We recently connected with Seangarrison and have shared our conversation below.

Seangarrison, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I believe all artists have an obligation to utilize their talent to speak to something that impacts society or something that moves the needle of humanity, in the right direction. Creating beauty for beauty’s sake is wonderful and needed, but I feel that we as artist must also use our artistic platform to speak about issues that need to be addressed. The important issues that need illumination. There are millions who do not have a platform or can articulate what they want to say. They need us to be the source of their voice.

As an artist with a studio practice and who does interpretive and performative live painting work; I have created experiences that speak to the murder of George Floyd to gun violence to our current political state and it’s impact in America. However, the most meaningful project I’ve worked on isn’t an art project, but a social mission of mine. It’s called “One Good Human™”. It’s mission is to “celebrate and encourage people to motivate others to live life, on and with a purpose of love, hope, happiness, and courage for a stronger community and nation.”

www.onegoodhuman.us

Seangarrison, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a writer and a visual artist.

Like most artists, I knew I had something artistic in me when I drew a picture of my Superman action figure on a random piece of paper at age four. At age 16 I began to write poetry and at 17 I co-founded a dance group called the “Minneapolis Dream Team” with 5 other gentleman. Art has been with me my entire life.

I began to paint with intent in 2010, and after getting a boost of support from an unlikely source. I used to work for a non-profit here in Minneapolis called the Council on Crime and Justice. They held an art exhibit and silent auction. I created a work of art at the last minute and at the request of one of the development directors. On the night of the exhibit my painting which was called “Will Work for Freedom” was placed at the far end of the gallery space. I saw a gentleman staring at this “inaugural” work of mine. He and I struck up a conversation. Roughly 15 minutes into a 45 minute conversation he states “You’re in the wrong business.” I hadn’t heard anything of the sort from anyone other than my mother regarding any of my artistic forays. He stated, “Make sure I get this.” My response, “Make sure you bid.” He did and received the painting. That man was the late Eddie Phillips of the Phillips Liquor Distribution Company, parent of Phillips Vodka and the company that introduced Belvedere Vodka.

From that moment, it took me three years before I called myself a “visual artist.” At that point I had been writing for 27 years, so I considered myself a “writer”. But a visual artist? It took me three years to be brave enough to claim that title. Before I was just a “dude that painted.” To be an “artist” holds an obligation that I wasn’t ready to assume. That is to utilize my talent to add to the public discourse on things that mattered to humanity.

I am a self-taught abstract artist. I have created realistic/figurative work, but I chose to focus on abstraction as that path fit’s best with who I am. My spirit is averse to “staying within the lines” and is most comfortable running free like a black mare in the desert no one can catch. I was once asked what is was like in my head. I told them it was like a “room full of over-caffienated Kindergarten children.” Perpetually in motion with organized randomness. Also, with abstract art, the viewer can look at my work and gain an interpretation born through their life’s lens. This interpretation is always true as it is them, and I want people to see themselves in my work, to feel.

This also allows me to paint from “in between my shoulders and not my ears.” Meaning I paint what I “feel” in deference to what I “think”. What I create from that space is always pure and my best work because I allow who I am take control. This is how I create during my live painting experiences. I chose a subject to center on, add music, then create 24’x6′ masterpeices in 1-1.5 hours before audiences. Those performances are always golden because it allows the audience and I to have a conversation after each show, about what the saw, what they felt, etc. I feel this aspect of my practice is what sets me apart. Not only do I tackle difficult topics but I do so during large scale live performances.

As an extremely empathic person it takes a bit to separate from the work after a show. To be still for a few days is important for me. This aspect of “extreme feeling” serves as a vital ally for me as well. I believe pain is the most honest emotion humans can have. So when I need to dig in, focus myself, get to work and create what I consider some of my most beautiful work; I watch videos of police shootings in particular those of Black men. Why? It keeps me grounded to humanity and in the rawest way in touch with my relationship with america. Do I like trauma? Do I like pain? Heck no! But, again I know what is created from that angst is the most emotionally honest I can create from. The good thing is my practice of self-care. I have become an expert at how to carry myself from those dark places. I enjoy being happy, I enjoy life, my hope meter runs infinitely; but freedom doesn’t only comes with sunrises but also from hard truths. I need that.

My studio practice is the most rewarding because it serves as my “getaway” from a crazy world. That is the place if any “thinking” occurs, happens. I’m always listening to music when I am creating. My musical tastes range from Rachmaninoff to Kendrick Lamar. From Marvin Gaye to Skrillex. From Pink Floyd to Tamela Mann to Nunnabove (Their song “Pocket Lover” is my jam! The energy, the vibe, the message…perfect.)

I am most proud of creating the painting “Walking On Air”. I painted it on the grounds of the courthouse where Derek Chauvin was found guilty for the murder of George Floyd on 4/20/21. That painting captured the hope and excitement of the people in downtown Minneapolis that day. It became visual documentation and the last page of this sorrowful moment in american history. Doing this painting on the grounds of the government center, landed me on MSNBC and several local news stations. It inspired and moved people, which is what I aim to do.

What I’d like for the audience to know about me is that I create in a way they can feel, that resonates with them in some fashion. Many can’t understand abstract artwork, I get it, a concrete mind can’t wrap itself around abstraction. But, we all have emotions and there lies the conduit into my work. My quote “art is meant to wake people up, sit inside their head and spin the imagination like an old soul record. I guess that makes me a ‘DJ’ of a different sort”, speaks to this.

I don’t take my craft for granted and thank God for it and the responsiblities in tow. I am committed to using it for the space that needs beauty hung and platform so people can exhale knowing that someone “sees” them and the issues we face.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Freedom.

The freedom to be authentically me and know I have zero boundaries when creating. I can go into the “office” at 3 in the morning or 3 in the afternoon and create.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I learned, is one on timing and striking while the proverbial iron is hot.

Before I created the painting “Walking on Air”, I had a particular goal which was to create artwork literally in the middle of an uprising, painting the emotions and pain of the moment. The plan was to go downtown Minneapolis after the Derek Chauvin verdict (I assumed he’d be found not guilty for the murder of George Floyd) and paint that energy daily until the energy ceased. I’d then auction off the paintings and donate the money to organizations and individuals doing the good work for humans. After I painted “Walking on Air” and ended up on national TV, I was offered $100,000 for the painting. I declined it because the goal was to auction it and use the proceeds to either start a new program or donate to another that was centered on decreasing the violence in North Minneapolis.

The painting went up for auction in September 2021. About 1-2 weeks prior to the auction, the second strain of COVID introduced itself and the in person auction was shuttered. I felt then, without that energy in the room, an online auction would not fuel the sale of the painting. Thus, I still have it. Yet, have been working to get it sold and in the right location.

If I would have sold it then, I would have been $100,000 (before taxes) richer, but God had other plans.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.seangarrisonartist.com
• Instagram: seangarrisonartist
• Facebook: seangarrison
• Linkedin: seangarrison artist
• Youtube: @seangarrisonartist
• Other: www.onegoodhuman.us (My human mission)

Image Credits

seangarrison (artist), Dan Collison