1xRUN Thru Interview
Suckerpunch by Camilla d’Errico
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still available?
Camilla d’Errico: This piece is called Suckerpunch and the original) is available as a part of my show “Rainbow Children” which opens Oct 10th at The Cotton Candy Machine in New York City. I’m very happy to have brought this piece to life. She’s 12×16 oil on wood and framed in a gorgeous white ornate frame. I love the energy of this painting, every time I look at her I am happy that I spent so much time detailing the melting colors and tentacles. There is something very ethereal in her face as well that makes me very happy that I was able to render her expression so softly.
1xRUN: What materials did you use to create this piece?
Camilla d’Errico: This piece is painted on a birch plywood panel using Holbein DUO water soluble oils and some of the rainbow is painted with Holbein gouache.
1xRun: When was the piece created?
Camilla d’Errico: I painted her in the Spring of 2014.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about…
Camilla d’Errico: I started sketching out ideas for my show a few months before I started painting the series and Suckerpunch was one of the first ideas that I really fell in love with. I was really intrigued with the idea of hiding her eyes and at first I thought I would use the tentacles to do so, but as I refined the sketch I liked the idea that her hair would be paint and dripping down, obscuring much of her expression. There is a mysterious quality to a painting when you can’t connect with the character through their eyes, and as I worked on her I found myself really focused on her mouth. I was drawn to painting a subtle emotion that contrasted with the intensity of the melting colors and wild energy of the tentacles.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Camilla d’Errico: Suckerpunch took me two weeks of non-stop painting to create. There are so many layers in the rainbow hair drips that you wouldn’t believe me if I told you! When I painted the melting colors I added a lot of colors to give it depth and dimension so most of my time went into that section. And of course tentacles are complex so those suckers took me quite a bit of time too.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Camilla d’Errico: I’d say that what makes Suckerpunch unique is how much energy is in the painting. There is nothing static about the imagery, the tentacles are moving, the colors are melting and even her mouth is open, almost as if she’s about to speak or maybe even kiss someone. What I like about this piece is how I bend reality and the physical world, I made the colors 3 dimensional at the top and slowly altered the perspective to 2D as the piece moves down.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Camilla d’Errico: If this piece makes you happy, or you find yourself connected to her then buy it! I tend to buy artwork that I am intrigued by, simple or complicated, it doesn’t matter, if I feel a connection and I can’t seem to stop looking at it, then I buy it. I never regret buying things, only regret when I miss out on it. So don’t miss out on buying Suckerpunch at 18×24!
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Camilla d’Errico: Wild.
1xRun: It has been about 2 years since our last release with you, bring us up to speed on what you’ve been up to in the mean time?
Camilla d’Errico: Wow, two years just flew by! I’ve been doing a lot with my career in that time. I’ve released my art book Helmetgirls and my graphic novel Tanpopo Vol. 2 and released a How to Draw book, Pop Manga, which is #1 on Amazon.ca. I have recently launched watches with Modify Watches, successfully comple ted a Kickstarter with Killer Tentacle Octopus to bring my tentacle crown to life in 3D. I’ve shown my work in Germany, Japan, LA, Seattle and France. I’ve been quite busy and I have so much more that I’ll be releasing in 2015!
1xRun: You’ve been staying crazy busy with tons of various tangible toy projects, what have some of your favorites been?
Camilla d’Errico: I think the tentacle crown is on the top of my list. This is such a unique piece that is not only 3 dimensional, but wearable! I can’t wait to get mine and put it on! Kaity from Killer Tentacle Octopus really knocked this out of the park.
1xRun: Any recent shows or events that you had that you’d like to highlight?
Camilla d’Errico: My show “Rainbow Children” with Hikari Shimoda is one of my biggest events of the year. We’ll be showing together at Tara McPherson’s gallery The Cotton Candy Machine in NYC. I couldn’t be happier! I’m releasing over 10 new paintings that are all highly inspired by rainbows and dreamy imagery.
1xRun: Have there been any new or up and coming artists that you have been excited about?
Camilla d’Errico: Hikari Shimoda is a highly accomplished artist in Japan and she’s just recently began to show in the USA over the past couple of years and I’ve been so excited to see her work. Being able to show with her is an honor and anyone that doesn’t know her work should definitely Google her immediately!
1xRun: Any old favorites that have been inspiring you as of late?
Camilla d’Errico: I’ve recently been studying Mark Ryden’s work and each time I look at his paintings I’m completely awed and inspired. His work is inspiring and just so darn yummy! I wish I could jump into the worlds that he creates.
1xRun: As the fall gets started here, do you have any upcoming shows or events on your radar?
Camilla d’Errico: One of my favorite trips has always been New York City Comic Con and it’s an event that I look forward to each year. NYC is one of my favorite cities and each time I go I wander around the city and discover new places and rediscover old haunts with my husband.
1xRun: Where can we find you?
Camilla d’Errico: Website – Facebook – Twitter @helmetgirl – Instagram @camilladerrico
-1xRUN