Congratulations to artist Dr. Curtis Dickman, our latest ArtResin winner! Based in Paradise Valley, AZ Curtis integrates painting, sculpting, digital imaging, and many other technologies into his artwork: "My artwork is best classified as Interactive Pop Art. I like to use art resin to create lighted translucent sculptures (see my cactus sculptures), to provide a layered 3-D effect to my paintings and collages, and to finish the surfaces of paintings, giant guitar sculptures and piano sculptures."
Reconstructed Prickly Pear Cactus Sculpture
Does where you're from or where you currently live influence your work?
I'm from NY originally, and have lived in Arizona for 50 years. I am a big fan of Pop art and surrealism, which was centered in NY at the time I lived there.
What's your art background?
I am predominantly a self-taught artist and have studied art via online courses.
Are you a full-time artist or do you create around work hours?
I am a board-certified neurosurgeon. I retired from medicine in 2015 and have been a full-time artist ever since. I started painting and sculpting 35 years ago.
"Love is the Answer" - Collage on wood panel with L-O-V-E lettering extruded from the canvas.
What do you love about the mediums you use in your work?
What do you love about the mediums you use in your work?
I love creating unique, multilayered, interactive artwork that immerses the viewer in the experience. I use a wide variety of mediums and techniques, especially using hybrid paintings-sculptures, or 3D sculptural elements in my art.
How did you discover resin?
I discovered ArtResin in 2015 via a Google search on the internet, when I was looking for gloss finishing mediums to finish a giant guitar that I was making.
I discovered ArtResin in 2015 via a Google search on the internet, when I was looking for gloss finishing mediums to finish a giant guitar that I was making.
How has resin impacted your artwork?
I use ArtResin in a variety of ways. The most common is to provide a deep gloss finish to my paintings on wood panels, and to create translucent sculptures with integrated lighting. I have been using ArtResin for over a decade now.
I use ArtResin in a variety of ways. The most common is to provide a deep gloss finish to my paintings on wood panels, and to create translucent sculptures with integrated lighting. I have been using ArtResin for over a decade now.
"I Offer U My Heart" - Resin Heart Sculpture with pulsating LED lights to resemble a heart beat.
Can you provide a brief rundown of your process?
I use a dedicated, climate controlled room with the temperature maintained between 75 & 85°F, and use thick clear plastic sheets to keep resin from dripping on the floors.
I use a dedicated, climate controlled room with the temperature maintained between 75 & 85°F, and use thick clear plastic sheets to keep resin from dripping on the floors.
Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?
I am motivated to create artwork by the intense, diverse emotional and spiritual feelings that art conveys......a gift of understanding and sharing complex issues.
I am motivated to create artwork by the intense, diverse emotional and spiritual feelings that art conveys......a gift of understanding and sharing complex issues.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
I routinely donate my artwork to charities, especially groups that help rescue abused children, and focus on recovery from PTSD. (ie CHILDHELP). This mission had been a pervasive part of my artistic journey. It helps me in all areas of my life.
I routinely donate my artwork to charities, especially groups that help rescue abused children, and focus on recovery from PTSD. (ie CHILDHELP). This mission had been a pervasive part of my artistic journey. It helps me in all areas of my life.
What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?
I create artwork that challenges the viewer to question what they are seeing and interact with the artwork to fully appreciate the complexity and depth of the art creation. My artwork is immersive and interactive.
I create artwork that challenges the viewer to question what they are seeing and interact with the artwork to fully appreciate the complexity and depth of the art creation. My artwork is immersive and interactive.
"Colors of the Heart" - 48 x 48" wood panel
Lighted Face Sculpture in Prickly Pear Cactus Stump
Lighted Face Sculpture in Prickly Pear Cactus Stump
"Muhammad Ali's Pow!" - with 3D POW extruded from the canvas
How do you define success as an artist? What does that look and feel like for you?
I define success as an artist by the communities of professional artists embracing the content and quality of my artwork in public venues, and by the ability to inspire others to become more compassionate and humane.
What's your favorite resin tip you'd like to share with our readers?
My favorite resin tip is to first warm the individual components in a hot water bath before mixing. After mixing the two components in a plastic container for at least 3 minutes, I pour the mixed resin into a new container and mix the resin a second time for 1-2 minutes before pouring the resin onto my artwork (or a mold).
Where do you sell your work?
My artwork has been sold extensively at auctions to support charitable groups. I have also sold my artwork via art galleries throughout the USA, through art studio tours, festivals, commercial events, and via online commerce sites.
Congratulations on your win, Curtis!
To see more of Curtis' work:
Visit his website: www.CurtisDickmanArt.com
Follow him on Instagram: @curtisdickman
See his YouTube channel: @CurtisDickmanFineArt
To see more of Curtis' work:
Visit his website: www.CurtisDickmanArt.com
Follow him on Instagram: @curtisdickman
See his YouTube channel: @CurtisDickmanFineArt
Every month, to celebrate our community of artists, ArtResin will send out a 32 oz kit to two lucky people who have shared the work they've created with ArtResin.
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy For Resin Art!
