The Interview

Photo By Andrew Miller

S~ “What is your most dominant characteristic?”

h- “My sensitivity as a person, followed closely by my sense of humor.”

S~ "How do you feel about a formal art education and its affects on an artist's self expression?"

h- “I feel this depends on the individual. For me I had one teacher, Tanis Sietin, who taught me how to let go and be fearless when I entered school, though I had already developed a large visual dialogue to work within. I know formal education helps and hurts artists. Sometimes it makes artists lose their original voice, and sometimes it helps them. Skills and mediums can all be taught and learned independently if one wishes.”

S~ "How would you describe your work and process?"

h- “I feel my work is a true expression of self in image and process. I work fast, similar to that of a Japanese brush stroke artist. I start out loose and tighten it up as the process goes along. I hallucinate the image before or during the process, and build my work up in layers. I focus on balancing polarities.”

S~ “Who would you say are your heroes and inspirations?”

h- “My list of heroes and inspirations is huge so I’ll focus on Seattle artists. Starhedboy is my longtime pop-icon-propaganda-production hero. Xavier Lopez gives me true critical feedback and I love his emotion and skill and use of subconscious mythology in his painting. Nick Beery and Indio for their skill levels, humor and wit go to Nar boo and Maggie Harbaugh. Willingness to explore various mediums and support other artists would be Andy Miller. I’ve recently been inspired by two other female artists; Julie Luke for her connection with Australian tribal art, and Elizabeth Desiree for her use of art to expand social awareness; last but not least Gary Larson, for giving me laughter throughout my childhood. My list of heroes is constantly expanding as I journey through life. There are other artists I am learning from but the list would be way to long to include all of them.”

S~ “What do you hope to accomplish as an artist?”

h- “My long term vision as an artist is to bring happiness to people while educating people about the systematic causes of poverty.”

S~ “Do you prefer collaboration and public painting over studio work?"

h- “Right now I feel like my greatest achievement as an artist is the ability to see the greatness and good qualities of other artists, and to be able to work with the people I admire.”

S~ “What are some links I can use to help promote your work?”

h- “For the time being, I’m focusing on one venue to sell my canvas work out of, the Short Stop Coffee in Fremont (40th and Leary). It’s the black shop with my robot mural on it. I’m working on some projects this winter in solitude so that'll be the best place to leave a note if someone needs to get a hold of me or wants to work with me in the future.”

S~ “Where in Seattle’s current art scene do you picture yourself?”

h- “I personally feel like a grain of sand on a beach and all the other artists are other grains of sand. Together we make up the beach. I love Seattle very much and it has enriched my life throughout my entire life.”

 S~ “Where do you hope to be in 5 years?”

h- “On a yacht with a hot tub, or painting in a leper colony in Calcutta. They would both make me happy in different ways.”