Aaron Glasson + Celeste Byers Join Forces On Ana

1xRUN Thru Interview
Ana by Aaron Glasson + Celeste Byers

1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale? Was it created solely for this release or was there an original piece created?
Aaron Glasson: We painted this at our friend Ana Noble’s house in Mexico city as a commission for her. The original painting is 6 and half foot in diameter and is somewhat based on Ana and things she likes .
Celeste Byers: Ana had a dream about the painting we made for her (which we hadn’t made yet), described it to us, and we made it a reality, adding a few surprises of our own.

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1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Aaron Glasson: We showed the painting at our exhibition at Fifty24MX this past October. The show was called Aquí Ahora (Here Now) and all the work was based on our experiences and encounters living in Mexico City.  Many of the paintings were about people in our lives at that time so the Ana painting fit right in.
Celeste Byers: It was the main piece when you walked into our show.

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1xRUN: What materials did you use to create this piece?
Aaron Glasson: It’s acrylic and gouache on panel.
Celeste Byers: Plus love, time, and powered by many popsicles and Japanese lunches.

1xRun: When was the piece created?
Aaron Glasson: We painted it last October.
Celeste Byers: In October it was painted.

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1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Aaron Glasson: We should be painting a nice mural in the bay area soon then I’m painting at Festival Internacional de Arte Público in Cancun Mexico at the end of February. Later in the year we have a duo show in at Fifity24 in Portland which is exciting.
Celeste Byers: I’m in a group show at Inner State Gallery in March and am doing an installation at Desert Daze in May. If anyone from San Diego is reading this, we have work up in another group show at Low Gallery’s new location in Barrio Logan until February 28th.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Aaron Glasson: We worked on it on and off over some weeks but I’d say it was probably around 30 hours.
Celeste Byers: Two flights to Mexico City worth.

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1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Aaron Glasson: Ana wanted us initially to paint a mural in her house but we proposed a painting instead. We discussed what we she wanted but also just wanted to make something based on her and her life.
Celeste Byers: As stated before, it stemmed from a dream of Ana’s. I can’t remember what happened exactly but she mentioned a deer and an ibis. We made a pencil sketch, then put together a composition using photos in Photoshop, then painted it.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Aaron Glasson: It’s of two half ibis half dear hurdling through space towards a full moon and rainbow. That’s a unique situation!!!
Celeste Byers: It also has a cactus snake, which is an animal plant I invented! Plus it’s like a portal so works well hung on a ceiling as well as a wall!

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1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Aaron Glasson: They should buy this piece because it will make their living spaces more beautiful and bring a little bit of Mexico into their lives.
Celeste Byers: They should buy it because they like it or love it! Then they can hang out with it and look at it whenever they want in the real world.

1xRun: Describe the print in one gut reaction word.
Aaron Glasson: Espectacular!!
Celeste Byers: ¡CHINGÓN!

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1xRun: Where can we find you?
Aaron Glasson: WebsiteInstagram @aaronglasson – Facebook
Celeste Byers: WebsiteInstagram @celestialterrestrial – Facebook

-1xRUN