Lower Branch’s July 22nd Anniversary Show at 111 Minna is rapidly approaching and the list of artists keeps on growing.  Among them is New York based artist Isaac Bidwell.  I personally have had a chance to meet with the talented artist a few months back at a show here in SF and was excited to here that he was participating in the Lower Branch Anniversary show.  Isaac is new to the Bay Area art scene, so I put a little Q and A sesh with Isaac together so you can all get to know him a little better

A.  Being from New York, how do you feel about having a presence here on the West Coast? Even more so, San Francisco. This is kind of a new thing for you, is it not?

I love the West Coast. I came out to San Francisco and California for the first time this past April for a gallery show and I didn’t want to leave. The people here are just different. They love the arts here. I feel it’s the completely opposite when I go to NYC. The art scene there seems more exclusive and a bit fake. The more I learn it seems New York is where an artist goes to be a commercial artist and Cali is where people are flocking to do gallery shows. Out with the old and in with the new I suppose.
It’s weird, as I get more gallery shows and am looking into future places I’d like to be shown in, they are all in California. Granted I would love to be shown in New York City, but I honestly don’t know where. I’ll love the idea of hundreds or thousands of people being pumped to go to an art show.  I suppose now that I think about it, California is Rock and Roll, New York City is the Opera. I’d rather rock and roll.

B.  When do you think you will venture out this way yourself next?

I’ve been thinking about that for a little while now. My girlfriend is getting ready to get her doctorate in Windsor, Ontario; so I’ trying to figure out a time when we can both go. There’s a few Gallery 1988 shows I’ve been invited too, I’m going to shoot for one of those.

C.  For those that are not as familiar with your work, can you explain your process a little bit? Mediums you use?

I work two ways that are both pretty similar. When I first started doing local exhibitions during college, I quickly realized, that even though people like my artwork, they didn’t have the money for originals. So I started to do a hybrid of tradition and digital art and make the art into prints.

I first do a quick sketch with my Wacom tablet in Photoshop. From there I start to edit and resize the image as I’d like. Then I print out the sketch to full size and light box it on Bristol Board. After that I take my pencil work, which I do fairly tight and scan them into my computer. There I digital ink and color them. Also, I scan in older paper, ink stains, and things of that nature, to have it look more “hand done”. In my opinion, nothing looks worse than an artist that just takes textures and places them in an image. The key is to make it feel natural.

Now that I’m not showing as much gallery art locally, I have started to use more traditional methods. Similarly, I still start off with the same process, but instead of inking and coloring on the computer, I do that with a quill tip pen and watercolor.

D.  Can you talk about the piece for the Lower Branch show a little bit?

When JC told me about the show, I knew exactly what kind of image I wanted to do.

The Shark Hunter is an idea/image I created a few years ago. I created it all digital back then, from the sketch to the coloring, no hand elements where used whatsoever. It keeps on creeping up online and I just want it to go away. So I’m replacing in with a newer version.

It fits in nicely with the show’s theme, but I’ll let the viewers come to their own conclusions.

Over the past year or two I’ve been creating what I guess could be called anti-fantasy….I suppose I need a better name than that. Usually, typical fantasy artwork showcases around the male hero, saving the damsel in distress, while fighting some looming outside force. A large amount of my illustrated work has the damsel, now empowered, not needing a man, fighting her own battles and taking what’s hers.

E.  Where do you normally get your ideas from?

It first use to be comics. That’s what I originally wanted to do. But truth be told, comics are hard and they pay shit. With that said, I’ve been playing around with a couple ideas and will venture into doing one at some point, because I need to tell some stories. That or I’m just a glutton for punishment.

Now I look at old photos, vintage magazines, and old books. I love how ornate older works are, and it’s finding it’s way into my work more and more. I’m also online constantly looking at art. Oh and I buy artbooks like Swallow and Illustration Now on a fairly regular basis.

F.  What’s your favorite color?

I haven’t been asked that since I was a kid. I really like old vintage goods….so I guess brown.

G.  Are there any other interesting projects you’re working on right now?

Well, I’ve started a small publishing business, Le Style Moderne. My most book,“Atlas 2” was hand cut and stitched, with a relief cover. It showcases 21 amazing artists from 10 different countries and the feedback has been outstanding.

I recently learned it’s going to be showcased in Inked Magazine this September, so that’s going to be pretty cool.

I’m in the early stages of contacting artist for the next book “Lovely Ladies”, and I have some big talent lined up already.

Other than that, my main project is getting into as many great galleries as possible…well that and grad school.

H.  What was your favorite part about SF when you visited?

Easily it’s people. As for place, there was this Victorian Arcade by the water  I stumbled on, that blew my mind. That was a complete surprise.

The Minna Gallery was also just as great. I’m so happy to be part of a show there. Thanks for the opportunity.

**Come check out Issac and many more at the July 22nd show at 111 Minna.  For more information about Isaac, check out these links:
Isaacbidwell.com
Digitaldrawer.blogspot.com
Lestylemoderne.com
Lestylemoderne.blogspot.com

Stevie Jablonsky

Lower Branch