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Spin Me Beautiful

Mark Chadwick makes colourful, psychedelic, spun paintings that breathe a life of their own, both online and off. He’s the first in our #ModernMarketers series of interviews with some of Rise Art’s most popular artists in real life and on digital, and the internet just can’t get enough of him.

By Rise Art | 01 Aug 2016

Mark Chadwick makes colourful, psychedelic, spun paintings that breathe a life of their own, both online and off. He’s the first in our #ModernMarketers series of interviews with some of Rise Art’s most popular artists in real life and on digital, and the internet just can’t get enough of him.

We’re delving behind the scenes to find out more about these artists’ work, inspiration and what makes them tick when it comes to social. Mark’s current series of work brings together colour and form through manipulation by hand, machine and natural forces, and uses layers of paint to create a flowing, abstract, surface. Prepare to be mesmerised. Read our 10 questions with Mark Chadwick below and find him taking over the Rise Art Instagram (@riseart) for today.

 

Spin Painting 24

 

What kind of work do you make?

My art practice is concerned with the introduction of chance into the creative act. I specialise in making abstract paintings, and use systems or techniques that explore ideas surrounding authorship, process and the extent of control.

What’s the best response you’ve ever had to an artwork?

I think any response is a good response, but one particular time that comes to mind was when I was at university and my tutor brought some guests on a tour around my degree show. Apparently one of the guests got very emotional when they saw my paintings and it brought him to tears. That is an amazing thing to hear.

 

Mark's paintings in situ.

 

What’s your social media medium of choice? Who do you follow?

My favourite is Twitter. I run two channels, one for my work (@MarkChadwickArt) and one for artists making fluid paintings and abstract artworks (@FluidPainting). I've also just started using Instagram (@MarkChadwickArt). I don't mind following anybody, as long as they are real!

Do you like being able to share your work in this way? What are your top tips for a great profile?

I love to share my work on social media, or on online art galleries like Rise Art, it provides a platform to reach so many different people around the world at any time. My profiles are by no means the best in the world, but what I would say is to be active and there's no better way for an artist than to keep posting good quality images of your works. If the art is good, your profile will build itself.

 

Mark's paintings in situ.

 

What or where is your go-to for inspiration?

I am always open to finding inspiration and it can come from literally anything, whether it's based on finding techniques or visual elements. One of my more common "go to" sources is the sky, it's like a never ending constant fluid painting above our heads. I take pictures of interesting cloud formations, sunsets or storms to get a sense of nature and I also keep an eye out for man-made aircraft trails that interrupt natural formations.

 

Skyscape Inspiration: Mark Chadwick

 

What do you love most about art & making art? What do you hate most about it?

I love the creative process and the freedom to get lost in the moment of creation. There is much more to love than hate but one element I don't like is image theft, especially when it's well known large companies selling products with your painting on the front. Get some paint and make your own!

Where do you work? What’s in your studio?

I'll work anywhere depending on the painting, some of the Spin Paintings need a lot of space and obviously all sorts of equipment and machinery to help in the creative process.

 

Skyscape Inspiration: Mark Chadwick

 

Who are your idol artists?

To name just a few (!) - Keith Tyson, Bernard Frize, Ian Davenport, Damien Hirst, J.M.W. Turner, Jackson Pollock, Gerhard Richter, Frank Bowling and Mark Rothko.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? What puts you to sleep?

It's the urge to create that one sublime masterpiece, I'm always looking to surpass my previous work. Working with chance is difficult because it takes many failures to get a somewhat successful piece. Cricket and a lot of reality TV does a good job for sleep and that's coming from a guy who watches paint dry quite often!

 

Fluid Painting 102

 

If you could have your artwork in any museum, collection, or building in the world, where would it be?

It would have to be the first gallery I ever visited and found it such an inspiration which was the National Gallery in London.

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