Student Showcase: Daniel Byrd

INTERVIEWED BY TYLER SPINOSA

How did you get involved in painting?

I got into painting through graffiti which grabbed my attention when I was in 6^th grade. I really started with illustrating characters and letters. Then, I started to lean more towards the art of a “tag” which has a calligraphy aspect to it. Once I arrived at SCAD and picked up my first painting class, I began translating those calligraphic movements into large abstract paintings.

How would you describe your work?

I like to describe my work as innovative and a reflection of our everyday environment — people and/or spaces communicating with one another to collaborate or fight for dominance, usually leading to a pretty active surface, but rather than calling it a surface I like to refer to it as a space.

Who are your creative influences?

I can never pinpoint a particular artist, but abstract expressionism has always been a go to for me. As for artists in the present, anyone who is pushing the use of materials or just the boundaries on how to create resonates with me deeply. Progression is also very important to me when I look into another artist’s work.

What is your favorite aspect of the creative process?

My favorite, but also least favorite, aspect of the creative process would be the infinite amount of possibilities. It can be stressful to tie yourself down to one idea while you have hundreds of other ones in your head. Once you get going, a flood of new ideas can come pouring in. It’s very gratifying, but daunting at the same time.

What has been the most rewarding part of your creative career?

The most rewarding part of my creative career thus far, besides having gotten really amazing opportunities to do what I love, has got to be showing my dad that I can make this work. Having watched him do conference calls relentlessly while I was growing up or seeing him traveling countless miles for business has had a lasting impact on me. At first, the path of going to art school was very questionable for the both of us, but there’s a strong drive for success I’ve inherited from that man, and I’m forever thankful for how it has helped shape my success.

What is some advice you could give to aspiring painters?

Never limit yourself. Home Depot has become my sanctuary because it makes you realize how many tools out there you can use to make a mark. Don’t let the rubric limit yourself either. Look at it as just a base and find as many ways you can put your own stamp on it.