meet Atlanta native Arnold Butler. he’s an auto didactic painter and photographer who’s art work will speak to your soul. check out our interview with him below. also follow him on ig @ab2ether and if you’re interested in purchasing art go to http://www.ab2ether.com
At what age were you introduced to art? And is that when you realize you wanted to be an artist?
I’ve always had a creative outlet as a child, however, I didn’t define it as such. I just felt as if I was operating in my natural being. The moment I saw my father painting in secret was when I developed an interest in the craft, however, I didn’t get serious about it until I was in my early 20’s.
Did you take any classes to learn how to pint or are you self-taught?
I watched my father paint so I started painting. That was the only class I needed.
Mosaics seem to be an integral part of your work. How did you select this style and why?
I really don’t define myself with a style. I just paint what feels good to me. For me, ART is a therapeutic medium I use to rid myself of self-created delusions that disrupt the normality of my life. I confess my internal ugliness in hopes of it not festering and transfer my visual illusions to canvas. The “mosaic” you see is simply my insecurities stripped naked.
There seems to be veneration for the female body throughout your work, is this done purposeful?
Yes. I love women and I worship them as such, however I don’t idolize their physical attributes solely. The nudity often displayed in my work is secondary to the overly emotional tone of the facial features. Through my work, I try to juxtapose my internal weaknesses through the inherent strength of the female physical form.
We noticed colors and shapes utilized as a way to highlight particular points on the body without over sexualizing them. What was your thought process behind that?
I simply want to change the perception and focus of what viewers traditionally see in contemporary ART. We live in a highly–sexualized society so I use that component in my ART as a means to re-direct the viewer from the physical to the spiritual side of that sexuality.
How much does the beauty of a women inspire your work?
I’m inspired by all things beautiful, however, the beauty of a woman’s words inspires me more.
After viewing several of your pieces it seems that the women you paint is actually one woman it’s something about the eyes, if that’s true who is she?
All the woman I paint are uniquely different, however they all occupy the same spirit. The body is temporary, however the spirit is forever. I’m a spirit chaser…
Art seems to be a labor of love for you, How do you balance that love with creating something that can appeal to someone other than its creator and sold?
I’m not a commercial artist so I’m never haunted by those thoughts. My idea of ART is very unconventional and my success has always been a reflection of it. I paint in the realm of truth and anyone attracted to truth will naturally gravitate towards my work. The only balance I focus on is between me and nature.
What do you believe is a key element in creating a good composition?
Not giving a fuck about what other people will think about your composition. Once you dismiss yourself from the opinions of others, you can do anything.
How important is music in your creative process? What artist and or genre inspires you most?
Music is very instrumental in my creative process, however, SUN RA takes my ART to the next level. His musical compositions gives my ART a language that translatable to the unseen world.
Do you have any set rituals you perform to put yourself in the creative space needed to create?
1. Breathe
2. Create
3. Fuck what people think.
Could you offer your perspective on the role of an artist as opposed to a regular person?
“Artist”- Unbound to the thoughts, criticisms, and opinions of others. He/she is free thinker who opposes the systematic oppression of the creative process.
“Regular” – Someone who is a creative commodity, cultural clown.
You seem to promote eating a plant based diet. Can you offer any tips on healthy eating? We often heard people speak of mental clarity and newfound inspiration from clean eating, have you experienced such? If so has it had an observable able effect on your work?
I eat clean because it’s the African thing to do. Eating clean and living healthy gives me the physical and mental fortitude to complete the mural sized canvases I commit to in such a habitual manner.
If you could pick someone to be your muse dead or alive who would that one women be?
Maya Deren
What artist dead or alive would you want to hang out with?
Cy Twombley
What project are you working on now and the near future?
I’m constantly working on new shit, however, I just released my first featured film, ADAUMADAA and will be having a private screening in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles this summer.
