J. Shea is a Boston transplant with the heart and art soul of an ox. His influences range from religious iconography, sci-fi film, punk rock poster art, and of course, the Boston Celtics. In art school Shea created handbills and posters for rock shows around Boston. Later, after relocating to California to design sneakers, he began creating posters for shows up and down the coast. It was around this time that Shea blossomed into the artist I know today. He is an artist with many hands (much like the wicked robots he spreads across the lands), exhibiting his art in many forms- painting, sculpture, assemblage, and collage.
Nathan Cartwright: I call you the jack-of-all-trades artist; you sculpt, you paint, you make puppets, you’re into street art. What has drawn you to the wonderful world of mixed media?
J. Shea: Mixed media is introduced to all of us at an early age. It begins with crayons, finger-paints, and moves onto Playdough. I guess it’s about trying new things and not really trying to be perfect at any of them. I try to look at each project as an exercise, always learning, and creating happy accidents.
Nathan Cartwright: Most artists sit in their lonely studios hunched over like Igor; too shy to perform—how did you get into the live painting gig?
J. Shea: I did handbills and posters for lots of bands in Boston. I painted a backdrop for one show and then was asked to paint live. Since I can’t play an instrument for shit, I saw it as my way to add my energy to the show. When you see a blank canvas grow into a beautiful image over some great music, it leaves a nice memory.
Nathan Cartwright: Your mural crew is “The Haley Collective”- how do you all work together? Do you talk it out before or just go crazy in front of awed onlookers?
J. Shea: The Haley Collective was formed about four years ago and has since splintered to members living in various cities. Early on there were no preconceptions for our work, but lately we’ve brainstorming our attack. Its all about the fun and energy regardless of the process.
Nathan Cartwright: Robots, wasps, and beautiful naked women—are they in an epic, everlasting battle or just hanging out chillin’ in the wonderful world of J.Shea land? What’s their story?
J. Shea: I use recurring images and symbols that represent different things in my personal work. My art deals with a lot of narrative and surrealist themes, some being beautiful dreams and others, dark nightmares. In the end, I prefer to let my viewers make their own interpretations.
Nathan Cartwright: What do you all have planned for your live painting mural at The Hive Gallery “Dream a Little Dream show” in August?
J. Shea: Hopefully Mary & the Machine, Racecar 13, and Yoskay Yamamoto will be on hand to paint. We’re going to stick to the theme, “Dream a Little Dream”, with a preconceived idea and finish in free form. This may be the last time The Haley Collective works together. We’ve always enjoyed the energy of The Hive and hope to add to it August 4th.
Shea shows regularly around Los Angeles and throughout the country. Shea, thriving Japanese artist, Yoskay Yomamoto and myself painted one of the murals in The Hive bathrooms (which soon will be revamped and transformed into new madness). He will be painting live with his mural crew, The Haley Collective, at The Hive Gallery’s- “Dream a Little Dream” show August 4th from 8PM-12:30 A.M. For more info check www.jshea9.com