15 Questions About Art :: Hugh D’Andrade
Hugh D’Andrade is an artist and illustrator based in San Francisco, where he lives with wife and fellow artist, Mati McDonough. Hugh’s art has appeared on rock posters, book jackets, magazines and the occasional t-shirt or skateboard and on the cover of Communication Arts.
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What is your earliest art-related memory?
Drawing at the kitchen table for hours on end. I was one of those kids that drew all the time, and my family was really good at making sure I was provided with plenty of paper and colored pens. The fact that I became an artist is really a case of nature + nurture — I probably had a native talent or interest in drawing, but my family encouraged me and provided an environment where I could flourish.
Who has had the greatest influence on your work?
I’ve been influenced by so many artists, it’s hard to pick just one! But when I was in art school in my late teens and early 20s, I had a partner who inspired me to make art that was accessible, narrative, and had pop culture roots. She hated the pretension of the art world, and always said she wanted to make photos that looked the way the music of Sonic Youth made her feel. That really stuck with me, and influenced me more than anything else I can think of.
What are the main tools of your craft?
I use acrylic paint, pen and ink and the all-powerful computer.
Is a formal education important?
Yes and no. I think school gives you some grounding in the big issues you’ll be grappling with your whole life, and in my case it gave me a community that continues to inspire and influence me.
On the other hand, it can be stifling. No matter how much your teachers talk about “finding your voice,” there is an “art school aesthetic,” and your teachers and peers apply subtle pressure to get you to conform. In my time, that meant NO CARTOON IMAGERY OR IT”S NOT ART!!! Also, no clean lines, and make sure the paint is dribbling.
Sometimes I think I could have done what I do without school. But then I often see the work of a young artist that hasn’t been to school, and you know what? It shows.
What is the biggest misconception about art?
The biggest misconception is that art is for snobs, and is a high-brow pursuit of the very rich. Think of it this way: everyone has a favorite band or singer. Popular music resonates with people on a really deep, emotional and personal level. Who has that relationship to visual art? And why the hell not? That’s starting to change, but you’ll notice it isn’t coming out of the museums or the New York galleries — it’s coming out of the skateboard magazines and the tattoo parlors. People are starting to embrace visual arts and claim it as their own, and that’s leading to all sorts of interesting changes. If I were a member of the “art elite,” I would be worried.
Which is more important in art - concept or execution?
That’s a silly question. They’re both important, and at times one or the other will take precedence. Obviously. That’s like asking, “what’s more important, fucking or kissing?”
What theme or aesthetic are you most drawn too?
I like early 20th century modernism of all kinds, but especially German Expressionism. As you can guess from my comments above, I love a lot of the “low brow” or “pop surrealist” stuff you find in Hi Fructose magazine and sometimes
What is your favorite piece of art in your home?
Right now it is a piece I bought at a benefit art auction by my friend Jason Jagel. It’s lovely, and I never would have been able to afford it elsewhere.
If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Could I be a long-lost sibling of the Clayton Brothers?
Which emerging artist do you think more people should know about?
Thomas Campbell
What has been your greatest achievement to date?
I’ve made a lot of art, some of it has sold, and lots of it is beloved by people I don’t even know. That makes me happy.
What has been your biggest roadblock?
I have a moderate case of Attention Deficit Disorder, which causes me to reply to questionaires at great length rather than get to work at the drawing table. ADD has been a real issue I’ve had to contend with, and it appears to be just part of the way my brain works.
How do you define success?
Success is enjoying your work, and feeling that what you do matters. If you don’t have that, you don’t have much, do you?
Secondarily, it’s important for an artist to make their living from their art, and not from flipping burgers. That is, I know a lot of people will say financial success isn’t the goal, and not really the point. And of course it isn’t. But I don’t want to downplay it, either. It’s good to get paid for your work, and be able to put creative pursuits at the center of your life.
What will be the name of your autobiography?
“What Have I Done?”
What is the best piece of (art-related) advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t give up!
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15 Questions about Art is an ongoing series in which we ask our collective favorite artists, writers, musicians, sleepy dreamers and object makers from across the creative spectrum to give us a glimpse into how they perceive art through a standard set of questions.
Please click here for the archives and check back next week for a fresh perspective.
