Juan Thorpe

266 W. 2nd St. Pomona, CA 91766
www.thorpart.com – www.bunnygunner.com

Interview with Juan Thorpe 2007.

Question: Explain the type of art you do… Sculpt, Paint, Draw?
Juan: Acrylic painting and mixed media on canvas, panel and paper. I paint mechanical style art inspired mostly from machinery and military equipment.

Question: What is your favorite time of day to work on your art?
Juan: Usually in the evening. Or the last few days right before the deadline of a show, I love the pressure.

Question: How many hours do you work on art in a typical week?
Juan: Usually around 15 and up to about 60 at one point.

Question: Do you work on multiple pieces at the same time?
Juan: I usually have about 10 – 20 pieces going at the same time. Some don’t get finished though.

Question: How (if it has) has the Arts Colony made you a better artist?
Juan: By meeting all the other artist that live here and show here. It has encouraged me to work harder and inspired me to keep working towards my goal of doing nothing but art as some of them do. Getting to see all the art that comes in from other cities, even states has also kept me working. It is also a very comfortable environment to make art. You can take a break and check out a show or visit with some artist friends.

Question: Do you have any shows coming up?
Juan: I will be showing in a group show at the new Claremont Art Museum in July 2007. Another group show in October 2007 at the Kellogg Gallery at Cal Poly Pomona. And a three person show with Bob Pece and Cheryl Bookout in November at SCA Gallery in Pomona. I am also involved in curating shows and will be opening a gallery with my girlfriend, Susie in July of 2007.

Question: Do you collect other artists work and whose?
Juan: I collect way too much work, I am out of wall space. The list is too long but includes: Rolo Castillo, Father Bill Moore, Thomas Allen Pathe, Magu, Brent Harada, Marco Zamora, Oscar Magallanes, Manny LeGaspe, and many more.

Question: What tips can you give other artists who are thinking about moving to the Arts Colony?
Juan: Come to 2nd Saturday and hang out with the artists. Have some work in a show here to get the feel for it. There is something really special about the art community here. Were are like a big family and support network.

Question: What is your favorite and least favorite downtown noise?
Juan: I don’t mind the train, ambulance, the rowdy people in the alley drinking and screaming or the trash truck.

Question: What is your favorite and least favorite down town smell?
Juan: When the trees are in bloom, it stinks, and my hair after a long night at Characters. Walking by Joey’s BBQ smells pretty good.

Question: How is life in the Arts Colony?
Juan: Life is great. I’ve been a part of it for about 9 years and have seen it grow and shrink. To me its about being right in the middle of the art scene, it is cool to call this place home. There’s a few things I don’t like; parking tickets and politics.

Question: Do you have any Pets?
Juan: Peaches our cat.

Question: Favorite place to eat… What dish?
Juan: The Bistro Burger can’t be beat.

Question: Favorite place to hang out?
Juan: Susie and I sitting at Sakura Ichi having a few pitchers is a great way to start the night. We also really enjoy our loft.