Commodore takes urban walls from drab slabs to beautiful canvases. His stencils aim to evoke action from a static element. The subject matter I focus on varies but tends to evoke nostalgia or movement.
Self-taught or art school?
Originally, I first attended the former ‘Newark School of Fine & Industrial Arts’ where I was introduced on how to use all types of mediums for art. I then continued my education for a short stint at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. It was here where I was first introduced to computer design (pre-internet) and felt that this was where the world was going very soon. Opting to drop out, I focused on getting a solid understanding of the pixel art and evolved a career from it. Since then, I encountered the burgeoning medium of stencilism and street art and immersed myself into that medium and marrying it with my understanding of digital art.
The short answer would be a bit of both as I aged.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Guernica. There is something about the size, rendering and use of a minimal colour palette by Picasso that just strikes me to the core.
How would you describe your style?
I currently have 2 different styles.
One is stencil-based and has its influences by more modern artists such as Xavier Prou (Blek the rat), Banksy, Christian Guémy (C215).
The other is a childhood dream re-envisioned for the current world being influenced by Roy Lichtenstein’s work and style. I married the modern cultural idioms I experience with old comic panels that I recreate at 1000% magnified.
Can you tell us about your process when creating your work?
Research, review, revise, create.
In both of my styles, there is a lot of time spent on the first 3 words before creation occurs.
Is narrative important within your work?
Somewhat. I am not looking to invoke a story that you need to be told but invoke feelings that your mind will use to fill that story in. With Comic Idiom art, I assist it along with some dialogue. But with stencil art, the subject matter is based on action/emotion values that I then attempt to control your emotional spectrum with a specific colour palette.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
Having an affinity for art history, I would love to say all of them as I am fascinated by the technical aspects of creating art as much as the subject matter. But much like a parent, there are still ‘favourites’. Picasso is at the top in that his body of work shows an evolution from the existing normal to a whole new style that has influenced the world since its creation. Comic artists such as Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and Al Williamson left their work deep in my younger mind that it still affects me to this day.
What or who inspires your art?
My inspirations usually come from around my environment. I have a lot of friends who are also artists. We tend to share methods and techniques. It has allowed each of us to evolve our work from where we started to where we currently are and wherever we are going.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
My Studio is located with a converted Battleship engine factory that now houses an Artist collective called the ‘Gardenship’ in Kearny, New Jersey, USA. The space is enormous with the roof being almost 4 stories above the space. My fellow collective neighbours range from abstract to formal artists to sculptors. This menagerie of art style allows me to share and learn from others as well as give my mind visual breaks whenever I get creatively stuck.
Do you have any studio rituals?
On arriving at my studio, I tend to first turn on any lighting and music to set up the visual/audio experience. The reverse is also my exit ritual.
What are you working on currently?
I had started several years back creating large canvases that represent each queen suite card in a playing card deck. I have completed 3 of them and am currently working on the final one (Queen of Spades) on an 8ft (244cm) by 4ft (122) wood panel.
Where can we buy your art?
I can be best reached via my Instagram/Facebook handle: @cdre.art or, via my website at http://www.byallrights.com.