Anthony Hurd - We Reflect Back To The World The Beauty And The Absurd (Artist)

A good work ethic is something that came later in life for me but has made my life easier and my work more rewarding.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

The background is extensive and the journey is long. Ha. Well, I started producing art at a pretty early age but lost track of art as I entered the advertising world in my early 20’s ten years after that I started dabbling again and getting back into it.

But move another 15 years later and I’ve been painting full time for 4 years. I held onto advertising for a long time as a crutch financially but it really prevented me from being fully dedicated.

So I made the jump. It’s been scary and exciting at the same time, but it’s the oath I’m on regardless of the ups and downs. Though lately it’s been a lot more ups than downs thankfully.

2. How and when did you realize your passion for visual arts?

Probably around the age of 7. I was just drawn to it and I was good at it so I never stopped from there. I think at first it was a means to win small awards and pats on the back. Some recognition for something not everyone was good at. But as time went on I started to recognize it’s importance in helping me find a voice.

3. What role does the artist have in society?

Well, we’re storytellers and mirrors. We reflect back to the world the beauty and the absurd. We get to use these tools to tell our perspective on bigger stories or share our personal journey in hopes that others can relate. We determine a lot of volubility in culture.

Through music and movies, through paintings and fabric. Through the colours, we paint the walls to the ones wear adorn our bodies with. We’d be in a grey void without art, so I think we are the very reflection and structure of society at the same time.

4. Describe your favourite visual effect from a movie. Why do you like it?

Ouch, that’s a tough one! In thinking on it, the thing that comes to mind the most is the scenes of Atreyu and Bastian riding on Falkor (separately of course, not together) in a never-ending story. It’s one of my earliest memories of true fantasy where I imagined myself flying through the skies of Fantastica.

It wasn’t the most complex thing in the world, but it took me there, in a way I’d never experienced and left a very strong and lasting impression.

5. What do you think is the best method to review visuals for corrections? And What is your favourite software to work with?

Hmm, to review visuals for corrections? I don’t know really. I use whatever is handy at the moment. Photoshop, Illustrator, and procreate are my go-to apps to work with on digital work. I also use photoshop and Procreate when mapping out steps of my physical paintings as well.

6. What is the one piece of advice that you would give to aspiring visual artists?

Learn work ethic, and quickly. Things don’t generally come easy, though every path is different. A good work ethic is something that came later in life for me but has made my life easier and my work more rewarding.

- Anthony Hurd (Artist, Illustrator, Designer)