Interview with Andrew Myers
Tell us about your childhood days in Braunschweig, Germany and Ciudad Real, Spain. How did these places influence you?
I was born in Braunschweig, Germany, after which my parents moved to Ciudad Real, Spain when I was 6 months old. I grew up in Spain until I was 16 years of age, attending Spanish schools and completely immersed in Spanish culture. My friends were Spanish, the food was Spanish, my life was Spanish, and it has influenced me to this day. I think the environment that I grew up in has shaped me into the person I am today; resilient, competitive, striving to be unique in everything I do. When I was 16 years old, my parents relocated back to the States, and I finished up my High School years in Seattle, WA. Even though I have lived in the States longer than I have in Europe at this point, I still feel like I’m more European than I am American. But it’s been a blessing to have grown up with various cultures and influences.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your approach towards art? Do you remember your earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?
I never thought I would be an artist growing up, and I never did much of any art, until I walked into a sculpture class at the Laguna College of Art and Design in 1999. I knew right then and there that I wanted to be an artist, and so I talked to the Dean and asked what I needed to do to attend Art School. He told me to create a portfolio, and so I had a week to come up with a portfolio, even though I had never created any art before. I presented my portfolio and was admitted to the school. That was kind of a sign. As with everything I do, I’m very driven to do everything to the best of my ability, and once I decided to become an artist and live off creating art, I did just that. I think the biggest influence on my approach to art is the drive to be unique. I stopped looking at what other artists were doing, so that I wouldn’t be influenced by what has been done before. I believe in creating art that is unique, visionary, and approachable, and couple that with execution. Ideas, creativity, and execution is what drives my artistic influences.
How much do you identify with your German heritage?
That’s a funny question, as I don’t remember the first 6 months of my life, but my grandparents were of German heritage, and I think I have some traits that are very German and not very Spanish. For example, I am a very punctual person and time conscious, which the Spanish are not. Growing up in Spain, I would make plans with my friends to meet at a certain time, and I would always be there at least 5 minutes early, just to wait around for an hour until everyone else showed up. I’m also very structured, which I feel is a very German trait.
Who is your favorite musician or band? Do they inspire you to create your own art?
My favorite musician or band alternates. Do you have any suggestions for me? I’m always looking for new music that speaks to me, and yes, music plays a large role in creating art. But, seriously, any great new suggestions from anyone would be much appreciated. DM me on Instagram @andrewmyersart with suggestions.
Can you describe your creative process from conceptualization to realization?
I like for my art to tell stories or ignite an emotion that is relatable, and I never stop thinking of ideas or concepts. With my Screw Art, I come up with the idea, create a photo shoot, from which I draw out my idea or concept on a wood panel. Then the panel and the drawing are pre-drilled with evenly spaced and straight holes, after which the panel goes to an automotive shop and gets an acrylic polyurethane enamel background with pre-thought out colors. Then the screwing begins. I create a relief out of the screws, and then I paint on the screw heads creating the image or images. A lot of people think this is pixel art, but it’s not; it’s an oil painting on steel, painted with a 0 size paint brush with many screws having up to 5 colors of paint on one single screw. Very meticulous and detailed work.
Your sculptures seem to effortlessly combine organic forms with both industrial and natural materials (screws, recycled wood pieces, and bronze). How did you discover these materials for yourself, and what are some of the challenges they present? What is the best part about creating art using varying materials and found objects?
I began my art career as a figurative sculptor, focusing on narrative sculpture. I realized that I could never be as good as Master sculptors before me, and so I began thinking of ways that I could separate myself from other artists, and what could I do that I could master that no one else had tried before. One day when I was working on bronze relief sculptures for a Catholic Church, I began thinking about screws, and realized if I put enough screws together at an even distance, I could create reliefs using screws. And, so it began. My first work in screws took me over 6 months to create, and once I realized I could do it, I began playing around with various concepts. I strive to be unique, and I think that’s what makes me pick up various materials and try to create something with them. There are lots of challenges involved. Working with screws, or wood pieces, or acrylic cubes is time consuming, tedious, and can get expensive. I can never create enough quick enough.
What’s the most indispensable item in your studio/practice?
Music, peace, ideas, thoughts. I don’t think those are items but they’re indispensable.
What’s been your greatest artistic success?
The next thing I’m going to create.
Have ever had a moment where you wanted to give it all up?
Who hasn’t wanted to give up their job or career? There are so many challenges being a full-time artist. You never know what the next day is going to bring, and there’s no financial security in art, but at the end of the day, I get to do what I love, and dictate what I want to do. I love the process, my studio, and the environment that I have created, as well as the freedom that comes with this path.
What is your dream creative project?
I’m a thinker, an inventor, and I love ideas. I think my dream creative project is a piece of art that no one has ever seen before, that is in my mind, and that will be displayed for everyone to see.
What are your goals for the future?
So many things. I’m going to be vague on that one.
http://www.andrewmyersart.com
