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John-Michael Byrd’s work is focused on absurdity and the uncanny in an attempt to resolve the gap between the artificial and the real juxtaposing appropriated imagery in various media. He works at the School of Visual Arts and is writing a collection of prose inspired by his collages.
Published on March 9th, 2020. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What projects are you working on right now?
I'm currently working on two projects. One is a large body of work that is inspired by traditional animation cels. Each painting in on transparent mylar back painted with acrylic paint. The other body is several iterations of collaged children's coloring books collapsed together alluding to new narratives. Both projects touch on my interests in folk beliefs, cartoons, child art, religious iconography, the absurd, the uncanny, memories and art history.
How do you keep yourself accountable in your practice?
I try to talk about what I am working on to other artists as best I can. I also think that showing the process of making the work online is great for this as well. I write down all my ideas and take copious notes, take pictures and draw every day. I set small attainable goals through the year and always take stock of what I’ve done in the late months of the year.
How do you stay motivated to pursue your creative work?
I stay motivated by looking at a lot of art online and in person. I also I read all the time. It is important to read about other artists and about your interests outside of your work too. It motivates me to experiment, recycle ideas and hinge ideas together.
Where do you hope to be 10 years from now and what would you like to say to yourself?
I am always open to what the future brings and it's hard not to get too attached to specifies. I would like to continue my teaching career, to have many solo museum and gallery shows, I’d love to build a studio in a quiet place to pump up my production.
What projects are you working on right now?
I'm currently working on two projects. One is a large body of work that is inspired by traditional animation cels. Each painting in on transparent mylar back painted with acrylic paint. The other body is several iterations of collaged children's coloring books collapsed together alluding to new narratives. Both projects touch on my interests in folk beliefs, cartoons, child art, religious iconography, the absurd, the uncanny, memories and art history.
How do you keep yourself accountable in your practice?
I try to talk about what I am working on to other artists as best I can. I also think that showing the process of making the work online is great for this as well. I write down all my ideas and take copious notes, take pictures and draw every day. I set small attainable goals through the year and always take stock of what I’ve done in the late months of the year.
How do you stay motivated to pursue your creative work?
I stay motivated by looking at a lot of art online and in person. I also I read all the time. It is important to read about other artists and about your interests outside of your work too. It motivates me to experiment, recycle ideas and hinge ideas together.
Where do you hope to be 10 years from now and what would you like to say to yourself?
I am always open to what the future brings and it's hard not to get too attached to specifies. I would like to continue my teaching career, to have many solo museum and gallery shows, I’d love to build a studio in a quiet place to pump up my production.
Find John-Michael Byrd on Instagram
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