December, 2024 CAVARTS Spotlight Feature: Grey West
Raised in Annapolis and a Navy Veteran, this CAVARTists has led a creative life as a toy designer, inventor, illustrator, and former instructor at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
His piece, Tough Bird (watercolor, pencil, marker), reminds us: Do wrong, and the right bird will eventually find you. He creates to capture the images in his imagination - often starting with a simple scribble and letting it take shape.
Name:
Grey West
Branch of Service:
USN
About:
Grew up in Annapolis, endeared self to all things water, short stint in Navy, had a Hot Air Balloon biz, owned more than 75 sports cars, Industrial Designer specializing in Toys (toy designer) invention business in Pittsburgh, love sailing, rowing sculls, illustrating cartoons and ending the book I'm writing.
Title of piece:
Tough bird
Medium of piece:
Watercolor, pencil, marker
Meaning behind piece:
Do wrong and the right bird will eventually find you.
Pieces:
What inspires you to create art?:
I enjoy developing images I have in mind and capturing, or arresting that image on a 2d tangible format. Besides, I like to invent nonsense.
What part of your life has benefited the most from your creative pursuits?:
My wife...possibly former students. Oh, did I mention that I once taught at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh?
Is it important for you to challenge yourself in your art? Tell us why or why not!:
Creating an understandable image on a blank sheet of paper can be daunting, but certainly doable. The beginning of any project is challenging.
What is your process or ritual to get your creativity flowing?:
Just do it. With art, if I don't have any particular direction, I'll just scribble a line or two, sit back and try to make some sense of it.
What does CAVARTS mean to you?:
Right now, since I don't have much mileage with Cavarts, I recognize the possibilities.
Our monthly theme for December is DIY December, but Grey submitted this form in March when our theme was Magical March. How did you plan to celebrate?:
With baked corned beef and balsamic cabbage.
What words of inspiration do you have for your fellow CAVARTists?:
Work at being the very best with whatever is your passion. Study the works of those at the top, the tools they use, materials, where they choose to be their best at what they do. And remember, that life is short...eat dessert first and smile.
