This is the first in a series of profiles of Sonoma County artists. A local artist is asked five questions, and is given pretty much free reign on how they want to answer them.
This week: Adam Springer of Windsor.
1. What do you do? Describe your art.
I do acrylic painting on canvas, influenced by pop art, people like Roy Lichtenstein. I like to work in bright colors—things that catch the eye. Some would say it is kitsch art in a way… not taking art seriously.
It’s recycled art in a way – I would buy a painting – an old painting from a thrift store for about ten dollars of so, that people would look over and they are lost in the dusty confines of the stores, and I would jazz them up with comics and zombies and pop icons.
Zombies, Star Wars and War themes – these are all popular.
Recycled art: Meteors rain down on Venice
2. Where can we see your art?
Cafes in Sonoma County – Cafe Noto in Windsor, Finley Community Center in Santa Rosa, Society Culture House (Santa Rosa on 7th Street), Arlene Francis Center in Santa Rosa, Flying Goat Coffee will start showing it soon, and online.
Recycled art: Zombie attack on existing landscape
3. What inspires you?
Comic books in general, pop culture trends, they are fun to play off of (like the zombies, and Stars Wars), vintage comics. It’s fun to play off how everyone thinks the ‘50s were all perfect back then but in reality they were the same – people had their own problems and issues and dirty secrets – it wasn’t as cookie cutter clean as it seems.
Recycled art: Ewoks vs. Storm Troopers on existing landscape
4. How does being in Sonoma County affect your art?
The way it’s recognized here, the community and how they help out. If I was in the Midwest, I don’t think I’d be nearly as popular… living in a more liberal County has been really helpful in selling artwork.
I also like the interaction with artists, even though right now I am doing the solo route. But I do have shows with other young and upcoming artists like Saif Azzuz of Pleasant Skateboards, and Rafa Fuji, who curated the Finley Community Center Show. (Link here: http://www.bohemian.com/northbay/altered-images/Content?oid=2324289)
But when I paint, I paint mostly alone – I paint in my garage.
5. What else should we know about you? Your art?
My parents have been supportive the whole way – my mom is crafty and my aunt is an artist. My mom is really good at painting but she doesn’t call herself an artist.
It makes me happy to make art, that’s what I’m most passionate about – as I’m painting I want people to have the same emotions: fun, lighthearted, not taking it too seriously… just because it’s painted well doesn’t mean it has to better than some skateboarder’s graphic…
Recycled art: Outhouse on existing landscape
You can see more of Adam Springer’s art at:
His website: http://stendhalart.com/
And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adam-Springer/346118822084438
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Someone once told us that Sonoma County has more artists per capita than anywhere else in California. We’ll buy that.
Hey Sonoma County artists – if you want to be featured in an upcoming “5 Questions” segment, then drop us a line in the comments section. Be sure to include a link to some of your art (website, video, whatnot) and we’ll check it out.
- Inside Sonoma.
Hello,
I represent a trompe l’oiel Artist who is a native of SF and has resided in the countryside of Sebastopol for more than 40 years. He would be a hoot to answer your 5 questions. Please email me if you have an open spot for a featured artist.
Warmly,
Stephanie