Wes Aderhold Interviewed by Flaunt Magazine

The Flaunt Magazine interviews VillageOneArt collaborating artist Wes Aderhold to talk about how he built a connection to the world through painting and his journey as an artist.

FM: Tell me about yourself, how long have you been an artist?

WA: When I was younger, I used to draw all the time– that was my thing. Before I knew who I was and had any self-awareness, I would always draw and it became my escape. It became this dialogue that I had with myself in my own little language, through that, I think I could find my identity. I didn’t grow up in an art family, I didn’t grow up with a lot of art appreciation. So everything that I learned and acquired, I just had to teach myself. But I always had this thirst, this unquenchable desire to create and learn about art. And so I just would take in as much as I possibly could. And I just fell in love with it

FM: The way you say you’re “putting yourself on display.”  Do you feel more critical when you’re painting yourself? 

WA: Even to just put a work in front of people, is already a vulnerable experience. Because I do like to paint from an emotional place, and I care about what I paint about. And then to have a piece of it, you know, to have it be not just a piece of you, but kind of almost a representation of you. Yeah, it is vulnerable. I mean, I’m obviously setting myself up for criticism or praise or whatever. But I don’t really care. I think it is vulnerable, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think that’s the only way that you do something in the world is if you’re willing to put yourself out there because there’s only one of you, and it is special, and it is unique. And so yes, of course, it does come with a lot of like it’s, it’s, it’s can be nerve wracking. But it’s art, though.