Interview With September Artists Bryan Ray and Devon Varmega

Cairo is excited to announce September art show titled Bummer Vibes, a duo show featuring local artist Devon Varmega and California artist Bryan Ray.

According to the artists, Bummer Vibes is the celebration of our life experiences that, in one way or another, bum us out.  Love lost, waves missed, landings come short, sunsets unseen, songs unheard, downer times, and wanton hurt; without these moments, life would be too peachy. What begins as a negative experience forms a catalyst for creativity that is otherwise unattainable. Life is never quite what we expect, and a complete bummer at times, but out of it all comes a unique and welcome opportunity for a greater depth of self-expression. We all suffer the joy that is bummer vibes.

Each artist will be showing individual collections based on this topic, as well as limited edition printed shirts and tote bags.

I was able to interview the two earlier this week to get a little insight into their individual inspirations. Check out the interview now, and the art TONIGHT!

The Interview

Tell me about your show, "Bummer Vibes".

DV Me and Bryan haven't been friends for that long, but we really wanted to do a show together. We each have very  different styles. The name is a common term in skate and surf culture. 

BR Yeah, my inspiration comes from a different place than [Devon]. I think the name came from the process of making art. its something we enjoy doing but there is also a very emotional part of the process--there are always other things in play when making something. 

How would each of you describe your personal artistic style?

BR I think my process and style changes quite a bit from collection to collection, and thats always been the case for me. I don't really like that, because in order to be a reputable artist, your work has to be recognizable. I've been doing fashion design for the past six or seven years, and I really pulled from that influence for this show. The idea of picking a theme for a specific collection was something I pick up from that experience. 

DV I'm generally just inspired by a lot of different styles of art. I like to use repetitive lines and symmetry and to jumble them up. I like trying different mediums like screen printing and drawing. 

How do you think they compliment each other?

BR I think that there is some similar inspiration. We draw from the same geometric patterns, as well as balance and symmetry. 

How did each of you get started? 

DV I used to do art contests as a kid. I never won them, because there was a girl whose mom was the judge, so she always won. It really damaged me. Then I started doing show posters for the Old Redmond Firehouse, I asked Nat Damm if I could do a poster. Later, I got involved with The Vera Project before they had a silkscreen ing studio, so we made a makeshift studio in the back. 

BR I feel like I've always made stuff. I've never stopped making stuff. By the time I was in highschool I was already making doing graphic design and working on websites. As far as my art, I tend to take breaks-- I haven't done a show in the last four years. 

What are each of your artistic greatest influences, for this show and otherwise? 

BR A lot of the old masters. In more recent artists, Dali's art has had a huge influence on how I see things. As far as my artistic influences, I draw mostly from my friends and the internet, unfortunately. 

DV Henri Matisse,  Hisham Bharoocha (formerly of Black Dice), a lot of 80s and 70s skate magazines, and the Cascades.

What are you listening to right now?

BR Bob Seger and Future Islands

DV Real Estate, Girls, Leonard Cohen

Thanks to the boys for the words, and see YOU all TONIGHT, Thursday, September 13th. 7-9 PM @ CAIRO.