Interview

Jan 9

Adam Dermen

Born as a Gen-Xer in Istanbul and raised in New York, Adam Dermen is an artist who has finally answered the call of the canvas and brush although a bit late. Starting his career as a manufacturer in communications and a career spanning multiple world-class cities across three continents, Adam has always been drawn to creatively adjacent fields and wound up running and managing a grand format print shop providing large prints to billboards in Europe and Asia thereafter migrated back to the USA, Virginia to open a shop providing sign fabrication and design to retail stores. While his work in the sign business has honed his craft, Adam’s true passion has always been finding ways to express himself as an individual. Now, he is finally listening to that inner voice.

Since 2008, he has dedicated more and more of his time to his art, discovering not only a sense of peace but also a newfound hunger for growth. It feels invigorating to challenge himself and expand his horizons. Reflecting on his journey, Adam realizes that perhaps he had not possessed the same level of passion and drive before the responsibilities of raising three children, being a husband, owning a home, and witnessing the emergence of grey hairs. It is a different kind of fire that fuels him now, one that surpasses the excitement of skipping school to see Black Sabbath or sneaking into CBGBs to slam to Ramones. Adam is grateful for this opportunity to embrace his artistic calling and explore the depths of his creativity. Through his work, Adam hopes to inspire others and leave a lasting impact. With each stroke of the brush, he strives to capture the essence of his experiences and emotions, inviting viewers to join him on this journey of self-expression and growth. He is currently employed at a sign company in DC and continue to shape metals, plastics, and lights.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“My professional journey began in the realm of telecommunications and fabrication - fields that seemingly had little to do with art. Yet, from my preteen years, I have been captivated by visual art. The allure of oil painting has always held a special place in my heart, leading me to explore some of the world’s most renowned art museums during my youth, including the Guggenheim NY and the Louvre. These visits allowed me to engage intimately with the masterpieces of artists like Da Vinci and Michelangelo, deepening my appreciation for their craft. Throughout my academic and professional life, I found myself naturally inclined toward sketching. My notebooks, whether filled with notes or calculations, were always adorned with doodles and sketches, serving as an outlet to my artistic inclinations. After nearly a decade in telecommunications, I transitioned to digital printing and sign fabrication, a shift that not only satisfied my creative urges but also opened the door to graphic design and reproduction. My artistic experimentation expanded as I explored various mediums and substrates, but it was in 2008 that I created my first significant oil painting: a portrait of my brother’s dog, gifted as a Christmas present. This experience ignited a profound joy within me, as I discovered the dynamic interplay of oil paints on canvas, allowing me to breathe life into an image. While I played with different themes and styles in the years that followed, it was in 2017 that I made a pivotal decision to transform a small corner of my home into a dedicated studio space. This commitment marked a new chapter in my artistic journey, with greater seriousness and intention. As I continue to evolve as an artist, I remain excited to explore the depths of creativity and expression, channeling my experiences into my work.”

What inspires you?

“My artistic inspiration arises from the interplay of light and shadow, which transforms scenes and reveals depths. I like how shadows add layers of mystery, inviting exploration. Color combinations, whether complementary or contrasting, are deeply influenced by my mood, exposing my inner landscape. Through this exploration of light, shadow, and color, capturing the essence of each moment in my work.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I pursue no theme in particular but I choose to focus on still life objects in harmony with one another and like to portray it in balance with the background. I like to place each element; be it a fruit, a delicate flower, textured fabric or shiny surfaces with imperfections on canvas.”

How would you describe your work?

“Still life with high degree of realism.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Caravaggio, his intense realism where he uses dramatic light contrasts and shadows. Gerard Do, where he uses skulls and books depicting mortality of humans vs immortality of knowledge and of course Andy Warhol ‘the inventor of pop-art’ depicting consumerism and commercialism just to to name a few.”

“My artistic inspiration arises from the interplay of light and shadow, which transforms scenes and reveals depths.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process begins with an idea or inspiration and culminates in the final artwork. It often starts with collecting info on ideas, gathering references, or simply allow my thoughts to guide the direction. Once a concept takes shape, I do a rough sketch of preliminary compositions in my doodle pad or on a random piece of paper, I sketch the layout and form in perspective to visualize the piece. Next, I prepare my canvas, applying a base layer to establish tone and texture. I then select my color palette, mixing oils to achieve the desired hues, considering how they will interact with light and shadow. As I begin painting, I first begin with dark colors and large areas, with broad strokes and gradually refine the details. The slow drying time of oil paint allows for blending and manipulation, enabling me to create depth and dimension. I pay close attention to the nuances of light and shadow, adjusting my brushwork to capture the play of illumination across the surfaces. I take breaks to step back and assess the work from a distance, gauging balance and harmony. Once satisfied, I finalize the piece with glazes or varnishes to enhance richness and protect the surface.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“I see the artist’s role evolving into higher degree of specialty/talent as artificial intelligence will replace the commercial and industrial graphical needs. There will be less jobs for the creative but the appreciation for those talents will increase tremendously.”