Dan May Where Have All The Monsters Gone?

1xRun Thru Interview
Where Have All The Monsters Gone?  by Dan May

1xRun: Tell us a bit about this original piece, is the original still for sale?
Dan May: I created this painting in late 2011. It was a part of an ongoing series of paintings that I have been working on over the years. The original has been sold.

1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece?
Dan May: Acrylic on wood panel.

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1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Dan May: Before starting this piece, I paid a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago and spent some time admiring a beautiful painting by Max Ernst, titled Spanish Physician. It is a stunning piece that is loaded with texture, which he achieved by using a technique called decalcomania.

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The process involves pressing paint between two surfaces. Upon returning to my studio I immediately began playing around and loved the beautiful textures that this technique yielded; this served as a perfect base layer to begin my next painting.

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1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Dan May: Not sure exactly, probably a week or two from concept to finish.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Dan May: The original is loaded with texture. To replicate that in the print we have chosen a fine art paper with a great texture and the limited 10 on bamboo panel.

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1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Dan May: As with all of my work, hopefully it strikes a chord with the viewer and inspires emotion, intrigue, and maybe even a story.

1xRun: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Dan May: Haunting.

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1xRun: For this RUN we also have a series of 10 on ready to hang bamboo boards, do you want to talk a bit about those pieces and how that idea came about?
Dan May: Since I paint on wood panels I thought it would be a great way to present this piece.

1xRun: Much of your work tends to feature these intricate and detailed swirls, stunning birds and some other more fantastical creatures, where does the inspiration come from using these in many of your paintings?
Dan May: Yes, I have a fascination with fine line. This serves not only an aesthetic purpose in my work, but it also has become a metaphor for personal growth and has grown to represent many other aspects of life on a grander scale. Everything from our place on this planet and our interactions with the life that inhibits it, to the subconscious dreamworld that exists in our minds… it is all connected in some way. There is a thread that flows through us all. This series of paintings is an attempt at illustrating this.

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1xRun: Can you talk about how you go about creating your elaborate line work ?
Dan May: A great deal of patience and a ton of liner brushes.

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1xRun: You’ve been staying busy lately, can you bring us up to speed on the past 3-4 months for you?
Dan May: Yes, it has been a busy time around here for sure. My wife and I have been working on our first book together. It is something that we have have talked about over the years, but with gallery shows, commissions, and commercial work it was difficult to find the time to dedicate to this ambitious project. We are really excited to finally see things come to life and can’t wait to share the final result.

1xRun: Any other big plans the rest of the summer and the fall?
Dan May: For the remainder of the year we will be focused on the book…and in the fall, we will be welcoming our first child into the world!

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1xRun: Where else can people find you? 
Dan May:  WebsiteFacebookTwitter & Instagram @danmayart

-1xRUN