Drawing as a young boy started a future that would bring out the comical and artistic side of artist Tim Boyd of Atlanta, Georgia. “I remember my Mom teaching me how to draw Goofy,” Tim explained. “My brothers and I used to keep each other entertained trying to make each other laugh with outrageous cartoons.” Tim fell in love with cartooning, and eventually studied graphic design at UGA and The Portfolio Center, but his heart was in illustration. “I liked illustration a lot. I try to do that with my paintings. I like to tell a vague little story in each one.” Looking at Tim’s work, it is obvious that he has a sincere love of storytelling through his art.
While friends and family pressed Tim to show his work, he never felt his cartoons would do well in the art world. Tim was primarily a personal painter. Atlanta, being full of artistic talent, Tim soon realized that the art community was very supportive of his work. “There are a lot of very creative people doing the kinds of illustrative things I like.” Tim’s first art show was at the Inman Park Festival in 2007. All 45 pieces he had created were shown and he sold 30 pieces. “Looking back, I see a very timid artist in those pieces. Either way, I was hooked. Since then, I have shown in galleries around town, and a few out-of-state. Mostly however, I do festivals around Atlanta. I love the vibe in the neighborhoods around here. I feel like I am being paid to tailgate, and talk about art.”
When asked what inspires him, Tim said, “I get inspired by technique. I am inspired by my wife. She is the wall I throw spaghetti against. I am inspired by my kids, because they never, NEVER stop laughing.”
Tim’s work is like short stories on canvas. He will often entertain himself with characters that often times find themselves in precarious and sometimes dark situations. His goal is to leave it in the hands of the viewer of his work, to decide whether or not the character is about to make a move or not. “I like to invoke the style of the funny papers in my illustrations.” Tim says. “I use bold colors and a high contrast outline to give a sense of an uneasy comic tension. I want people to laugh, and then look around to see if anyone else thinks it is funny. I love it.”
This artist also has a love for vinyl toys. Tim shows these collectibles in his basement studio. The studio is divided into two tiled rooms. One room is his space to be messy and play loud music, while the other is for his sketching and watercolors. Tim loves this private space.
Tim’s work can be seen at the following galleries around Atlanta:
Tim’s work has also been seen at 323 East Gallery in Royal Oak Michigan and Helix in Athens, Georgia.
Be sure and visit Tim Boyd’s work at his website where you can view his upcoming showings as well as see all his fine and fun artwork.
Tim can also be found on ETSY where you can purchase prints and other goodies. Visit Waterbears as soon as possible. The smiles will be never ending.
Comments