Guy Walker is one of the most fascinating people that I know. With his laid-back attitude about life, yet his intense passion for what he does, he’s a guy of juxtapositions. This juxtaposition is evident in his work – realistic figures, slightly broken apart and deconstructed. While somewhat relaxed, it’s clear that he doesn’t see his subjects one dimensionally.
Guy’s love for art began when he was 6 or 7 years old and his mom enrolled him in art classes. Throughout his childhood, he was able to continue with the art classes, take piano lessons, and go to museums. He took as many art classes as he could throughout high school and ended up at a small Midwestern liberal arts college (which is where we met). It took him some time to decide on what to study, but he ultimately decided on art because he believes that (along with music), an art degree provides more than just a piece of paper, but practical skills that can immediately be put into practice.
During his final quarter of college, Guy took part in a study abroad program to Greece and Turkey along with me and Jodie Maurer.
For Guy, the abroad to Greece was a nice window into what life could be like. He liked seeing how one could be an artist and travel – the sensual input was always new and fresh. He also relished the ‘contagious energy’ of the group – always working and creating. He likened it to that of Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso, who had neighboring studios at the birth of Cubism.
Just after the abroad, Guy graduated from college. With an open mind and no real plans, Guy decided to travel the world. He traveled around Europe for a few years as well as the Far East. Surprisingly, however, his travels did not do much to inspire his painting. Rather, the opposite. Guy felt like he lost his passion for painting and felt a lack of purpose.
It wasn’t until about two years ago that he began to paint again (as well as take up his other passion, surfing, again). It was near the end of his travel period when he had a small epiphany, while in England. With no real place to stay, no money, and not much food, Guy was living on the streets – meeting many interesting characters, but wondering what was next. He met a wealthy man who was interested in some commission work and during that time, Guy was able to live in his house and paint. Guy commented on how bizarre the experience was for him – to go from living on the street one day to living in luxury the next day. Guy found, with this experience, that when he was open to opportunities, they came to him.
Currently residing in Venice Beach, California, Guy has been applying the same open minded principle as he balances commissions with his own work and other opportunities. When we spoke, he was just about to embark on a 2 month sailing adventure to Costa Rica on what he calls, his last ‘unfocused’ trip. Guy likes to travel for the experience, but is recently finding that he is tired of leaving places and moving from experience to experience. As a creator, he is working to find the balance between the real, rich experiences of travel and his desire to work in the studio.
Guy counts his influences to include Willem De Kooning as well as Jackson Pollock. He likes the quality of movement and freedom that they express as well as how they push some degrees of abstractIon. Most recently, Guy has found inspiration from Lucian Freud.
Going forward, Guy is interested in settling into life in Southern California with a designated studio. He would also like to create shows that combine his love of surfboards with painting. As for his painting, he is interested in painting nudes, painting the human form, and capturing candid moments.
Guy Walker’s Advice for Art Students – Let your art be ‘something that bleeds out.’ As Ernest Hemingway once said, there was nothing to writing. One must merely sit down to the typewriter and let it bleed – it can’t be forced. However, as with all arts and passions, they have to be done with consistency. Don’t forget the 10,000 hour rule – natural talent and gifts must result in hard work. As far as pricing your work, think about where you are as an artist and how much you have sold your work for in the past. However, don’t cheapen your art. Afterall, you don’t want to be known as the cheap artist.
