A stroke of genius

JAVIER MAYORAL’S PAINTINGS ARE A LITTLE BIT OFF THE WALL.

I’ve been painting since I was a three-year-old in Spain, but started making a living with my art in 2012. I’ve never been an especially arty type, though. These days, I use acrylic paint on wood panels of approximately eight-by-nine inches in size. I have created and catalogued over 8500 small-format pieces so far. I like some more than others for a range of different reasons, but with so many in my portfolio, I don’t really have a favourite.

When it comes to my creative process, first I gather ideas, then I examine them by looking at them from different angles, trying to make new connections between them. After that, I step away from the work for a while, then finally come back to shape and develop the concept. Going to the beach every morning helps put me in the mood to create, as does thinking about my day ahead; having a cup of coffee; playing some music; and sitting down in my studio in front of my drafting table. My studio is a room in my house in Miami, Florida, and also contains a big window; a flat file with six drawers where I keep my references; a shelf for supplies; and a smaller desk and chair.

For me, making art is the best way to tell the stories I want to tell. I don’t deliberately try to incorporate humour into my work, but I’ve been told it comes across that way. I admire artists like Max Ernst, Robert Crumb, Francis Picabia, Wassily Kandinsky, Man Ray and Juan Gris, but the majority of my inspiration comes from my family, friends, dreams, Google, commissions, movies, and the people I know or imagine. When I’m not busy making art, I go to the beach, do grocery shopping and – whenever

I can – travel. I’m also a trained chef.

If you should know one thing about me, it’s this: I snore when I sleep. But aside from that, I’m surrounded by people who love me; and am lucky to be doing just what I want to do.