A Minute With Todd Cramer

I keep coming back to Todd’s work and as you all are aware, haven’t kept up with this newsletter. I have been swept up by a recent move, my actual job as a realtor, parenting during the summer, and watching the White House set up a fighting cage on the front lawn.

Posts will happen at random most likely and I am ok with that and hope you are too.

I have another great guest that I meant to post months ago that I will post next week as well.

Can you share where you are based and what you have going on this summer?

TC: I’m based in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and will be spending most of the summer in my studio painting as usual.. In August, I’ll be visiting Paris, finally gonna see the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay!

(Being in New York City during this EPIC Knicks run)….

As for the Knicks, living in New York, I’d say I’ve definitely become a fan. Last night’s game was crazy. It started off pretty sad and the mood around the city felt really low, but by the end everyone was celebrating. I’ve honestly never seen a comeback like it. It’s a great time to be in New York right now.

I saw on your CV, you are from Las Vegas, did you grow up there? If so, can you talk about how that city played a role in your becoming an artist?

TC: I grew up in Las Vegas and lived there until I moved to New York for grad school. Vegas definitely influenced me. The neon lights, weird casino carpet patterns, and just the colors of the desert were always around. I think all of that found its way into my paintings somehow. My dad is an artist too, so I grew up around art and have basically been painting my whole life.

Killers Fan?

TC: I sadly never got to see The Killers, but I’m a big fan too! Not too many bands like that from Vegas. Sam’s town and hot fuss are always gonna be great.

How did you get linked up with James Cope? I think his gallery is one of the best in the world.

TC: It’s was a mutual friend that introduced James to my work! I agree his gallery is the best, he hasn’t had a show I’ve disliked. I’m happy to have worked with him.

What does a day in the studio look like ? Are you locked in or is it a bit more loose? music or no music ?

TC: A day in the studio is usually me moving between five or six paintings until one of them starts to feel a little more exciting than the others. Then I’ll get really into that one and try to finish it that day. I really hate to work on a painting for a prolonged period of time, I try to finish them in one session it makes it feel more honest. A lot of the time it doesn’t work out haha. I always have music on. Lately it’s mostly been soundtracks from my childhood. I like feeling nostalgic when I paint, and I think it probably sneaks into the work in some way. I also get pretty obsessed with different artists for periods of time, and they influence what I’m making. Recently I’ve been looking a lot at the drawings of Ellsworth Kelly, the pastels of Lucas Samaras, and the paintings of Richard Gerstl. I usually have a handful of artists in my head at any given moment while I’m working.

Any shows lined up for this year? next?

TC: Some things in the works! Will be sharing on social media soon.

Who shoud we have on next?

TC: Barbara Goldmann, she’s brilliant and her work always inspires me.

THANK YOU TODD!