Sleeves
“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” - Henry David Thoreau
It can be one of the most vulnerable things to do to simply look into each other’s eyes. When one looks into the eyes of another it’s said that you can see their inner being, see all of who they are in that very moment. That kind of intimacy and all the scary things that come with it take center stage in the art of Sleeves. A Seattle-based artist describing his own works as “extractions from my inner thoughts,” Sleeves is all about that moment of connection with another being.
“I don’t really preconceive a piece before I start. I like to allow my mind to spontaneously grab on to a concept and run with it. The pieces I create may have a deeper meaning for me, but I like to allow the art to be interpreted in whatever way
the viewer feels it represents to them.”
Sleeves is not one for sitting and pondering and planning, or in his words, overthinking and deceiving. Art is not something he intends to hide behind. While Sleeve's work comes from his own perceptions and motivations, he would much rather allow the viewer to not just interpret but rather, to simply feel what it represents to them in that very first glimpse they get. That experience can be in the same moment, both subtle and profound.
How often do we allow ourselves to spontaneously grab onto a concept and run with it, without fear or judgment or shame? Let’s face it, we all have things about ourselves that we want to hide from others, perhaps even an alternate persona we put on with one human that we do not with another. When you look at Sleeves’ work what do you see? Yes, it’s technically made by Sleeves, each brush stroke created by Sleeves, a representation of Sleeves in that moment.... but what do you see? Do you see yourself staring back at you? Do you instantly become aware of where you stand on the line of appreciating art and dismissing it for what you deem to be unworthy, or is that just because it simply makes you uneasy, and perhaps at the same time, unwilling to explore your feelings more deeply?
"If it ain't creepy it ain't worth my ink!" - Sleeves
With that said, Sleeves offers some ideas that he works by with each piece. The main one being to open yourself to others. Meaning to their thoughts or opinions to continue to broaden your perspective. When we look into others, we tend to see ourselves. We may pick and choose the parts of them that we would like to be or identify the parts that we truly never want to be. Either way, always attempt to turn your gaze back inward.
Find what you may be holding back and put it on the front burner even if it’s for less than a day. See how it feels. Opening yourself up to others eventually becomes opening up to yourself. Broadening your perspective on who you believe yourself to be ultimately broadens your capability for creating your biggest masterpiece yet.
“I’m of the mind that any medium or tool regardless of the quality and cost can be used to create. You just have to get a feel for how you can best use what’s at your disposal in a way that works it to your advantage.”
All the pieces you see here are acrylic paint on all salvaged wood, discarded and repurposed materials. Giving a more raw experience to the piece as a whole. Nothing in Sleeves’ philosophy of working fits within the confines of buying brand new materials to use within his work because Sleeves is not brand new.
In order to call yourself an artist, you don’t need the newest tools, the latest technology, or the most expensive brand to make your work look as best as possible. It’s you. Your work is ultimately a reflection of your being. Anything you try to hide or make into a persona of work that you are hoping will provide the ultimate validation from others will ultimately fail.
We think Sleeves would embrace the concept of us as artists spontaneously jumping in and creating from wherever we are in that moment of creation. As he puts it, “I’m actually quite the procrastinator. Kind of by choice. I like the rush and some of my work that I like best has been done that way... kind of adds fuel to the creative fire.”
Whether you are looking through the eyes of another at the essence of their being, or through your own art as a mirror of your own being, it may be uncomfortable but as Sleeves would put it, "If it ain't creepy, it ain't worth my ink!
Fall Issue 6
This season’s issue tells the story of local Seattle creatives Nicole Hill, Dominic Montello, and Sleeves. Dealing with the Venom in our Veins with guest writers Natalie Jamali, Meuffy, and Don Bird. Prompting readers and creatives alike as to how they will take the destructive venom in their lives and turn it into an anecdote. Discover new creatives and local small businesses in the back of each issues creative directory.
10% of this issue’s Zine sales goes directly back to the creatives featured within. Thank you for your support of Seattle’s ever growing creative community.
(Download link to digital issue expires 24 hours after purchase. Domestic Shipping Only.)
