We recently connected with Antonio Ainscough and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Antonio thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Everything I create is meaningful to me. Sometimes I will spend several months on a painting or drawing, or finish it entirely in one afternoon. It really just depends on where my mind is at in that particular moment. Being able to reflect on past experiences is rewarding in that way as an artist and a person in general. 2022 was a big year for my journey as an artist. I had two sold out solo shows, SoHo House cornerstone murals and a hat release with the Chicago Bulls. The SoHo House cornerstones and Chicago Bulls hat release in particular were pretty big milestones for me. The cornerstones are a spot that is known for being one which many great Chicago artists have graced over the years. It was my first experience painting on something other than a square in my studio. At the time, I was battling a cold and I had an initial fear I wouldn’t be able to finish within the two day period. Ultimately, I am very proud with how things turned out. The best part was being able to interact with visitors and members walking by. Some would say, “That’s so cool!” and others would stare in confusion at the early stages of the pieces. I had an absolute blast nonetheless. As far as the Bulls Hats went, It was an incredibly rewarding experience. From designing the hat itself to seeing it in hand, the feeling was so surreal. Having a bunch of people coming up to me at the game to sign their hats was something I never would have expected. My family and I got to take pictures on the court before the game and sat in seats that we got for free. It expanded my idea of what I can be capable of in the art world. These experiences will always be meaningful to me and embody the true start of my journey.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a Chicago-based pop surrealist painter utilizing ideologies of mood, identity, and self-discovery through cartoon influenced imagery. I am primarily an acrylic and oil painter. My work captures experiences of hyperbolized autobiographical scenarios in a way that is both playful and humorous. I create work with a style of controlled chaos that embraces and subverts traditions including pop art, impressionism, expressionism and surrealism. My artistic journey commenced in my toddler years with sketching, influenced by sources ranging from Wacky Packages stickers to the Garbage Pail Kids trading card series and early 2000s cartoons. Originally aspiring to a career in animation, I shifted my focus to painting while studying at Eastern Illinois University under the tutelage of my mentor Chris Kahler. In 2020, I earned my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Painting from Eastern Illinois University. In 2021, I moved to Chicago and began participating in the gallery scene and have since showcased in numerous group and solo exhibitions across the United States and internationally.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn overanalyzing. Growing up, my father would tell me not to get so focused on the trees that I can’t see the forest. In the past, I would beat myself up about whether or not I said the right thing in a situation when in reality, everything was completely fine. I later realized that nothing good comes from overthinking anything. If the journey truly is the destination in an art career then the same has to be true when creating the art itself. We may get so caught up in the end goal of finishing a piece which can feel like a chore more than an act of self expression. Sometimes creating a painting feels like putting together a puzzle with nothing but corner pieces. I use to often catch myself hyper focusing on areas that aren’t serving the pieces holistically. The solution I discovered is to be free during the process by capturing the essence of a feeling and not attach myself to all the bells and whistles.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission is to show other creatives that their dreams are possible and to believe in themselves. I don’t mean to get all angsty, but I’ve always kept a chip on my shoulder from when I’d get made fun of for being “different” during my childhood. I think every creative kid knows that unexplainable feeling of presenting yourself as true as you are, only to walk away feeling embarrassed and ashamed. That feeling of wanting to belong but to instead be rejected. Whether it was a crush, someone you wanted to be friends with or a complete stranger, the feeling creates an important lesson early on. That lesson is to keep trying. The rejection I faced early on helped to callous my approval from others and follow what I know is best for me, even if they call you crazy. Most people just project their insecurities onto you because you had the bravery to accomplish something they never will. The importance of thick skin in the real world is often overstated but is truly valuable when it comes to knowing what is best for yourself and not what others think is best for you. Embrace being misunderstood.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ajainscough.com/
- Instagram: ajainscough
Image Credits
AJ Ainscough Studios LLC ©