RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS WITH ~ ERIK FOSS BY PABLO G. VILLAZAN

Yes folks it’s time for “Rapid Fire Questions”, our friend Pablo G. Villazan shares with us his Q&A session with New York based artist - Erik Foss. Erik’s nostalgic images from our childhood comes to life in a trippy fun way that leaves us exiting out through his Portal paintings.

What we basically saying, it’s F’n awesum. - League

So, Ready! Set! Gooooooo!

Who is Erik Foss?

Erik Foss is an artist living and working in NYC / Lower East Side (Manhattan) since Halloween of 96, he loves long walks on the beach and occasionally partakes in a sporty match of parcheesi.

Did you always want to be an artist?

I’ve wanted to be an artist as long as I can remember, my mom tells me, I told her only once what I wanted to be, and that was an artist living in NYC, and that was when I was 12 years old (1985).

Where does your inspiration come from?

I guess Inspiration is like the rising sun, it happens every day without fail. But for reals, I certainly am inspired by day to day life almost entirely, things I experience, things I see, read, hear, smell, feel, etc. Inspiration is all around us all the time, all one has to do is except that little things in life will inspire us at some point, and it can’t be rushed.

Which artists have the greatest influence on your work?

I feel that I can give credit to almost every artist for influence, good and bad.
I like to tell people that I learned life’s most valuable lessons from the mistakes my father made. This I applied to the things I see. If something turns me on, I subconsciously store that shit. If something turns me off, I reject it and try not to be that stinky.

What is your process to create your work?

Well, for many years (1988-2017 ), I had to do shit jobs to pay for the paint , now that I make a living from the sale of my art only ( for now ) , my process is , I do whatever the Fuck I want finally , all day long , as long as I do something having to do with the making of that art at least once a day. And lots of coffee and music, but I pretty much work 7 days a week.

Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?

Walls

What is the meaning behind your artwork?

I mean to make the viewer feel something, whether it’s good or bad, if you’re not feeling it, it’s stinky.

Imagine that your paintings could talk, what would they say about you?

Put some pants on.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Finish school and save at least ten percent of every penny I ever made.

Do you find the social channel’s influence Positive or Negative?

If it weren’t for social media, I’d be driving a cab, or selling drugs, or worse, much worse.

What is your dream project?

Well just about everything I’ve set my mind to I’ve accomplished , and I like to keep what I’m working in secret , ( for all 5 fans ) so I’d rather not blow the surprises , I will tell you that this pandemic has inspired a book that I am already working on , I have my first Bronze sculpture being produced as we speak , and a couple other small things in the works that have to stay secret for now.