When one looks at the emotionally stimulating, provocative color red in a painting, they usually don't ask, "Is it blood?" However, there is one artist whose profound craftsmanship says without question, “Yes, my dear, 'tis blood you see.”
Painting with the blood of rattlesnakes ever since he can remember, Casey granted Suite101 an opportunity to pick the brain behind his macabre work.
Question: Why rattlesnake's blood? What makes it so special?
Answer: There is nothing special about rattlesnakes other than how good they taste and their availability. It could be any type of snake. This is by no means cruel, since I eat them as food, as any hunter or fisherman would. I just go one step further by painting with their blood. Call it “creative recycling." Being an animal lover, I would never use any cats or dogs, if that’s what you’re getting at?
Q: No. But is the blood all from rattlesnakes?
A: Every portrait has its own story as to where the blood came from, but yes, it’s all snake of some kind. In the past some of the blood came from some “associates” of mine that live deep in the desert, so you never know.
Q: How long have you been painting?
A: Unfortunately my interest in art goes back to childhood where my talents were encouraged.
Q: What kind of satisfaction do you get from painting with blood?
A: I get satisfaction from knowing this type of medium gets ridiculed by the conventional "art world," not to mention how much it disgusts the stuck-up, art snob douche-bags that think they are authorities.
Q: How long does the average portrait take?
A: It depends on my blood supply. It usually takes about a week to get as dark as I like through the process of adding layers.
Q: Have you ever thought about opening a museum?
A: No. There isn’t enough interest in obscure subjects like mine in this area. I haven’t had a show here in the desert yet, but not from a lack of trying. All my shows have been in Los Angeles thus far.
Q: What do you think some of the old masters of art like Picasso, Rembrandt or Van Gogh would say about your art if they were alive to see it?
A: It’s hard to say what the old masters would say about my medium. Aside from the tripe Picasso put out, there is no way to compare my work to theirs. They are called the old masters for a reason. Only a handful of people since them can measure up to their level of skill. What would they say about Pollock, Warhol, or "Cheetah the painting chimp?"
Q: [Laughs] Who are your role models?
A: I would say the artist that first influenced me as a kid was stop-motion FX genius, Ray Harryhausen. After that it would be special-FX artists like Dick Smith, Rick Baker, Tom Savini, and Rob Bottin.
Q: Is it true you paint serial killers?
A: Yes, I have completed paintings of Bundy, Dahmer, Shaye Saint John, Ed Gein, to name a few, and Alex from Clockwork Orange.
Q: How do you choose your subjects?
A: I choose my subjects by what interests me, and what I think will sell.
Q: What type of occult practices interest you?
A: All areas of occult interest me. But mainly the teachings of Aleister Crowley and John Dee. My look at the occult is from a scientific perspective. I am like William Hurt in the movie, Altered States, whose interest is purely in understanding the human mind.
Q: Who are some of the notorious people who own your art?
A: The only notorious people that own my art are Merle Allin (from GG Allin & the Murder Junkies), Richard Ramirez , (the late) Henry Lee Lucas, Jack Trawick (serial killer), Mike Odd (from Rosemary’s Billygoat), and Joe (Fear Factor) Rogan.
Q: How do you view the world today?
A: A wise man once said, "Making your way through the world today takes everything you got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot." I see the world through a Nihilist’s eyes.
Q: What other portraits have you completed?
A: G.W. Bush, Vlad the Impaler, Elizabeth Bathroy, Jesus, and a tribute to Dimebag Darrel.
Q: Where can we find your work?
A: Visit The Blood Artist. Thank you for your time.
Source: Myspace.com/bloodartist,
