1xRun: Can you tell us a little bit about this piece?
Anthony Hurd: These pieces are part of what started as palette cleansers. I would take what is left of the paint from other pieces and just let loose with large strokes on a small board and see what comes of it. The first couple pieces I did like this were a couple years ago and they were way less evolved. Purely strokes with just a touch of more graphic details. In the last year I really started to build on them and build them out into whole new worlds. It’s a total exploration phase for me. In between the pieces I already had in the works this was an outlet to completely move freely. To my own surprise really they were very successful exploration in many ways.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Anthony Hurd: These were not for any specific showing, just for myself and my own exploration. These are just three of what ended up being about 8 pieces in total.. for now.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create these pieces with?
Anthony Hurd: Acrylics, hardboard and a mess of pure colors.
1xRun: When were these pieces created and how long did they take to complete?
Anthony Hurd: The three of these pieces were created late 2013 to early 2014. Each piece probably took a few days of off and on work.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Anthony Hurd: My hair, the late 80’s/early 90’s are calling.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Anthony Hurd: I made no plans at all for these pieces. I just threw down color and then waited for it to speak to me.
1xRun: What is unique about this pieces?
Anthony Hurd: Well, these have a spirit to them that is pretty unique to my previous works. Coming from a design and illustration background my other works have been fairly methodical, and graphic. This series of work is way more painterly. There is still a lot of technical details just shown in a lighter note.
1xRun: Why do you think people should buy these prints?
Anthony Hurd: Because they love these works. This is always a hard question because I never like the word “should”. If they are drawn to them then I’d personally be honored to have my works added to their collections.
1xRun: Describe these pieces in one gut reaction word.
Anthony Hurd: Strong.
1xRun: When did you first start making art? What was your first piece?
Anthony Hurd: I started as a young kid, I remember coloring with my mom when I was very little and never stopped from there on. When I was about 22 years old life took over and I lost touch with the paintbrush. I didn’t start painting again for almost 10 years. A friend was getting married and I wanted to gift them something special and original, made by hand. That was my first painting is over 10 years. After that I slowly started working on new pieces, not dedicating the time to it that needed to be. It wasn’t until just about 3 years ago now that I started really working daily on my work an pursuing it as an actual career direction. My first actual painting was a self portrait when I was 16. It was 4 x 4 feet, oil on canvas. It was a rather strange process but a piece I’ll never forget.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Anthony Hurd: Early on it was all about skateboarding graphics and album covers, but in high school I discovered Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. They were my first major inspirations.
1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Anthony Hurd: Oh a bit of everything.. I have a much more wider range of taste than when I was younger. I am hugely inspired by nature photography and people who are out there living their lives in nature. There are a lot of contemporary and classic artists who are always opening my eyes to new ideas. The list is ultimately endless in terms of inspiration because it could literally come from anywhere.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?
Anthony Hurd: I like a lot of different types of music, but when it comes to painting I tend to listen to something I can sing along with. Primary artists I listen to while painting are Father John Misty, Dawes, Ron Sexsmith, Nathaniel Rateliff and Sondre Lerche.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Anthony Hurd: ugh… James Jean, he makes me cry.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Anthony Hurd: Egon Schiele, I am still to this day obsessed with his esthetic and style.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Anthony Hurd: A small piece of art from Jeff Soto in 2004. I do still have it and still love it.
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Anthony Hurd: My third piece from Robert Hardgrave. Forever a fan.
1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Anthony Hurd: I have a piece I’m really digging at a Ween tribute show in Denver this July, keep and eye out for more info soon. I also have a slew of new small pieces going up in a great 6 man show at Lequevive Gallery in Oakland CA this August. There may be a little out door mural action in Denver in August as well, we’ll see how that plays out.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Anthony Hurd: Instagram @anthonyhurd – Facebook @anthony.hurd.54 – Tumblr
-1xRUN