Interview with Christian Defilippo

q) Well, first of all please tell us a little about yourself.

a)I live in a loft in Brooklyn with my girlfriend, three cats, and two friends. I like cooking, drawing, and going to shows. I have a part time job and work on my art on the side.

q) Had you always planned on being an artist [or had you other hopes]?

a)Yep. It sounds funny but that was what I knew I wanted to do when I was little and I never really questioned it later on.

q) Do you have a preferred medium to work on? Why?

a)I only work on colored paper. I like having a color to work with before I even start adding paint.

q) How would you describe your style?

a)Figurative. Pattern based. Even though I’m not making collages right now, I still think about the work that I’m doing as being collage.

q) Do you go through any certain processes while trying to produce your work?

a)I like to make photocopies. It helps to see something on a different scale. That’s also where the repetition comes from in a lot of my paintings. Sometimes something will look better when it’s next to a duplicate of itself.

q) What are you working on at present?

a)I have a lot of paintings that I’ve started recently. I’m trying to finish them all, but I have an easier time starting things than finishing them.

q) What about recent sources of inspirations?

a)Since I don’t work out of my head everything that I draw usually comes from a photo, or a drawing, or some found material. I like looking for images in the library as well as on the Internet. Thrift shops are also really helpful in finding old books to draw from.

q) What are some of your obsessions?

a)Listening to music, the Internet, reading books, drawing…

q) Which galleries have you shown at and which galleries would you like to show at?

a)Third Ward Gallery, Sugar Gallery, New Image Art… I’ve shown a bunch at friends’ apartments too. It’s hard getting exposure in NYC cause you have so many artists living here, so people will use their living room as a make shift gallery for a one night show. It’s really fun and a good way of showing your work to people. I would love to get a show in Berlin. We were there last summer. I want to go back, and an art show would be a good excuse.

q) If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

a)Email is good.

q) Do you have any suggestions or advice for artists that are just starting out?

a)Art school was really helpful for me, but I don’t think it’s necessary. You can learn a lot by watching other people’s art making methods, and by reading about artists you like. It’s important to draw a lot. Keep a sketchbook.

q) Who are your favorite artists?

a)Chris Johanson, John Wesley, Raymond Pettibon, Vincent Van Gogh…

q) What books are on your nightstand?

a)I don’t have a nightstand, but right now I’m reading The Outlaw Bible of American Literature. It’s a collection of writing by a lot of cult/underground writers.

q) To what weaknesses are you most indulgent?

a)The Internet. It’s a big distraction.

q)….your contacts…

a)christiandefilippo.com or email me at christiandefilippo@hotmail.com