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SPOTLIGHT ARTIST Danny Quirk

Thalo loves to promote artists and each month, we spotlight a member of our community!

This month we are pleased to have Danny Quirk as the July thalo Spotlight Artist!

 

THALO TEAM: Can you give an "elevator pitch" of your work?

Danny Quirk: When I create, I paint things from the outside in, and the inside out— informing, forming in the minds of those who view my work, to see what I see; and view what others might not want to see.

 

TT: Is there a common theme throughout your work? Is there something you want your artwork to convey to people who see it?

DQ: The two major 'themes' I paint are anatomical pieces and military works. The anatomical pieces cut through our exteriors and reveal the beauty that lies beneath us all. The military works, far more visceral in nature; highlight the emotions and consequences of war, which are often subdued by patriotic narratives the media paints in red, white, and blue.

"Deep Intrinsics of The Back" © 2014 / photograph of body painting (latex • acrylic • marker) / ~ 15 hrs

TT: Which artists do you feel have influenced your art the most?

 DQ: I'm influenced more by music than visual artists for sure. Artists like Marilyn Manson, Tool, and System of A Down have influenced me the most; be it in their message and / or aesthetics. For me, I look to them as inspiration, to recreate that same feeling I have towards them in my viewers.

 

TT: Imagine you got to design your perfect Gallery Show. Tell us what it is!

DQ: I've never really been a big fan of gallery shows, as I'm more intrigued by the process than the product. On that note, I think a cool show would be artists' workstations, with all their supplies arranged as they would have it in their studio, and viewers could see their set up, see a work in progress, take notes, and appreciate how others create.

"Faces of War" / © 2013 / watercolor / 22" x 28" / ~150 hrs

 

TT: Out of all of your creations (or bodies of work) which one did/do you find the most cathartic in creating?

DQ: I'd say probably my '(De)Facing PTSD' piece. The piece was made to be the mirror / microphone for those who suffer in silence, making vets' struggles heard in a way that they can connect to, and others can understand. The piece resonated with thousands of vets worldwide, and their responses flooded my email / inbox with tears and emotions that would erode even the most stoic of souls.

 

"Facial Dissection" / © 2016 / photograph of body painting (latex • acrylic • marker) / ~ 6 hrs

 

TT: How has your work (or technique) changed over time?

DQ: When I first started, it took me 5-4 shots to hit the bull's eye in delivering my message, and achieving my technique— now I can do it in 3 to 1. I've found ways to work smart, not hard; treating each piece like an experiment— taking note of things that work, and applying those to new pieces, while scrapping the things that don't work, so each new piece is an accumulation of only the best of me.

 

Profile Picture Danny Quirk 

 

 TT: How do you promote yourself and your art?

DQ: Namely through social media, but mostly through creating work that gets people talking. Self-promotion is tough, and can be expensive for sure. Over the years, I've learned to 'Tom Sawyer' the process, and make the people / my art do all the talking. Haha. I try to create pieces that engage people in dialogue, and that subsequent discussion becomes the introduction for others to my work.

"Veronica— Piece of Mind" © 2013 / watercolor • gouache / 11'' x 14'' / ~ 50 hrs

 

TT: What project are you working on currently? What are you most looking forward to with your work this year?

DQ: At the moment, I'm devoting most of my time to a project called Immaculate Dissection— a seminar series formed with two doctors, where my body painting pairs up with their combined knowledge, and collectively we teach how the body looks / works to those who want to learn... all over the globe! What I'm looking forward to most this year? — Outdoing what I was capable of this time last year.

 

TT: What would you consider to be your "biggest achievement" with your work thus far?

 DQ: Hmm, I'd have to say it would be my dispute with Madonna, where she used 3 of my pieces on social media / in concert without my consent. Lawyers took her side, citing Fair Use; so, I've turned the ordeal into a campaign for pain we artists endure, in not being represented / appreciated in today's day and age. It opened many eyes to the hoops we artists have to go through to protect our work.

"(De)Facing PTSD" / © 2015 / watercolor / 14" x 18" / 250 hrs

TT: Do you take commissions?

DQ: But of course! And why you ask? Because I got bills to pay and a mouth to feed, and money don't grow on trees. But also too, I get inspiration from seeing things from others' perspective. Commissions can catalyze new ideas, and give rise to new ways of seeing, so they're always welcome in my eyes.

 

TT: More of Danny Quirk’s work can be seen here:

Instagram: #dannyquirkartwork

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dannyquirkartwork/

More information on the Immaculate Dissection: https://www.facebook.com/ImmaculateDissection/?fref=ts

 

Check out Danny Quirk's profile on thalo to read more! 

 

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