John Vitale was born in 1979 in Illinois, and has lived up and down the east and west coasts. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn NY. He is a largely self taught painter and has worked in many mediums extensively, including graphic design for his global skateboard brand, @thekillingfloor.
How did you get into art?
I think art moreso got into me. I’ve been making art in various ways and creating things for as long as i can remember, since a very young age. I’ve always resonated with making things, i skateboard, cut my own hair, sew up my own clothes, build furniture, I love to cook without using recipes. Everything is an extention of creativity to me.
How would you describe your style? What makes your work special?
My style is just what i do. I try to avoid defining it, but i can say that it does matter to me that when I look at my work, I want it to feel like nothing that i see around me. That’s really important to me.
How do you go about developing your work?
My process relies heavily on spontaneity as well as embracing accidents and mistakes. I do have a sort of formula i go on but these elements ironically make up some of the framework of the formula. I love the depth, textures and complexities that layers bring to a painting so i tend to spend time creating problems to then solve. My paintings always tell me when they are done. It’s never really fully my choice.
Who or what influences you?
Too many things to mention, a few things- my son Julien, he has a very unique.perspective on the world.
Music is a big influence on me and my work. The chaos in New York City. It all feels somewhat collective- subconsciously choreographed which really intrigues me.
Make us curious. What are you planning to do next?
Live in the moment! Always the plan. The plan is no plan. I definitely hope to continue working in larger and larger scale. I have my first international solo show coming up in Taipei in January. I am opening a gallery/ project space with a friend in Kingston called Pollyanna in February! That has been quietly in the works lately.
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