The supremely tranquil and introspective mixed media artist, Maurice Evans, draws a very distinct line between what he calls commercial art and true art. Evans has mastered both in a way not many of his contemporaries have been able to, using his fertile imagination to create the aesthetics and his keen sense of what is popular to create works that appeal to a broad spectrum of patrons. Rolling out spoke with the artist about his work and the art world. -roz edward
What does it take to be a professional artist?
Talent, consistency and the ability to take criticism. Being a true artist is about the self-expression and creating something that someone relates to. If you’re lucky a lot of people will relate to it, but even if you’re not a few will and those few will be enough to sustain you.
How do you know what people will like?
There is a psychology to art. There are certain colors that people are attracted to and certain formats that that they tend to like. But the more seasoned buyers are not locked into that.
What is involved in marketing art?
There is a little bit of strategy involved. There things you need to be aware of like people tend to buy things at a certain price range and they shy away at another price range. I just did a piece that warrants a $9000 price tag, but I will do high-end reproductions for those people that are in the $500 to $1500 price range, or posters for people that are looking to spend between $25 and $50 dollars.
What makes a piece worth $9000 dollars?
That is where we’re talking about original art — when there is only one in the whole world. That’s where supply and demand effects the work. The truth of the matter is that in a capitalistic society, we’re all getting shorted. Sometimes we’re not getting the best that an artist can do because of the money constraints.
Should art be funded, and if so how would that work?
People can make monetary contributions to an art project. People that give funding, can receive an original piece of a larger work, get to watch the artist create the work via a live stream feed, or actually come to the studio and hang out with the audience at work.
What’s your take on Radcliffe Bailey and his work?
I’ve know him for a while … since he did his project with Arrested Development. I called him and he gave me some simple, but really profound advice. He said ‘Look man, just keep doing what you’re doing — paint,’ and I have been painting every since. For that I have absolute respect for him.
