This week’s Artist’s Spotlight is on James Rhodes (IG: @goontownkiller)

1.  DESCRIBE YOUR ART AESTHETIC –
   “Well, that’s kinda hard to pin down … i don’t know if i really have a very solid answer for that one. I don’t usually think of art in terms of philosophies, concepts, catagories, parameters or rules of any kind. I just try to make something that pleases me visually & emotionally. If it smells like art, tastes like art …. it might be art. I don’t know.  Sometimes, I think everything is art. I’ve been putting off doing this interview for several reasons ….
   I’ve been afraid that If i answer these questions, people can see me …. they’ll know what a fraud i am …. and that i won’t be invisible anymore. One of the greatest horrors in life is to be seen. I’m really just a big mangled anteater with rusty spoons & wire for brains & guts. Or, maybe I’m a Snarling Sasquatch Wizard ….. I don’t know yet. I mean, I’m only 65, I haven’t really had enough time to figure it all out.” 
2.  WHY DID YOU DECIDE ON THIS ART FORM VS. ANOTHER ART FORM ?
   “We’ve all done collage at some point in our lives. When we were little kids, we cut out pieces of construction paper & glued them down & added stickers or buttons or pieces of cotton balls to make a picture of the Easter Bunny or a Valentine for our mom. It has always fascinated me. But, i never really got serious about it until around the summer of 2016. The idea of sticking a picture of a 60’s babe in a girdle onto a background of brightly colored wicker lamps & a two-headed comic book dinosaur greatly appeals to me …. so, I guess it chose me.
   I’ve also been involved in several facets of amateur & professional photography most of my life, and was a web press, offset & letterpress printer & screenprinter for 25+ years, with a liberal sprinkling of darkroom work and ad & page layout.  So, collage just seemed a natural step. “
3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ART PIECE YOU CREATED?
   “Picking a favorite is pretty much impossible for me ….. i always fail miserably at those questions ….. favorite movie, food, record, artist ….. i love so many …. i just can’t choose! I have favorites, but not any single one that i could put at the top.
   Now, if you asked for my 30 or so top favorites, i could probably give those to you, but in no particular order!”
4.  DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING COMING UP IN TERMS OF PROJECTS, SHOWS, ETC.?
   “Yes, a couple of things:
   1.  I’m going to collage a skateboard for a show on May 29th at @waterboyz … a local skate shop here in Pensacola, Florida.
   2.  And, I’m very honored to have been chosen to participate in the upcoming Edinburgh Collage Collective Vinyl Show in Edinburgh, Scotland – @edinburghcollagecollective

   

   …. VERY excited about both of those! I just wish i could afford to go to Scotland for the Vinyl Show!”

Thank you so much for the interview James! I know this was not an easy thing for you to do but you do incredible art and you should be recognize for it!!

If you like to know more about James his contact information is his Instagram:

@goontownkiller

@goontowncollage

Until next time!!!