Whiled | Artist Interview with B.D. Graft

What were you like as a kid? What did you want to be?

I was a daydreamer who enjoyed drawing and playing outside. On the one hand, I was a class clown who enjoyed attention; on the other, I was an introvert who liked being alone. At different times in my childhood, I wanted to become a builder, a rockstar, and a dentist like my dad.

How has your art evolved in recent years, whether it is your approach, tools, subjects, etc.?

A few years back, I almost exclusively made paper collages using found imagery, shapes and colours from books and magazines. Once I got more confident, I started adding my own elements: paint and oil pastels. This eventually led to the style I use now, which rarely relies on found imagery anymore.

What is your relationship to creativity?

I express who I am and how I feel through creativity – mainly through writing, skateboarding, music, fashion and art. Creativity is a huge part of my life and I’m grateful to have been able to turn one of my passions into a profession. I’ve tried an office job but that wasn’t for me.

Who or what are you inspired by right now?

A lot of things inspire me, but Sergei Parajanov’s 1968 film The Color of Pomegranates and Pierre Boncompain’s paintings have recently provided me with great new ideas.

What is an important lesson you've learned recently?

That we shouldn’t take things for granted.

Whiled is about embracing downtime and slowing down. If you had one day with all the free time in the world...what would you do?

My girlfriend and I would take our dog and go hiking through the most breathtaking national park, with nothing but wilderness for miles. We’d go swimming and have a picnic.