Homage (Humanoid) - Dustin Wallace

Something a little different for you from this weeks featured artist, Dustin Wallace!

Continuing our current them of authenticity in art, Dustin is the real deal – pursuing his true passion in a unique medium bridging art and entertainment so that they are inseparable.

We found Dustin – or he found us – I can’t remember which it was – through Twitter. The thing which struck me when I first looked at his work was the creativity and uniqueness and fun! Part of me thought some of his pieces would go well in an art museum – while the rest of me was like a kid feeling this great sense of wonder and wishing I could just get my hands on Dustin’s creatures and play with them for a while!

Dustin is connected in a genuine way to a powerful creative source. It shows in his work – the uniqueness of vision, the creativity, and not to be forgotten – the fine craftsmanship demonstrated in his pieces. That is why we chose him as this week’s featured artist.

Take a few minutes to stop and really absorb Dustin’s work and story. I know that he takes a lot of care with how he puts words together and I think that when you read his bio and the answers to the AMS questions it will reveal much to you about this interesting artist.

Please enjoy Dustin’s work and share your thoughts in the comments.

Featured Work

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Note: Use the slide-show controls to pause or go to a specific image. Mouse over the images to see details about the artwork.

Dustin Wallace

Bio

Dustin Wallace grew up in a small farm town in Texas. It consisted mostly of a cotton gin, a school, a mechanic shop (his father’s), a post office and several farmers trying to eek a living out of the very soil they lived on. There was only one stop sign in town. It was a place you probably went through to go somewhere else. The town still exists, but most people have moved away to find a life in another place, just as Dustin did. As a child, Dustin thought that there must be something more, something else to find in this world.  In order to keep himself entertained as an only child he was deeply involved with building Legos and watching several classics such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers and even Dino Riders. Creativity has always been a major part of his life along with being inspired by entertainment media.

After graduating high school Dustin attended college and achieved his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, learning not only sculpture, but ceramics, jewelry, printmaking, photography and graphic design.  After college, Dustin received the honor of working with the renowned granite sculptor Jesús Moroles.  Since apprenticing with Jesús, Dustin has been working as a machinist and draftsman for a local company by day, and creating art by night.

Artist Statement

It has always been a belief of mine that commercial art and entertainment media is as valid an art form as any high art you might see in a museum. They might be different genres than a Picasso or the Sistine Chapel, but the origination is always creativity and the artistic spirit. Movies, television, video games, and comic books are all valid art forms in my mind. I think these entertainment mediums are only as passive as the viewer.

Inspiration comes from many places for me including sources from honored art history and my influences as a child from entertainment media. I draw from these inspirations to create something honest and nostalgic. Childhood innocence and imagination are revered and longed for when a person becomes older. My goal is to inspire nostalgia by creating my own world while using materials and methods that have been phased out by the cheaper alternatives in our culture. The artisan and craftsman are becoming a lost art and should be valued. In my mind, quality is of vast importance and in lieu of instant gratification I think we as a culture have lost touch with this.

Sentry - Full Assembly

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

I have always been a creative person, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t.  As soon as I could hold a pair of pliers and scissors I was making things in my living room while I watched cartoons.  I frequently made messes in the living room and I should probably thank my parents for not getting angry with me for having a permanent studio in the floor from age 5. I first made a conscious decision to become an artist when I graduated high school and had the freedom to choose what I wanted for my life. I feel like I have always and will always be an artist in some way.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

I am at home in the creative process. I feel consumed, and happy, like I am pouring myself out into a physical manifestation of my thoughts and feelings.  It is my outlet and my therapy.

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

It might sound egotistical, but I love all of my work at this point and time.  Even the old work that I wasn’t satisfied with led me to where I am. It is all important to me in some way. One thing I have been extremely stubborn about is making the subject matter that I enjoy, not someone else. I truly want to be honest in my creation, so in the end I feel good about it whether it is my finest masterpiece or a stepping stone.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

My perfect artist life would be waking up everyday and having the ability  (no day job) to make my work. I always have the mental image of walking outside my house to my shop where I have coffee brewing in the morning and classical music playing while I gather myself for a day of doing what I love. This life would include having enough money to be comfortable and maintain all the equipment I need to accomplish my goals.

5. How are you marketing your art?

I am a member of any social networking site I can manage the time to keep up. I am currently have my own website at www.dustinwallace.org and I am also on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Deviant Art, MyArtspace, Blogspot, Vox, WordPress, Etsy…etc. I don’t know how well any of it works, but I think anything helps.

6. What else are you busting to tell the world?

I am always in need of help and resources. Currently I am in need of a mini lathe and a table top mill in order to continue with my work the way it needs to progress. Advice, donations, or any help are always welcomed at www.dustinwallace.org

Contact Dustin

Website: www.dustinwallace.org

Twitter: @dustinewallace (note there is an “e” in the middle)

Please share your thoughts on Dustin and his work in the comments below. And take a look at his website to get the bigger picture of this very interesting artist.