Artist Interview: Bryan Gage

Over the next few weeks, we will start introducing the artists participating in the inaugural we. art gathering! It’s always nice to hear a bit more of the artist’s background, their process when it comes to creating and how they’ve evolved over time. In that spirit, we will be posting interviews we conducted with each of the artists so you can become a bit more familiar with them. It seems only appropriate to start with our Monterey County-based artists and we are kicking things off with Pacific Grove-based Bryan Gage!

Where are you from originally? 

BG - Born in the Phoenix area, and moved to Monterey, California when I was just four. My parents decided to come with me. 

How did you first get into art? 

BG - I won my first coloring contest at the age of seven, this was the peak of my career. It's been downhill ever since. 

What is your favorite medium?

BG - I love using industrial design oil-based modeling clay. This clay is the same used in automotive styling and quite expensive, but you can achieve amazing surfaces, volumes, and lines. Someday, I'd love to be able to work with this clay full-time as a sculptor. 

What inspires you?

BG - Brilliant minds! Human creativity, ingenuity, and kindness are truly inspiring. No matter where you are in the world you'll find incredibly smart and wonderful people! This is what lights me up, and propels my love for creativity and attempting to inspire.

Why do you do what you do?

BG - I ask myself this question everyday! I'm passionate about the creative process, innovation, big ideas, and originality. I believe it's important to carry the torch of previous artists and continue the good fight for future creative voices. So much is lost when the creative spark is doused for the wrong reasons. The arts are the barometer by which to judge the health of a culture, and creativity must burn with passionate fury!

What is your creative process approaching new projects?

BG - I always try to approach each piece a little differently to keep the process fresh. I love taking multiple ideas and smashing them together while creating initial chaos. I enjoy sifting and sorting through the chaos, and letting the creative process work its magic to arrive at an interesting solution. 

How has your style evolved over the years?

BG - My training is in automotive design, but I've experimented with a number of different styles like street art, illustration, graphics, and futurism. I'm still honing this combination of influences, while still producing new ideas, exploring exciting color palettes, and finding subject matter I find bold and interesting. I'm trying to push a style that is uniquely mine, while still being a little avant-garde and energy infused. 

What is your lifestyle outside of art? 

BG - I'm a huge travel bug, and lived nearly a decade abroad during my 20's in the Netherlands, England, India, and Switzerland. In my opinion, there is nothing more exciting than discovering and learning a foreign culture firsthand. I also love following baseball, being outdoors, and riding my cafe racer motorcycle. 

If you could travel anywhere to create art, where would it be?

BG - Amsterdam or Florence! 

Do you listen to music while you're creating? If so, what are some of your current tunes? 

BG - Totally! My current phase is 90's garage rock, and surf rock. My mainstays are the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Gorillaz, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White, Arcade Fire, Black Keys.

What role do you think artists have in society?

BG - Artists (or creators) are the gardener's of society; they sow the seeds of progress and tell cultures where to grow next! This dynamic has been true since the dawn of humanity, and will forever continue into the future. Unfortunately, most artists still battle for their creative existence. Perhaps one day, this won't be the case. 

What has been a seminal experience in your art career thus far? 

BG - Living and working as a college design lecturer in India for nearly four years proved to be the type of life-experience you always hope for. I was continually forced outside my comfort zones, and stretched to grow in ways I never imagined. This amazing cultural experience enabled my art to grow exponentially as a result!

Who are some of your favorite artists to date? 

BG - I enjoy past artists like Bernini, Caillebotte, Pissaro, Van Gogh, and Picasso. And I follow contemporary influencers like Beth Cavener Stichter, Tristan Eaton, and Fairey. 

What helps you get "unstuck" creatively? 

BG - By any means necessary to change the routine and 'shake it up.' A new brush, new color, bike ride, coffee, beer, even a shower. Avoiding stagnation while keeping the mind and body fresh and energetic is the idea!

Who are your biggest influences?

BG - I love to be awestruck by the likes of late architect Zaha Hadid, Dutch fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, and MIT design technologist Neri Oxman. These brilliant women have re-invented their creative professions! My sister is also a neurobiologist, and knows me better than most. I often draw from her wealth of wisdom and professional interests.

Coffee or tea?

BG - Both! Coffee in the morning. Tea at night. 

Surf or snow? 

BG - Surf, if it's warm enough. 

Favorite movie?

BG - The Graduate. Creatively, this film has it all!