N.C. Winters Hits Overdrive In His 1xDebut

“I took a new approach to the Suggestivism show, engaging in a bit of experimentation that has been tickling my brain for quite some time. First off, the final piece is a digital output, which I almost never do. The original started as an ink drawing, which was scanned in and color worked in Photoshop. The final image was then output as a high quality giclée print which I then varnished and mounted to a hand made cradled wood panel and applied more varnish. I next applied gold leaf, which is always a painstaking process, but something I’m getting a little more comfortable with. The final “painting” was then varnished yet again and coated with resin. I then framed the whole mess into something I’m pretty proud of.  ” N.C. Winters (photos below courtesy of N.C. Winters.

Here for his debut we are excited to work with N.C. Winters on his latest piece for the Suggestivism show: Overdrive. Read on as we talk with N.C. Winters and he shows us tons of process shots and more in the 1xRUN Thru Interview…

1xRUN Thru Interview

Overdrive by N.C. Winters

1xRUN: Materials printed on/drawn with?

N.C. Winters: The original drawing was done with sepia micron pens on Arches 300 lb. hot press watercolor paper. I then laid down ink and acrylic washes to complete the brown and sepia toned drawing. Once finished, the paper was scanned into the computer and colored in Photoshop. After getting the image cleaned up and colored the way I wanted, I made a giclée print and then mounted that print to a birch panel.

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?

N.C. Winters:  April 2012

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

N.C. Winters:  Overdrive was created with a recent intense interest in the mind, cognition, anxiety, and how it all ties together to structure our perceived world. New stresses as a parent, analysis of my own mental narrative, in addition to a severe bit of introspection into my own addled mind have caused this interpretation of thinking about thinking. With the recent discovery of my own ADHD, I delved into heavy research about how the brain and mind work together. I’ve been focusing on meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy as well as experimentation with the various pharmaceutical options that are available for someone whose brain may be running just a little too fast, and a little too nonstop. Overdrive is the first of a new series of work exploring how all of it is interconnected: how the brain and mind shape each other, and how one’s experience is shaped by these interactions, whether or not that reality is the same for everyone else, which of course it can never be.

Overdrive by N.C. Winters

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

N.C. Winters:   It’s always hard to determine the actual amount of time spent on a piece. I often spend hours at a time and can take entire weeks off and then grind away for a few days straight. I’m always juggling several projects at once, and am easily distracted, so it’s difficult to pin down the actual amount of time. I would estimate a month of on/off total work time based on the former analysis.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

N.C. Winters:  This piece is the first in a new direction of getting back to both my drawing roots as well as a heavy use of the computer to execute the final image. My roots are in tradition drawing, as well as extensive time spent in the depths of Photoshop, although most of my recent work has been works in acrylic paint. This piece was planned from the beginning to be a return to an older comfortable medium, in a new direction creatively.

1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?

N.C. Winters:  I could never speculate as to the motivations of someone willing to purchase a piece of art. I would like to think they’re enjoying looking at a tiny slice of my mind, and that’s the best I could ever hope for. As to whether anything I make as any intrinsic value, that’s all in the eye of the beholder.

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

N.C. Winters:  Overdrive. Just like the title.

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

N.C. Winters:  This is the classic response- since I can remember holding a crayon. I was always drawing, and continue to be always drawing. I started pushing my “fine” art career about nine years ago. That was my first gallery show, and gradually I’ve accepted that I’ve wanted to push my art more in that direction.

1xRun: What was your first piece?

N.C. Winters:  I can’t remember my specific first piece. It was most likely a drawing of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in grade school. I specifically remember selling to friends and classmates them for a quarter each- my first paid gig.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

N.C. Winters:  I was inspired by many of the classical masters, but what really got me jazzed about making images were cartoons and shows like Aeon Flux and The Maxx on Liquid Television. The amazing fantastic imagery that was a little weird, and a little counter-culture really hit the right inspiration buttons for me.

Aeon Flux

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

N.C. Winters:  I often listen to music while I work, but lately have made a switch to try and incorporate more meditation and relaxation into my workflow, in an attempt to calm down my mind. While you’re not supposed to do anything else at all in a traditional sitting meditation practice, I try to do a modified form of internal breathing awarenessing, calming meditation or even work to no music, and focus on my breathing or stillness. It’s been an amazing new discovery in my standard workflow exercise.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?

N.C. Winters:  There are far too many to list, and they are constantly shifting as I get drawn in to an artists’ current batch of work. Some of my current faves include CRAOLA, Kent Williams, Dan Quintana, Eric Fortune, Dave McDowell, and many, many more.

Craola

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?

N.C. Winters:  Honestly can’t remember. Sadly, most of the art I buy is prints, which are all sealed up because I’ve yet to ever get around to framing them, I’m embarrassed to say.

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?

N.C. Winters:  I honestly haven’t been buying a lot of art lately, though I do try to trade works with other artists whose work I admire. It’s a great way to support each other, get some art while everyone is building their career, and eliminate back stock all at the same time! Probably the last piece I purchased was from Ana Bagayan- a print of her “Silence” painting- inspired by Silence of the Lambs. It’s been matted, framed and hung in a special place of honor in my bedroom.

Ana Bagayan


1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

N.C. Winters:   I’m pretty proud of the 100 Drawings Project, which has sprawled out longer than I intended, but resulted in more growth than I could have hoped for. Something in the works is an upcoming online solo show that I’m experimenting with coming in a few months. I’ll be exhibiting a whole new collection of work, available for purchase through my direct online shop in an attempt to exhibit as my own curator. All animal themed, I’m very excited to finish up the collection. Look for ‘FAUNA’ around September or October.

1xRun:  Where can people find you across the internette?

N.C. Winters: WebsiteFacebookTumblr – On Instagram: @ncwintersart – On Twitter: @ncwinters

-1xRUN