Kevin Ledo doesn’t abide by the fact that all that glitters is not gold, and his debut RUN Conjuring Now is proof of that. For his first RUN with us, collector’s can pick up one of three editions from Ledo, including two small hand-embellished editions, one accented with gold spray paint and one individually gold leafed! Read on for our full interview with Ledo to get the story behind Conjuring Now and be sure to check out all three editions right here exclusively on 1xRUN and snag one before they are gone…
1x: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this painting?
Kevin Ledo: Conjuring Now is special to me for having fulfilled some recent inspirations and attempts at bridging my mural artwork and my oil paintings.
1x: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Kevin Ledo: This artwork is an interesting combination of ideas I have explored of the last decade, particularly “ethereal energies,” found mostly in my mural work, as well as the religious iconography influence that affected a lot of my early work.
1x: What materials was this piece created with?
Kevin Ledo: The original was done with oil paint and gold leaf on canvas.
1x: When were these pieces created?
Kevin Ledo: Just this past spring, at my studio in Montreal.
1x: Tell us how the idea and execution came about for this painting?
Kevin Ledo: I had some ideas floating in my head, and I wasn’t entirely sure what it would become once I began executing it, but I was excited about it. I wanted it to be glorious and golden, beautiful and mysterious.
1x: How long did this piece take to complete?
Kevin Ledo: I was working on this painting while also working on a few others, simultaneously for about 3 weeks.
1x: What is unique about this piece compared with your other work?
Kevin Ledo: I like to believe it’s the first of a direction I’m heading in.. however only time will tell.
1x: Why should people buy this print?
Kevin Ledo: Hopefully because they like it, and not because they dislike it, that would be strange, but whatever floats your boat.
1x: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Kevin Ledo: Mesmerizing.
Conjuring Now – Standard Edition by Kevin Ledo – Click To Purchase
1x: When did you first start making art?
Kevin Ledo: I have been making art since I was a child. Like most children, though I never wanted to stop. I began my attempts as a full time artist in 2005, and established myself as so about 7 years ago.
1x: What was your first piece?
Kevin Ledo: A Bob Ross style landscape, heavily influenced by the great afro-headed painter. I was bout 11 years old.
1x: What artists inspired you early on?
Kevin Ledo: Lots of different inspirations and influences over the ages.. when I was really young it was Bob Ross, Jim Davis (Garfield) and Eastman and Laird (TMNT comics), then it was heavy metal albums covers, especially Ed Repka (Megadeth), Derek Riggs (Iron Maiden), Pussead (Metallica.) Later as teenager it was graffiti and skateboard graphics. When I was older and set out to do this for a living, I was inspired by Alfonse Mucha, Chuck Close, Byzantine iconography, and other religious art.
1x: What artists inspire you now?
Kevin Ledo: Music is probably the most inspiring thing for me, not to say I’m not inspired by other visual artists. I’m usually blown away by El Mac, Peter Ferguson, James Jean, Axel Void to name a few.
1x: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Kevin Ledo: Painting is probably just an excuse so I can listen to music all day.. it’s essential. And what I listen to changes all the time. I’m listening to some Danzone and Mambo music today, but it could be sludge metal, or glitch, or indie rock, folk, minimal tech or soul or whatever that is good.. I just really like music.
1x: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Kevin Ledo: I don’t know, I never put any thought into that idea. It would have to be someone I not only love as an artist, but someone I vibe with, otherwise it’s no fun.
1x: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Kevin Ledo: Thinking about it… I can’t come up with anyone. Like I said I’d have to like them personally, and it’s hard to say when they are dead.
1x: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Kevin Ledo: It was a thangka painting, from India, painted by Tibetan monks.. still have it, still love it.
1x: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Kevin Ledo: A small piece from MC Baldassari, so good!
1x: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Kevin Ledo: I’m between murals and studio work a lot, and so the focus has been on painting walls lately. So nothing big planned for shows for a bit. I have a few exciting mural projects coming up, but things change so often that I don’t want to announce it until I’m on the wall.
1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Kevin Ledo: Website – Instagram @kevinledo – Facebook
-1xRUN