Elmo Hood

Interview with artist Elmo Hood —

1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Elmo Hood, I am an artist based in London, England.  I create my pieces using collage, oil and acrylic paint techniques, i guess I would describe my genre as figurative/abstract Contemporary…  Fabstract for short!

2. Why art?
It is something i have loved doing ever since I can remember; I was always encouraged as a child to draw, paint, make paper-mache sculptures, etc. However I lost interest in my teens and focussed on sport instead (basketball). I was lucky to rediscover my passion for art in my early 20’s

3. What is your earliest memory of wanting to be an artist?
I never even thought about it growing up, i didn’t see art as a potential career. All I wanted to do was play basketball in the NBA! unfortunately that didn’t quite happen for me. It was when I was about 21 and one of my paintings won a competition to be exhibited in the Houses of Parliament I thought maybe i should take painting more seriously.

4. What are your favorite subject(s) and media(s)?
I love traditional playing cards, they are recognised world wide as an item you can use for games, however i saw them in a slightly different way. The figurative cards can be used in art to display all sorts of messages such as love, power, wealth and sadness. I use the playing cards on their own for collage by cutting/burning them or combine them with my painting style, creating layered and detailed backgrounds.

5. How do you work and approach your subject?
I will think up my composition first and then decide on a colour pallet for the piece; since I started using oils I have had to put much more thought into this process than when my work was mainly spray paint. Occasionally, as I start to paint, my composition will change and I might end up with something completely different to what I had first planned. This is one of the things I love most about creating artwork, it’s an adventure.

6. What are your favorite art work(s), artist(s)?
My favourite artists are currently Jean-Michel Basquiat, Conor Harrington, Hush and Mydogsighs. I like artists who have a really unique style which you know has come straight from their heart.

7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
I have seen videos of people cry with happiness when they have been given my work as a gift which is an incredible thing to see as an artist. I try and emotionally charge my work so when i get that reaction it is great!

8. What do you like about your work?
I like that it is evolving and moving in a direction I am really happy with. When I paint I get lost in my work and feel completely free, It is a therapy for me.

9. What advice would you give to other artists?
-Try and find a style unique to you, do not imitate others
-Trust your ability and direction
-Draw inspiration from your life and experiences
-Put the time in, there are no short cuts
-Support other artists and network, you will really struggle if you are an arsehole no matter how great your art is

Elmo Hood with “No Gods, No Masters”

10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
I would like to think I will be painting and still travelling the world exhibiting my work. My current focus however is my London solo exhibition “Down the Rabbit Hole” opening at Westbank Gallery on 10/11/16

Elmo Hood

LINKS—

Website: www.elmohood.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ElmoHood/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/elmohood/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/elmohood
Email:  Olivier@olivierjoly.com
Phone:  07747 085 089