My next subject definitely humoured me with his time today. He is a well established, world know, multi award winning artist of mature years and he has probably been ‘interviewed’ many times. I saw his work first then I saw him. His work and appearance both create enough stimulation for you to stop and pay attention.
I didn’t intend to speak to another artist today, there were thousands of people but I saw him and liked his face. There is something mysterious about many artists and it draws you in, their skill for their work fascinates me. Perhaps my attraction is a subconscious desire for their creativity to rub off on me, insider information, a deeper understanding or it may just be that they all look so cool and laid back that I just like being around them.
‘Tonys’ eyes danced when he talked, he found amusement in everything, I think he probably chooses very carefully who he spends his time with and everyone else is just noise around him, his visual amusement is another way of dispensing with you. I’m not offended by that, he wasn’t in the least bit rude to me but I was probably annoying and unnecessary to his thoughts and attention today, I imagine this is a man who is happy in his own company in his studio most of the time.
His lovely, long term girlfriend sat and watched the exchange between us, she didn’t partake in the conversation, I am sure very used to the attention he attracts and was just listening, smiling every now and then.
I would have liked more time with him, perhaps he may have given me more of himself, perhaps not but it was busy, distracting and noisy.
We grabbed a picture in his crowded space, I only took about 4 frames as I felt I couldn’t do him justice, like my little photo made this very amazing artist less somehow.
My last image of him as he walked away was of his paint splattered jeans, I liked that.
Name: Ummarid ‘AKA Tony’
Occupation: Artist
1.Where were you born and raised.
Bangkok, Thailand. ‘I came to the US when I was 17 and I have lived in LA, Huston Texas & Orlando, Florida.’
‘We have 10 in the family, brothers & Sisters. It was good, we had a lot of fun growing up in different parts of the world. We got to do a lot of travelling.’
2.Tell me a childhood memory
‘Learn how to swim!’ ‘In Bangkok, Thailand I almost drowned once I was 9 or 10 and then the Monks found out that I didn’t know how to swim so they just threw me in the river!’ ‘I learnt how to swim.’
3.What is your favourite season and why.
‘I like spending time I’m the studio, I don’t have a favourite time of the year. My favourite time is spending time with my girlfriend here.’
4.Tell me about someone you love.
‘My girlfriends right here, Mary Anne, she is wonderful, we have been together for 15 years. Mary Anne was an artist we actually met here at the Art Festival it’s kind of special.’
‘I think she is sweet and wonderful and very easy to get along with as a person, we understand each other. A lot of things I have done I was influenced by her and she has given me the freedom.’
‘There is a saying that, the artist wife is the jealous bride…but we don’t have this problem.’
5.What words of wisdom do you have for the reader about life.
‘Enjoy it, it’s only once.’
6.Dreams for the future.
‘I hope Donald Trump not become the President!”
Tony had a great big laugh, especially after answering question 6!
I can only imagine the life he has led. I didn’t get to find out much from him but I am sure it has been colourful, vibrant and full of adventure and perhaps a few hurdles along the way.
One day when I have saved a few pennies I will go back and buy one of his artworks, maybe next year at the Art Fair as I am pretty sure he will be there, in his chair watching people look at his work presumably uninterested in their opinion of it, he clearly paints to please himself. Wild, free and with abandon, a bit like him really.
