The beginning of each week has, inadvertently, become the “interview day” – what better way to start off the week than with some behind-the-scenes info? One look at the work of Evan B Harris and I was, to put it mildly, entranced. The fact that he lives in Portland is a bonus; I would have interviewed Evan simply because of his highly obvious use of natural elements and images. Muted colors and fluid movement also feature in his largest pieces, adding to my bubbling curiosity.

Growing up in the backwoods of Oregon left Evan isolated to the reaches of his own mind. Thankfully, he decided to use those fables and folklore that he dreamed up to beautiful the worlds of others, instead of destroying it like so many in our society today. With no formal art training, it is clear that a strong vision and a will to practice was all Evan needed to let his true talent shine through. In a 2006 interview, Evan said that one of the books he loves is The Little Prince; this was also the #1 favorite of American star of the 1950s James Dean – coincidence?

Following this paragraph is my interview with Evan B Harris and a few samples of his ever-growing collection of artwork. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed conducting it.

You were born in Medford, which is right near the Oregon/California border, and now you live in Portland. Have you ever lived outside of Oregon? How do you think this has shaped your art?

Evan B Harris: I have lived outside of Oregon; after high school, I lived in Reno, NV. Then Hawaii, where I began to experiment with watercolors. The sunny climate and vivid colors that naturally show up there influenced my subject matter and palette heavily. It wasn’t until after Hawaii, when I returned to the Northwest (Seattle and then Portland) that I really found myself in an environment that suited me and my art. It was a return to what I grew up around, the mountains, the coast, the city… I love the old architecture. I guess I just feel the most inspired in Oregon.

Just about every interview or article about you that I’ve seen makes sure to mention that you have never had any formal art training; do you think that helps you stand out amongst your peers (in a good or bad way)?

Evan: I’m really proud of the fact that I haven’t had any formal training. I haven’t had any[one] stand over my shoulder, telling me what’s right or wrong. I am able to paint from my heart and hope that it comes out the right way. On the other hand, I know nothing about art as a business and I haven’t experimented with all of the different mediums available to students in art school.

After working with a variety of materials; such as charcoal, melted wax, and wood; which medium is your favorite to create with and why?

Evan: Acrylic paint is about the only thing I use now. There’s a lot of diversity to what you can do with it. I like to use them as a wash, like a watercolor. By diluting the paint, I can build up colors in layers. This gives me more freedom of shades and richness in a limited color palette.

How much thought or pre-planning goes into your pieces? Do you seek to express a particular message with each creation?

Evan: I spend a lot of time inside my own head before I start each piece. It’s like dreaming inside the mind I had when I was a child. I channel this surreal place and I don’t question why or where it comes from. I spend more time looking for a feeling than a thought.

Evan’s most recent work: a mural at Portland’s Ace Hotel

I’ve read that you are a big appreciator of poetry and music; do you have any particular pieces that inspire you to create and/or artists that you listen to while painting your masterpieces?

Evan: I like to listen to music while I paint, but I actually prefer books on tape; the longer the book, the better. In between paintings, I enjoy playing banjo and guitar, though they can serve as great distractions and sometimes have to be sent into hiding.

Last year, you participated in Wurst Gallery’s “We Heart Gocco” show; do you still use the Gocco machine? Why or why not?

Evan: I haven’t used it since that show, mostly because it takes too long. It’s difficult to get supplies and the process is too time consuming, but the time will come when I can make some more prints.

Who are your three favorite artists in Oregon (other than yourself, hint hint)?

Evan: First and foremost, my dad – his work is really honest in that he does it for himself, not to make a living at it. The work is really great and ranges in media and could stand up to lots of art out there now. There’s just a business side and a beauty side; he keeps concerned with the latter. Amy Ruppel is an artist I admire for her understanding of both the business and the beauty. Even more so, I admire her show of ease at difficult techniques and her perfectly selected color palettes; she’s also just a true-blue friend. Carson Ellis and I share a love for the past and have a similar aesthetic and I really like her works.

You recently began to share studio space with artist Amy Ruppel; what has it been like to work with another artist around? Has her artistic processes and styles affected your current methods of creating?

Evan: Yes, it’s been great witnessing the process of another artist. It’s nice to have someone else’s creative energy to feed off of, but most of all it’s nice to have someone to talk to, ask questions, bounce ideas off of. Creating art can be so solitary, and it’s fun to be able to break the monotony with a beer and a friend.

Often described as folk art, how would you categorize your own work (if that’s possible)? Do you wear the “folk art” label proudly?

Evan: Well, my work is often described as folk art because that’s how I describe it. Contemporary folk art told with a surrealist accent. I do draw a lot of inspiration from primitive European folk art and early Americana – I like their simplistic visions. All that and I look like I could’ve stepped out of one of my paintings, so yeah, I’d say I’m pretty proud of where I am and what I do.

Earlier this year, you had a piece featured on TinyShowcase.com , and you choose for part of your profits to go to Portland’s DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. What lead you to choose them in particular?

Evan: It’s my local animal hospital and they do a great job at what they do. I know how important pets are to people, myself included. It was the least I could do and was a pleasure to do so.

There’s no denying the enormous feature that nature and animals play in your pieces – do you see yourself as a naturalist/environmentalist/hippie … etc.?

Evan: Growing up in Oregon, you can’t escape nature. I spent more of my childhood running through the woods than playing indoors. It’s a huge part of me and there’s no denying that. There’s a beauty and tranquility in nature that no matter how hard I try, I still haven’t been able to capture in my paintings. There’s a harshness and cruelty to it as well. I find [nature] to be the most interesting and honest subject matter; it’s inspiration is endless.

Living in what has been called the greenest city in the US, do you have any eco-conscious habits?

Evan: I try to support our local farms and agriculture by consciously buying local. I also ride my bike everywhere and I recycle everything down to my painting supplies.

Do you have any other nifty, secret projects in the works that you could hint at?

Evan: Along with several upcoming art exhibitions, I’ve got illustrations for a children’s book in the works. I’m really excited about that project as it’s not something I’ve done before.

[All images courtesy of Evan B Harris]