Linus Galleries, Fine Art Gallery

2014 Artist Interview Series

Justin Yanke

Linus Galleries, a Los Angeles contemporary art gallery, presents The Artist Interview Series. Our Linus artists are from all over the world and come from a variety of different practices and backgrounds. Read on to gain insight into the creative process and personality of our featured artist. This week we feature photorealism painter Justin Yanke who recently exhibited one of his incredible and witty self portraits for our Humor exhibition.

1) Please tell us your name, artistic practice of choice, and location in the world.

My name is Justin Yanke and I currently practice the art of Photorealism in the San Francisco Bay Area.

los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
Justin Yanke in his studio.
2) Are you self taught or did you formally study art?

My infantile desire to scratch something recognizable onto a surface has been honed to it’s current state by a consistent push for self discovery through discipline. Earning my BFA and MFA only gave me the courage to continue on this path.
los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painterlos angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
3) What did everyone else think you would be when you grew up?
Growing up, isolation shielded me from the condescending judgment of my peers. While my parents supported anything I was doing, under their watch, the rest of the world could only guess at what I was made of.
los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter

los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
A process shot of ‘Liz Submerged’
4) What subject matter appears most in your artwork? What do you love about that subject? What do you dislike?

Myself. With what started as an ease of effort in finding good subject matter, my face has become the go-to topic when all else ceases to inspire. Age is always working to shed light onto the value of such a subject by evolving it into something different from the time before, but the frequency of this visual diary may have taken a toll on my self identity. As my tools and techniques become more precise, the final creation is always at war with my perceived vision and the truth only nature can know.
los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
Justin’s painting process in eight stages

los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter

5) What is difficult for you about your chosen medium?
Although the outcome appears “photorealistic”, in the sense that your eyes are interpreting sight harmoniously, my marks are under constant scrutiny. There does exist levels of observation within my work that can displease a particular eye. The natural tendency to expose such caverns of rendered confusion may have the ability to place the spectator somewhere above the art and undermine the artist’s intent.
los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
Details of painting the eye, from ‘Liz Submerged’

 

 
6)  This is a hard choice for many visual artists, but what is the first answer that comes to mind when you think of your favorite color?

I find refuge in teal blue. Incandescent light is constantly attacking my photo references and I can always count on teal blue to balance things out.

los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painterlos angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter

los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
‘Liz Submerged’
Oil Painting
48″ x 72″
by Justin Yanke

 

7) Which artist living or dead would you want to have drink with?

Francis Bacon, assuming we are drinking alcohol.
los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
8) Do you have any secret talents or party tricks unrelated to your art making?
 That depends on what’s at stake.
los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
Look familiar? This is Justin’s graphite remake of Chuck Close’s infamous “Big Self Portrait”.
‘Chuck Close Copy ‘
18″ x 24″
Justin Yanke

 

9) What musical artist/band are you currently listening to when you are creating?
Tom Waits and Charles Bukowski never let me down.
 
los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
Walnut
Oil Painting
36″ x 36″
by Justin Yanke
10) What do you think the future of your medium will look like for other artists or as a whole?
 In the future, I can only hope for a total disregard for what we now call “Photorealism”.
11) Any parting advice for budding artists?
Stop looking for shortcuts!
los angeles, linus galleries, photorealism painter
A palette is ready for his next artwork

If you are interested in purchasing artwork from this artist or any of the artists featured on this blog or our website please  CONTACT the GALLERY

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