Anthony Hurd Debuts With Shedding Vessel

1xRUN Thru Interview
Shedding Vessel by Anthony Hurd

1xRun: Tell us a bit about this piece, was it part of a recent series of work, theme or show?
Anthony Hurd: This original painting was in the Beyond Eden “Wild at Heart II” with Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles and the piece is currently available through ThinkSpace. Shedding Vessel is part of a series of work I’ve had going on, a specific body that’s been developing for a while. Partially based on various cultural cues, I’m fascinated with animal totems and what meaning is placed on the individual creatures that are represented in multiple cultures around the world. In addition to that, it’s combined with its interaction with our environment. This piece in particular is about the final moment of a soul’s physical journey on this earth and how I’d like to imagine it’s energy being recycled back into the world around it at it’s departure.

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1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece?
Anthony Hurd: This piece was created using acrylic paints on a cradled birch wood panel.

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1xRun: When was the piece created?
Anthony Hurd: This was finished in February of 2013.

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1xRun: Tell us a bit about how the idea and execution came about.
Anthony Hurd: My process is pretty organic.  I generally only plan out a very rough visual idea and let the rest of it all take shape on the canvas. I define the rough composition and then allow the rest to just flow as I make my way across the board.

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1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Anthony Hurd: This took about 4 months to complete, but I worked on and completed many smaller pieces in the process of it’s execution. This was my largest piece to date, so it was a little daunting.

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1xRun: What do you feel is unique about this piece?
Anthony Hurd: It feels good. There is something about the visual message of this piece to me that is comforting. It helps explain that nothing is truly ever gone or wasted, leaving our physical form isn’t the end, it’s just new beginning.

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1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Anthony Hurd: Because they truly feel drawn to it. Because they love it and for no other reason.

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1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Anthony Hurd: Powerful.

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1xRun: When did you first start making art? What was your first piece?
Anthony Hurd: I started as a young kid, I remember coloring with my mom when I was very little and never stopped from there on. When I was about 22 years old life took over and I lost touch with the paintbrush. I didn’t start painting again for almost 10 years. A friend was getting married and I wanted to gift them something special and original, made by hand. That was my first painting is over 10 years. After that I slowly started working on new pieces, not dedicating the time to it that needed to be. It wasn’t until just about 3 years ago now that I started really working daily on my work an pursuing it as an actual career direction.  My first actual painting was a self portrait when I was 16. It was 4 x 4 feet, oil on canvas. It was a rather strange process but a piece I’ll never forget.

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1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Anthony Hurd: Early on it was all about skateboarding graphics and album covers, but in high school I discovered Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. They were my first major inspirations.

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1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Anthony Hurd:  Oh a bit of everything.. I have a much more wider range of taste than when I was younger. I am hugely inspired by nature photography and people who are out there living their lives in nature. There are a lot of contemporary and classic artists who are always opening my eyes to new ideas. The list is ultimately endless in terms of inspiration because it could literally come from anywhere.

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1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?
Anthony Hurd: I like a lot of different types of music, but when it comes to painting I tend to listen to something I can sing along with. Primary artists I listen to while painting are Father John Misty, Dawes, Ron Sexsmith, Nathaniel Rateliff and Sondre Lerche.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Anthony Hurd: ugh… James Jean, he makes me cry.

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1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Anthony Hurd:  Egon Schiele, I am still to this day obsessed with his esthetic and style.

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1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Anthony Hurd: A small piece of art from Jeff Soto in 2004. I do still have it and still love it.

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1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Anthony Hurd:  My third piece from Robert Hardgrave. Forever a fan.

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1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Anthony Hurd:  WebsiteInstgram@anthonyhurd# – FacebookTwitter@anthonyhurd

-1xRUN