Cary Hulbert
Brooklyn, NY
How would you describe your work?
As surreal and fantastical, when I work, I think about building another world where our laws of physics don't exist and anything is possible. It's also very colorful and abstract to a certain degree. I love it when people see things in my work that I don't. To me, that means there are more ways to enter the work than I even thought.
What inspires you?
I see little things throughout my day that inspire me—anything from a beautiful flower to random color combinations on the streets to friends' tropical vacation photos. I'm always thinking of color, nature, and animals.
Can you speak about your process?
Currently, I am working primarily on a transparent paper, which allows me to work on both sides. I use colored pencils, gouache, and silkscreen to create my work. I enjoy how working on both sides adds depth to the layering. I have a full-time job and many side projects with friends, so when I get to my studio, I immediately sit and work. I listen to podcasts while I work and keep reference photos on my phone. I consider studio time sacred; it's just me and my work.
How did you become interested in art?
When I was young, someone told me I was good at it. Then in high school, I used making as a way to work through emotions, which made it very important to me. I did a BFA and an MFA and work at a printshop now. I didn't think of this much when I was younger, but being able to create something from nothing is very cool. I'm happy making is such a large part of my life.
Do you have any favorite artists, movies, books or quotes?
Charles Burchfield, Leonora Carrington, Peter Doig, and Yun-Fei Ji are my favorite artists. I almost always have graphic novels that I'm reading as well as books. I am a big Brian K Vaughan fan and Jeff VanderMeer fan. I recently read Scattered All Over the World by Yoko Tawada, which I loved. I'm a massive fan of sci-fi moves, The Alien franchise, Color out of Space, and The Abyss. They are so good.
What advice do you have for younger artists?
Advice is complex because it works out differently for everyone. My advice is to be nice and friendly; your network does more for you than you could ever imagine.
Any more thoughts about art, creativity, or anything else you would like to share?
Never despair. Everything has ups and downs. And be proud of your achievements, even if it's so big you feel like an imposter or you feel it's way below your expectations.
