Beauty and Concern

By: Chase Whitman | October 26, 2009 | Art

How do you feel about being an artist in L.A.?
The art scene here is less competitive than in New York, but I like the galleries I’m working with. There is a great enthusiasm and momentum to the L.A. art scene, but I hate the lowbrow labels.

Do you see yourself a part of the L.A. art history lineage (Hockney, Burden, Ruscha, etc.)? Is that something you would identify with?
I admire those artists, but I try not to over-think that type of thing. I will be lumped into a category soon enough.

Are you more comfortable painting men or women?
I work more often with female models, but I enjoy painting men, too. I feel equally comfortable painting both genders, however I find that it’s easier to direct female models in a photo shoot situation when I am acting as photographer. Perhaps I identify with women more than men, but whatever the reason, I do get better material when I use women.

I’ve heard that you make the garments in the paintings. How did this come about?
As I became more comfortable behind the camera, I started paying more attention to styling my photo shoots. I began altering clothing for my models, then designing garments from scratch.

Do you follow the runway shows?
Runway shows and fashion blogs are like my crack. During fashion week, I’m glued to my computer in anticipation. I’ve had to curb my fashion magazine spending, but fashion photography still remains my guilty pleasure and indulgence.

Could you beat (designer) Rick Owens in a fight?
Yikes! He’d probably take me down, but I would come back in the second round with biting and hair pulling.

Looking back through art history, painting has been declared “dead” many times. What are your feelings on painting in the contemporary art world?
I can understand critics’ views on painting as a dead art form, but in the real art world, I don’t see that to be the case. While I think some conceptual art is very compelling, I’m most excited by the work of painters and figurative artists like John Currin, Jenny Saville and Lucian Freud.

You have a strong affinity for great interior design. Talk to me about the furniture and decor in your pieces.
They are mostly from my own collection. You can spot an Eames ottoman in Reflecting Adele or a Victorian parlor bench as seen in Discretion.

How important is interior design in your life? What does your home look like?
As a rule, I look toward restoration rather than renovation to keep the integrity and charm of my residence. I don’t have the means to build my dream home yet, but I’m slowly collecting art and small pieces of furniture that I love.

Your work seems to vibrate with restraint and discretion. What do you leave out of your pieces?
I omit clutter, electrical outlets, doorknobs and hardware — most everything that might detract from clean lines of a room and my model/subject.

What do you find interesting about exploring the feelings of unease or vulnerability?
Base human emotions that are not easily described or pinpointed intrigue me.

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