This month at AFEKTED we had the privilege of getting an exclusive interview with none other than Mr. Phil Hale.
Phil Hale, for those who don’t yet know, is an American figurative painter who now works and lives in London UK. Phil has done some major works for Stephen King, RayGun, Playboy, Spectrum and many other renowned publications worldwide. In 2008 he was commissioned to paint the portrait of former prime minister of England, Tony Blair.
Phil Hale’s work is nothing short of amazing. From stunning and more often than not surrealistic figurative paintings to photo montages/collages and music (Golden Phone), Phil’s work will transport you into a realm of the abstract, along with hyper realistic representations of himself. Here at AFEKTED we wanted to learn about what inspires Phil Hale, what makes him get up in the morning and continue to work on what he does best.
We hope you enjoy this inspirational insight.
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A+ Who inspired you to pursue art?
I came from a family of artists-my mother was an artist, and my grandmother. So it seemed quite reasonable to think of becoming an artist myself. And even as a child I was competitive with my mother: she would draw an elephant, I would want to draw a better one. I met (and was apprenticed ) artist Richard Berry when I was 16. It’s hard to overstate how powerfully he affected me. He was such a powerful figure that I had to leave the country (I went to England) to escape his influence. His work is still active deep below mine.
A+ How do you work? Could you briefly describe a typical day at your studio in London?
First to a cafe for a coffee, and, boringly a paper. I tend to move between periods of intense activity ( disciplined by deadlines) and then a bit of collapse and drift. But I don’t work evenings anymore. I never produced worthwhile work grinding myself out overnight. I work from references so some of the process is going through the pictures and familiarising myself with them, seeing what is useful and possible there. Once I have an image that works, and a composition, I do some fairly loose sketches. But they are more schematics; no rendering. The transfer is tedious. I don’t tend to draw and paint at the same time, one or the other is compromised. But then again a piece is often revised after it has been set up on the linen.
A+ What comes first, idea or image?
Image, though I may have a realm I’m moving around in. The image is often determined by what I am thinking about, so in that sense there is some initial idea.
A+ Can you explain why the subject mater of your paintings often involves yourself in a confrontation with a robot?
That is a very old image, for me it is not even an image anymore. I did it initially as a way to produce dynamic confrontational pieces (think of Frazetta). But I was a bit wet, a bit uncomfortable with people knocking each other’s heads off. The robots also provided a fantastic and abstracted compositional element. They are really the same painting over and over. But it’s a good one.
A+ Suspended atmosphere (neutral backgrounds) and discomfort seems to be a big element of your art, could you further explain the meanings?
Well-I like simplicity, it means all the elements have mor e individual power in the composition. And I would say instability, not discomfort. Balance is inactive and uninvolving (for me). Maybe discomfort in the sense that you need conflict, simply for dramatic tension.
A+ You are a well seasoned artist, what keeps you inspired after so many years?
Knowing how limited I am. And also, I suppose, slowly finding ways to pull together all the various disparate things that interest me.
>A+ What advice would you give to those who are trying to pursue a career in Arts?
At my most earnest I would say you have to folow your own interest. And (very important) have a good set of peers to work alongside.
A+ Who’s work do you follow?
All sorts of people, but generally artists who are further out of my ‘narrative; zone as the tend to more unfamiliar information to pick up on.
A+ What do you do for fun?
I hang out with my daughter (Avalon) and my son (Callum). They are excellent fun, good for me.
You can find more of Phil’s work in the links bellow. Also, please check back with us as we’re working to put together a special gallery of his work.
- Phil Hale: Mockingbirds – Relaxeder
- Allen Spiegel Fine Arts: Phil Hale Gallery
K0NSTRUKTIVIST
Dmitry R.
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