Creativity. That lonely sensation where one catches a cosmic spark and fans his or hers internal flames into something that (hopefully) burns brightly in time. Artistic endeavours, although involving many to come to full fruition, are usually a solitary passion, focus and drive. When the final product is not about self but about others, everyone, unity; that's where the true magic happens.
That being said it is a real pleasure to bring to you in this edition of OPALUS: the stylistic precisions of ANGELA FOX. As you'll read in the following interview, using unusual figures and environments she shows us the power of togetherness and how beautiful it can work.
And I'm hungry for pizza... enjoy!
OPALUS
We love the alien like figures in your work,
Tell us your inspiration behind creating these interesting characters?
ANGELA FOX
They came about through woodcuts that I was doing, so the cartoon/graphic nature of the imagery and repetition of figures emerged from the woodcut process. Most of them began as stand-ins for myself, but as I spent more time creating their world, they became less about me and more like an army representing qualities that I admire and are attainable through a group dynamic.
OPALUS
Stacking or piling your figures on top of each other is a re-occurring theme. What is the symbolism, if any, of this?
ANGELA FOX
Physical proximity of the characters has a lot to do with creating feelings of community/collectivity. I like to group the figures as a unit, so that they read less as individuals and more as a single entity. That’s also why I obscure individual identities with layers of clothing. The pyramid formations are a literal and symbolic creation of a support system.
OPALUS
Where is you go to school?
ANGELA FOX
I got my MFA at the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI).
OPALUS
Are the figures in message #1, and message #2 whispering or shouting? What are they saying?
ANGELA FOX
They’re whispering, they’re telling each other secrets.
OPALUS
What about Gouache paint inspires you?
ANGELA FOX
I like the opacity of gouache. It works well for a more flat and graphic style. When photographed, the paintings almost look digitally made, but up-close you see brushstrokes. I think that’s a nice surprise when seeing the work in person.
OPALUS
We chose our favourite painting of yours to be on the back cover of this issue. What was your inspiration behind “The return of pizza ghost?”
ANGELA FOX
My husband bought an old Ouija board from a bookstore and took it home. It inspired me to create a narrative where my characters are trying to conjure up a spirit.
We eat a lot of pizza because I don’t always make time to cook, so I thought it’d be funny if the spirit showed up and took all the pizza instead of interacting with the other figures. When dealing with the supernatural, people look for proof of the spirit’s presence, so I had pizza ghost show up and make the food levitate. He just came for the party…
OPALUS
What are your favorite colors right now?
Do your favorite colors change or are they quite consistent?
ANGELA FOX
I have a relatively open palette, I don’t think I have favorite colors to use, it’s more about the relationship between the colors. I want to balance out warm/cool, dark/light to increase contrast and visibility of the patterns/shapes. The work tends to be colorful as a result, which is funny because I pretty much just wear black.
OPALUS
Do you listen to music while you create? If so, what?
ANGELA FOX
Last music I listened to while I painted was Them and Lucinda Williams. If it’s TV, it has to be detective, prison, murder shows. I’ll watch Law and Order SVU marathons and paint forever!
OPALUS
What is your beverage of choice while creating?
ANGELA FOX
offee during the day, beer or wine at night. But I do have to have something that I’m eating/drinking while I paint.
OPALUS
How can someone buy your work? Do you sell prints?
ANGELA FOX
I sell originals right now, people can send an email to inquire about available works. I’ve been looking into doing a run of prints, but that’s something I’m taking my time with right now, since it’s a bit of a financial investment.
OPALUS
What can we expect from you next?
ANGELA FOX
I should be coming out with a patch and some enamel pins through Last Call Co. sometime this spring. There’s not a lot on my plate right now, I’m trying to spend 2016 focusing on making more work and taking my time with each piece