Introducing the art of Joe Ferry (Interview)

JOE FERRY

DESTIG TORONTO - ART | DESIGN | TRAVEL - ISSUE 09 / JANUARY 2021

BEST OF 2020 | TODAY'S GREAT CANADIAN ARTISTS | SPECIAL ART FEATURES | HOT PICKS

"HOW MARVELOUS THAT THEY BROUGHT FORTH SUCH MAGNIFICIENCE FROM THEIR BRUSHES AND CHISELS." - ANONYMOUS

"I am always at ease painting so I hope that feeling of peace comes through to the viewer. Many of the folks who have purchased my paintings have said they feel calm when they look at them. Most of the people who own my paintings have hung them in their bedrooms so that the first things they see in the morning are my paintings."

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Joe Ferry is a 7-Time Grammy Award Nominated

Share with us some insight into your process.

record producer, guitarist and bassist; author of the

I paint the canvasses black or dark blue or some other

critically acclaimed "Connected" book series, painter

dark color. Then while it's wet, I flick the stars into the sky

of international note, leader of The Big Ska Band and

with a toothbrush. Then I run a brush lightly of a section of

Professor Emeritus, State University of New York.

sky to create shooting stars. Then I begin the main part of the work - the buildings, fences, lampposts etc. The paint

Give us a summary of your background and history.

is applied with a knife and several colors are blended

I am a 7-Time Grammy Nominated Record Producer

together on the canvas. Once the painting is complete I

and Professor Emeritus at State University of New

apply an even coat of clear, glossy sealant.

York. I hold a PhD in motivational psychology and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Music. I am a published

How would you describe the unique DNA of your art?

author ("Connected" book series) with my latest book,

Actually my paintings do have my DNA in them because

"Cut Me While I'm Hot" to be released in Winter 2021

when I'm mixing colors I spit on the paint to make it easier

by Fulton Books. I have no formal training as a painter.

to apply to the canvas. I am always at ease painting so I

I learned from Bob Ross the TV painter guy and from

hope that feeling of peace comes through to the viewer.

studying the work of Van Gogh on my own.

Many of the folks who have purchased my paintings have

"I just want folks to chill when they look at my work.

That's why I do it."

"I was born in the Bronx, New York City.

So that's where my love of old buildings comes from."

"Aside from Van Gogh and Michel Delacroix I have recently become interested in the work of Basquiat.

I have tried to do a couple of paintings allowing the spirit of his hand to guide my hand.

This is a path I will continue to explore."

said they feel calm when they look at

Please tell us 3 of the artworks that have

them. Most of the people who own my

most impacted your career and why?

paintings have hung them in their

Notable creations from the past include

bedrooms so that the first things they see

album covers for guitarist Doug Munro's

in the morning are my paintings.

records. "The Blue Lady", "Blueness" and "Shooting Pool at Leo's".

How do you want your art to impact us?

I just want folks to chill when they look at

Share with us some of the themes and

my work. That's why I do it.

concepts that you have explored.

Aside from Van Gogh and Michel

What do people say when they discover

Delacroix

I

have

recently

become

your work?

interested in the work of Basquiat. I have

Thankfully most of the folks I meet really

tried to do a couple of paintings allowing

like my work. I get a lot of real cool

the spirit of his hand to guide my hand.

compliments. No one has ever said the

This is a path I will continue to explore.

paintings suck but I have had people say

There is a painter whose work I collect, a

that all my paintings look alike. It doesn't

friend of mine, Jesse Clemente. His style

bother me. If they looked deeper they'd

is abstract, sort of the Basquiat school. He

see the paintings evolving from year to

and I have done exhibitions together. He's

year.

very talented.

"I feel peaceful painting.

I don't usually paint for hours on end. I paint in spurts. Sometimes an hour, sometimes a minute. But every drop of paint is intentional.

Whether it took an hour or a minute to apply."

What are you currently working on?

Currently I am working on another version of my early painting, "Window." What's next? I don't know. Something!

What directions are you interested in exploring in future work / upcoming projects?

I love acrylic. It's easy to work and it dries quickly.

I paint on canvasses mostly but people have asked me to paint the walls of their homes. Usually I paint on whatever I have, including cardboard and wood.

What do you feel when you are creating?

I feel peaceful painting. I don't usually paint for hours on end. I paint in spurts. Sometimes an hour, sometimes a minute. But every drop of paint is intentional. Whether it took an hour or a minute to apply.

What are your views on the role of art in today's world?

My views on art: I see art everywhere. I especially love graffiti. Some of it is exceptional. The work of Chema Skandal is marvelous. He designed one of my album covers on Jump Up Records. Whatever it is, whatever era it's from, if it's honest I will probably find something about it that I love.

Tell us about your location and how it influences your art.

I was born in the Bronx, New York City. So that's where my love of old buildings comes from. I live on a mountain now. Nature and all that. So I have to travel to find cool old buildings for inspiration.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your creative expression?

The COVID pandemic has affected me in much the same way it has affected everyone. The "Tribute To Basquiat" painting was done during the height of the pandemic. It's edgier than my other, later 2020 paintings.

Website: www.jferry.artspan.com