Inside the Studio
Robert Porazinski
What are the major themes you pursue in your work?
My focus is our relationship with nature. The dominant subjects in my work include: the combination of technological, architectural, natural, and organic forms. Recently, I have been creating models as a source of inspiration. It is a way of integrating a variety of disparate elements into one painting. I also like the idea of accumulating layers in a painting–this process develops a kind of history.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
“Make paintings that are interesting to you and others will also find them interesting.” I hope that has turned out to be true in my case.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
I am always playing music; it can be very motivating and inspirational. I’ll listen to anything from Philip Glass to the B-52’s.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
Anything by Francis Bacon. In my early days, my work was very influenced by him. While his subject matter can be very brutal, there is also a calligraphic and gestural elegance to his work.
Who are your favorite writers?
Most of what I read is non-fiction, usually artist’s biographies or critical essays/articles. I am also fascinated with science and physics. A book by Leonard Shlain that continues to inspire me is Art & Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light– I highly recommend it.
