I can't remember when exactly I feel in love with the work of Jim Houser. Born in Philly, this artist has been able to create deeply personal art with the simple style that is truely unique. I was lucky enough to get Jim to answer a few questions over the world wide web.
MK: When I think of Philadelphia, I think of the Roots and It’s Always Sunny. What was it like growing up there and has the fabric of the city influenced your art ?
JM:I grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, exactly like any other American suburb. I’d come into the city to skateboard throughout my teen years , but i didn't move into the city until my 20's. I’m not sure how or if the city affected what i make. i think it was more a function of the people I was surrounded by than it was the actual location.
MK:I’ve read that you are self taught. How did your personal artistic style progress and when did you realize you could do this for a living ?
JH:I always liked to draw and make things when i was growing up. by my late teens, I was writing more , poetry and short stories and drawing. I moved into an incredibly creative and supportive environment where it just seemed like the logical step forward to start painting. This was all in providence , Rhode island, 94-96ish. I had my first solo show at space 1026 here in Philly in( I think) 1998? I made enough at the show to quit my job developing photos and haven't had a straight job since then. just selling paintings and commercial work.
MK:Purely out of curiosity, what is worst job that you have ever had on the path to being a semi-famous artist?
JH:I had a job as a pizza delivery guy that i was fired from before my first day. I had just moved to a new place , i got lost on the way to my first day of work, and they fired me.
MK:You have mentioned in an interview in Juxtapose magazine that one of your career highlights has been to show alongside Chris Johanson and Margaret Kilgallen. Can you share any memories of spending time with them? Had you spent time with the Alleged Gallery artists before the show?
JH:Yes, I had been to one or two shows at alleged before the east meets west show. and while living in providence , i was working for Shepard Fairey and had met a few of those guys through him. As far as the east west show goes , it was really inspiring to watch Chris and Margaret work. it was my first time meeting both of them and i feel very fortunate to have been a part of something that special.
MK:Practical things aside (such as time constraints), how has being a father changed your artistic voice ?
JH:I’m not sure. I cover a lot of ground. So, every once in awhile I’ll notice something pop up and think ," oh that's about being a parent. " But there's no overarching change. My work is about self examination, so the being a dad-examining-parts are just mixed in with everything else.
Barkley, Dr. J or AI? (Best Sixer of all time)
Doc , no question.
