Join us at Standard Goods for our monthly Capitol Hill Art Walk show. Where we will be featuring 7 unique varied artists including Seattle based artists Joseph McSween. Joseph has mastered multiple mediums of art with a current focus on oil painting and tattoo art. With a singular palette that ranges from pop pastels to deep set primary hues, his portrait-inspired works capture an ethereal emotive bent while holding edge in layered and unexpected mediums. Learn more about Joe in our interview with him below.
Tell us a little bit about yourself? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Texas but I mostly grew up in the northwest Oregon and then Seattle.
Do you come from a creative family?
My Mother and Father are both artists, but I've been making art for a living pretty much my whole life, minus a few shitty side jobs.
Can you describe the time when you first realized that creating was something you absolutely had to do?
I've been creating things my whole life since my mom put a crayon in my hand, so I guess it just came naturally.
What about faces or the human form do you try to capture in your work?
I think the soul naturally comes out reflected in the eyes.
What's your favorite thing you've ever created? I'm always focused on what I would like to do next. If I think my best work is behind me I think it would bum me out haha.
Describe your style as an artist in 3 words.
Dark, Beautiful, Random.
What do you find to be the hardest part about the work you do?
Creating art for money.
Are there any mediums you'd love to work with but haven't tried yet?
I would like to be commissioned to carve a huge statue out of a huge block of marble, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Favorite artists?
Right now... Cris Cleen, Wan Tattooer, Klimt, Kane Trubenbacher, Sean Morris, Maddy Young, mostly just a bunch of random tattoo artists that make me try harder and draw more. I'm fairly new to tattoos I've been a professional painter for a long time but tattooing is a way to challenge myself and I'm always down to learn more.
What are you most excited about for this art show, "Surface?" And anything else you'd love to share?
I like to do shows with my friends to have the opportunity to hang with friends and maybe make some new ones. My instagram is @nightshadetattoo and my website is www.josephmcsween.com