hard think, I gave myself a couple weeks to pay close attention to moments of fascination and inspiration. I discovered the following themes:

--Skateboarding is a rare intersection of art, sport, and subculture that I have long turned to as a creative outlet. Skateboard videos are produced with a certain artistic grime that I regularly seek out for inspiration.

--Matches pack a simple but delightfully tactile experience. Slip a match from its decorative box, strike it against the wall, and instantly you have man's most riveting discovery between your fingers. Plus, the whole affair usually ends with a pleasant-smelling candle.

--Music uses words and sounds to conjure up particular feelings and powerful imagery. Any creative person understands that music is a critical tool for stirring up the right headspace in which to work. I also have a fascination with bizarre vintage vinyl records and boast a small collection to reference when I'm looking for a good hearty chuckle.

--For some reason I really enjoy looking at people's homes (that might sound weird, I promise it's not). In another life I may have been an architect, and in yet another an interior designer. Seeing how homes reflect personalities and how spaces are constructed for particular functions just gets me really jazzed.

--Ceramics is essentially 3D design with earthen materials. Producing forms that are intriguing from all angles and working within the limitations of clay supplies a challenge that has altered my approach to making art. Discoveries often come by accident, and the best forms involve simple but confident mark making. The form designed for this challenge is derived from my own ceramic piece.

--Lastly, my creative process usually begins with pen and paper. This design features both graphical and hand-sketched elements to reflect this principle.

Enjoy!