Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Smith Hooligan Arts.
Chris, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up idealizing artist like jean Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. I would draw and sketch all the time and at a young age I was always drawn to graffiti and street art. As I got older I started gravitating to abstract and quickly became obsessed. I paint every day and in the last 5 years I’ve only missed a handful of days that I wasn’t able to paint. I paint because I must, it’s a necessity.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I primarily paint abstract in acrylic. I like to think I paint songs. Almost all of my work is influenced by music. I embrace my mood regardless if it’s good or bad and I use music to really feel those feelings. If I wake up sad, I will listen to sad music all day and paint sadness. I feel like this purges out those feelings and emotions and by the end of the day I feel complete and content. I hope my paintings make people feel things. I would rather someone feel complete disgust over one of my paintings than nothing at all. I want people to see a painting and have it draw a memory or emotion whether good or bad.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
For me personally I think success is if I can create every day and feel satisfied doing it and see growth in each painting. The sales are great, but I will often not offer my paintings for sale because I’m afraid money will influence them and I prefer to keep them organic. I’m doing this as a necessity and not to pay my bills. That’s how I define success for myself, but for others who desire to be full time artist I think it’s essential to have ultimate passion for their art. This is a very competitive market and you have to hustle daily and never give up. It takes dedication and sacrifice. Don’t go into art for the money or you will lose. Do it because you love it and because it’s a part of you.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work is currently in several galleries in San Diego at one of my studios in Northpark at the studio door, in White box Contemporary downtown, represented by Alexander Salazar and in Urban Solace. My next solo show will be local in LA which I will be announcing on my social media. You can also find me on Instagram @HooliganArts and my website www.hooliganarts.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hooliganarts.com
- Phone: 6198464842
- Email: Chris@HooliganArts.com
- Instagram: @HooliganArts
- Twitter: @HooliganArts
Image Credit:
All photos were taken by myself
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