We were lucky to catch up with Dale Boyer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dale, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Risk is a requirement for creativity, innovation, and art. After spending years experimenting with different mediums, and mixing materials that are technically incompatible, I fell in love with plaster and its limitless versatility and endless nuance. Knowing the long history of plaster artisans, I sought out a mentor. The only problems were that he was based in Tampa and needed me there within two weeks.

I declined to accept the job I had lined up, bought a plane ticket, and flew across the country with $500 in my name and the promise of a studio space I could sleep in.

The next few months were formative. During the day my mentor and I met with clients and worked on large projects. I helped build a replica of a 30-foot-high French fireplace, climbing the scaffolding and building the “stonework” through layer after layer of plaster. I created the organic shape for plaster waves outside a storefront and poured resin for expansive floors in a mansion. Each night I spent time in the studio integrating techniques and textures that you’ll find in my art today. But perhaps the longest-lasting influence on my work from this experience has been teaching me the value of risks. Without being willing to walk away from my comfort zone, without being willing to fail, I’ll never grow.

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 began experimenting with art as a teenager, first as idle practice working with graffiti, inspired by tagging I found in central and southeast San Diego neighborhoods. Then I expanded to other typography like Old English. I’ve always been driven by a desire to externalize myself. To create a physical mark on canvas as proof that I exist– that I have an impact on the world around me. Over time, this evolved into my abstract and symbolic paintings, built from many layers permeated by my mood.

This results in highly evocative paintings based on the emotion my clients are looking to display. It might be a passion for camping embodied in layers of forest greens and the browns of bark, or the hustle of Oakland found in a bold midnight crown amongst a backdrop of white. The depth of the thought and image cannot be done to the same effect with less complexity.

The interplay between my relationship with clients, their goals and my connection to the paints and textures, creates a work of emotion that stands unique.

All the work I do is available for sale. I also do commission work, and occasionally transport and install my large paintings. I am open and love meeting new people – if we cross paths and you’d like to paint or share space with me, you are more than welcome.

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 have practiced art for 16 years now. I’ve changed styles so many times over the years that I feel exhausted. I am almost completely self-taught, so it’s been a long journey. Painting is expressive, therefore it’s inherently emotional. I’ve really had to practice discipline and emotional regulation to become the artist I am today.

To those who aspire to become artists:

There is no magic. While we all have different talents, everything requires practice and commitment. If you want to get better, you need to take risks and incur loss along the way. You may spend all your paychecks on just rent and art supplies for an entire year. You may never like your work. You may never have enough space to comfortably work in.

Take the leap. If you want to become an artist but you’re spinning your wheels and waiting for the “right time”, it may just never come.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I feel most rewarded when I produce something based on a completely abstract thought. I see images that I don’t understand. I don’t know why I see them, or what has inspired them. Then I spend weeks or a month capturing my feelings on a painting, knowing people still won’t see what I do.

That’s really hard, I love it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.daleboyerart.com
• Instagram: daleboyerart
• Other: [email protected] Anyone can DM me, I’m wide open. I also am always down to connect on the phone or in person, when I’m available. Art is supposed to be accessible, not exclusive.