EAST Interview: j. haley's Mutated Beasts of Burden

What is more terrifying: a gigantic turtle, a mammoth kangaroo or house sized baby chicks?

I am positive that terrifying is an outsider's reaction. The shear beauty of devastation caused by some sort of genetic or radioactive mutation would be awe inspiring. It would be outrageously ludicrous and stunning. I am sure anyone to come into contact with a creature of such magnitude would only want to run up and love it, because of the knowing that the wreckage it caused is mere innocent blundering in a world turned topsy-turvy. Then you might get stepped on or eaten, but you would feel love in your heart.

Both fields taught me skills and insights, from welding, to the chemical/physical aspects of welding. I learned how to write critically, and how to write a play. I learned to harness the ability to learn during the arts degree, and then learned how to use this ability working on the science degree. And that is the most important aspect of my education... is that I learned how to learn. I now put myself into event after event, situation after situation where I am forced to discover new processes and methods, moments where I get to grow and continually work towards a better self.

What materials are essential to your work?

Creativity and Time. I have made art out of rocks, I have made Rock and Roll. If the time to create is limited by materials, then the imagination must break the mold and reach for what ever is near.

My desire for ecological responsibility also forces me to maintain a drive to create out of found/waste materials. Most of my "canvases" are left-overs and trash, and I frame out of salvaged lumber. Though I buy some paints, I try to collect garage scores, and give-aways.

What do you do with your time when you are not creating new art?

Thinking about new art, or talking about art, or myself, which usually has something to do with art. I am also a Co-Director for Pump Project Art Complex, which is kinda still making art. If you are asking me if I have a day job, I am super handy guy extraordinaire for the owners of I Luv Video, Spiderhouse, Eco Clean, and The United States Art Authority. It is like they have a performance/large scale installation piece of sorts and I am the Key Grip, so I guess it is art also. Really then, the thing that I do when I am not making art is talk. I talk a lot. I need help. Can someone get me out of here! I am stuck in my head and can't get out! Take me on a vacation. Please.

Yikes! We understand that you moved here from Boise (correct us if we are wrong). Why Austin?

First we all must consider a couple facts.
All cities grow, and will continue growing until we have hit population equilibrium
And, as an artist I need a certain level of popularity to survive and continue developing my skills and intellect.

Boise is quite a few years away from the level of artist support that, say, a metropolis like Portland affords. Portland, though, is full, it has gone from 'minimal opportunity', to creative boom, to now 'you gotta be real good, or know some one' opportunity. Austin will grow to that stage, but it isn't there yet. It is a happy medium. I can be good, get better, get to know you, and be one to know. I guess you'd say that I know that Austin is going to become a yuppified gentrified giant block of concrete. I am here for the short term phase in between, when the artists move into the poor areas, then as the richies flood in I am going to take all I can and run to fame. I will become an internationally acclaimed, awarded, recognized and loved artist. Then I will buy a ranch in Canada, and wait for the seas to rise, bringing me a retirement in now sunny tropical Canada.

Seriously though I landed here through flukes and twists. I have been a mobile artist, living in Olympia, Washington, Portland, Oregon, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. My work hasn't always translated in two dimensional form so getting it out in the world I must.

What excites and/or frustrates you about the Austin art scene?

The arms of Austin turned into tendrils and has fully accepted a stranger who has a passion for local arts communities. The drive of the Austin arts scene is astounding and accommodating. It is made by people who have learned that you have to make it. The Austin Arts scene is strong and growing, hopefully bring to itself national acclaim. It takes artists and spaces to show art to make a scene and Austin has that.

Of course there are always 'better that thou' artists, and the 'I have a rich boy friend/partner' artists. But pretentiousness and naivety abound in all fields and is best ignored, unless you are talking about brain surgery.

If you could only visit one other studio during E.A.S.T., which one one you choose and why?

Only One?!!!! Well then it would have to be Chris Holloway and Frederick Tabares studio at 1113 Emmitt Run. They are part of a painter collective dubbed the Painterly Handsomes. I have never been disappointed with the quality or concepts of their works. They are just past Big Medium and Bay 6, which is right near Pump Project Art Complex. So, since you are already going to all of these places, you might as well go check out their place. You could hit all of them on a bicycle too.