Go Figure News is pleased to talk in-depth with one of our special discoveries at this years DesignerCon, and it's BAIRbrains (aka Aaron Kirchmaier). We were impressed with his artistic flair and out-of-the-spotlight approach. He sent us his phenomenal Axone the Eradicator to look at and his limited edition resin work is comical and deeply attention-oriented with a twisted sensibility. Our interview is below, however let's take a look at the figure first, here's an original sketch for the finished product (only 5 made!):
Axone the Eradicator is a sumptious 7" resin monster figure with a perfectly detailed flat gloss finish. Weighing in at just about a pound he is a contender for sure, with his rounded growl, though missing a few bicuspids, the lil' greenie is cute as the day is long! And did I mention that there are only five of this particular figure in existence? Though at just $95 you may still be able to snatch yourself one of the last ones on his site here. From the drawing you can see that he emits the legend, the lore of its namesake maker BAIRbrains as his cranium is open like a cookie jar to expose his enlarged lobes! A monster with a big ole brain is a monster in need, indeed!
I love a squat, round monster, and Axone does not disappoint! His arms are articulated at the shoulders and wrists and held on ingeniously by magnets! It's the first figure of this kind now in the GOFN archives - and we hope to see him inspire other makers to consider trying new things outside pouring outstanding new delights. The paint and sculpt are really special, especially the lizard-like eyes and big gray-blue mouth, floppy hands, and the pink bouffant o' a brain.
Finally besides for loving this pot-bellied freakazoid of a figure for its caricature-like ways, the stand-out here has to be the way in which the artist has applied the paint -- the slightly darker green spots on the back, the curvy brain swirls, the squiggle of a lower lip...he's got a presence, like a character that should be animated in a live action cartoon. He reminds me of some of the oddities from the golden oldies from the era of H.R. Pufnstuf -- funny and just slightly creepy. Even the lil' ones will like this cute creature. So, let's move right into our conversation about such things......
Q: So, you are a muralist, right? How did your painting transform into 3D and what is it like working in vastly different scale?
A: Honestly, My paintings and 3D work started and developed simultaneously. When I was getting an education my workflow/curriculum was catered toward digital design and illustration. Both of which I enjoyed, but didn't get an immense amount of pride and accomplishment out of. I started seriously painting and sculpting about 4 years ago to escape the monotony of the schedule I was committed to. Because of that I think the ability to work in vastly different scales came to me with ease. To me, they both are the same practice with different outcomes.
Q: Multitasker!! So, you're out in Ohio, what is your local creative community like?
A: The local scene here in Columbus is relatively small, but because of this it is tight knit and very supportive. Everyone I have encountered wants to see me succeed, and I show them the same respect and support.
Q: Where did you come up with the name 'Bair Brains'? Are you the 'bair'? (are you supposed to be anonymous?)
A: This question has three answers.
1. My mother has called me Bair since I could crawl. She passed away about two years ago, which was around the time I took on this moniker professionally. It's an ode to everything she has done and will continue to do for me.
2. The BAIR is sort of a creative alter ego of mine. I want my work to stand on it's own. My appearance and identity shouldn't effect the way viewers process my ideas. While you could consider me The BAIR, it is more appropriately the vehicle, if you will, that transports my brain into reality. It is the reason I'm able to show my perspective of the world around me to everyone. I've basically branded the filter that my head uses to pour my imagination onto a wall/canvas/clay/platform/etc...
3. BAIRbrains is also a bit of a stab at the part of the art world that, unfortunately, stills sees "low brow art" and it's derivatives as bare or empty creative outlets. Bare Brains. Bair Brains. BAIRbrains.
Q: I hear you loudly, I'm a long-time visual artist who has shown with blue chip a-listers myself. I love presenting my work but hate the general pretentiousness of the artworld (and the onset of the 'art star'). But I digress...Your figures have a perfect blend of cuteness and horror. Is this a product of certain influences?
A: Living, if you're doing it right, is the perfect blend of cuteness and horror. It's unpredictable, unapologetic, and pretty damned surprising. Life ends in an instant with no remorse. People you trust can turn on you without warning. Your house cat would probably devour you if it was big enough. Sweet treats will destroy your teeth if you consume too many. etc... etc... etc...
As I grow, I am constantly reminded to walk around every circumstance i'm involved in. Nothing really is what it seems, and it shouldn't be. The pair is really nothing new or original, but cute and horrific are the perfect contrasting compliments when it comes to me analyzing the world I live in. Q: At the moment I have 'Axone the Eradicator' beside me and the packaging offers a fun backstory - making him out to sound a bit like an edgy superhero (ala Daredevil). He may be a monster, but he looks like a lot of fun. Can you tell us about the dichotomy of his personality?
A: Everybody we cross paths with falls victim to our perception. Axone the Eradicator is no different, in that regard, to your neighbors, your peers and everyday strangers. He is a monster. A gigantic building crushing, people eating, brain blasting monster. To me, he is an example of our own demise. One that is out of our control; one that is inevitable. To my aunt, he's an adorable misunderstood munchkin with funny teeth that looks great on her coffee table. If a skyscraper sized lizard-kin materialized out of nowhere, stomped a region of the planet into oblivion and disappeared as quickly as he came how would you react?
Q: Doh! I would run for the hills, even if they had eyes! For me you seem to be a bit of a storyteller, as if your characters have come from a play or a children's book.
A: I'm not quite sure I totally understand this question, but i'm going to take this as a compliment.
Q: It's more a statement.
A: It reminds me of a time when I was younger, about 7 or 8, that I made a comic about super hero babies. Each one had a special weapon like a gigantic rattle, or a bottle bazooka and they all used these gadgets to fight an evil scientist baby who could control swarms of bugs with it's brain.
Q: You work in resin (and sometimes vinyl), with sweet smooth finishes that almost appear ceramic with attentive paint application details. How long have you been designing creature-like figures and how have you refined your process?
A: I used to play with play-doh at my grandparents house when I was elementary aged. Mostly stupid faces and strange bug-like critters. In middle school and high school I always had a sketchbook full of monsters. I think when I was younger it was a way to release my demons. The mind of a growing adolescent/young adult can be a terrifying place. When I got to college in 2010 I didn't have much of a direction, but I knew I liked making weird creeped out characters. As I learned more about the elements of art, brushed up on art history, and traded techniques with older artists, peers, and younger creatives refining my own work just happened to tag along. Repetition is the best medicine in that regard, and that process will only continue to progress.
Q: Thanks for sharing a bit about your process - I'm quite proud of having started in glitter an mucilage myself. Now...Back to the painting for a minute, because of your fine, subtle style. For instance the splotches or spots on the lil' lizardy guy seem almost subliminal. When creating figures as opposed to murals - what are the differences in approach (if any)?
A: This piggy-backs the parallel of scale difference. The approach is usually the same. I solidify an idea on paper as a sketch or schematic and I run with it. I'm not too fond of re-hashing and refining over and over and over in my personal work. Spontaneity is my strongest ally in any creative effort. Sometimes things don't work out like I thought and I have to retrace my steps, sometimes everything flows together perfectly, and sometimes nothing goes well and I have to start from the beginning. But, no matter the outcome it almost always ends up being a more successful piece if I somehow learned from failing while creating the "final". It adds an element of pressure that both relaxes me and pushes me to try new things.
Q: I dig the use of magnets in the extremities, you don't see that all too often. Does articulation give the figure more power?
A: I actually acquired that magnet pegging idea from John @Dollar_Slice_Bootlegs whom I was very pleased to meet up with at DCon. I think articulation give figures and toys both a reason for viewers to interact and an added element of life. But, power is a good word. Let's go with articulation=POWER. You're on to something here.
Q: Your pieces are in very limited edition (usually under ten it seems) and they are truly works of contemporary craft. Have any of your pieces been in a larger production run?
A: At this point I haven't had any work in a production run, but it is a goal of mine. One I am hoping to achieve in the near future. For now, Small studio runs will suffice. They allow me to experiment, test and try new things with low overhead and as a new artist in this scene I find that to be a huge benefit.
Q: We discovered you at DesignerCon, what has your experience with conventions been?
A: I've found success of some kind at every convention I've attended. Sometimes I learn about failure, sometimes I make a gang of sales, sometimes I meet rad people and find new fans, sometimes I end up hanging out with and befriending artists that I admire, and sometimes people discover me and feature me on their blog! DesignerCon had a little bit of everything.
Q: Where have you shown your work? Any funny stories about presenting?
A: The first resin figure I produced was a bikini clad obese woman with spring loaded bobbling breasts. I brought her to my first convention, Cincy Con 2014, and I swear at least 20 people within the first hour came up without saying a word, played with her breasts, giggled, and scampered off in delight.
Q: What's next?
A: While I was at DCon I met a number of other resin heads. If you keep a look out you'll be seeing some collaborative efforts between myself and those folks in 2016, and I'm planning a move to Arizona within the next few of months because I think 23 years as an Ohioan is long enough. I'll also be releasing a five piece run of Axone the Eradicator in a "White Tiger" colorway on 1-16-2016 (editor's note: you heard it first here folks). Pre-Orders will be up on BAIRbrains.com/store on 12-20-15 and will be open until new years day. Each pre-order will include an original doodle drawing and some other free goodies. In the mean time I'll be hunting for opportunity, expanding my portfolio and network, and trying not freeze to the icy Ohio streets.
Check out BAIRbrains site and Tumblr too! And GOFN on Facebook here.