INTERVIEW

MaddoxA Dwith

HiAD-ThankyousomuchforlettingPool32showsomepiecesofyourgreatart-workandforfindingsome spare time to do this interview with me. It’s been very interesting to follow your “journey” over the years, and I really look forward to follow your work in the future.

Well let’s just “dive” right into it this exciting interview....

How old were you when you started painting - and how did it all begin for you? - are you self taught or did you go to art school?

I started art classes when I was 4 and it began from there. I can remember when I was 5 years old sitting on the church pew with my grandmother bored to tears grasping her colored markers doodling on the program for at least 30 minutes then I’d fall asleep in her lap. I was a master doodler avoiding the preachers sermon! I’m self-taught with painting. I made a lot of mistakes ... that’s how I learned.

“WITHOUT “ART” THE EARTH IS JUST “EH”

That’s why I feel it’s essential to present some brilliant artists whenever it’s possible. So in this edition I will present two of my favourite fishing related artists - Hope you’ll enjoy their great work as much as I do..

How many years have you worked as a professional artist?

15 years ... I began working full time in early 1997 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Youarewellknownforyoustunning“fish-artwork”butdoyoualsogetinspirationfromotherthingsinyourlife-your fantastic Ducati bike for example ?

Everything aesthetic inspires me ... Landscapes, people, wild-life but mostly COLOR and different color combinations. Trout are what I call the “dance of the dots” ... striking color combos bal anced with spots ... perfect contrasting colors as well. The Ducati was a breath of fresh air from the easel so I wanted to find a way to be productive while breaking from the easel ... hence the “Bug Art”. :)

To chose a life as an artist is a very insecure and different way of making a living - so how did your parents and fam-ily supported you in this decision?

They encouraged me to go for it! From the very beginning I had clients buying my work so this continued to grow. Being an artist is the highest calling as everything I see is materialized from an idea. The greatest challenge is getting this idea out of my mind onto a canvas.

As a creative person as you must enjoy music, so I’m curious to know what your favorite band or type of music is? - and I also would like to know if you listen to music when you’re creating a new painting?

Yes! I love music when I paint. Wordless music mostly like House/Techno/Lounge type pod casts. Brad Miller’s Push the Night podcast is my favorite. I also like The Kings of Leon, Coldplay & Thievery Corporation. But I usually don’t change the music much. Maybe every 2 years I’ll accept another artist into my ears. :) ... This year it is the Kings of Leon.....Matthew Followill bought one of my prints so I bought his albums and they are amazing to paint to!

In Denmark we have a saying “ the shortest way to a mans heart goes through his stomach” (laughing!!) so I have to ask what is your favorite choice of food is - spicy and strong or bitter and sweet? Pizza! - I make my own & usually eat pizza every day. Thai, mexican & Mediterranean dishes are my top favorites! A.D. you are riding a Ducati bike - which is a very interesting choice of bike, since it’s a clear symbol of pure power. How would you characterizes yourself as a person? That’s a great question Mark! I bought the bike because Trinity in Matrix II was riding one in the famous motorcycle chase scene. Clearly Ducati was the hottest bike a woman can possibly ride so I bought one! lol Characterize myself as a person....I think I’m funny but I also spend a lot of time alone so I should be in good company right! I’ve got a bit of Force & Vigor, extremely self-determined but I’m governed by my Ethical Code as each decision must do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. I have one major rule I follow.....I try to do better than the day before. If a barrier appears.....Time to move through it. and that is one hell of a task! Do you structure your day and work every day a couple of hours - or do you get creative in “the middle of the night” and just have to get it out “while it’s there”?

No I’m structured for the majority of my time. I paint in the middle of the day as scheduled but I’m known to paint until midnight when I’m on a roll! Structure keeps confusions to a minimum. Beinganartistisveryfarfromatypical9to5life,anditmusthavebeendifficulttolearnhowthewholeartbusi-ness is working, so are you or have you been connected to any gallery?

Yes.....I started out in Galleries then I decided to sell direct to my clients mostly. I do have pieces in the Wyoming Gallery in Jackson Hole and show here in Nashville at Fly South but I prefer to sell direct. As far as learning the art business.....that has taken some time. Lessons are taught through fail ures not successes. So I’ve made some mistakes but valuable ones. I’ve learned I can never over communicate.....Communication is the key.

Being a female artist in the male dominated art business can’t always have been easy for you - what would you say have been the biggest challenge so far?

Actually I don’t find it difficult. I think the people I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with are top quality people. It’s a very small industry so the ones that make it to the top have fought their battles and persevered through their own challenges. My biggest challenge in this business is creating my art as the battle is with the pieces I create not the male dominated industry. lol My goal is to produce masterpieces

What is your favorite type of brushes - and what kind of paint do you use?

I paint in oil and use various brushes but prefer sable-haired brushes. I also prefer Belgian linen over cotton canvas.....both are good quality but linen is the finest weave I’ve painted on.

Who has inspired you and which artist is your favorite?

My Mentors.....Greg McHuron from Jackson Hole, Kamy Deljou from Atlanta and John Banovich. These are the only men that have given me instruction. There are aspects about each one of these men that have inspired me.....mainly their work ethic and knowledge of color. My favorite artist is me. :0)

Whereandwhendidyouhaveyoufirstexhibition-andhowdiditgo?

My first real show was at a Gallery in Boulder, Colorado in 1995. I sold a HUGE painting of hors es to a local couple for $700. Funny to think of that piece now as it’s priceless to me today. I buy it back in a heartbeat!

What has been your most important “career move” regarding getting your art exposed?

Working with Patagonia the clothing company, my Bug Art Series got a lot of press and being pub lished in Grays Sporting Journa

How important do you consider the internet to be for your for your art career?

The internet is my number one communication tool. My gallery is admaddox.com.....Internet dependent. :)

You have designed some really nice t-shits for Patagonia - how did you get in contact with such a powerful company? January of 2009 they contacted me. The head of their fly fishing department knew of my work. I was very lucky and the company has been a joy to work with still to this day.

Are you married with kids and the “whole package” - if so how do you get everything to work with your carrier as an artist?

No I’m not married and I’ve no children so I married my career and my children are my paintings. hahaha! We all work well together! My boyfriend is a Montana Outfitter and an avid angler as well so I go to Montana in the summers to paint and fish. The balancing act is good one.....tough at times but the hardest part is knowing when to delegate a hat and expand. I’m still working on this one.

BesidesyourartcareerI’velearnedthatyoualsoareanavidflyfishersoIhavetoaskyouwhatisareallygooddayoffishing?

An ideal day of fishing.....ahhhhh.....there are a few I can think of.....Mid August tube fishing a private mountain lake for the big big Rainbows on dries, a full production day of hiking into the Mecca to enjoy a secret fishing spot and the best deluxe drift boat ride down the Yellowstone NOT rowing. :) But these days are not near as often as I’d like. City life is different and the easel calls so I wait for the Summer months in Montana with a few trips on the side in the Spring and Fall.

What is your absolute favorite rod and reel? - weight, model and brand?

I’ve 3 rods I use. My Orvis Trident rod 6wgt - 4pc ... great for the big trout & backpacking. CFO reel. Most commonly used my 2pc 5wgt Sage rod & Arbor reel ... sometimes switch it with the Waterworks-Lamson Arbor reel. Spring Creek.....5wgt Scott Rod & Sage reel.

Speycast or traditional overhand cast?

I’ve not learned to the Speycast so I’m traditional. :O)

Dryflyofnymph?

Both! Dry with a nymph dropper.

Salt-orfreshwaterfishing?

Freshwater but I’d jump at the chance to fish the saltwater. :O)

What is your favorite catch?

New Zealand Browns!

During my contact with A.D I found out that she is involved in a charity program through her website for : Drug Free World - Citizens Commission On Human Rights - Casting 4 A Cure - Cast Hope - Rivers Of Recovery and Trout Unlimited.

All of these organizations are doing a really great job and they all need all the support they can get - so A.D I only have one word describing how I feel about this - and it’s - RESPECT!!

If you after reading this interview, want to learn more about A.D. Maddox then use these links to her Stu-dio website or “like” A.D on Facebook.....she is a fantastic woman and I have enjoyed getting to know her.

studios websiteA.D. MADDOX