Artist Interview with Sean Phillips / Collage Artist
Sean Phillips is a collage artist and graphic
designer who was born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX, but now resides in
Bakersfield, CA. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in graphic design
from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. While he often works in graphic design,
his true passion and artistic drive lies in the art of collage. To Sean,
collage is playful and dramatic, even surreal and absurd. His focus is on
creating works that are, often times, controversial but hold a sense of dark
beauty with a vintage sense of design. Working with torn paper, scissors, and
glue, he works to create art that speaks out to viewer, stirring emotions and
thoughts to ideas that seem to take their place on the backburner of society.
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Are you self-taught?
I would really like to say that I am entirely self-taught. However, I have had an extensive
background in different art techniques. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawing or
painting something. Most often drawing. I would sit in my classes at school, daydreaming, and
drawing whatever came to mind. Most of the time, I would draw monsters or images of war.
When I was in middle school, I took art both years. I continued Art Education throughout high
school, completing up to an Art IV Honors class. That was the class that laid the foundation for
the art that I truly love to create; collage. We were told at the beginning of class that our
assignments were totally up to us. We would have a "concentration" of media or style. That
"concentration" that you picked would all you would create throughout the class, turning in a
new piece of work every week. I picked collage. Later on, I attended The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where I obtained my Bachelors in Graphic Design in 2012. The Art Institute gave me
a lot of insight into the actual design process, color themes, and typography. I practiced graphic design for a while, but eventually found my way back to collage techniques. To make a really long story short, collage was something I was never taught. Collage comes freely to the artist. No one is responsible for showing me the process. I've studied it myself. Developed it through trial and error. I have created my own niche in my style.
Are you in love? Does that love
help you create?
Love is a very
wonderful thing. Yes, I am very much in love. I met the love of my life, my
best friend, close to six years ago. Before I found her, I only thought I had
been in love. She has changed my whole world. This love of ours, our beautiful
relationship definitely puts the fire into my creativity. Never have I had
someone who offers so much support for my work. She loves it. She helps me at
times. She guides me. She inspires me. She is truly my biggest fan and my hero
at the same time. And that feels really good; it keeps my fire burning.
What was the last movie you went
to see?
Most of the time,
we watch movies at home on Netflix. But, the last movie I actually went to see
was, "The Devil's Due". Horror and supernatural are my go-to in
movies. I absolutely love them! In fact, horror and the supernatural hold a lot
of influence for me in my work.
"Satanas" (closeup detail) July, 2014
What personally motivated you to
begin creating?
I had honestly
just come to a point where I felt inadequate. I felt like there has to be
something more for me to offer this world. I have never been at a point where I
am looking for fame from my artwork. But, I just wanted to matter. I want to
leave a mark. If anything, for my children. I want their kids and their kids to
know me, and what I was about; who I was.
What jobs have you done other
than being an artist?
I would really
like to be able to say that I am only an artist. However, most of my jobs have
been the likes of warehouse-type jobs; shipping and receiving. A lot of
delivery jobs. In fact, at the time, I work for FedEx. Whatever pays the bills.
"Juliette" August, 2014
What do you dislike about the
art world?
Oh, this is a
great question. One of the main things that I can honestly say that I dislike
about the art world right now is how competitive it is. We are in a time of
technology (Photoshop, Illustrator, so many drawing apps, and photo
manipulation apps, etc.). Where everyone has these amazing cell phones with all
of these apps that do everything for you. Most of everyone truly believes that
they are an artist or photographer, of sorts. And their work is everywhere. It
clogs up blogs of all kinds. It is posted all over Facebook and such. And I'm
not saying their work is bad, or just because it was created by technology,
that it is bad. In fact, I love exploring all sorts of artwork and photography
of all kinds. But there is so much. The art world is saturated. It's hard to
stand out when you are drowning in a vast ocean of artwork of all kinds,
displayed everywhere. The Cezanne's, Picasso's, Ansel Adams, and Van Gogh's of
the world are there. Somewhere. I know it. But they are hard to find. They are
lost.
What’s the best piece of advice
you’ve been given?
The best piece of
advice I have ever been given, came from a man named Peter Steele, the lead
singer of Type O Negative. I had many chances to meet him, and he was the
greatest guy. Just so down to earth. We had been discussing a type of music
that I was wanting to create. (I was a very active musician many years ago) I
was younger and so worried about pleasing everyone else. I thought what
everyone else would think of my actions or beliefs so much, that I hid them
most of the time. Peter told me, "Forget everyone else! If they love you,
they love you. They will be there for you in the end. You do for you! Do what
makes you happy and what will make you the man that you want to be. The man
that you want to present to the world. That is where you will be the happiest."
From that point forward, I have tried with everything I have to follow that advice. RIP Peter Steele.
Thank you!
Professionally, what’s your goal?
I would
eventually like for my artwork to help provide a living for my family. But, I
am honestly happy to say that I just enjoy doing it. Pieces of me, who I am,
goes into each and every single piece. I just my work to be out there for
people to enjoy.
What art do you most identify
with?
I really love
collage. Collage is my favorite art. I love the absurdity of it. I love when
you see a piece and it's so ridiculous, it's genius. The surreal environments
created get me. The often haunting imagery in collage is what drives me. I am a
huge fan of the Dada movement. Anything surreal, rebellious, or controversial.
I love art that makes the viewer think. It needs to move them, whether
negatively or in a positive manner. I identify with art that makes you speak
out, or shout out, for that matter; art that develops and inspires change and
new ideas.
What’s your strongest memory of
your childhood?
I forget what age
I was. Possibly somewhere between 4-6. My grandparents had come to visit. I
loved them so much. When it was time for them to go back home, I asked my mom
if I could go home with them. The answer was, "No." So I decided to
leave the house and hide myself in the floor of the backseat of their car. I
was going to run away, so to speak. The car started and began to move. I
remember being so excited that it was working, and that I had not been caught
yet. Meanwhile, my parents had began looking for me and
became so worried
that they called the police. We made it to my grandparents house and I let them
get out and get to the front door before letting myself out of the car. I
didn't want to surprise them too quickly. I finally popped my head up and made
my way out of the car. I went inside and they were so confused on how I got
there. I told them I had been hiding in the backseat the whole time. My Mammaw
immediately called my mom on the phone and said, "Are you missing
someone?" They brought be back home. My mom was a wreck. The police were
looking for me. I was in huge trouble. That is a story that my mom makes sure
she tells anyone and everyone about me.
What themes do you pursue?
Most of the
themes in my artwork are very dark and haunting imagery. I never sit down with
a certain idea in mind though. I never know what will be created. I began to
tear books, magazines, and paper apart. Ideas begin to flow, and my work comes
to life. I like to use controversial images. These can include anatomy, gore,
industrial and technical images, images of war, religious, anti-religious, and
anti-government images. I also use quite a bit of the human form. Most of the
work I create is a message to myself. Whether others can see it, I don't know.
But most of them are my ideas and beliefs about society and where it's going.
The wrongs that are done to people. The media. Everything that I feel is messed
up in the world and needs a rebirth.
"Andrea's Remorse" October, 2014
How many pieces of work do you
produce in a year?
As of lately, it
has been around 24-27 pieces a year. I would really like to increase this
number drastically. I have been wanting to do one collage a day.
What would you consider your
largest success to date in your art career?
Just staying
consistent. Sticking with it. I consider myself successful if I can just
consistently create more and more artwork. I just don't want to fall out of the
loop. There are so many times I sit down to create something, and nothing
comes. I get so frustrated. Often times, I just walk away. At times, it's been
a couple of months of nothing. But, I come
around. Sometimes with something that even blows my mind. It makes me
proud of myself, and I think that's important.
Which past and present artists
do you admire?
Hannah Hoch and
Raoul Hausmann are, hands down, my favorite artist. I mean, there is so much
great work out there. But something about their work just really draws me in. I
love the imagery. In fact, they were some of my biggest inspirations in what I
wanted to do. I love the haphazard absurdity in their collage work. I love the
darkness. I love the rebellion and everything it represents. Presently, one of my
favorite artists is Maja Egli. To me, everything she does is golden. Her
ability to manipulate portraits of people through torn strips of paper
absolutely amazes me. Her color schemes and the images she uses...I have no
words. Excellent work! Just genius! Please, look her up.
"Mommy, Daddy!" September, 2013
What is your favorite piece that
you have created so far? (if so, do you
have a photo?)
My favorite piece
has to be a piece that I titled, "Mommy, Daddy!" What makes it my
favorite piece, and not many know this, but it was created with the help of my
daughter. She sat with me one night while I had begun working on it. She helped
me pick out images that I wanted to use. She helped me with the ideas for
the content of it
and helped me put it together. A lot of times, I don't think that she feels she
did that much, but she did. I enjoyed our time together. I enjoyed that she
wanted to help. I'm sure a lot of people don't feel that it is my strongest
work. But, that is what makes it special, and makes it stand out to me.
Do you listen to music while
creating? / Is music an influence on your work? if so what is your favorite
Absolutely! I always listen to music when I sit down to collage.
The music always takes me to the place I need to go in my mind. I know it
sounds weird, but there is this place inside of me where inspiration and
creativity comes from. It is hard to explain. Possibly a deeper sense of my
subconscious mind. If I sit in the quiet, nothing comes. So, yes. All of the
time, I listen to music. My favorites are those that are extremely
thought-provoking to me. I love poetic, dark music. I like complexity. A lot of
my collages were made by listening to a group called HURT, especially their
albums, Vol. I and Vol. II. I also constantly listen to and group called My
Dying Bride. I love My Dying Bride. The lyrics, the music; it always gets me
where I need to be to create. It inspires me and motivates me.
For you personally, do you feel
the internet has had a positive or negative influence on your work?
I feel the
internet has had a tremendous, positive impact and influence on my work.
Because of the internet, I have had a chance to study and view many more
styles. I have also been able to network with other artists, which I absolutely
love doing. I've had a chance to work with and collaborate with a lot of other
great collage artists. Because of the internet, especially social networking,
my work has really got around. It always surprises
me when I wake up some random morning and someone, somewhere is featuring my
work on their blog or page. Or, I've seen my work as someone's cover photo on
their Facebook page. It's odd and crazy at the same time. But, it feels good.
It feels good to know that people are liking the artwork that I create. It motivates
me. That is where I find I feel most successful at this point.
What good advice can you pass
along, to emerging artists?
The best advice I
can give, is the best advice I've received. Stay with it! Find your niche, and
stick with it. Stay consistent with what you want to do. Forget about how you
are going to please everyone and please
yourself. Someone
will find you. In fact, many will find you and they will love what you are
doing. Make friends and network your pieces with others as much as possible.
Take every opportunity as much as possible with your work. If there is an
opening in an exhibition, throw away the fears and take it. Even if you don't
get picked, you tried. But eventually, someone will pick you, and it is one of
the greatest feelings in the world.
"Fallen Angel" June, 2012
What type of materials do you
most love to create with?
I use a lot of
various materials. I love classic and vintage magazines. I look for old
McCall's magazines quite a bit. I use a lot of advertising, colored paper of
various textures. Basically, anything I can get my hands on I use. I am
constantly tearing up books and magazines. Sometimes I feel it's addicting; my
constant search for materials. I find myself walking the sidewalk, or across a
parking lot and I am always looking for pieces of paper on the ground. I'm
always looking for anything I can use. It's odd, I know. But it works for me.
Why do you think people should
buy handmade?
I know a lot of
people like to purchase prints. Prints are good. But there is something so
great about handmade artwork. It's real. You can feel how real it is when you
are holding it in your hands. Artists put their heart and soul into the work
they create. And I don't think a lot of people realize that and just take it
for granted. My wife once explained to me, "I love when you find a really
good fruit. And when you are eating it, you can taste the nature in it. You can
taste the rain, the sunshine, the fruitful soil, and the Earth. You can taste
exactly how it came to be." I feel it's the same idea with handmade
artwork. When one buys a piece of handmade artwork, you are getting a physical
piece of the artist's heart and soul. You can see and feel their time spent,
their thoughts and emotions, their inspiration, their heart. It's all there.
And it means something. It feels like you really have something. Something way
more special than a print.
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