A peculiar interview with Philip Burke

Selfie (2015)

Me (2015)
Pencil on paper

Philip Burke Self-portrait (1984)
Oil on canvas 

This is an excerpt of a conversation that may or may not have happened between me and the artist Philip Burke. 

Philip Burke: Why did you select the inspirational pieces?

I chose them because the three images were created one year apart and I could see the creative process you went through as an artist in those three years.

Burke: Cool. Tell me more.

In the 1982 piece, I could see the rush, the eagerness, the raw energy. You were getting ready for this journey. Know what I mean?

Burke: No. But keep going.

In 1983, you seem a little unsure about yourself. Maybe things weren't working out as you had planned. You look like you got stuff to say but you ain't got no voice. Make sense?

Burke: Nope. Tell me about '84.

You have finally made it and you know it. I can tell you are not running anymore. You seem confident, calm and ready to show the world what you got.

Burke: Whatever, dude. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I have never really worked with anything other than pencil and paper so I decided to stick with something am familiar with. 

      Burke: Not very adventurous, are we? What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

Capturing my own essence was a bit of a struggle. It's pretty hard trying to step out of yourself to see what others see in you. In the end I decided to just give it my best shot and see where the whole process would take me. 

Philip Burke (1983)
Oil on panel

      

Philip Burke (1982)
Oil on panel

      Burke: How brave. How does this piece represent you?

It represents me because it is me made by me and nobody can say that except me. My workmanship gives it my soul and the end product is the body that holds that soul. So in that way this is more representative of me than anything that can ever be done by anybody else.

      Burke: Yeah, I know that feeling.What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

I used broad pencil lines to create form and shape. I decided not to use any color although I used dark markings to get some of the details. There isn’t much balance or symmetry in the portrait because I wanted to make it less of a frontal picture and more of a semi-profile of the face. I wanted to keep it as simple as I could. I ain't no Picasso.

Burke: You don't say. Did you enjoy working on this project?

This was my first ever self-portrait so it was pretty interesting. It took longer than I had planned for but it also gave me an opportunity for introspection.

Burke: That's deep. What do you think of your final artwork?

I think it is okay for an amateur. People who know me will be able to recognize me and people who don’t know me will immediately see it as a caricature of something. Either way that works for me.

Burke: I was under the impression both your picture and the drawing were caricatures. Anything else you would like to add?

Yeah. Can I get your autograph?

Burke: Sure. Give me a pen.

Darn. Can't find one.

Burke: Ah, well. Maybe next time.