About 10 Questions with painter Brian Lorimer

Here we go, no holding back, Okay Brian,

Question 1: Why did you choose to go along and document this trip?

It was an incredible opportunity that came our way that we just couldn’t pass up. My long time friend Tom Bender whom I’ve known for most of my life and now resides in Sydney, asked if I wanted to come on this City2Sunrise adventure he was undertaking with some friends from Australia. He knew I rode bikes and thought I might be interested. My first reaction was one of excitement, but soon I realized that an adventure of this magnitude was too time consuming and well, just a bit daunting. A few months passed I had basically forgotten about the trip. During this time I was planning a trip to Rio De Janeiro to research my next series of work and the phone rang, it was Tom informing me that the bike trip was approaching quickly and that it wasn’t too late to join. After talking it over with Margie we decided to abandon the Rio gig for now and join the team in Asia. I thought Asia is just as interesting as South America so why not kill a couple of birds with one stone, so to speak. I could see my friend whom I hadn’t seen in a long while and hopefully get the research material I was looking for.
We never actually intended for our trip to be what it has turned out to be but rather a trip to see an old friend and to research some material for my work. Instead the trip became much more than that and developed into an amazing journey that left us wanting to do more. In many ways the trip chose us and we have become better for it.

Question 2: How long does it take you to paint one painting on average?

Many people think that the longer it takes to complete a painting the more worthy it is, that if you finished it in an hour let’s say that you couldn’t possibly charge the amount that I do. Well to that I say “Bullocks”. It’s taken me all of my life to refine my skills to the point that I can paint a canvas more efficiently and achieve the results that I do.  So the quick answer is ....not long.

Question 3: How do you approach the canvas- what is your painting methodology?

My approach has been refined over the years but constantly changes from one series to the next. I find something that interests me and I gather as much documentation as I can. I generally like to use my own photos as a starting point and work from there. The image becomes the focal point of the painting but it’s all the work around the image that most interests me these days. For starters, I believe in making my own stretchers. This process gives me complete control of the size and quality. I stretch and triple prime my canvases as well using a combination of acrylic and oil grounds. This process has been lost by most artists these days, mostly because of the time and effort that needs to go into them. Anyone who purchases my work can be assured that the painting is made of the best quality workmanship, from start to finish. When I begin painting I often draw in the basic outline very quickly with little detail. From here I cover the entire canvas as quickly as possible to get rid of the white. The painting goes rather fast from this stage as I like to work wet on wet to maximize the fluidity of the paint. I throw as much paint around as I can.... and it’s done.

Question 4/5: How has the Trip to Asia inspired you? Who inspired you the most throughout the trip?

The trip to Asia has been unbelievably inspiring, so much so that the entire focus with my art has changed.
The most inspiring person on the trip has to be Margie, hands down. You might have thought it would be Geraldine Cox, founder of Sunrise, and that would be a pretty good guess. Geraldine is an incredible person and well deserving of my inspiration, but Margie was and is the real hero for me. She opened up my mind and most importantly my heart. She’s my rock.

Question 6: What do you want the viewer to walk away with?

I want the viewer to walk away with less money in their wallet.

Question 7: Where do you see you and your art in the next 5, 10 years?

The art world is a very fickle one to be sure, so that is a hard question to answer. What I can tell you is that this recent experience has shown me that my art can be an important tool to bring awareness to humanitarian issues. In other words it can be bigger than itself. I hope to travel more of the world in search of issues that are worthy of documenting through my work, and by doing so assist communities that need the attention.

Question 8: Is Sunrise an organization you will continue to pair with?

Sunrise is the first of what I hope will be many worthwhile causes and will always be close to my heart.

Question 9: Any advice for those who want to do a similar trip like yours?

Ya, expect the unexpected, go in with an open mind and an open heart and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.

Question 10: How long will you be in Australia? and what do you hope to accomplish there?

Can’t answer this one yet, too many things going on.

Question 11: What has been your most challenging painting in this series and why?

The next one.

Question 12: When did you realize your connections to the Sunrise Children’s Villages?

The connection to Sunrise built over time culminating at the gate when I looked into the hearts of those kids.

Question 13: What does this show represent to you?

This show represents the beginning of a new chapter, not only in my art but in my life. Margie and I believe that now we have found a path that we can travel together and that is very cool!

Question 14: What does the Sunrise Children’s Villages mean to you?

Sunrise means a lot in many ways. It has shown me first hand that the world is a crazy place indeed. Those kids have come from incredibly difficult circumstances, many lucky just to be alive, but they all have a smile in their heart. We should learn from them.