A Quick Talk With NYC Artist Darius Moreno

(via dariusxmoreno.bigcartel.com)

In the digital era, it's hard to remain a relevant, distinguished, and memorable artist while still keeping the artist integrity of originality. This is no problem for GLU NYC artist Darius Moreno as he creates luminous images of minorities effortlessly while establishing a pathos within his artistic context that draws an audience. His humble and poised demeanor only compliments his talent and choice of images to re-interpret, by drawing each viewer deeper into his world. Choosing, mostly, the black minority figure to expand representation, he interprets blackness in strong motion and with pride. Also, a cover art collaborator with featured DJ Dylan The Gypsy, we wanted to learn more about his craft, his take on color and the conceptualization of both Pussy Power mixes.

(via twitter.com/dariusxmoreno)

RYB: Tell us a bit about yourself.

DM: My name is Darius Moreno, I'm an artist from Maryland currently living in New York and I'm a third year illustration major at Parsons. 

RYB: As a visual artist, how do you interpret color in your methodology?

DM: I interpret color through reoccurring themes in my work that usually stem from whatever I'm inspired by, which could be the color palate of a show, music video, a persons outfit, anything really.

RYB: How did you develop concepts for both Pussy Power mixes?

DM: My concept for the first Pussy Power Mix was more experimental, that was my first time doing any type of cover art, and it was Dylan's first mix so we really wanted to do something that represented that title and the theme of the mix. We both agreed on furry and pink elements, and after a few rough drafts we came up with a piece. For the second Mix, I knew it had to be a strong image with a lot of expression. I wanted to stray away from obvious colors and found a really cool cobalt blue, vinyl, textured paper that I really wanted to paint on. I've really been inspired by Jamil GS photography and used one of his images as a reference, and the rest came pretty easily.

(via dariusxmoreno.bigcartel.com)

(via dariusxmoreno.bigcartel.com)

RYB: How do you handle the process of difficult paintings?

DM: I usually just force myself to to do it, I know that I'm not going to want to paint everything but I try not to avoid too many difficult tasks because I know that I'm going to have to paint it at some point in life. Also being an artist allows me to interpret anything I find difficult in a very simple way.

RYB:  What’s your favorite color and why?

DM: Blue and Red are my favorite colors because they are both always necessary when painting people of all complexions, and together they make purple which is also one of my favorite colors because of its intensity, I almost always use purple in placer of black.

RYB: Do you have any shows or exhibitions coming up?

DM: Yes I am showing work this Thursday at the GLUNYC 4corners show, where I will also be doing free portraits. I'm also having a show in New York on April 24th where I'll be doing live painting, and On May 19th I'll be apart of a TLOP themed show in New York.

For more on Darius Moreno visit his online shop here, and follow both his Twitter and Instagram handles @dariusxmoreno

(via dariusxmoreno.bigcartel.com)