Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Damian Gomes and I’m a figurative painter working in PHX, AZ.
How did you get your start?
As a young child of about 5 or 6 I remember a teacher asking us make a drawing of whatever we’d like. I chose to draw this old man resting on a bench. other kids were drawing stick figure bodies with lolly pop heads. Apparently I did a much more advanced depiction of my subject. So much in fact my teacher called my mom into school to talk with her about it. After that I used to carry a note pad with me everywhere I went.
What inspires you?
I find inspiration everywhere I look. Old photos, books, a walk along the railroad tracks, etc. But most inspiration I find right in front of the canvas.
All photos courtesy of Damian Gomes
What do you like about AZ?
Well, I like the summers here, because I can cook food on the hood of my car and the heat exhaustion can sometimes generate useful hallucinations. And people. I’ve met some solid humans in Phoenix.
Where can we see you(r) work?
To keep up with my latest work, please follow my Instagram and Facebook pages.
What would like to accomplish before you die?
Before I die I would like to have an exhibition at the Tate Modern in London. Also, I really wanna host Saturday Night Live. I just haven’t figured out a reason why they would want me to. But I’m working on it…
What is your mantra?
Keep painting. Just, keep painting …
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