Chris Sheridan

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What appeals to you most about making what you make? Why do you make things? Really I think it’s just the challenge. Truth be told, on some occasions painting bores me, other times it pisses me off; but it has a knack of keeping me on my toes that brings me back every time. I paint because it’s one of the only things that holds my attention. I’ve tried a lot of other things, hell I’ve even pressed and shaped my own skateboards, but once I figure something out I tend to go on to something else.

Why did you choose the medium you work with? It found me. I had been painting in water media for a long time, doing illustration and theatrical sets, then…bam! Oil painting slid into the scene. I haven’t looked back since.

What importance do the materials that you use have to your art? Everything. There was once a time when I’d paint on anything, with anything, I even did a semester’s worth of landscapes with cooking oil. Teachers told me all the time that if I used better materials, I’d do better paintings; I told ‘em they were full of (insert expletive here). Then I stared working at an art store and could afford all the top shelf paint—and I’ve spent the last ten years trying to make up for lost time.

What is the first thing you made? A mess, I’m sure. I’ve never been much for being dainty with things.