We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cyrus Fire a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cyrus, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I first knew that I wanted to professionally pursue an artistic career while standing in the Book loft of German village in Columbus Ohio. I had gone there with the girlfriend (at the time) we had wandered way back into the store which is huge and labyrinthine with its 32 rooms. We were looking at large glossy art books and I came across one featuring George Rodrigue’s blue dog. I had never seen his work before but found the paintings very appealing. I didn’t understand it at first I just loved the image. Then I read about how the blue dog was his dog that died and this was his way of remembering her.
He painted that dog in so many different paintings and the whole sentiment of was beautiful to me. I like to paint what ever is in my head at the time so I was not like George in that sense. I thought that if he could paint the same subject over and over I could paint whatever I wanted to as long as I cared about it the way he did.

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 am an abstract painter and graphic designer. I graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design and have been actively painting ever since. I mainly paint portraits in an abstract style that draws on all my favorite influences. My work is very colorful and I tend to hide things in my work for the viewer who enjoys a good mystery or google search. I pure as much of my emotion into my work as possible as painting is a form of therapy for me. I think of myself as an “escape artist” because that is what my work is. An escape. I can lose myself in a piece for hours and not have a single negative thought. Well that’s not totally true. When the hairs on my brush curl up and cause stray brush strokes that aren’t supposed to be there, I do get a little upset!
I began showing paintings in group shows and that lead to being involved in galleries and solo shows. Meeting people and making friends in those circles led to various design jobs for local bands and businesses. I have recently begun to do make tee shirt designs and more digital work. It has been fun exploring the iPad and stylus as an alternative to acrylics. It definitely travels on airplanes better. This has lead to me making more stickers and things as well.
When it comes to commissions I only take projects that are fun and engaging. That allows me to truly be present in the design and execution of the piece.
I would say that I am most proud of my contribution to the Black History Matters mural located at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American history museum.
It was the first mural that I had ever painted on pavement so it was a challenge.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The main goal driving my creative journey would be inner peace. I have been fortunate enough to have been sought out by various people or companies to do very cool projects. I have had a great time exploring my creativity in a professional way but at the end of it all I paint because I love it. Painting helps me cope with the things in life that I cannot control or don’t understand. I escape into my work while listening to all types of music. This keeps me balanced and excited to continue the process.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think people who view themselves as non-creative may struggle with motivation. When you are starting a new piece or if you have a piece that has hours of work already done to it…. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the motivation to start or finish a piece. I have seen plenty of artists who are forever starting new pieces but rarely finish the old pieces. I think everyone goes through this at some point. My advice would be to paint more and think less. For me motivation is more momentum than inspiration. Sometimes it is better to just pick up the brush and pretend you know what direction you’re going in even if you don’t.
Once I begin putting paint down it forces me to begin making decisions and even if they are bad decisions I will start sorting through it. I will love or hate it and I have found that the pieces that I struggled with the most made me grow as an artist. When I look at the pieces that came after a failed or struggling piece they are progressively better.
Do more things outside of your comfort zone like specifically using colors that you don’t like in a piece. See what comes of it then go back to something you are confident in and watch how your perspective on everything changes.

Contact Info:

• Website: Cyrusfire.com
• Instagram: Cyrus.fire
• Facebook: Facebook.com/Cyrusfire1

Image Credits
Aarthi Gonela Fire took the photograph of me.