Artist Profile – Dan Rabbit: I choose to paint what makes me happy
My personal artistic career has been, for lack of better words, spotty. A variable art fiend growing up, I was unable to get through the day without drawing something for the longest time. Naturally, this was all afforded by the freedom of youth and lack of employment. My artistic progress slowed considerably once adulthood approached and it was time to go to work. I managed some studio classes at Volunteer State Community College, but once classes were over the stagnation began.
Sometime, in my early to mid-twenties, I had stopped doing art nearly altogether. Life was stressful, busy, and lacking in anything inspirational. When I rarely picked art up again, it was often with the motivation of making something either masterful or profitable. This proved to be an exhausting motivation that led directly to failure on all accounts. Because of this, I just sort of quit creating things altogether for a few years.
Previously, there was this idea that I could only improve my work under the direction of an instructor… that I would simply master all the art fundamentals before I dared consider doing frivolous art. A controlled environment, or even just a strict personal regimen, was surely what I needed to become good and avoid the dreaded label of “hobbyist” as opposed to “artist.” Needless to say, there was a palpable struggle to make this happen.
As my later twenties approached, life began to stabilize a bit and I found myself again in many ways. Art began to creep back into my life in 2023, when I began doing simple crafts like small keychains and Buddhist rosaries, mostly occupying time producing assembled works from pre-made elements. It was enjoyable but there was a need growing to create something original.
I came to the realization that my most prolific artistic era in the past was simply doing sketches in Sharpie, so I invested in high-quality acrylic markers to emulate that. This turned out to be my favorite medium after years of rotating through paint, liner pens, markers, etc. I find that flat opaque colors plus the control of the pen work best for the art I create. Acrylic was chosen over oil because of how well it layers and how quickly it dries. I favor flat unblended colors which also lend better to acrylic work.
Picking up houseplants as a hobby, I struggled to find attractive pots and began painting my own designs onto blank pots. I picked topics that made me happy as opposed to things I considered to be meaningful or “deep.” Pretty things – bunnies, nature, smiley faces, rainbows, and flowers – quickly revealed themselves as my favorite subjects. The world can be so bleak, isolating, and bitter so my work acts to inject a little sweetness into that.
Seeking other inspiration from various artists and subjects became crucial to developing art. Keith Haring and independent Japanese artist Nekojiru had been influential to me years ago, but their work still felt fresh being seen with my new perspective. Mexican pottery, Tonala and alebrije animal sculptures in particular, are very influential as well. Wild colors, patterns with bold lines and wild-looking animals remain a mainstay of work I do.
Once somewhat bored of plant pots, the search for other things to paint on began. Lacking a lot of funds, vintage boxes, random wood scraps, and discarded art all became canvases for various ideas. Quickly I found that I prefer canvas panel to stretched canvas in most cases due to how clumsy I can be. Condolences to the art that never was, because I likely ripped the canvas that day.
Support from friends and family has been most necessary as well. I took some chances and set up at a few art markets and found that people actually liked these things I made, and I was invited to set up at more places. Commissions from friends came when I needed them most, and I even managed a few buyers when vending and this sort of energy has motivated me greatly to keep making new art. What I once believed to be a secret formula to being a prolific artist turned out to be a blend of support and choosing to create what ultimately makes me most happy.
-by Dan Rabbit
