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Speaking with Artist, David Manlove
Tuesday, 18 February 2020 14:08:39 Europe/London
David Manlove is a digital artist who creates work with a difference. He uses abstract and experimental techniques to create pieces that stand out from the crowd.
We were lucky enough to catch up with David in our latest Azutura artist interview to discuss his creative process, his move to digital art, his love of cars and much more.
Hi David, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Can you start off by introducing yourself and telling us a little about your life and work?
Hi, I’m David Manlove. I grew up an Air Force brat with one other sibling and lived the nomadic lifestyle of a typical military family until the early 70s.
When Dad retired, we settled in my parent’s hometown, a small midwestern community that was a culture shock for me. It was a very different environment from what I was used to and was during my most impressionable years as a teenager. I couldn’t wait to come of age so I could escape, but in the meantime, I pursued what brought me solace, art in one form or another which ultimately focused on drawing cars.
I took art classes in school but not having much focus until a counsellor recommended Industrial Design, which I majored in in college and ultimately graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree. I pursued this career for slightly less than 20 years and bailed out. I was actually laid off and decided this wasn’t the right career path for me anymore.
Among various day jobs from truck driver to sales associate after that, I maintained my interest in art but didn’t get serious about making art again until 2014, and the rest is history, as they say.
What’s a typical day like in the life of David Manlove?
First thing I do in the morning is stumble for the coffee pot, then, I sit down at my workstation and get up to date on the world before picking up where I left off from the day before and taking care of the business of daily life.
I go to the gym three times a week. If I had a choice, I’d be working on art all day.
Can you discuss your creative process from how you come up with the initial idea through to the finished piece?
Most of the time, it’s serendipity. I rarely have a plan or vision. I experiment a lot unless I’m asked to do something specific, which I rarely accept any more.
For me, it’s the thrill of the unknown and I get pretty excited when I end up with something that wows me, and hopefully others. If I’m on to something that I like and think I will eventually publish, then I’ll “refine” and “finish” it.
When did you first become interested in art?
Since I was a kid, my Dad used to draw me pictures of WW2 warbirds, being an Air Force pilot.
What tools do you use to create your work?
My computer and a camera. Quite literally. And, software.
Do you still create artworks using “traditional” methods or just stick to digital?
Today, I am all digital, to the point where I barely remember how to use a pencil. I’ve worked this way since the mid-90s. I did actually draw before that.
Many of your wall mural designs have a somewhat distorted and abstract look. Please can you tell us a little bit about this?
Abstract art is my favourite genre and I experiment with it a lot. I like whirls and waves, and even though I’m digital, I do thick brush stroke and palette knife textures, exaggerated pixels and bump mapping to simulate paint and depth, in an attempt to make it as interesting up close as it is from a distance. I do this in all of my work, whether totally abstract or more photographic, but in the end, it’s abstract.
I take it you’re a car enthusiast? What’s your favourite?
Since I was a teenager, cars piqued my interest, especially the classics and hot rods from the 50s, 60s and early 70s. I have several favourites, such as the 57 Chevy, the 58 Corvette (my birth year with extra chrome that was only available that year) and the 57 T-bird.
There are others from the late 60s muscle car era, such as the 68 Dodge Charger for its brawny muscular look, the 68 Corvette (the first year of the C3 Mako Shark body style), the 70 Mustang for those air vents in the front corners, and so on. There are more, and I have yet to create art around all of them, but I’m working on it.
If you weren’t an artist, what career would you have pursued?
I almost went to trade school for auto body and welding. In hindsight, I wish I had. Since I was such a car enthusiast when I was younger, I dreamed of building and customizing them, which is, of course, an art-related endeavour.
Beyond that, perhaps a pilot, since my Dad was one in the military.
What advice would you give to someone interested in a profession in the arts?
Find a day job, seriously. Whether it’s art-related or not.
Learn how to market yourself and get your name out there. Develop your own unique style, this becomes your brand.
What’s the future looking like? Anything big on the horizon?
For now, it just keeps on truckin’ and create more art.
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