| | Featured Artist: Keith BondJanuary 05th, 2011 01:15 PM  Keith Bond was born in Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire and now lives in the south of England. He is a self taught, mature, emerging artist and uses mixed media in his abstract contemporary painting's, collage and assemblage works. His recent work is influenced by his personal obsession with issues relating to time and this reflects overtly in his work. He uses many different techniques in his work including papier mache and decoupage.
What led you to become an artist? I have always been an artistic and creative person from as long as I can remember, but it was the realisation that I had a compulsion to paint and construct that led me to be an artist. Were there any major changes in your life that affected you as an artist or impacted the direction of your work? I think that a natural maturation process has definitely impacted on my work. I didn't start painting seriously until middle age and for this reason my work has become time obsessed. I strive to make this overtly obvious in my pieces. What is the meaning behind your work and what techniques do you use to create it? If it has any meaning at all it is that I want to urge people to enjoy life and live it to the full. I want to encourage them to believe in themselves and strive to achieve their full potential, whatever that may be. Some of the techniques I use are papier mache and decoupage, cutting out words and images from magazines to create pictures with slogans, I incorporate these in my pieces of work to give a positive, meaningful message. What are your future goals as an artist? I just want to do the best work that I can, hopefully people will like it. What different media have you worked with and which one do you prefer? I have worked with all kinds of media. I love using found objects and recycled materials and will use anything that I feel works within a particular composition. I think if I have a preference it would be for the work that I am doing now which is specifically related to time. What does being an artist mean to you? Being an artist is everything to me, it is my passion and fulfillment. What message would you like to convey with your art (e.g. political message, personal message)? Whatever particular issue consumes or inspires me at the time, it might be political, personal, poignant, emotional! What are you currently working on? I am working on a piece that involves papier mache and decoupage techniques, using images of clock faces, which is a current obsession. What caused you to choose the medium you currently work in? It is very tactile and satisfying. How has your work changed over the years? I think it has changed dramatically, there is greater freedom of expression in it. What is the inspiration behind your art? I can be inspired by a rusty piece of found metal, a poem, or a piece of music or art. What is your personal definition of “art”? Art should engage the viewer to consider something more than whether they just like the piece or not. How has your life as an artist affected your life? It has at times fulfilled me, frustrated me, delighted me, but certainly given my life a richer meaning. How do you stay motivated? If I wake up, I breathe, I paint! To view Keith Bond's artworl click here. Author: Art Online |