When Chase Osborne walked into The Hive a little over a year ago with a painting called “A Little Lower” I knew I was dealing with something special. Being a virgin, I was immediately turned off. But after spending some time alone with the piece, I gave in to it with wanton and abandon. Chase Osborne’s art is sexy, quite sexy- and his experimentation with mixed media, tattoo drawings, and the female nude makes the execution of his work even more desirable. I am powerless in its presence.
Nathan Cartwright: Chase, you seem to be a pretty calm dude, but your artwork is pretty damn tough- any stories you’d like to share that have influenced some of your subject matter?
Chase Osborne: I like things simple and to the point. Before getting serious about art I was getting paid $40 an hour as a sheet metal mechanic during the day. In my free time, I began tattooing friends. When people didn’t want to pay up, I’d duct tape them to the tattoo chair and they’d get one phone call.
Nathan Cartwright: Your paintings bring to mind the work of Rockwell, but with an edge of course…are you an admirer of his or are you trying to pick a fight with a dead man?
Chase Osborne: Norman Rockwell has always been a great influence on me. History has described him as one of the greatest American Illustrators. From a fine art perspective, his work was a colorful commentary on America and Norman’s every day vernacular. Likewise, when I created the painting “A Little Lower”, I wanted to make a relevant commentary on my experiences…and who better to steal from than Norman Rockwell.
Nathan Cartwright: Your new series has taken a jump from hot ladies getting hazardously placed tattoos to Greek Mythology. What has taken you in this new direction?
Chase Osborne: In a way, the new series is commenting on the tattoo series. My new series is very special to me because I am sharing my personal tattoos with everyone. On my right arm, my drawing arm, I have all nine muses of inspiration tattooed from wrist to shoulder as if it were an old fresco painting. Ancient tattoo cultures believe that body art can empower you. I have tattoos down my drawing arm to help me draw and paint better. If I could make a deal with the devil, I would.
Nathan Cartwright: Often people like to see artists stay in one spot for the sake of marketing, but it seems you are consistently experimenting with new subject matter and mediums. Mr. Chase, are you a rebel with or without an art cause?
Chase Osborne: Rebel, I don’t know, but I think that every piece is different. How you draw or paint it changes the interpertation, even if it’s the same subject matter. I like to do what I feel is appropriate for the piece. A painting about love has to be painted differently than a painting about suicide. An artist should always be trying to one-up himself.
Nathan Cartwright: If Norman Rockwell were alive and he gave you full reign on giving him the tattoo of your choice, what tattoo would you give him? Where and why?
Chase Osborne: I would do it in the vein of Steve-o from Jackass. I would tattoo Norman’s full back with his painting of him painting himself.
Chase is currently working on a series inspired by Greek mythology for his featured show starting May 3rd at The Hive Gallery. The paintings will be focusing on his interpretation of the nine muses of inspiration in their varying forms.