April Art Attack! Artist Profile: Steve Durbin

1. What is your definition of art?
That’s too hard to pin down. There might be more art in how you walk than in how I paint. Guaranteed, in fact.

2. What medium do you use?
Photography.

3. What is your art about?
About landscape and how I relate to it: the inner self and the outer world. Mostly, I haven’t figured it out yet.

4. How would you describe your artwork?
Typically black and white photography emphasizing light, abstraction, connection.

5. How has your artistic practice changed since you first began making art?
It has become more abstract, more allusive, maybe less immediately appealing.

6. What influences your art?
The world around me, other art I see, artists I talk to, books I read…

7. Who are your favorite artists?
Somehow I don’t think in terms of favorites. What I’m looking at and learning from now: Robert Irwin and David Hockney. But I don’t always necessarily their actual artworks.

8. What is your favorite artwork by another artist?
Impossible to answer! Too many amazing and inspiring things.

9. How do you title your work?
No title or simple description or, in one series, a haiku

10. Do you have formal training?
No.

11. Where do you show your artwork?
Temporary exhibits, a gallery now defunct, and on the web.

12. Describe one challenge you constantly face in your practice.
Finding enough time for it! The day job and other responsibilities are too demanding.

13. When are you most creative?
Unpredictable.

14. How do you know when an artwork is complete?
It never is. I can always re-work the digital file I show or print from.

15. What is one discovery you have made while working?
I can’t tell what’s good until later.

16. How separate are you from your art?
About 50%?

17. What is the role of the artist in society?
Survival. Friendship. Teaching. Make it up.

18. What artistic trend are you seeing a lot of lately?
Lots of deadpan photography, lots of comment on pop culture.

19. What is your least favorite occupational hazard?
Stepping in poop.

20. What is the strangest comment someone has said about your work?
Can’t think of anything good–I must have blocked it out!

21. Do you consider yourself the next Michelangelo?
Nope.

22. What else do you do besides make art?
Write software, wander in the wilderness, read, write,…

23. Are you an alcoholic?
No, but I like wine at meals, a habit from living in Europe.

24. What advice would you give to a young artist?
Get a day job that leaves you time and energy. It frees your art.

25. “My kid could do that,” has become the ultimate diss on a piece of art. Give a new one for the ages.
I can do better in Photoshop.

Artist:
Steve Durbin
futtara@gmail.com
stephendurbin.com

April Art Attack! is a month-long online art festival dedicated to giving creative individuals a new platform for conversation. Organized by Gus23, the festival will bring together remarkable voices throughout the Web into one blog for one month. This collection of artistic ideas will highlight the importance of the Internet as a tool for necessary and meaningful communication.