Interview with YourLocalSurf.com

A Chat with Jay Alders Courtesy of: YourLocalSurf.com

When we were buzzing around the internet one fine day, during a nasty flat spell, we stumbled across this crazy cool art. First impression: “When the hell did Dali learn to surf?”

Our curiosity led to research and we discovered someone who has been getting a crazy amount of buzz and well deserved too. Readers we give you Jay Alders.

We spammed his email with requests for free prints, complementary portraits, autographed art supplies and finally a humble request to fill out our little questionnaire, to which he said, “Cool man, send it through” or something like that.

Jokes and stuff aside, Jay Alders is a super approachable, chilled guy, with a zest for life and a style that is going to send him right to the top of his chosen path. But enough from us, here is what he had to say:

When did you start painting?

I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a toddler.

Your influences? have they changed over time?

I’m influenced by my surroundings and life experiences. My art reflects my dominant thoughts at that particular time, so yes, it’s a dynamically changing process.

Did you study painting, or are you self taught?

I have an art degree, but I can’t say I learned painting from college. I took a handful of classes before college and watched Bob Ross when I was a kid, but other than that, I am self-taught in the broadest possible definition. I learned a lot from books and looking at great works of art, so in that sense, no one is truly self-taught.

Preferred media ie canvas, digital etc ?

I love it all. Truly. But preferred is oil on panel for final pieces and love sketching in my book with anything from ballpoint pens to pencil or ink.

What is your take on the commercial side of the art industry?

If it’s a vehicle to exposure and success for worthy art then I’m all for it. We all need to pay bills and make a living with integrity and monopolize on what we do. But if it’s commercialism in the negative connotation of the word, then I despise it.

There’s a fine , fine line between “making it”and “selling out” that each artist needs to come to grips with. We as artists need to manage and oversea our artistic legacy.

If you could no longer paint,what outlet would you plug?

I have more hobbies than I have free time. I could never “work” again and still keep busy constantly…I’d learn a few languages, play my guitar and write songs more, take singing lessons, snowboard, surf, skateboard,take obscure dance lessons,travel, meditate and do my part to save the world and help others.

Please fill in the (blanks)

My Name is (Jay Alders), my earliest memory is (hanging out with my parents when I was 3, skateboarding outside and drawing).

For me there is nothing sweeter than a (soy latte) and nothing quite as bitter as a (ignorant people)

My goal is to be (happy and healthy) but I am happy being (just “being”)

If I had a million $ I would (pay off my family’s debts and travel the world) and for a million $ would ( Do what Im doing now, I plan to be wealthy someday soon anyway )

(traffic and tourists) annoy me, while (relaxation,music,art and surfing) inspires me.

The world is but a (blob of matter floating around space) and we are but (blob dwellers)