Lance McMahan – More To Come? If We’re Lucky, Perhaps.

Lance McMahan is a person that sees art in most things and makes most things into art.  He is more than a visual artist, guitarist for the music band ‘palit’ , song writer, intricate thinker, purveyor of philosophical theories or some other artsy drivel that starts with ‘p‘: poster art, pop music, pumpkin pie, pimpin’ kicks, plastered-polyurethane figurines, pickled paper and papier-mâché pin-up dolls.  Eventually some art becomes annoying because the result is a little more than a conjecture of ‘what the huh…” and senselessness vomiting out as distorted shallow noise but with Lance, one must ask, “How does he manage to craft ideas and have it make sense?”  It’s more than ‘just cool’ or hip.  I understand hype [insert aforementioned 'p' things] and that’s the point, Lance’s work isn’t a masturbatory expression for attention.  His work is detailed, sincere and thoughtful.  And, as an artist he arouses me.

One simple piece ‘Circles’, a digital video of words appearing on a blank screen oddly held my attention and I thought, “Really, how does he do that…”.  A few hours later, I trolled back and watched it again; this time with the included audio and after the third screen shot, I realized I was reading along to a song.  No, this isn’t a grandiose de rigueur to expressionism or art but it is a formulated thought well-manufactured for the senses.  Music.  Words.  The option of having them co-exist.  It’s more than the meaning of words and his medium of choice to express his thought, but it’s the moment when one finds the tactility of the piece that combines the formidable and/or deconstructed ideas that makes his work impressive.   Not only do I appreciate it- I want to hold it, I want to savor it, I want to chew it in tiny morsels and have it rest in my belly because it’s this sort of meaning that keeps me feeling alive or devastated or left wanting – that I want it to lasts.

What makes all of this better than good is the ingenious, perplexingly simple, awkwardly lascivious, perceptive man behind the words, the visuals and the music.  Simply looking at a photograph of Lance, it unveils itself like a peep show.  His work makes me want to touch but I can’t, yet the pictures urge me to look closer; so I look into, look over and look upon and I am left unresolved or completely sinking or beaming like Spring or left doing math in the dark because his art is signaling fires for me to imagine more.

post by corine michel; contributor . contact me [corinemichel@dopemag.com].

Pirates by Palit >Pirates by Palit

Interview with Lance & MP3 ‘pirates piano’ by Palit:

When did you discover painting as a creative outlet? My interest in painting started when I was eighteen years old and discovered Cy Twombly’s work in Houston.  Art became interesting with comic books I found in my mother’s attic.  I love comic books.

Did you paint when you were a child?  Do you remember how any of your art looked like then? I love looking back at my childhood work.  I drew a lot of flowers; I’d describe it as very loose.

What’s the art scene like in Austin, Texas? Music is the ‘scene’ in Austin but places like ‘Okay Mountain, ‘Art Palace’ and ‘The Birdhouse’ support visual art so it’s happening.  But, the advantage of a new emerging scene is flexibility.

Where did you study? I studied at Texas State University but I’m learning everyday.

You are experimental with mediums of art, can you elaborate on the tools you like to use? I’m a carpenter by profession and the materials I have; chop saw, substrate and whatever else is lying around dictate the shape and form of my creative work.

What are your favorite colors, textures or palettes? I like the idea of grabbing tangible objects that are accessible and inexpensive; such as house paint and dumpsters, and making it work [as art].

Do you work in complete silence or listen to music?  If so, what kind of music do you listen to? I like silence; I like to tune into the work.

When you are not painting, what do you do? When I’m not painting, I’m working to sustain my livelihood or being a hermit and making music.

Do you use your art to chart your life, in other words, do most of your pieces have significance to you personally or are they streams of consciousness? I am my art. It’s significant because it imbues my emotional process as I work through life’s challenges. I like art that you feel in the stomach. But once I’m done, it’s for the viewer to decipher its meaning and success.

Are you inspired by your youth or by your adult life, by the lives of others? All of the above.

Who inspires you? Mainly Cy Twombly but historically, many artists inspire me. Bad art is important too because it’s still a structured language that moves me forward.  But it’s the people in my life and my experiences that inspire me most.

What other art forms do you appreciate? I enjoy all forms of art.  My most recent love is modern dance.  Once I’m introduced to something new that I like, I soak it up.

Have you had any recent shows?  If so, when and where? As I mentioned before, Austin has a relatively new art scene unless you paint apple orchards and mountains. I’ve shown at ‘Okay Mountain’, ‘Camp Fig’, coffee shops and parties.  I’ve illustrated for ‘Texas Observer’, ‘Proper Gander’, ‘The San Antonio Current’ and “The Red River Rank and Review’.  I also co-operated a public art installation space called ‘The L_M_N_L’ for two years.

How many shows have you done? Do they get easier? I don’t recall how many.  Some aspects get easier but it’s always stressful to plaster myself on walls for public viewing.

What are the next events coming up for you that you are excited about? I’m very excited about my next exhibit premiering at the Birdhouse on January 17th 2010.  birdhousegallery.com

Where can someone purchase your work? They can purchase my work either at shows or by contacting me.

What is your fundamental goal of your artwork? My goals are communicating, projecting empathy and when I’m greedy; receiving sympathy.