Andrew Faris was born in 1978 in Akron, Ohio USA. Andrew currently lives and works in Wilson, Wyoming USA. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts at Kent State University in the School of Visual Communication Design. For the next 15+ years Andrew worked in several design studios as well as founding the design studio Recess Design before becoming a full-time artist.
How did you get into art?
I’d say art got into me. I grew up swirling in music, writing, conversations, thoughts, laughter, movies, emotions, paintings…It all seeped into me. I became so saturated with it that it couldn’t help but come out in some form. Currently that form is painting.
How would you describe your style? What makes your work special?
I tend not to think of my work as having style, but I suppose at the highest level it is abstract. I tend to work in bright, pure, saturated colors. I lean towards simplicity. Hopefully my work elicits feelings of fascination and curiosity. I am interested in seeing what the paint has to show me. I aim for feelings before thoughts. My work is special for me because I get to experience the making of it. It is special because it is the culmination of me in a moment.
How do you go about developing your work?
My work is developed throughout every day. I try to maintain an openness to possibility. This means that inspiration can come at any moment from anything. It could be a word, a sound, a feeling, a color, a thought. I keep a running journal on my phone in which I take note of all these little observations which can become the spark for future creations. When something ignites in me I may start small with studies and sketches or I may just jump in and go big and see what happens.
Who or what influences you?
I’m influenced by countless creators and of course there are some artists that rise to the top for me, but none top Nature, which is to say God. The drifting of clouds. The dropping of rain. The feeling of sunshine. Life.
Make us curious. What are you planning to do next?
Well, this question brings to mind another question, “How do you make God laugh? Make a plan.” That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing my work move into three dimensions.
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