An art guru to me and fantastic friend who I have known for...lets just say years...has kindly agreed to be my first artist guinea pig and I couldn't be prouder! Having first met Adrian in LA we were reunited once more in Sydney where we spent a magical NYE under the Harbour bridge, getting drunk waiting 6 hours for the fireworks!
As well as being a fantastic Artist, Adrian is also an amazing stylist and photographer. I love Adrian's work, and artistically speaking feel a little similarity in our style (although I'm nowhere near his level!), and every time we see each other I always leave feeling refreshed and my passion for art a little stronger and me...slightly more driven. Sighhhh
Here I get my 15 minutes with my favourite artist....
ADRIAN, THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO CHAT WITH ME TODAY, CAN I START BY SAYING THAT I MISS YOU AND WHEN OH WHEN ARE YOU COMING TO GREY OLD LONDON TOWN??
Hi Jo, a London getaway does sound nice but I don't see it anytime soon. You'll be in LA soon enough though!
YOU CURRENTLY LIVE IN LA. HOW DOES THIS TOWN ACCOMMODATE YOUR ARTISTIC NEEDS, AND CAN YOU IMAGINE LIVING ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE FUTURE?
I love LA right now. It hasn't always been this way but the current artistic climate is pulsing with energy. The space available to artists is perfect and cheap. It's really easy to have a comfortable lifestyle here on a budget, most of the interesting young people are in the same circumstance you are and together we are developing a new modern artistic culture. When the time comes, NYC will always be on my trajectory but living there won't coincide with me being poor.
WHEN DID YOU START PAINTING AND WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING BACKGROUND?
I started painting when I was really young, maybe in 6th grade but I do remember drawing when I was around 4 or 5. It's just a practice that has always been a part of me. Thus far I've received my bachelor's degree in painting and another in photography.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
I'd say realist pop portraiture.
WHAT DRAWS YOU TO PAINTING PORTRAITS?
Before I knew about "art art" I was always drawn to portraiture and history painting. I always remember drawing animals and people, not really landscapes or abstract work. I have so many drawings of cartoons from my youth. Human representation just seemed like a natural next step, the ultimate challenge. I took a leap in college and started doing lots of self portraits, mainly because I was always available as a model. After school finished, I wanted to push my ideas and imagery and create something that seemed timeless and sewn into the thread of art history.
I TEND TO FOCUS A LOT ON THE FEMALE/FACE BODY IN MY WORK. WHAT MAKES YOU FOCUS ON THE MALE SPECIES? I FIND YOU GUYS INCREDIBLY HARD TO PAINT?!!
Guys are great to look at for long periods of time!
HA HA...XX
WHAT SONG ARE YOU PLAYING TO DEATH AT THE MOMENT?
Anything Amy. Probably Take the Box the most. Her recent passing hit me pretty hard, something about the truth and the fantasy in her writing really runs deep with me. Her songs were the perfect heartache.
WHAT COLOURS DO YOU ENJOY BEING SURROUNDED BY?
My apartment is painted blue/green/grey but all very neutral tones. I tend to paint with a very limited neutral palette too.
IF FOR SOME REASON YOU HADN'T BECOME AN ARTIST, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE CHOSEN AS A PROFESSION?
I don't think any other lifestyle has ever crossed my mind. I believe in destiny.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?
I grew up in a small town and remember wandering around with my 4 best friends. We all loved to draw together and after school we would take hours to walk to each others houses, stopping to eat food, and throw rocks at things.
WHO WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC INFLUENCES IN YOUR LIFE?
This changes on a daily basis, but most recently its very clear that my parents have had a major impact on my art making. My mother was an art major when she was in college but dropped it after having my brothers and I. My father was a wood shop teacher. Since we grew up without much money, my mom was always crafting and making things to decorate our home and getting me to help by drawing, painting, sewing, and woodworking. I've always held onto those skills and now I'm just applying them to different media and subjects.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT?
Spirituality. It's so important in my day to day world. I tried for many years to forget about it and that is when I became really unmotivated and lost. Its a constant struggle to be grateful for what I do have presently and also important to let go of my expectations from people and life. Whatever is meant to be will be and all of the tools that I need presently are right in front of me.
AS MOST ARTISTS WOULD TENT TO AGREE, SOMETIMES INSPIRATION RUNS A LITTLE LOW AND CREATIVITY SOMETIMES IS HARD TO FIND, WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD WHEN YOU ARE FEELING A LITTLE LOST FOR IDEAS?
When I feel lost for ideas, I'm really into accepting the fact that I probably shouldn't be working at that moment. Forcing solutions was a problem for me in the past and never really worked out. I love exercising, both indoors and out, so when I feel uninspired I get fresh air or go sweat for an hour. It does wonders to clear the head and meditate while keeping fit.
I NOTICE RECENTLY THAT YOU HAVE MOVED INTO THE CREATIVE DANCE MOVEMENT, TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS AND WHAT NEW SKILS YOU ARE LEARNING?
I happened upon a dance class over 2 years ago after a friend suggested going. It was amazing and life changing. Ryan Heffington is a choreographer and artist in Los Angeles who teaches this class twice a week. I've been a steady student of his since then and have performed in various recitals, dance attacks, nightclub shows, and museum pieces. It's such a unique extension on the creative process, incorporating the body and music. I'm met such a brilliant family of collaborators at his studio The Sweat Spot, just a few blocks from my house. It's one of the best things happening in LA right now!
WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK AND NEWS OF UP COMING SHOWS?
I'm working on rebuilding my website, www.adriangilliland.com. It should be up shortly. I'll be showing at a group show in October at the PopTart Gallery in Los Angeles for the show Pacific Standard Time which will be a multi gallery show based around the work of photographer Bruce. I'll keep you posted!
ADRIAN THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN...
LOVE AND MISS YOU
J-L
XX
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