Arizona artist spotlight: Dylan James Seeman

Published: 12/20/2024

Meet Gilbert-based artist Dylan James Seeman featured in our Spirit of Greater Phoenix Exhibit

What do you find most rewarding about being an artist in Greater Phoenix?

All of Phoenix is special, I’ve sailed around the world and there’s this culture here that doesn’t exist anywhere else. It’s tough like the desert and as gentle as the petals of a saguaro flower. To me, what is fulfilling is to just be a part of it. To help bolster that special culture is the reward.

How do you perceive the role of arts and culture in our community?

The role of the arts acts as a voice, the expressive power of what it means to live in this contemporary world. Yet, It’s the collective imagination finally brought to fruition. And yet, It’s home decorating, it’s randomly bursting out into dance, it’s the jokes we tell, it’s the forge that transforms an existence into a life.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to engage with the local art scene?

Being at art shows helps; getting out and talking to people doesn’t hurt; learning to be okay with making mistakes is essential. And lastly, art has little to do with a particular scene, it’s the relationship you have with the culture in your life that makes you an artist—follow your gut, learn to trust your mental impulses and explore. If you can do all that then I think you’ll be alright.

If you could have dinner with any famous artist—living or deceased—which local restaurant would you take them to?

Yves Tanguy hands down. We have similar personalities and share some naval experiences that I think would make for a fun conversation filled with laughs. I would love to take them to the breakfast buffet at Shaghf Cafe in Tempe.

When you encounter a creative block, where do you usually seek inspiration?

I’ve never encountered a creative block, often my struggle is dealing with an excessive amount of ideas. Idea generation and creativity is a muscle that the more you work it out the more you can do and eventually the muscles become strong enough to support the effort required for really interesting stuff. Some exercises I do every day like rubbing charcoal dust on paper and seeing what I can make from the mess, reading is essential and in general using my imagination from dawn till dusk.

Contact Dylan:

Instagram | Email | Website

Sakura at Sunset
Oil Painting
23.45″ x 24″
$2,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Life Went on
Oil Painting
27.35″ x 24″
$2,500

 

 

 

 

 

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Editor’s Note: This blog has been lightly edited for length and clarity.