by Janice Benton and Ryan Pangilinan
Mixing pop culture and a self-referential style, Joe Kimmel is an artist who is more precocious than pretentious. A rising name in the Portland art scene, Kimmel has had a few showings in the Northwest and recently chatted with Totally Crushed Out to discuss his inspirations and what he would save from a burning building.
TOTALLY CRUSHED OUT: How did you know that you wanted to be a professional artist?
JOE KIMMEL: Art began for me when I was little, and it befriended me and gave me some kind of a relaxing state. Today, I was looking at a large sketchbook that I had just finished within two months. Looking at each picture, I can remind myself of what I was thinking and what I was being motivated by, however, I don't know if I could tell you where I physically was when I was working on them. I do have a art studio in Southeast Portland that is my escape location, but not all art happens in the office.
When you ask me how did I decide to become a professional artist, I am taken aback because, although my heart is fully genuine and professional towards art, I do not feel professional in art. Ha.
My main inspiration or rather what I am propelled by seems to be states of wonderment and questions…. I have heard a amazing quote somewhere about the power of asking questions, but it is beyond me now. I have been bulking up on my reading recently, and I am amazed at the base ideas of the reading topics. I have been reading [a science] fiction story [that] is based on a "What If ?"question on life. Taking inspiration from the "What If ?" storyline and crossing it over into my artwork.
If I had to save one piece of my art from a burning building? Well, I wouldn't risk my life on that attempt. I have a lot of wonderful connections to my life written into my artwork, but I hope that I am not so stuck on a past success that I cannot go to the future challenge with a clear mind. The painting that has been following me around for a long time is a painting of a break up between me and a girlfriend. I love it a lot, because I put my feelings into it, and than I showed it to everyone at a art show and acted like it was not really my pain in front of them.
What other interests do you have?
I am loving making stickers. I have always loved stickers and have tried to make one of a kind stickers over the years. It was not until I arrived in Portland that I found a formula of material and products to make stickers that I love. I am trying to put together a art show comprised of stickers. I still have not found the location that I want however, so I feel like I am dragging my feet on the follow through. The sticker show would be my interpretations of the Edgar Rice Burroughs stories of Tarzan of the Apes. I have already made a wonderfully large Tarzan sticker and an ape sticker as well. My goal is to cover the wall with the floating images, displaying key points of interest and conflict in Tarzan's life.
Do you have any upcoming shows or projects?Currently, I am…working with a guy who is making bike bags. I am doing all the original art to decorate the bags. big production of those will not begin till summer. Did I also say that my day job is making feather earrings? I lose my heads most days on it, listing to large playlist and popping Tylenol to [hold] my headaches.
With art, I am waiting for direction. I am waiting for childlike wonderment to take over. I fill a lot of my time up with reading and I don't know that all my reading is helping my current art, but I know that it is required to further my schema and my filters of my thoughts in art. Art is a living journal so often for me. I have [moved] to a new city and I don't really know anything for a certainty right now. I am not complaining, I am just gathering. Take courage, you know.
Joe Kimmel on Facebook
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