Cute Evil Utopia: An Interview with Surrealist Painter Joe Vaux

My art world always unfolds from some fantasy universe. In a space-time where anything can happen, anything created needs no reason. If these bizarre images can express my motivation or emotions, then let me have a little time to escape.

– Joe Vaux

Karma

Assault

In the United States, the name "Joe Vaux" is known to many because he worked as a story artist and animation director in the popular animated TV series "Family Guy Chinese". In addition to this identity, Joe Vaux is also a well-known surrealist painter. His paintings are witty and humorous, full of terrifying creatures and twisted illusions. However, on top of all the creepy, Joe Vaux will sprinkle a layer of funny "playful" flavoring, and in the highly metaphorical light, it illuminates the helpless truth of the real world for people.

Today, we're going to get close to Joe Vox, you in front of the screen, and play in his "cute evil utopia"!

The stump

Escape under

If we could communicate in human language, could you tell us something about you?

Joe Vaux: My name is Joe Vaux, I was born in 1972 in Eslip, New York, USA, and currently live and work in Los Angeles. My parents were both art professors, my father's landscapes were abstract, serene, and soothing for the soul, and my mother seemed to have spent her life creating delicate feathers and plants, but I always thought that their most outstanding work was my birth – ha, just kidding.

Mobile home

Night beast

At the age of five, I, like most kids, was fascinated by the movie Star Wars. I started building spaceships out of Lego toys, smearing my fantasy universe on countless pieces of waste paper. Actually, I only started drawing in my junior year of high school, and it was then that I started to seriously think about my future career and possible life path.

The grass is greener

Before and after

What set you on the path to making art?

Joe Vaux: Also in my junior year of high school, when I stumbled upon a few art books written by Industrial Light and Magic, I knew that this was what I wanted to do in my life. Under the guidance of my parents, I began to build my portfolio, which was also necessary preparation for my entry into art school. In the end, I chose Syracuse University, which has great art and film programs, and of course, I can get a little scholarship to study there.

Mona

Archer

As a sophomore, I decided to focus on an illustration degree. The atmosphere of the school kept me open to new techniques and styles, and this state also gave me plenty of time to see my artistic thoughts. More importantly, I met my wife and many close friends there, and it was they who became my companions and bridges into the professional art world.

Where it all started

Particle ghosts

Blitz

Where did you get your inspiration?

Joe Vaux: I'm inspired by my surroundings. As a child, I grew up in an idyllic neighborhood on the outskirts of Long Island, surrounded by forests and coastlines that contain endless sources of stories. Now, I live in Los Angeles — an equally creative city that's just a short drive away from great views, good food, boring architecture, and tons of rubbish.

Before and after

Clippings

Want to get away

In addition, my family is constantly filling my story storehouse. Whether it's my dog attacking my feet, my son spinning in a princess dress, or my wife's crappy jokes, my work is full of ideas, such as weird plants, clumsy monsters, and the weirdness.

Pollinating

She has a forever home

Does your work stem from a so-called "adolescent sensibility"?

Joe Vaux: Fantasy has always been a big part of my work. My artistic focus deals with human nature and subconscious themes, and of course, there are also works that are motivated by certain social motives and focus on individual and collective actions in modern life.

Selfie

Tree of woe

I hope that these works will promote spontaneous and free expression of emotions, with as little disturbance as possible by consciousness, and then trigger the viewer to explore and identify the essence of reality on his own. In this sense, bringing the mind back to life – adolescent sensibility helps keep the imagination running and continue to grow in a world constructed by fantasy.

Choice bits

Pricks

How does a typical painting begin?

Joe Vaux: Usually, I start with a concept that I think is interesting or some key visual elements that will become the main characters of the picture. As the painting progresses and the main background is set, the image becomes more balanced and full. When a piece is nearing completion, I immediately start brainstorming for the next piece.

Jungle lord

Lord of the corn

It stays in Vegas

Igniters

What I want to emphasize here is that the "emotional temperature" of the work is crucial. In my work, I like to let this emotional temperature wander between playfulness and darkness, which in my opinion is at the heart of my visual narrative style.

Future

Four for dinner

Coming to a city near you

Follow

Given your artistic career, are there any lessons you can share?

Joe Vaux

Joe Vaux: My career is like a gentle river, one thing leads to another, and my art changes and evolves with it. If anything, it is:

Working with passion, this intangible quality is sure to show up in the final work.

Find your own style and it will make you unique.

Creating work and marketing work are two different things, and if you don't understand it, then you have to accept all the results.

If you want to draw something, don't delay, the inspiration of the moment will be destroyed by time.

Eye Art Chronicle Chapter 1031 is dedicated to the gift of art in life.

Text Writing: Eye Edge Art Journal

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