Interview with Thomas Andrew Darnell [darnelln] on Whohub

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What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist?

I am a painter. I do both abstract and realistic paintings.

What is your message?

Though art can stir many kinds of emotions, I keep mine focused on calming, peaceful, serene images. So I guess my message is that whatever is happening in the life, one can always turn their focus inward towards stillness and find comfort if only for a moment.

Your biography in four lines.

One of nine children in our family, I was born in San Antonio, Texas on February 2, 1958. I was educated in public schools and graduated with a BA in Arts and Science from the University of Texas Austin. I married at 23 and then remarried at 33. I currently live in the south of France with my wife and two kids.

Do you upload your work to the web? If so, where could we see it?

How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration?

My ideas come from walks in the country, dreams, experimenting and playing, travel, images suddenly and unexpectedly coming to me by chance that I sketch or record. All sorts of things inspire me: music while I work, other artists, nature and space, a need to produce meaningful things that I am proud of.

What role does technology play in your creative process?

It speeds things up and makes it possible to play around with many more ideas than before. I also have access to more sources of inspiration. With less time spent on technical processes, I have more time to refine and edit ideas.

If a piece really stirs your soul, and has an immediate emotional impact without need of verbal explanation, it could be art. It could be funny, sad, sexual, political, meditative, beautiful, ugly, big or small but it should move you somehow. Like a great poem, movie or song, the more powerful gut-level reaction it stirs, the more successful the artwork.

When do you get your best ideas?

They can come anytime but usually come suddenly and unexpectedly and I write them down or sketch them out. Like trying to eliminate all thought when meditating, consciously trying to ''brainstorm'' and come up with great ideas is difficult. I prefer to keep a sort of image/idea log either on paper or in my head and edit those over time. Ideas I get while 'under the influence' are usually not so interesting the next morning.

How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not?

Sometimes sleeping on it is enough but when in doubt, just produce it and see. If it is produced and you still aren't sure, wait a few months (or years) and look at it again. I cringe at some of my older work that I thought I liked at the time.

Three creative ideas that you would have liked to have created?

Picasso's 'Guernica', Caravaggio's 'Death of the Virgin', Viola's 'Nantes Triptych'

When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist?

Age six when I drew a cat in black crayola and it was pinned on a board and praised by my teacher.

Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities?

I don't know but it might have something to do with big ego verses deep insecurity....or they're hungover.

Do you consider yourself postmodern?

I don't categorize myself as being part of a group or 'movement'.

How should a work of art be evaluated?

On a personal level, if you love it or not, if it has meaning to you.

Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday?

Trick question... No, in that if you believe strongly in something it should become your mantra that you express over and over perhaps varying your message in subtle ways. Yes, in that repetition and familiarity can kill the creative spirit. When your painting becomes job-like or tedious, move on and do something different because the freshness is gone and the results will only suck.

Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work?

These are just a few off the top of my head: Dead: Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Picasso; Living: Viola, Richter, Bleckner. It's both inspiring and depressing to see such great work but they make me want to push my on limitations as far as I can.

What do you think about public funding for the arts?

Great if you can get funding before the banks and auto companies do. Don't be fooled though, there will always be strings attached with receiving public funds; expect there will be limitations on what can and can't be done. In good economic times, why not but right now I'd rather the money be spent providing jobs, health care, etc.

Of course it isn't necessary for our survival, but the arts make life more interesting and raise the human spirit. Animals do fine without it but people have been creating from the git go.

Does it pain you to let go of a piece you have sold?

On the contrary, it puts food on the table and creates space for new work to be done.

Is a work of art purchased, or is it better said, that it is the artist who is bought?

We're all 'ho's' to a certain extent in the working world but it is the art that endures time, not the artists...they die but their work lives on. For me the message is the important part, not the messenger.

In art, there is no guide. How do you know what the next step is?

I can only go by my feelings and then react. When you are supporting a family through your art practical steps must be taken as well.

How do you feel about the fact that the pieces exhibited in contemporary art museums are often of artists already deceased?

People can die suddenly but that doesn't make their art suddenly 'old school'. For example, Van Gogh's work didn't really catch on until after he was dead.

What role have the figures of art dealer, gallery owners, representatives, and intermediaries in general played in your career?

They have helped me make a living and continue painting. Helped me push my limits of both patience and self-confidence. They have provided venues for the public to see my actual paintings as opposed to images on a screen or on a page.

What types of jobs do you usually do?

Besides painting, I help with the house and raising our children.

Which of your jobs or tasks do you most enjoy?

Do you personally collect any items?

I have some other artists' work and a few watches but am not much on collecting.

Which websites do you frequently visit?

I regularly visit googlenews, my email, my stock site, and then others I won't mention.

What advice would you give to those just beginning?

Sooner or later really go for it and give it your all. It helps if you have a financial base (savings) to get you through a period where you can freely work hard and develop a body of work to start showing. Do as much work as you can and get it in front of as many key people as possible. Do your own thing and learn from people's criticism/commentary but don't let their negative remarks get to you. Relations with dealers/galleries must be totally business: have a clear, binding, signed contract and keep meticulous inventory records. Galleries are notoriously slow to pay and the squeaky wheel gets the grease...do not hesitate to hire a lawyer if they are not paying up.

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