Now, he’s using it to shed a light on Long Beach.
Chartier is a local artist who uses metals and other resources to create sculptures, and his latest work “Lights on Long Beach” will be a reflection of his style when it goes on display in the city’s downtown area in the fall.
“Lights on Long Beach” is a two-story-tall sculpture that represents the map of Long Beach and its nine council districts.
The Edison, downtown Long Beach’s newest residential and mixed-use development, will showcase the artwork created by Chartier. His design was selected by the owners from a group of proposals submitted by local artists.
The Edison is still under construction and is replacing a 10-story office building that stretched out between Western Gateway to the East Village Arts District at the corner of 1st Street and Long Beach Boulevard. The finished building will include 156 apartment lofts, 200 new residents and 4,000 square feet of recreational uses, such as restaurants or cafeÌs.
Chartier has some of his latest sculptures on display and for sale at the Gallery Expo inside of the Expo Arts Center in Bixby Knolls, 4321 Atlantic Ave.
Signal Tribune: So your artwork is going to be displayed at the Edison in downtown Long Beach. Tell me what that’s like and what that means for you.
Kevin Chartier: It’s truly an honor and a privilege to have been chosen among so many other talented sculptors, and to have my work displayed at the Edison in Long Beach is very special to me, since I’m a Long Beach native and resident. It
really means a lot to me, and I’m very proud and excited to execute this installation.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/The-Extruder.jpg” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”“The Extruder,” sheet metal, steel rods, .45 LC shell casings and brake rotor” captionposition=”right”]
What can you tell me about work on your sculptural design “Lights on Long Beach”?
My sculpture “Lights on Long Beach”is a modern take on the actual map of Long Beach and its nine districts. It will be approximately two stories tall, mounted on the courtyard wall and back-lit. It is the largest piece I’ve every built, and I hope I get a chance to build something bigger down the road.
What type of artwork do you normally work on or associate yourself with? What are the different skills of art you possess?
I’ve always worked as a graphic artist and also as an art director. I enjoy sketching thumbnails and designs of new sculptures, as well as lamps and furniture. I’m proficient using many types of tools, whether it be metal or woodworking, and I have a great respect for tools, especially the older ones. “Take care of your tools, and they will take care of you,” I always say.
It is said you are a metal artist. For you, what does that mean? What does your abstract art say about you?
I love working with steel and other metals. For me, metal is a lot more forgiving as a medium and also possesses a sense of strength, longevity and permanence. I like the modern-abstract style because it’s clean, in order and can be open for interpretation. I like the whole space-age era and mid-century. The style is simple, yet kind of swanky at the same time.
Any previous works that you are proud of?
Im proud of most of my work, but there are a few I’ve done in which I was less enthusiastic, and some of those are rusting away behind my workshop.
How long have you been an artist? What’s your background in art?
How long have I been artist? That’s a hard question to answer. I guess I’ve been “artistic” my whole life. It really started in high school with architectural drafting and graphic-design classes. In college I focused more on graphic design, art history and computer graphics. I then started working in the field, and after 20 or so years, I left corporate America and started being my own person and started the whole Kevmon art thing. It was very risky, but I couldn’t be happier.
What got you into the field of art? What makes you want to be an artist?
I got into art because I sucked at math and chemistry and all those other type things growing up. I’m an artist because I’m lazy, pure and simple. I’d rather work for myself, at my own pace, with my own rules. I like to make money for me, not for somebody else’s greasy pockets. I’m a man of leisure when I can be, but when I works, I works hard [sic].
Any inspirations?
I’ve been inspired by many artists and architects. Some include Mondrian, Calder, Kandinsky, Corbu, Nuetra, Killingsworth and many others. I’m also inspired by my kids Kate and Henry because they make me want to be a better person. My family and parents are also a huge support for me. They keep me positive and straight.
What do people close to you—friends or family— usually tell you about your artwork?
They all seem to like my work and are generally proud of me, I’d like to think. They also worry about me too. Being an art guy can be very financially unstable one day,
then good another day. Every day is something different, and I like it that way.
*Chartier can found on Facebook as Kevmon and on his website kevmon.com .*
[aesop_image imgwidth=”300px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-21-at-10.12.03-AM.png” align=”center” lightbox=”on” caption=”“Blue Taco,” sheet metal, rebar, concrete, acrylic and enamel” captionposition=”center”]
