The Happiest Place in the World- Oil on Illustration Board 16'' x 20'' by Tim Chappell
It’s true for most artists of any type, that music is necessary. We brand our style, and find synonyms in the music that inspires us. I don’t find my passion with music as much as I’d say I use it as gasoline. I burn it up when ever I’m working, it’s that midnight oil that makes me move, the direction is my own, but the throttle is pushed down so in tune with my engine when I have my tunes jamming.
On this note, it has become fact that with painting I will return to the same band throughout almost an entire piece. It keeps my style consistent. The mood of the idea for the painting chooses the mood of the music. The awkwardness of “The Happiest Place in the World” for instance, with its themes of energy and potential, shadowed over by the hesitance and weight of past grief- was entirely painted while listening to Arcade Fire - The Suburbs. http://bit.ly/1a03Wc7
Film on the other hand, A truly wonderful movie will surpass music in its potential to inspire me. For instance, after seeing Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will be Blood I could not sleep. My night was filled with depth and ideas, vintage designs and prolific abuse of nature. The potential of corruption and vile hatred. the subtleties in Day-Lewis’s face inspired me to paint- a portrait with Jesus eyes, and an oil stained mustache. Brow tilted to represent so many notions while his nostrils flare.
It could be said, I suppose, that without importing desirable passion- I may be severely hindered in my export production. In a white room, like purgatory- with all the supplies in the world, however my brain stepping into it as a blank canvas, it is very hard to imagine what I would produce. It would have skill, and precision, but would it be desirable? inspired? I aspire to inspire passion, but I’ve got to have my fuel.
I’m always looking for new inspirations, feel encouraged to share some if this makes any come to mind. - Do any of you feel that your more productive in that white blank room?
My mother’s an artist, and father’s a craftsman. I have great certainty that my upbringing with them carved the trail into my creative future. From Sundays building extensions onto an already gargantuan treefort, to weekdays with an overworked crayon box... Creating unique things has always been my driving force.
Mom being in the PTA in elementary school, kept me after as she worked. I still recall hours of my life spent drawing my Star Wars toys in a small secluded art room. Even at that age, I recall being so drawn to draw, that I would give haunted house pictures to my friends... (Some of which graphic enough to cause a parent teacher conference or two.)
I drifted thru middle school filling my class assignments with doodles, and by high school, at Livonia Franklin, I jumped eagerly into my first serious art classes. It was here that my interest turned into a much more dedicated hobby, and from there into an engulfing constant. I believe there were 14 art classes offered at Franklin, advanced photo development, clay, painting... and after I was thru all of them, I filled my roster with as many independent studies as I could.
My enlightening teacher there, Mr. Rheault, taught me much more than skill; he preached the essential traits of a studio artist, how to find inspiration, to research, to dive in, to push, to explore potential. He gave me the mindset of an artist, while vastly furthering my potential. I immersed myself deeply into painting.
When I came into oil paint it was monumental. I would work for days, coming into classes stained with yellow ochre and phtalo blue. I even was able to ace U.S. History by doing a recreation of Norman Rockwell’s “The Problem We All Live With”. Rheault got me into the Scholastic Scholarship Program, which paved a golden path straight to the College for Creative Studies.
I’ve now been there for the better part of five years, starting out in the Illustration Department. But, my passion for being a hands on craftsman consumed me, and after witnessing peers blowing glass, and blacksmithing, I needed a change.
I finished a minor in illustration, satisfied with what I’d gained- and dove into the metals department where every semester was a new door opening. I went from jewelry to black-smithing to casting, etching, plating, then holloware, followed by lathe working, milling, and the other studios! glassblowing, wood-shop, wheel throwing, slip casting. I’d found my passion.
Now, with two classes left before graduation, I am focusing on taking all of my knowledge and interests, and formulating precise handcrafted goods, as well as highly skilled paintings. This is the foundation of myself as an artist... The Tim Industry. I have failed, succeeded, witnessed gross injuries, and learned great things- And I look forward to sharing them with you!
