James Tingley

A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE ARTIST

1. What do you do when you’re not making art? (Day job etc...).

I’m a graphic designer during my 9:00-5:00 hours of the week. Which is a type of art, but a lot different than the work I create in my personal time. I also enjoy going out with friends to movies and bars, riding my bike when the weather’s nice, the simple things in life. I’ve managed to find quite a few art making events around the city. Which is great, since I can both socialize and still work on my art.

2. Why do you make art?

I sometimes feel as though I have to. I’m compelled to. If I go too many days without doing anything creative, I start to get anxious. Maybe because it gives me a direction and purpose. I started out very early in life defining myself as an artist. It’s part of my being.

3. What inspires you?

Other artists and the work they create. Be it paintings, movies, music, etc. Whatever I happen to connect with.

4. What/who are your influences?

Too many to name, but here are a few. I grew up reading comic books and two of the big standouts from that field to me were Jim Lee and Sam Keith. One of the first fantasy painters I got into was H.R. Giger, who has had a huge impact on just about every dark fantasy artist. Some other mentionable are Zdzislaw Beksinski, Alex Grey, Jon Foster, Phil Hale, and Jeffrey Catherine Jones. All of whom I have art books of.

5. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?

This one I really don’t know how to answer. I believe everyone has an interesting life story if you are willing to listen. I enjoy talking to any artist about their work. So maybe see the above answer for my answer to this one as well.