Johnny Defeo is the artist who painted Nightswimming 1 - the cover of Issue 2. Johnny Defeo has a unique style of artwork that involves darker tones and form to create nostalgic pieces of art. His work is often based in reality,and the effect his paintings has on artists and viewers alike is revolutionary, yet grounding. Characterized by his cool, mesmerizing pieces, Johnny tends to view art as less geometric and more fluid, like the flow of water. Being able to visualize the naturality around him and convey it through his artworks is what makes Johnny Defeo truly brilliant as an artist who is inspired by nature.

The Doodler was granted the opportunity to interview Johnny and learn about hiscreative process.

1) What inspired you to become an artist?

When I was younger I saw an episode of Law & Order where an artist was murdered. Besides the murder part, they made his life look pretty glamorous.

2) What does a day in your life look like?

I wake up and take my dog for a run and take in the sunrise. I make some coffee and try to see what can be done to tend to my animals and plants. I try to paint --if it's going well I will paint until it is not. If it's not going well I will distract myself with a movie or a book or a swim in the river, have lunch and a nap and try again. In the evening I try to go play golf or go for a mountain bike ride or cook dinner with friends if I can.

3) What is your creative process?

I spend a lot of time looking at objects and paintings that I find exceptional. I also spend a lot of time trying to put myself into beautiful places and situations. I make a lot of plein air paintings from those scenes. I use those and other references to compose larger paintings in my studio.

4) Where do you get inspiration from?

A lot of times I will be inspired by a line in a song or a book that will describe an emotion or scene that causes me to pause and think how wonderful it would be to make a painting of that idea. Sometimes I will use something from my own life that I am trying to understand better or something I would like to think about more as the basis of a painting.

5) What was the thought process behind Nightswimming 1?

At the time that I painted Nightswimming 1 I was in graduate school for painting and feeling very stuck. I was thinking how much more fun a time I could be having, and thought about how my friends and I used to run around our neighborhoods at night in the summer and jump into stranger's swimming pools. It was pleasurable and thrilling and a bit of fairly harmless fun. It was also very visually pleasing-- the color of a lit up pool at night is very seductive. I wanted to make a series of work that referenced all of those things.

6) Lastly, what would you tell a beginner artist?

Develop your taste concurrently with your skill. You should always have better taste than the work you are able to produce. Don't get caught up on the materials being "professional" and don't get too attached to the work you are making when you are starting out. It is NOT going to do what you want it to do. Make and make and make things until the things you are making catch up with your taste. Also be nice to everyone!