Artist Spotlight: Asher Truitt

Asher Truitt is a member of DAC’s Visionary Artist Committee and an Artist leader of our Adventure Group. 

Enjoy this brief interview with Asher and please leave questions/comments for him below! 

Can you tell us about your background and how you first became interested in art?

I have to create. I’ve felt the need since I learned to hold a crayon. As a kid, it didn’t matter where I was. If I could draw a picture, I would draw a picture. I’d annoy my whole family by constantly asking, “what should I draw?” I mean constantly. Every day, all day long. Luckily, they love me, so they always gave me a subject. I think the support and interest from my family and a few great friends really pushed me. I was able to explore, make mistakes, and grow. 

What or who are your biggest inspirations or influences in your work?

In high school I got into surrealism. I loved the absurdism of it all and became obsessed with Dali’s nonsensical landscapes and Magritte’s faceless portraits, unfortunately I’ve always hated painting. That’s what led me to experiment with oil pastel, and I immediately fell in love. It’s like drawing with butter. Making art was always a hobby; something to do when I was bored, alone, sad, happy, angry, you name it. It’s therapy in that way. I became obsessed with lino-prints, collage and zine making and I’ve always loved reading, so poetry came naturally to me. There was a local music scene for a while (dead now) and I did vocals for countless bands. I always loved to sing, but that’s when I fell in love with performing and making band merch. Sadly, I didn’t take the time to learn an instrument because I just wanted to write, and I was loud. Plus singing is free and requires no setup. I play guitar now, but I only write my own songs, I can’t play anyone else’s.

I have seizures from time to time. It was worse when I was younger. I can’t say if the brain damage makes my art better or worse, but I felt it was worth mentioning.

I really started taking art seriously during quarantine. I dedicated all my time towards creating, and honing my style (and baking bread for extra money). I consider 2020 to be The Start. It’s like I broke out from a cocoon. I no longer ask others what to draw. My only inspiration is everything I see.

Walk us through your creative process from idea conception to completion of a piece.  What do you hope viewers take away from your art?

My drawings are pretty abstract. I give myself the freedom to make anything, even if it’s nothing. Even if it looks bad. I’m not trying to make anything, usually. I let my mind wander. I’ll start drawing shapes until I see something and go from there. I get distracted and change my mind. Art is doing. Art makes you God. I don’t care if anyone sees what I make, and I definitely don’t care if they love it. If anything I hope you hate it. If you love it, we can be friends, but if you hate it, I’ve done my job. I’m a goofball and art is protest. I can make you angry. I can hurt your feelings. Real art is uncomfortable and unstoppable. We are mortal animals, and I am drawing in my cage. My poetry mostly makes people sad or afraid. Their loss.

What themes or motifs do you often explore in your artwork, and why are they significant to you? Are there any recurring symbols or imagery in your work that hold special meaning for you?

I constantly draw a red house on top of a green hill. The sky is blue and the sun is shining a canary yellow. There’s a brown dog in the yard. I don’t know why.

My poetry mostly focuses on death, and how disgusting I find certain aspects of this beautiful world. I am a weeping child, would you like to read my diary?

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as an artist, and how do you overcome them?

The only real challenge I face is the same one we all do; I have little time and little money. I waste my time with work, but I’d much rather waste my time with art. It’s difficult to get much accomplished when you are not in control of your own life.

Can you share a particularly rewarding or memorable experience you’ve had as an artist?

On the bright side, I am rewarded daily. I feel free when I create. The joy that comes from making something is unexplainable, and I’m lucky to have so many wonderful, beautiful friends who all make their own art and have their own outlets. The art community is like any other, we take care of each other, and share our secrets. I love going to art shows and just seeing what’s out there, finding new ways to do stuff, making new friends, trading and collaborating. Artists are insane people, and there’s no greater reward than finding another nut job to go crazy with. If you’re doing it right, you’ll learn each day just how ignorant you are, and how far you have to go.

What upcoming projects or exhibitions are you excited about? How do you see your art evolving in the future? Are there any new mediums or techniques you are interested in exploring?

For me, drawing is a random burst. I have many interests and I cycle through them. All of a sudden I’ll get a rush of ideas and inspiration and motivation. The next day I don’t care and never want to draw again. I’m not sure what that’s about. I almost always feel like writing though, so I’ve been doing that a lot lately. I have some poetry books I’d love to get published one day. I have a few albums I’m working on as well. I recently got back into photography so I’m sure I’ll be showing some photos in the future. I’ve been making masks and I want to keep that going because it’s been fun. I have hundreds of zine ideas and I definitely would love to start some larger canvas pieces. I always have a million things going on. Honestly, my project list is never ending. I start too many things at once and I always have a new idea. It can be stressful but I’d rather not limit myself. Basically, there’s much more to come. I think I’m entering my hermit era.

Looking back on your artistic journey, what advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Decide if you love art, or if you love recognition. If your goal is to succeed, you will always fail. My only goal is happiness, and that makes me bulletproof. 

You can find some of Asher’s artwork on his Instagram at @thelightdims. 

Thank you Asher for participating in this week’s Artist Spotlight interview!!