Fred Smilde

Born 1968, USA

Lives in: Attleboro, MA USA

Media: Painting

Describe your art in 2 words: Figurative abstraction

See More Work: https://www.saatchiart.com/fredsmilde

The Sword is Broken - Oil on stretched canvas 36 x 24 in.

"Though many of my paintings may appear abstract, I do not consider myself an abstract painter as many, if not all, my paintings are rooted in the human figure. Primarily I just try to organize space in an interesting way with the hope that in the end can get some decent and meaningful pictures."

What themes does your work involve?
Cannot say I concern myself with "themes" in the traditional sense- but would have to say the Human Figure and if how space can organized can be considered a theme then would include that as well.
Describe your creative process.
A somewhat difficult question to answer in a direct concrete way, at least for me. The simple truth is that I just work on something until I get to a point where I can live it. Most of the time I go through a lot of colors and very often the canvas goes through many transformations until my eye latches onto something that I feel I can work with and then you kind of start all over again.
What influences your work? What inspires you? Why do you make art?
De Kooning has always been a big influence and as far as myself I guess in a nutshell, just need to do something, space provides endless possibilities.
What is good art? What makes a piece of art great?
For me consistency in language (whatever that language may be) is important and a sort of unobservable tightness to the construction. It is important to note that when I say tightness I do not mean rigidity. I guess a sense of inevitability in how a piece is put together.
What is the role of the artist today?
I think "art" allows us to be human, if any role, guess to bring us back to humanity.
Do Not Forget to Pass the Puck - Oil on stretched canvas 36 x 30 in.
Lost in the Tide - Oil on stretched canvas 48 x 30 in.
That is a Terrible Title - Oil on stretched canvas 30 x 24 in.
The Scent of Lavender - Oil on stretched canvas 30 x 24 in.

 


This interview was published by Circle Foundation of the Arts. © CFA Press ∙ Images are courtesy of the artist