Q & A WITH JOSHUA LYNN

CSA co-founder, Erin Nathanson recently spoke with spring artist Joshua Lynn. They discussed color, art’s importance, teaching emerging artists and how it influences his artwork, and who he is creating for.

 

EN: When did you know you were an artist? 

JL:  I’ve been an artist as far back as I can remember, making pictures is just something I’ve always done, but I didn’t have any formal training til college.

EN: Your studio has multiple working surfaces. What are some of your “must-have” tools?

JL: I don’t really have any must have tools, one of the great things about being an artist is that you are the instrument. Having said that I find working through an idea with a variety of different media (drawing, painting, printmaking, video, etc.) helps to fully realize whatever concepts I’m exploring.

EN: How do you decide on the color combinations in your works? What is your favorite color at this moment?

JL: I love color period, so I don’t really have a favorite. I try and choose my palettes appropriately to whatever mood or tone the painting calls for.

Q: What influence does teaching have on your work?

A: I really enjoy teaching and introducing students to artists, techniques, and ideas…what’s not to like, right? But in the best way it’s made me rethink and hone these skills to teach them in the most direct and interesting way possible.

EN: As an instructor, do you feel you are giving away all of your “secrets”?

JL: All the time!!! And I love it. These aren’t “secrets” to me, this is something I enjoy doing and think about all the time and want to share and discuss.

EN: What do your students teach you?

JL: They’ve taught me that a projector can be an instructors worst enemy or best friend, what constitutes as music these days, and that when a group of open minded people gather in a room together with the hope of making something great there is nothing more thrilling.

EN: Where would your dream exhibition take place?

JL: Anywhere and everywhere.

EN: If you could live in any artist’s mind, whose would it be and why?

JL:  Hmmm. Most artists are a treasure trove of eccentricity and I have enough trouble sorting out my own mind, so I think I’ll stay put, it’s nice and cozy up there.

EN:  Why is art important for civilization?

JL: Well, I’m not positive you could even call a civilization without art a civilization, it would just be uncivilized.

EN: Whom are you creating for? What do you hope viewers take away from your art?

JL:  I make art for anyone and everyone, and I make art because visual language and visual thinking is such an immensely important part of how we understand ourselves and the world around us. It enables us to communicate and understand each other in ways that verbal language simply can’t express.

 

Joshua Lynn is one of the Spring Season artists.

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