I had a great conversation with artist Dorian Vallejo. Son of artists Boris and Doris Vallejo, Dorian grew up surrounded by creativity and inquiry, and it shows. His work is technically brilliant, his paintings, otherworldly. Floating figures in beautiful, natural, dreamlike worlds. We talk about sewing, tennis, the wild ones, bodybuilding, holding your breath underwater, oh, and painting, lots and lots of painting . . .
Here are the main points of what we talk about:
- Dorian’s father Boris Vallejo,
- Creative heroes,
- Creative process,
- Growth through failure,
- Scene machine,
- Creating reference material,
- Underwater model photography,
- Favorite color palette,
- Building reference material,
- Favorite tools,
- Daily practice,
- Meditation,
- Portraying the interplay between the conscious and subconscious,
- Conceptual and abstract art,
- Murals,
- Contemporary art,
- Art shows,
- The feminine principle,
- Exercise,
- Fear,
- Failure,
- Taking full responsibility,
- Art business,
- Most moving picture to make,
- Artistic challenges,
- Taking responsibility,
To find out more about Dorian and his work
http://dorianvallejo.com/
Dorian’s book of drawings
http://www.drawingsfromlife.com/
Dorian’s portraits
http://doriansportraits.com/
Dorian’s blog
http://dorianvallejo.blogspot.com/
The range of Rosemary’s brushes Dorian referred to in the podcast
http://www.rosemaryandco.com/oil-brushes/pure-red-sable-oils/pure-sable-domed-filbert
Most moving pieces to make . . .
Morning Sketch – Dorian Vallejo
Morning sketch waking and discussing plans for the day – Dorian Vallejo
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Theme music by The Argyle Pimps. Thanks lads.
Yes drawing is meditation.
Meditation is sometimes just escaping your problems and not coping with what you really should. Osho said that. ACIM too.
I agree with you Jan-Martin. You can I can share that definition.
Thanks
It’s meditation and a form of deep reverent prayer… for me. Especially when I draw someone I love.
We agree.
Marvelous artist and defiantly one of my favorite contemporary artist.
I was wondering how can we change “the bad apples” into good apples? meaning how can we change the leading figures of art world today ( Hirst and koons) into artist who create beauty and make us appreciate life like the renaissance masters did?
Thanks Asem.
I could kick myself for even bringing that up. Honestly, the best advice I follow regarding change is from Gandi. “Be the change you want to see”.
It’s our responsibility to make art that touches people in such a way and is so compelling, that they can see and hear our voice.
Another bit of advice I heard from the famous comic book artist John Romita Sr. “Shut up and draw”. I’ll admit that it’s much more crude but essentially it amounts to the same thing. It was advice given to his son (same name Jr.) while in discussion about the perceived injustices of the art world.
Thanks for commenting
p.s. John Romita Sr. gave me advice once too… “You suck. Learn to paint. Go study much more seriously than you are and stop wasting my time with your weak attempts”
He was 100% right and it made a huge impression on me.