Arcy interview

Read our fresh interview with American talented artist Arcy, known for his paint splashed style of large scale mural art. Arcy has spent a bit of his free time to describe to us his day to day life, experiences and works.

-What would you like to drink? Coffee, Tea, Beer, Soda or something else?
I would never turn down a beer, but if you asked me this during my touring season, I would most likely tell you water. I go through a crazy amount of water when working during the hotter months.

-Introduce yourself to us..
ARCY, I’m a street artist from the USA. I’m a husband, a father, and a jack of all trades around the house… although my wife would beg to differ.

– Where does your (tag) Artist name come from?
ARCY was derived from my initials RC, say them out loud.

-How do you define yourself and why? Artist? Street artist? Something else?
I define myself as a street artist. Growing up, I was always limited to what paper and pencil could achieve. The streets were my canvas and I gravitated to them at a pretty young age. Although graffiti art was my core inspiration, I developed a love for photorealism and ultimately incorporated it into a style derived from my tagging years.

– How did it all start for you, and what is it nowadays?
When I was 14 years old, a classmate who had recently moved to Connecticut (where I grew up) introduced me to the graffiti art form. I submerged myself in the ability to bring my art to life in the public’s eye, always trying to outdo the skill level and size of the last wall. Today, not only am I a traveling large scale street artist, but I am a businessman.

-What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

Other than hitting the snooze button once… or 5 times, I will most likely be checking my e-mail.

-Street art is mostly a visually stimulating form of art. To add one more sense to it, what music would you pick to accompany your art work?
Hands down… The Grateful Dead

-In all forms of art, inspiration is crucial. What inspires you and how does that end up in your art?
Paint drips, splatters, overspray, and tagging inspire the multitude of elements that are infused into my signature photorealism works.

-What is the hardest part while working on a piece of art?
Being away from my wife and kids.

-Do you have any artist(s) you admire? Can you pinpoint what it is that makes them so special for you?
Jackson Pollock inspired me to let loose and create art that makes me happy, and not to create what I would expect other people to approve of.

-Which cities are the most inspiring for you as an artist?
Growing up, I gravitated to NYC. I lived about 2 hours outside of the hustle and bustle but would be glued to the window every time I took the train from New Haven to Central Station. Since then, I have travelled the globe and am overwhelmed with the amount of talent flowing from every corner.

-What other passions do you have apart from art?
I am a Disney fanatic.

-Do you have a special project that you hope to achieve some day?
I can’t wait to build a treehouse for my two boys, at 5 and 3; I’m going to have to start planning this out pretty soon!

-Tell us a bit more about your art; does it include symbolisms, messages or repeated patterns? How has it evolved?
If you follow my art, you may notice one symbol that will appear consistently, sometimes hidden, sometimes blatantly viewable. If you’re guessing you may have spotted a Hidden Mickey, go with your gut instinct.

– How long time does your art work, on walls, usually survive for?
During my graffiti years, the crew walls and legal walls were constantly changing with fresh new work, especially in the warmer months. I’d be lucky to have my pieces up for more than a week or more. Now that I am doing public art on a more permanent scale, restoration efforts, if needed, are being taken to extend the life of my works in the public’s eye for decades to come.

-What do you think, people feel or think of, when they see one of your works on the street?
I could only hope that they feel the inspiration that I feel when producing them. A lot goes into the development and execution of my works, and if I am inspiring just one future artist, than I’ve done what I came there to do. After all, what is public art if it isn’t inspiring the community in one way or another?

-What are your creative plans for the future?
I am currently developing a collaborative body of work for Collectors Editions as a Disney Fine Artist. You can expect to find opportunities to acquire my limited editions with a spin on some of the most iconic Disney characters in the very near future!

-Is there a little wish you have that not many people know about?
Being such a huge Disney fan, I have always wished to visit Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA and see Walt’s office suite in person.

-Is there a specific thought or message you would like to pass to our audience out there?
Don’t ever let your confidence get in the way of your ability to achieve your dreams.

Thank you ARCY, It’s been great to get to know more about the mind and person behind such inspiring works.

‘’I Support Street Art’’ team.