Interview with Artist Rebecca Adams

Rebecca Adams is a RISD graduate and artist living and working in Providence, Rhode Island.  Rebecca draws from her constantly growing collection of film stills and vintage stock photography to create visually striking paintings often in black and white.  Take a peak at my interview with her!

What is your artistic process and when do you know a piece is complete?  

The last few years I have been working mostly with collections of vintage stock photography that I have compiled into large series.  I have always loved organizing and cataloging things, and having a predetermined number of images in each series definitely makes it easier to know when to stop! I also watch a lot of vintage film and random B movies and take stills of them, which I post on my other ongoing “side project”, my film still catalogue (www.filmstillcatalogue.blogspot.com). It’s a nice way to organize reference images I find inspiring for color combinations, lighting, composition, etc. I find smaller portraits tend to have a very natural stopping place, while large pieces take me months and months to paint and repaint–I feel like those are never finished!

Who are your favorite artists?

I’ve always been a huge fan of Cindy Sherman and Marilyn Minter, but I’ve been way more inspired by emerging artists lately like Liza Lacroix’s haunting portraits, Ian Shults and David Lyle (both use vintage imagery very well), and Russ Notto (amazing dog paintings!). They make me want to switch back from acrylic to oils!

Rebecca

What are you currently reading/ watching?

I have recently been OBSESSED with “The Lives of The Mayfair Witches” trilogy by Anne Rice. I took an amazing trip to New Orleans this year and thought it would be fun to read some of her works since they are all based on real locations. The books are so detailed and creative and insane I just got totally wrapped up in them. I’d love to do a series of Mayfair witch paintings…”Paranomal Witness” is my new favorite tv show. I guess I have a ghost thing happening…maybe because it’s so close to Halloween.

Do you dream often and if so do you have recurring themes?

I have crazy, random, exciting, funny and terrifying dreams every single night. I wouldn’t say they are recurring, just constant and strange.

Rebecca at work in her studio

Explore more of Rebecca Adam’s work here:

www.rebeccamadams.com
www.rebeccamasonadams.blogspot.com

 Thanks Rebecca!