In his own words
When I was a child, Flash Gordon was my hero. I
used to draw rocket ships and then hang them all over the walls in my
bedroom.
Nowadays, I use my art for imaginary extra-terrestrial journeys. Most
artists have a concept in mind when they begin to create a work. I usually
don’t. I just start to play, experimenting with different materials and
media, until the artwork takes on a life of its own. Sometimes a story
develops out of the artwork ... often of travel to those unknown places I
visited with Flash in my youth.
Of course, there have been earthly influences on my art too — Picasso,
Chillada, Jackson Pollack, Ben Nicholson, Modigliani, Tamaro, Paul Klee,
Mark Rothko, Al Kraavanger, Gerhardt Kroll — to name a few. When looking at
the many different styles of my work you’re bound to find bits and pieces of
them lurking somewhere. I’m having more fun than ever chasing my dreams! Who
says I have to grow up?
Richard Arfsten
4/1/2009 |
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