Adam Reid Fox.

I use repeating, modular, geometric patterns to illustrate personal observations, philosophical theories, and psychological phenomenon.

9 Questions to Adam Reid Fox. 

American artist, living and working in Chatham, IL, US.

What is your art about?

My work contemplates the human experience. I use repeating, modular, geometric patterns to illustrate personal observations, philosophical theories, and psychological phenomenon. I’m especially interested in ways humans relate to one another and their environments.

Please tell us more about your working process, routine, your studio set up and the way you approach new artworks.

I always have a sketchbook on me. It’s more important than my wallet. As I go about life, I’m constantly collecting ideas for new works. Most often, I start with an idea I wish to ruminate on myself, or a ‘message’ I want to communicate. Then I attempt to illustrate the concept in a concise manner using lines and geometric shapes. When I’m satisfied with a design, it goes into the studio, which is in my home, and gets repeated onto canvas using pencil or colored pencil. Finally, muted washes of oil are brushed over the drawing. The oil interacts with the graphite and colored pencil pigment as well, moving around pigment and sometimes leaving behind only traces of the original lines and shapes.

What is fertiliser for your work?

Ideas come from my own experiences, things I observe around me, books I’m reading, music, movies, nature, anything really.
Inspiration is everywhere if we are willing to pay attention.

Who or what has recently impressed you?

Earlier this year I was lucky to be able to visit the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.  Impressed is quite the understatement. I’m also currently reading a book called The Artisan Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus. In it, he explores the idea of life itself being the most important work of art that we create.
No doubt, it’s leaving an impression on me as well.

Have a beer with an artist of your choice? Whom?

Singer-song writer/musician: Ray LaMontagne.

What’s your favourite city and why?

Kansas City, Missouri will always be a very special place for me. I lived in the city for 3 quite formative years and have so many great memories from that time. My wife and I got engaged and married there. The city appreciates and supports the arts and artists. I grew up in a small city, so this was something I had never experienced before. It was extremely encouraging and very much life changing. The Nelson Atkins Museum was the first museum I ever went to. I was about 22 years old. It’s a wonderful museum and it’s free. I remember arriving in KC and it immediately feeling like home. I visited the city on a Monday to see if it would be a good fit for me, one week later I moved.

What’s your favourite restaurant and why?

The Tryst Cafe at the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. More specifically, the outdoor patio is pure bliss when the weather is nice. The collection is great as well.

What would you do with five euro found in the streets?

Treat myself to a strong latte and a croissant.

Do you have any dream projects in mind that you would like to do in the future? 

So many dreams, so little time. I already have a list of ideas to explore that I probably won’t be able to finish in my lifetime. I’d like to continue to challenge myself concerning scale. I want to write a book. Long term, I dream about developing and being a part of a community of artists that live and work very close to each other, helping each other develop. These places exist, but not enough of them. My wife and I have long dreamt about founding an orphanage someday.

Detail

Compromise, 2018
Oil, graphite, colored pencil on canvas
22 x 28 inches

Detail

Sketchbook

Adam Reid Fox

“Isolation (Perceived)”, 2018
Oil, graphite on canvas
22 x 28 x 1.5 inches

www.adamreidfox.com

All images © Adam Reid Fox

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