Meet Doug Rhodes | Artist. Creating Paintings and 3D Multimedia representational pieces.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Doug Rhodes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Doug, how do you think about risk?
I think that risk is an essencial part of creating anything new and interesting. As an artist I take risks on a lot of different levels. From trying new un proven apraoches in the creation process or by spending several weeks on a new piece to bring to a gallery not knowing how it will be recieved.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One aspect of my work is that I create 3D Eyes using lenses from old spot lights and glass domes I find here and there. By the nature of the convex in the eyes they look like they are following you as you walk through the room. I also make flat wall pieces on canvs and board using Photography collage and acrylic and oil paints. The images that emrge through my work are described as surrealistic or magic realism. I get the coment “I have never seen anything like this before!” a lot. I got to where I am by always making new things and developing my skills. I follow the Muse. Meaning I create from where the energy flows. If I force it in a direction that is not flowing it does not come out so easily. And sometimes that works. and other times it doesn’t . There is a certain feeling I get when it just flows and the piece comes together nicely.
I would love the world to look at my work and realize we humans of earth are really all in it together. and it is ok to be different.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in the Mission District of San Francisco. and mostly I would take a visiting friend around my neighborhood. Based on what their cravings at any particular moment would be for food we have burmese, indian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese. and all the fusion inbetween, Not to miss the Mexican, Nicarauguan, elsalvadorian food. For dinks we could go to several bars based on the vibe from shwanky to dives from punk rock to jazz. My studio is located in Clarion Alley where you the alley is filled with murals usually with a messages about different concerns the artists have with our society and world.
at some point we can make it up to the top of Dolores Park and take a look at The City from above.
Honestly I am not sure we would make it out of The Mission.
On 24th street in the mission there are a few art galleries and book stores plus the usual cast of characters.
Community Thrift on Valencia street always have an interesting score.
The people we would run into while tripping around would slways be random and fun interesting to talk to. Everybody has interests and projects that are inspiring and unique.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would say the people who buy the reproductions of my work every week. Really helps to keep my head above water and creating new pieces, because seeing what people like in my work helps me have a comunication with my audience.

Website: http://www.DougRhodes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougrhodes/