Come one come all and experience the irresistible magic of Marc Burckhardt's work. He's been in almost every major publication including Rolling Stone, TIME, Newsweek and the New York Times. He's also been called upon to paint music giants like Johnny Cash, June Carter and Willie Nelson. We're just happy that Marc had time to share some insight with {e} house. To see more of his amazing work, please visit his website.
Q: What themes do you tend to explore in your work?
A: I was born in Germany and raised in Texas. My family spent most summers in Europe during my youth. I’d say my work combines traditional European genres, techniques and symbols with a broad range of contemporary themes from musical subject matter to political and social motifs.
Q: How did you come to the decision you wanted to be an artist?
A: Like most kids, I enjoyed drawing and painting. Unlike most, I never stopped. If you do something often enough, you get better at it and the obsession grows.
Q: Where do you go to be inspired?
A: First, I’d say Europe’s great museums. But I only manage that once per year or so. My second choice is the wonderful hiking trails, creeks, and rivers of the United States and especially Central Texas.
Q: It’s always interesting to find out where an artist creates their work. Can you describe where you make your paintings?
A: I actually have 2 studio spaces in my home. One is for large-scale gallery works and the other is an antique drafting table in a sunlit family room where I can work on smaller detailed work.
Q: For you, what is a perfect painting? How has this concept changed for you over time?
A: I find so many paintings inspirational. For myself, I think the paintings that use visual symbols to communicate and manage to touch a chord in the viewer – even if the viewer doesn’t know what it "means" – that’s great work.
Q: What’s the best part of your day? What time of day do you tend to be most productive?
A: I’m a night owl. Always have been.
Q: What’s the most interesting movie or program you’ve watched in the past year?
A: I recently saw "Man on Wire" about Philipe Petit’s daring tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. I found both his quest to achieve an almost magical goal that had no financial incentive behind it and his incredible focus on achieving that goal inspiring as an artist.
Q: How would you describe the art scene in Austin? What have you found to be unique about the art, galleries and artists there?
A: I’m not actually very involved in the art scene in Austin. I visit the Blanton Museum of Art and attend some of the gallery openings, but I prefer to spend my off time with music and performances around town. It’s inspirational and not aspirational!
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve received?
A: Probably the same as most people: Do what you love.
Q: What elements are really important to you in terms of your practice?
A: Like most artists I have materials and a process that I’ve honed over the years. I live in fear that my favorite materials will become unavailable or that I’ll have to change my process for some reason.
Q: What are 10 things that interest or influence you?
A: Music, everything from John Prine to Iggy Pop to Beethoven
Flemish old masters
Travel, especially in Europe
Vintage type and packaging
Illuminated manuscripts
Naturalist engravings
Anything by Robert Crumb or Lucas Cranach
The writings of A. J. Liebling
Dogs of all shapes & sizes
A good Belgian beer
Comments
The tall Jew posted at 11:07 pm on January 8th, 2010
I wonder which studio he was in when he created the piece on the two devils 2 paintings up from the bottom
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