Meet Aaron Kirchmaier

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Kirchmaier.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
For as long as I can remember I’ve been doodling on paper and mushing play-doh around. During my adolescence creating was the only one of my interests that I knew would bring me long-term fulfillment. I spent that part of my youth trying to skateboard, watching the aerosol galleries roll out of the train tracks next to my house, listening to nu-metal and Memphis rap music, playing board games and falling into internet holes. Eventually, as time ticked by, I decided to devote more and more time to making, learning, and practicing with any and all media I could grab. From 2010 to 2014 I studied digital Illustration at the Columbus College of Art & Design, but always made a point to keep my experimental mindset active. I was casting resin characters and spray-painting walls when I wasn’t doing school work. After graduating I shifted my focus to mixed media painting with the intent to show in galleries. My creative voyage is currently at the point; anchor up, sails out, wind aimed at the future!

Please tell us about your art.
Creating is a release for me. Sometimes, I’ll sit for hours and draw wonky alphabets. Other days a zombie wearing stained briefs will appear on the page. Tomorrow I might decide to throw a gallon of green paint at my couch to see what happens. That kind of thing is part of my process but rarely is presented as “finished work”.

I tend to do the above for a while until I come up with a concept that’s worthy of reaching a “final form”. That might be a canvas series, a zine, stickers, vinyl toy, etc…

Recently I’ve pushing out work with empathy in mind. The driving force behind any piece or series I make is always media experimentation, but currently, because of a recent string of tragedy in my life I want to shine light on the human experience. The pitfalls, hardships, moments of bliss, daily grinds, the pity-parties we throw for ourselves, etc… because no matter the variables, we all share these common grounds in some way, shape, or form. We’re all going through it. I’m choosing to unapologetically show you as viewers mine with the hope that you can put yourself in my shoes, relate my story to yours and understand a little bit more about yourself.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Speaking from a green perspective, I’ve found that asking and listening is always a good way to open doors. If you have a vision you’d like to pursue remember to always give your opinion of that vision precedence over all the other voices around you. That being said, stay humble. Nobody likes an ego-tripper

“Success”, however you see that, takes time and patience. Love the struggle, but never let it win. Surround yourself with as much positivity and encouragement as you can. Make friends with other artists, especially ones that know how to use a camera. Collaboration is key. Otherwise you’ll end up being a painter, video editor, photographer, social media marketer, web developer, and tired. Most artists make in the comfort of their home or studio, but getting out of your comfort zone is the best way to grow, and get inspired.

Try to make as many things as you can and don’t worry too much about how “good” they are. “Good” happens after you flush out all of the “bad”. Sleep and mental health are one of my priorities. Trade the social life and endless grinding for these every once in a while.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
At the moment, I have a shop link on my website with prints of paintings, vinyl and resin figures, coasters, and other products for sale. This webpage also showcases a large collection of the work I’ve produced over the last five or so years. Currently I have a 5-piece series on display at The Tempe Library with two other local artists, and I’ll be showing paintings at a couple of group shows around Phoenix before the year closes.

What I’m really excited about is a solo show going up at The Hive in march of 2019. This 18-piece body relates to the concepts I previously explained, dives deeper into the tragedy I’ve recently encountered, and how I’ve worked myself out of the residual funk. It’s my largest body of work to date, and will include a mural on one of the gallery walls.

Aside from that, I’m always open for commission requests, and really love to hear what people think about what I do. Support doesn’t always have to be dollars and opportunity. Sometimes a kind work or open dialogue goes a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bairbrains.com
• Phone: 4193509558
• Email: info@bairbrains.com
• Instagram: @bairbrains

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