Art & Life with Hugh Mulligan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hugh Mulligan.

Hugh, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
As a kid I spent my summers enrolled in art classes of all kinds, so I spent a large amount of time drawing, painting and building & disassembling everything I could find. I didn’t really have any aspirations ofpracticing art or becoming any kind of artist, even though it seems obvious to me now, until I took a course called “graphics” in high school (big shout out to Ms. Vladich, if you’re out there somewhere). This was my first intro into digital art and graphic design in general, and I still had no thoughts of doing anything with it, until freshman orientation at the U of A in the spring of 2000. I sort of randomly, but luckily ended up in the orientation program for the college of fine arts, and 5 years later, ahem, graduated with a degree in Visual Communications with an Emphasis on Graphic Design.

Ummm, so yeah, I was lucky to get a job right out of school in the valley and I’ve been here ever since. I love graphic design, I really do, but it started to feel very routine right around the 10 or 12-year mark. I was proud of a lot of my work and had received various local, national and international awards for it, but I could feel the spark was diminishing. During my youth, and more seriously as an adult, I had dabbled in furniture design and building, and I used that as my creative outlet, beyond client work. The graphic design spark is not dead, but it’s been on life support for years. So rather than sit back, collect a check, and feel my soul die just a little bit more each day I sat behind the desk, an opportunity to leave my position arose, and Gots Chops Wood Works was born

My dear, patient, just peach of a wife was none too pleased, but it’s a been a few years and I think she’s over it… Luv ya baby cakes!?

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’ve been focusing on creating modern hardwood furniture. It is super fulfilling and immensely gratifying to be able to go from a sketch, to 3d models, to a finished piece of furniture and have complete creative control over the entire process.

As a graphic designer, we spend countless hours iterating design layouts and debating to the point of absurdity every infinitesimal detail of a new project, only to have the client tell us they don’t like blue. Direction dead. Start over. We’d get it right the second round to great client approval, only to send it to print and doom it to a slow death in the wild, never to be seen or heard from again.

Making “things” is different. The same, if not more effort and energy are poured into it, but when the last drop of blood has been shed and the final coat of finish buffed, you end up with a “thing.” A tangible, measurable, useful, beautiful thing. And I have found that to be as gratifying as any “thing” I’ve done.

Wood has a soul and a story and It’s our jobs as craftsmen to find it and make it shine. This is getting a little esoteric for me, but there is something magical about creating a piece of furniture that you know could be used by your client’s grandchildren someday.

Creating things that are lasting in craftsmanship and timeless by design was almost a lost art. It feels like we’re all looking for something a little more genuine. Flat-pack furniture be damned! You’ve been put on notice. We want better!

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
I’ve been lucky to have formed a pretty solid network of friends and talent through my graphic design and advertising gigs. Ad2 was a good resource for me when I was a younger designer and attending awards show and openings of all kinds is always a great way to see new work and branch out. Just get out there and do your thing. It’ll all happen in time…

…I’ve heard of some people switching gears and starting a whole new career in their mid-30’s with two kids at home. Ya know, different strokes I guess…

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Buy something! I am in the process of designing and building my own collection of pieces, which can be seen (and purchased) by visiting gotschops.com or following @gotschops on Instagram. Feel free to contact me with new work inquiries, burning questions, high-praise, facial hair advice, or anything else you’d like to chat about. I’m always taking new work. 

Contact Info:

• Website: gotschops.com
• Email: info@gotschops.com
• Instagram: @gotschops

Image Credit:
H. M. Mulligan, I

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.