Dean Fleming – United States of Mind

Feb 21, 2009 Daniel Mirante in Interviews 5 Comments Tags: Dean Fleming, L.A, Pop Surrealism

The artist Dean Fleming interviewed by Daniel Mirante

Where does the artistic process begin for you ?

I get most of my inspiration from looking at art. It can be anything from architecture to ancient Mayan pottery. I’ll begin by sketching with a big brush in order to create vague shapes that I use like a Rorschach inkblot test to suggest things that I can develop and refine. This allows me to tap into my subconscious for imagery while remaining aware of the composition of the painting. I always give myself permission to change anything and everything about the painting at any point, that way It’s possible to get some really unexpected results.

In terms of the subconscious mind, what part do you feel L.A plays in shaping your visions?

I live in the foothills north of L.A. so I’m in an area that’s right at the edge of the city. It’s a place where the natural and the urban environments coexist. On one side are steep canyons and totally undeveloped areas and on the other, an enormous, modern city. That situation is often expressed in my work by integrating natural forms with others that are man-made. I recently saw an exhibit of rare art deco automobiles from all over the world. Thinking about these machines, cloaked in sensuous sculpture, made a big impact on me. The idea of combining human and animal forms is as ancient as art… and it can be very evocative, but in L.A. the car is such an essential element of life, even a symbol of status and power, that it ends up in some of my work.

What would you like to see in the art world ?

I think these days the art world is whatever you make it. It’s an amazing time for artists and the internet has a lot to do with that. Online you can create your own distinct realm and connect directly to the viewer without being filtered by someone else’s standards or sensibilities. The world maybe shrinking but the art world is expanding as a result. The internet art free-for-all can open your mind and broaden your perspective, though you may have to look at a lot of stuff to find something spectacular and new… every once in awhile you’ll be blown away. Accessing the art world has some unique challenges for me since I enjoy showing my work but don’t like to sell originals. Being included on this site is a real privilege because it allows my paintings to be shown next to the work of other interesting and unique artists, purely for the sake of art.

View more of Dean Fleming’s work at www.deanfleming.com