A better name for this interview would be "Life, Death, and Hot Girls; the Jayce Wallinford Story," but we're not prone to titular embellishment. We sat down with the local artist, who is also our Artist of the Month, to get at what makes him make, and how it is he can work such heavy subject matter into such beautiful pieces. Read on, dear reader, read on.

A better name for this interview would be "Life, Death, and Hot Girls; the Jayce Wallinford Story," but we're not prone to titular embellishment. We sat down with the local artist, who is also our Artist of the Month, to get at what makes him make, and how it is he can work such heavy subject matter into such beautiful pieces. Read on, dear reader, read on.

THE VITALS

Height: 5’ 11”
Shoe Size: 10
Golf handicap: ummmm? My legs work!
Eye color: blue.
Chicken or the egg: egg.
Best Gatorade flavor: cool blue.
Talent other than being an artist: I can do a backflip.

THE ESSENTIALS

Since we’re here, let’s talk about your art. How would you describe your work?

Like most artists, I just want people to feel something when they look at it. I like to visually portray human emotion. I like to have a powerful subject matter with a strong focal point. That is why I tend to put extra emphasis on eyes. I believe, when you look at someone, their eyes hold the most emotional weight. I like intensity.

What do you want to tell people about your artwork that they wouldn’t necessarily know about it?

Art is therapy for me, I am grateful that I have it my life, it helps keep me level-headed. I just hope someday my work will inspire someone and they will also feel the same gratitude toward art I have experienced.

Do you have a name for your style of art?

Whatever man.

You seem to be all over the place on subject matter. Did you have a hard time in school?

I have been in college for eight years and still haven't graduated, if that answers your question! I guess I just get distracted easily. I would get medicated, but then I would be asked to take the pills as prescribed, and we all know that is not going to happen! So I just choose to embrace my ADHD.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

There is this local artist named William Stoehr that has been a big inspiration to me. He kinda kickstarted my love for portraiture. I also like graffiti artists like the Etam Cru (and) visionary artists like Alex grey, Hanz Walor, Android Jones, a lot of tattoo artists. Emily Rose Murray is one of my favorites; Jeff Gogue, Claire Reid and a lot more local artists as well. Also just everyday experiences.

It seems to be a mixture of life and death. How come?

Because my shit is deep … deeper than my grave, G. I’m ready to die, and nobody can save me!

Is there beauty in both?

I think there is. Death is one of those things everyone thinks about but rarely talks about. What happens when we die? It is super intense to think about, and I feel like everyone’s initial reaction to that thought is to just ignore it. I know that is my reaction, but when I acknowledge the fact that I will die, I tend to try and live a better life. And I think about that a lot, but I never really intend for my art to portray that. I guess I just do it subconsciously.

Does it concern your family and friends that you draw so much death?

I think my actions have concerned them a lot more than my art. It’s like comparing petty crimes to felonies.

What is your favorite subject matter?

Hot girls. Like I said before, my shit is deep.

Describe to us the feeling of finishing a piece, stepping back and realizing it’s a great piece?

It is like rocking out to the Nnotorious BIG and getting cold chills. Burn baby burn, like disco inferno!