Harry T. Burleigh

Year of birth: January 25, 1960.
Where do you live: King George, Virginia, USA.
Your education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, West Virginia University.
Describe your art in three words: Philters, Revealing, Passion.
Your discipline: I am a figurative abstract surrealist in the visual arts.
Website

Can you tell us more about the role of music in your creative process?

Music plays an integral role wen I’m creating.  While some artists prefer to work in silence, I don’t really have that option due to a condition of tinnitus, a  constant ringing in the ears, which to my dismay, developed back in the early 2000’s.  For me the right piece of music can trigger a relaxed state of concentration whereby I am able to work in synergy with whatever medium I’m dealing with.  Often times, I’ll be taken aback the following day when I view the work and don’t fully remember having crafted part of the end result.

Harry T Burleigh | DMT Launch Pad | 2024

You mentioned that your pieces are unplanned and you let the brush dictate the direction of the piece. Can you elaborate on this process and how it influences the final artwork?

When painting, I will prepare a few pigments and begin making some random marks on the canvas.  Then I turn the canvas a few times and take a few steps back to see if anything comes to mind.  I continue this process until I spot the first hidden gem.  If I believe that it has merit, then that’s the part of the canvas that I begin painting with conviction.  I continue to turn the canvas periodically to see if any additional images need to be brought forward.  I’m cautious with this process because I don’t want the painting to l appear too busy.  I let those images that I’ve elaborated on dictate the end result.

How do you balance the use of traditional and contemporary practices in your work?

When it comes to materials and techniques, I am unapologetically not a purist.  While I believe in good craft and respect certain historical values, I also assert that by only following the ways of the old masters, limits the ever evolving potential and expansion of fine art.

Harry T Burleigh | GAIA-Italy | 2023

You work with a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, mixed media, and digital imagery. Do you have a preferred medium, and if so, why?

Oil on canvas is king.  I have the whole kingdom at my fingertips.  The scent of the oils and turpentine.  The brilliance of color and texture of brushes.  Controlling the chemistry and drying times.  An exchange takes place between the canvas and myself, and when the palette knife, maul stick, and sables come down, only then is it determined if I become knighted by royalty, or simply handed the role of court jester.

What do you hope viewers take away from the silent and discreet conversation with your art?

I’m not really seeking accolades.  I don’t have a big ego when it comes to what other people thing about my work.  Like it or roast it, I’m bulletproof.  I wouldn’t mind however, stopping them in their tracks just long enough to show an interest, good or bad.  Ultimately, I’ve produced the artwork for myself.  It’s part of what was going through my mind. It can’t possibly be translated in the same way by the viewer, and I can totally respect that.

Harry T Burleigh | A fetching Breeze | 2010

Your artist statement mentions an innate pareidolia, where you see faces and figures in random surfaces. How does this influence the themes and subjects of your work?

Seeing images in textures and surfaces that others may not, once I get past the annoyance of it, has ultimately worked to my advantage.  While I seldom follow themes when I work, Those things that I see, if they present themselves in a way that I feel is complimentary to my style, then they can actually become the subject matter of the finished work.  In most cases, if I don’t bring them forth visually, there’s a good chance that no one else will ever see them.

How do you stay motivated and inspired in your artistic journey?

I’m constantly inspired by the world around me. It really is absurd. There’s so much to take in, both positive and negative, but inspiring nonetheless. I also bombard myself with thousands of images online and though my own photography.  I don’t try to emulate other artists because I want my own style to remain intact. 

My motivation comes from knowing that I have many more ideas for art in my head than I will ever be able to get out in this lifetime.

Harry T Burleigh | Genie And The Serpent | 2024