What is your medium and why did you choose it?
I was at an art show and found someone who was using metal to create framing for her photography.
It gave me the idea that using a metal background might create a great deal of visual interest for my painting. Copper was the obvious choice of metal since AZ is one of the largest copper producers in the country. Now copper has replaced canvas for all my creations.
How long have you been creating art?
I have been painting since the early 90’s. I have no formal training and never took an art class. I am truly self-taught.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Creative ideas are all around us if we are looking for them. Whether it be nature, magazines or even TV. An image that is interesting will always begin the creative process. When I see an image that I find interesting I always wonder what if….
What does your studio look like?
My studio is off the master bedroom and is a converted small patio that is 8X10. It has French Doors and is airy and bright and has plenty of counter space which lets me work on multiple pieces at a time.
What is your favorite time of day to make art?
Any time of day as long as I have natural light.
Do you listen to music or have complete silence when you work?
I usually do not listen to music however when I am in the mood rock on!
Describe your creative process.
When I work with a piece of copper, I never know the end result. The majority of my pieces are either torched or I use a chemical bath. In either application when the piece is ready for design IT ( the surface design) will tell me what it is trying to say. When I painted on stone it was the texture of the surface which dictated the scene. Now years later I am finding that most pieces which come out of the chemical bath have a distinctive design which usually tells me what to paint. When I am using the torch, that becomes my brush. My latest work is very Picasso…ish but the torch created the image, not me.
What else would you like people to know about you or your art?
I believe the propensity for creation is within all of us. What makes me different than the next person is not talent, we all have it, it is the recognition of an idea and the ability to utilize the talent we have to create art. We are never too old to be creative, you never know what talent you may possess unless you try.
@jamesrapisarda
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