Q1: Let’s start with the common question, if you can kindly introduce yourself.
James B. Hunt (NXOEED). I’m a visual artist living and working in the middle of the Arizona desert.
Q2: How did you get into the field of your work?
I knew I was going to be an artist at 5 years of age. It never occurred to me to be anything but that.
Q3: Do you have any current favourite artists, comic artists, photographers who may have influenced you to become the artist that you are?
There are visual artists I admire, but music has always had a much greater impact on my work than visual art. Both David Tibet of Current 93 and Genesis P-Orridge of Psychic TV and Throbbing Gristle are huge influences.
Q4: What are the main tools of your trade?
Paint and a brush.
Q5: How was it for you to learn the process of that? Did you teach yourself, take classes or learn from other existing artist’s tutorial?
I’ve always had an inherent understanding of basic drawing and composition, although when I was around 13 or 14, I decided to become serious about breaking into the comics industry, and I bought a book called, “How to Draw Comics The Marvel Way”. It was a silly, outdated book, and I have no interest in comics anymore, but it did teach me everything I needed to know at the time. I also did a few semesters in graphic design school, which I highly recommend, even if you have no interest in advertising.
Q6: Do you think its possible for you to describe the process of your art style, what are the dos and don’ts, the important aspects you set yourself to achieve your style of design?
I’ve been hiding paintings throughout the Greater Phoenix area for many years now. People find them and collect them. My recent work is encoded with tens of thousands of hidden references and markings that indicate where in the city these paintings are hidden. Each painting I do points out at least one of these locations. My process is mostly just mapping out the city, marking off locations, then adding lines until an image has been formed. I’m a proponent of automatic drawing/painting, so once locations have been marked, I tend to just let the pain flow from my head to the brush and let the lines do the healing. I guess meticulously planned and then dramatically improvised.
Q7: What are the biggest struggles you encounter as an artist?
The obvious answer is that money is always a matter of concern, but that’s not very interesting. I will say that I have a very low tolerance for inflated egos. When I’m doing a show and another artist starts rattling on about his accomplishments and his contacts, or insists that he’s destined for bigger and better things, I have to leave the room. We’re all in the same boat. It’s a struggle until it’s not anymore, and I’m tired of people pretending they’ve arrived. Sometimes I feel like I’m a supporting character in everybody else’s dreams. It gets old.
Q8: Do you have any other future plans that don’t involve creative art? Would consider working outside that field and into something new?
Nope.
Q9: Do you have any personal mottos, quotes or existing quotes that motivates you to do what you love doing? Can you share it with us or provide words of wisdom from your experiences for those who look up to you?
Boyd Rice did a song with Death in June, called, “Get Used to Saying No”. Both the title of that song and the lyrics have changed my life. Get used to saying no, but don’t be afraid of saying yes when it matters.
Q10: What do you think the future will hold for all artists from all backgrounds from now?
We’re all going to die of food poisoning.
Q11: To round off the last question, where can your fans and new fans find updated news and progress from you, – Where can we find you?
They can find me at http://jamesbhunt.com or read my blog at http://nxoeed.com.
