ANIMAL’s feature Artist’s Notebook asks artists to show us their original “idea sketch” next to a finished artwork or project. This week, Seattle-based artist Sean Pearson talks about the road, nightmares and his piece “I don’t know where he came from or why.”
I’m usually inspired by daydreaming, especially during something exciting, like being on the road.
This is how I came up with the idea of a reoccurring character in my Highway Nightmare series, scenarios that are post-Apocalyptic in nature. I’m inspired by a landscape as a backdrop for these ideas, since I travel for work and am on the road a lot.
I develop the idea conceptually in sketches while also letting whatever materials I can get my hands on inspire me. This piece has foam, high melt glue, cardboard, tape, rusted tin, felt, and volara. I stage the materials in a composition that I find powerful.
Sometimes I’m solely inspired by the objects I find and then my ideas are applied. This series is in line with the rest of my work since it is about responding to scrap and found objects and materials to convey an idea or attitude that is utilitarian in nature.
I’m drawn to the idea the Western United States or the West, outlaws, post-Apocalyptic survival, life on the road, and most of all rock n’ roll.
SEAN PEARSON, I DON’T KNOW WHERE HE CAME FROM OR WHY (2014)
“Highway Nightmare” series, Mixed Media, 22″ x 1.5″ x 20″
Previous Artist’s Notebook selects:
Artist’s Notebook: Wil Murray
Artist’s Notebook: Monica Canilao
Artist’s Notebook: Ramsey Nasser
Artist’s Notebook: Ann Hirsch
Artist’s Notebook: Rhett Jones
Artist’s Notebook: Clement Valla
Artist’s Notebook: Tima Radya
Artist’s Notebook: Parker Shipp
Artist’s Notebook: Andrew Ohanesian
Artist’s Notebook: Kyle Petreycik
Artist’s Notebook: Eva and Franco Mattes
