Art Prize 2018: David Stricklen
David Stricklen is participating in Art Prize 2018 with his 3d Piece “Our Time in the Infinite” (vote code 66683). David is an Author, Artist, and retired Chief of Police from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids! He has 30 years of law enforcement experience, but is now pursuing his passion for creating full time! His Art Prize piece is a 3d optical illusion, and you can view a video of it at the bottom of his voter page here. You really need to watch the video, trust me!
A brief description of Our Time in the Infinite from David’s Art Prize page:
“This is a 3D reverse perspective painting. The canvas comes toward you but the images are painted as if they are going away from you. This creates the illusion of movement within the piece. As you move from left to right, the first door will close as the second door opens. The hallways will also stretch and the towers in the center will rotate. The eyes in the tower windows will follow you. The work is called “OUR TIME IN THE INFINITE” and is a journey through life. The books represent memories of time passed. The rest is left up to the interpretation of the viewer.”
Interview with David Stricklen
How did you start creating art?
I have been creative as long as I can remember. I’m always working on one creative project or another. It makes me happy.
Where did you grow up? How did your upbringing or growing up in that city influence your art?
I grew up on the NE side of Grand Rapids. If I was working on a creative, project my parents understood the importance. My father may not have been able to pull his car in the garage for a month because I was painting my bike frame or building a kayak but there was never a question about which was more important. Grand Rapids has always put a high value on the arts which reflects well on the community and myself.
Are there any art trends unique to the city you currently live in that inspire you?
I love that we have the number one art competition in the world. Then there are other city activities like Laughfest (which I have volunteered for in the past) and videos like Rob Bliss’s Miss American Pie that are awesome.
Have any personal struggles or triumphs inspired any of your pieces?
Both my parents have passed away. My mom spent the last 5 weeks at my house. I held her hand as she took the journey. It doesn’t feel like either of them are gone, it’s just that I can’t talk to them. They are still present in my thoughts and watch over me. Their journey is reflected in my piece. Those you have loved may be gone…but only from view.
What piece of artwork are you most proud of? Why?
My current ArtPrize entry 66683. Basically, this work has stretched the limits of what I would have previously thought possible.
What is your favorite medium or artist’s tool?
Acrylics: I have a good eye and if it doesn’t look right then it isn’t. This piece is complicated. Acrylics dry fast so it is easy to go back in to make corrections.
Do you collect anything? Do you have any other hobbies outside of making artwork?
I have no big collections. I have a few more cycling jerseys then seem necessary but that is about it. I have written three sought after books in the Blackwaterpond Series. www.blackwaterpond.com. A fourth book, hopefully, will be out in the fall.
Who is your favorite unknown artist? Why?
Dan Sharp dansharpart.com. He has been a best friend since second grade and is the most talented person I have ever met. He is a professional illustrator and also paints, sculpts, and builds fine furniture and guitars. There seems to be no limit. Anytime we went in on a project together, it was magic.
Who is your favorite well known artist? why?
Can I name three?
MC Escher: Looking at his paintings shows there is still magic in the world. The same thing I’m trying to present in my piece.
Roger Dean: Love the imagination. He takes me to another world.
Maxfield Parish: Everything he paints has a mood.
What current trends are you following in the art world?
I like anything outside the box taking what has been done to the next level. To my knowledge my reverse perspective illusion has never been done in this configuration.
Any events you’ll be at that you want to mention? (Other than Art Prize, of couse!)
I will be conducting numerous middle school author visits this fall.
Check out David’s website (www.blackwaterpond.com) and his Art Prize page (www.artprize.org/66683)! And please visit Art Prize in Grand Rapids this year to see his entry!