10 Questions with Dave O'Flynn

David O’Flynn is a collage artist from Cork, Ireland, now living in Hamburg, Germany. His style is his own, and it consists of a variety of surreal themes with a vintage flare. He describes creating collage art as exploring the world of imagination, taking the audience out of reality.

David started drawing at a young age and later started to sketch and paint. In recent years he stumbled across digital collage art and got inspired by other artists in the medium. Through various tools, he started to experiment and taught himself how to do it, and it’s his favourite kind of art to do. He describes the process by compiling and mixing images in his head to form the piece, then imagines how they would look in physical form and goes about expressing that. David continues to include as many of my own sketches into his work and explore other aspects of art.

He describes collage art as an ideal way to get in touch and express a feeling and to share it with the world, happiness, love, suffering, struggles, fears, hopes, provide general awareness and belief to support a cause, whatever it might be. It allows people from all over the world to connect through art and communicate their experiences, message, and hopes for the future.

www.dpoflynn.com | @dpoflynn

INTERVIEW

When and how did you start getting involved with visual arts?

I have been interested since an early age, growing up exploring other Artists. It was intriguing to me how limitless and over the top it could be. It wasn’t until around 2018 I started to peruse it, exploring my own themes and vibes, just going for it, really.

What is for you the most enjoyable part of your art?

Probably that I can make it as outrageous as I want without any rules, and even though I am colourblind, I’m fascinated with blending and mixing colours.

Strange New Worlds, Digital Collage, 30x40 cm, 2021 © Dave O'Flynn

Let’s talk about your digital collages. Can you explain what your idea is and how you are working on it?

I source fragmenting imagery and then go about creating the piece. Sometimes it can work, and then not at all. It can be very frustrating. I usually have more than one work in progress and then go between them depending on ideas. Creating the final piece can take anywhere between 1 day to 2 months, it just depends.

Where do you find inspiration for your work and what is your creative process like?

Inspiration can come from anywhere at any time, be it at the supermarket, Hiking, driving, whatever. If I’m entering a competition or open call, usually you must follow the theme provided. The process usually begins with an idea by compiling and mixing images in my head to form the work, and I try to imagine how it would look in physical form, then I go about expressing that. Sometimes I just start creating without any thought in mind, combining both traditional and digital methods. I continue to explore other aspects of art.

Ponder, Digital Collage, 30x40 cm 2022 © Dave O'Flynn

Why do you use this visual language? And how has it evolved over the years?

Probably because the imagery is limitless and the emotional experience it generates for me and the audience. In the beginning, it wasn’t much good. I honed my style and technique by exploring various mediums.

What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?

Simply joy. Collage is an ideal way to get in touch and express a feeling and to share it with the world, happiness, love, suffering, struggles, fears, hopes, provide general awareness and belief to support a cause, whatever it might be. It allows people from all over the world to connect through art and communicate their experiences, message, and hopes for the future.

Your work has a very recognizable style, characterized by a vintage aesthetic mixed with contemporary images. How did you come up with this style? And how do you achieve it?

I experimented a lot with different styles mixing and blending various fragmented imagery. It was a lot of trial and error, depending on the chosen subject. I then slowly started to add a vintage finish to my work which gave it more depth and character. Just adding a small detail that is hardly noticeable can dramatically transform the finished piece capturing the subject more intensely. Does that make sense?

Rhythm, Digital Collage, 30x40 cm, 2021 © Dave O'Flynn

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future in terms of new projects?

You will have to wait and see. But I’m working on some new projects which I’m taking my time with, and fingers crossed, they will turn out well.

The Butterfly Effect, Digital Collage, 30x40 cm, 2022 © Dave O'Flynn

How is the NFT market helping you promote your work? And what are your strategies to gain visibility? Do you participate in online exhibitions and art fairs?

I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to art, but I’m still learning about the NFT market. I’m still not convinced it’s a good strategy for me yet, mainly because of the name value that is associated with the artist in the industry. Yes, there are some really good exhibitions and fairs out there I participate in.

Finally, do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to?

Yes, however, I cannot say as yet, but you can check my Instagram @dpoflynn and website www.dpoflynn.com for updates.

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