Interview
Russell Ybuan
Russell Ybuan is a conceptualist, abstract painter and writer/poet from Los Angeles, California. His distinctive personal style echoes the explicit and implicit black and gray elements of contemporary abstract art, blending the experimental free verse theme of spoken word modern poetry.
Self-taught, Russell began by arduously sketching and painting visual representations to convey the written word onto an assortment of napkins and canvas.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I've been creating art in one form or another for the past 30 years - it's always been part of me ever since I can remember. However, I never pursued art as a career because I appreciate fine wine, internet service and vintage luxury cars as much as the next person. Nevertheless, art is an enormous part of my life. It's essentially the main reason I continue to breathe, and how I nonchalantly tolerate life in Los Angeles traffic.”
What inspires you most?
“I find inspiration from a plethora of intermittent, insignificant strains of cathartic, wandering thoughts in the most unexpected moments. As an example, I've found immense inspiration doing mundane chores like walking my dog, Ace, during the early morning of fall. Identifying the ashes of summer, piling like snow in a resplendent still life moment akin to watching a black-and-white Fellini film on mute in slow motion. Inspiration always catches me off guard, when I'm never ready to take note, so I try my best to convey a subjective visual adaptation on canvas (or paper napkins) based on elements of memory and feeling.”
“I think an artist's role is to remain original, sustain authenticity and continue taking risks by stepping outside of each box, circle or triangle. To explore but always appreciate its foundation; and at the end, somehow ignite sincere inspiration to those that don't seek it.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“In terms of themes, I've always found beauty in the gloomy. Sometimes I wish it was the opposite, but everything would be contrived and I wouldn't be much of an artist. There is always an underlying message in my work. Every theme derives from the seeds of thought and nourishment of experience before it finds depth on any medium.”
How would you describe your work?
“The words I would use to describe my work are: abstract, conceptual, intermittent, poetic, spontaneous, random and experimental.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I have been influenced by the following artists: Francis Bacon, George Condo, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gustave Dore, Joan Miro and Alberto Giacometti.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is 100% cathartic and improvisational. I could never attain the ability to plan the redolence of happiness, nor embrace the affliction of deceit. I also listen to thrash metal and sip green tea during my creative process.”
Website: Amazon
