David Lee Black
What are your earliest memories of being artistic?
I do not distinctly remember but I am sure the beating heart of my mother while I was in the womb provided my first experience with music and rhythm. In terms of photography, I was infinitely curious as a child during family photos on the machine that the magician/photographer was using to capture my essence in a 2D format. On my path to Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts, my favorite merit badge earned was Photography. Later in high school, I became the yearbook and newspaper photo editor and had the “keys to the kingdom”, the creepy cool darkroom situated high above the theatrical stage in a world unto its self.
When did art become a pursuit?
I always fancied myself an artist as a kid but never quite understood the depth of what it took to BE an artist. As children we see cartoon versions of artists wearing berets with a fistful of paint brushes being cool and having fun. I suppose these days I wear my Irish cap on backwards (so I can see through my viewfinder) and certainly have fun!
Are you self-taught or formally educated in visual art?
I received my formal training as a musician/artist at the University of Missouri/Columbia receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. I have been blessed to have had numerous mentors in the arts that have a great deal of impact on my creative path.
How did you first become involved with CAA?
My mentor and artist friend David Lang had urged me to submit to a call for art at CAA. Once juried in, I appreciated the warm and welcoming community of staff, artists and patrons.
In what other ways are you involved in the local art community?
I am honored to be a member of Galatea Fine Art Gallery and exhibit at Concord Art Association, Plymouth Arts, Attleboro Arts Museum, South Shore Art Center and the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery. Teaching privately as an Expressive Arts Therapist with autistic clients is very rewarding. I also perform as a visual artist and musician with the Big Nazo Creature Band (http://bignazo.com), the activist street band, Extraordinary Rendition Band( http://extraordinaryrenditionband.com) and the funk band Glamorama ( https://www.facebook.com/GlamoramaPVD) I conduct a monthly experiential photography workshop called Creating Your Vision which involves a professional model interacting with the art of a unique space, often world class art galleries. The group is open to all. https://www.facebook.com/groups/CreatingYourVision
What role do you think the artist plays in society?
Artists have an important job in the world. Not to just produce pretty things that people would like above their couch (not that there is anything wrong with the commercial art world) but to MAKE art from the soul in a storytelling and compelling way. It is an eternal struggle. I feel inspired by anyone who makes it happen on their own terms, who carves out their own path and stays to true to it regardless of commercial pressures or trends.
What medium do you currently work in and how did you choose this medium?
Photography has historically been my primary medium but I have had recent success with sculpture (Juror’s Choice at CAA “Lost and Found”).
What is your creative process?
Creativity is the last great adventure. I’m thinking about ideas all the time but the incubation process takes days, weeks, months or even years. It’s a very organic process, a mixture of intuition and discipline.
Where are you finding ideas for your art these days?
Ideas seem to have uncanny way of finding me.
How do you choose your subject matter?
Subject matter seems to appear in the process of discovery, sometimes it is obvious but often it is behind layers of personal encounters or quests.
Is there a reoccurring theme that carries throughout your work?
The reoccurring theme of barriers, thresholds and passage seem to appear in my work, though as I grow, those themes are continually in flux. With so much contemporary art, I can see a thumb on the scales, when I can see that it’s a sermon in disguise. I’m more interested in exploring rather than proclaiming.
In your opinion, what’s your best/favorite piece you’ve made?
My favorite piece seems to change every morning but today I am quite proud of my sculpture piece, “Silently and Light of Foot” which was awarded Juror’s Choice by Lorraine Sullivan at the CAA. My favorite photograph would perhaps be the portrait of the late David A. Lang taken in County Clare, Ireland.
What is one of your artistic goals for 2018?
Learning to say no. I tend to overcommit my time and energy and neglect my down time riding my motorcycle, backpacking, traveling and family time. My goal in 2018 is to prioritize down time whenever possible.
What’s your favorite place to see art?
I love the Clark Museum in the Berkshires. I spend several days there in the summer going from the Clark to Mass MoCa. We are blessed in New England to have so many world class art galleries and museums within easy striking distance.
What living artists are you inspired by?
I have recently been inspired by photographers Sally Mann, Annie Leibovitz and Thomas Kettner.
Do you own any art by other artists?
Yes I love original art! My home and studio spaces are chocked full of work by other artists. I also love bartering my work in exchange with other artists. It keeps my daily life visually interesting and inspiring.
Website: davidleeblack.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Davidcre8s
Instagram: instagram.com/davidleeblackstudios/