Artist of the Month October 2013

Seitaku “TAK” Aoyama

Encinitas, California

Tokyo-born painter currently living and working in California.  Once international business man, once footballer, once toy guy. Many columns now support one roof, me as a working artist.

How and when did you start creating art?

A branding package for a San Diego City event in 2009 was the first public application of my artwork.

What media and genres do you work in?

Acrylic on wood panel.

Who or what are your influences?

The law of conservation of mass vs. our lives: Everything that is generated on this planet stays on this planet changing its form. Through my art endeavors, I aim to challenge, reveal and connect ever-changing multiple aspects of our lives.

What was your inspiration for Superior Driver?

What if what I think is inferior to me were to control or manage my head better than myself? That was the initial and contradictory question that inspires this piece. The chimpanzee is a symbol of human self-proclaimed superiority.

Describe your creative process?

I construct stories going through ideation notes which respond to my self-questioning. e.g. What is the type of death that is so alive that it passes life onto the next generations?

What are you working on currently?

Getting ready for a mural in Mexico and a show in March in LA.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

My short term goal is to create more art which evokes people to construct their own stories while viewing my work. My long term goal is to bring my art to viewers around the world.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?