1xRun Thru Interview
The Watchers by Joey Remmers
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece The Watchers.
Joey Remmers: The Watchers was a part of my Sheep’s Clothing show at Corey Helford gallery in 2011. Much of the show focused on a psychological study that suggests most of our society are sheep, and the 1% of violent criminals are wolves. As the series progressed I played more and more with the idea of placing predator and prey in peculiar, or sometimes metaphorical situations. Hence the foxes and birds.
1xRUN: When was this piece painted and with what materials ?
Joey Remmers: This piece was painted in 2011 with Oil on canvas.
1xRun: How long did the piece take from start to finish?
Joey Remmers: I usually don’t keep track, but I’d guess somewhere between 20-30 hours.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Joey Remmers: Because it elicits some kind of response in them. I think you should always buy artwork that speaks to you personally.
1xRun: Describe this print in one gut reaction word.
Joey Remmers: That’s the viewer’s call ;) It’s almost impossible for me to have a gut reaction to something I was so invested in. When I look at my own work so many things go through my head instantaneously. Foremost is almost always what I’d like to change, I’m always my own worst critic, as I think most artists are. I can also almost always remember what I was listening to at certain stages in the piece…
1xRun: Your work seems to contain these beautiful female muses in troubled situations, is there anything in particular that helps you jump start ideas for a new painting?
Joey Remmers: I get my ideas from myriad places; Dreams, music, films, random thoughts. I started keeping a pocket sketchbook with me in order to retain ideas that might otherwise be lost into the ether.
1xRun: Are the various female figures in your work drawn from any reference or real life inspiration or from scratch?
Joey Remmers: Yeah, I always compile or create photo reference. No sense in trying to re-invent the wheel…
1xRun: You also have a background as a tattoo artist; do you want to touch on how that interplays with your fine art work and vice versa?
Joey Remmers: I only tattoo privately now, which really makes me enjoy it more. I can be picky with projects that I take on, much like painting. Anytime I paint or tattoo, I’m constantly solving problems in my head related to value, tone, light, etc, but I’m also always thinking about how the too mediums influence each other. My painting definitely influences my tattooing and vice versa.
1xRun: Which did you get started with first? Tattooing or painting?
Joey Remmers: Professionally, I tattooed first (starting when I was 19), but I’ve been drawing and painting since I was little. Tattooing was always a means to an end for me; a way to make money doing something creative while I worked on painting.
1xRun: How has your 2013 been shaking out so far for you? Any shows coming up?
Joey Remmers: Busy! Lots of painting, started doing large charcoal renderings, school, family, work. Never a dull moment…I’m working on a new body of work right now, so stay tuned. Oh, and I’ve got a painting at the Suggestivism Rome exhibit May 3rd at Mondo Pop Gallery.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Joey Remmers: Website – Facebook
-1xRUN