Creative Interviews : Alan Jordan Lew

World trotting with this great interview as I'm on holiday for a few weeks in Australia and Alan lives in the USA!  A great big thank you Alan for taking the time to answer these questions.

I’ve never been to Houston – what’s it like in terms of supporting art / design and craft?
I live on the edge of Houston. So living in the suburbs and not having a car that can make it downtown makes it almost impossible for me to be a part of that scene. Even though I was born here I don’t know my way around Downtown at all. I know my way around Los Angeles no problem. I just haven’t been to downtown Houston many times. Fortunately, there is one Gallery in the Clear Lake Area. Yes – just one. Since my move back to Houston from West Hollywood, CA in 2005 I have been active in that particular gallery. They have given me so much encouragement and showings over the years.

sksts number

How would you describe yourself in five words!

Nervous, inconsistent, creative, prime number (eccentric), nerdy

Give me the names of 3 objects or things you dislike most and why.

I hate human trafficking; personal profiteering for forced labour or sexual acts is completely immoral.
I hate Clear Lake. The area that I live in is a redundant, uncultured, Bible belt community.
I hate facebook. I really do. The funny thing is that I have been active on it for the last month, but have de-activated my profile over a dozen times. It causes nothing but drama in my life. Yet I suppose we all need a little once in awhile.

Tell me about something you've achieved?

Once won best of show at a themed juried event called Geek Art for some of my circuit board cities. (3-dimensional mixed media) So anyway, an interviewer (with the same last name as me) from the Houston Classical station wants to do an interview with me for a show they have called The Front Row. I was so messed up at the moment that I made a total ass of myself on the radio. I achieved a great review of my work, and achieved a horrible first impression from my words.

What’s your ideal working day?

Depends on when I actually get to sleep. Usually I like to work mornings till the evening. I always have music on in the background. I haven’t watched TV since early 2005 so I make a lot of time for myself creatively. No ringing cell phones and no knocks on the door makes things flow much easier. I will self medicate myself throughout the day. It keeps me going. Having a cat around is a huge plus. Without one lately it has honestly been harder to work.

Who influences you creatively?

W. Amadeo Mozart, Robert Johnson, Conlon Nancarrow, Iannis Xenakis, Quincy Jones, The White Stripes, Nine Inch Nails, Aphex Twin, cats and VST developers. Even though they are all musicians, they make a huge impact on my visual work.

Roots of Repetition

Are you usually late, early or right on time?

For some reason it is always different. It really depends on where you got to be. In the past I would make a point to show up late for a certain event. I really didn’t think it was cool to show up early. Haha. Now I tend to be a lot more responsible.

Holiday Owl

Do you like to shop?

I love to shop, but I haven’t in years. When ever I get a little money it seems to slip away pretty fast. If I had the money, I would most likely spend it on pro-audio equipment which was a trend in my past. I am always looking up new MIDI gear even when I’m broke. My art work budget is extremely small. All I really have to buy for that is cheap magazines, clearance books, glue sticks, and I will always have scissors. You can find wood being thrown out anywhere.

Where would you go in the world for inspiration.

I have always wanted to go to Vienna, Austria. When I was a child going to Mostly Mozart Festivals I would always enter their contest for a free trip. Never been, but it would honestly be a pilgrimage for me to walk the same streets as Mozart did.

Galvestone Girl

What piece of work are you most proud of

There is no particular piece or work that I have the most pride for. I just know (in my mind) which ones are presentable, and which ones are not.

Moonshine

What would you like to develop further or learn to do

To have peace of mind, and being a happier person. I do a lot of music programming, but would love to be a music software creator. That however is a different ball game.

Credit Control

Who do you think I should interview next

Perhaps 22 year old contemporary artist Jordan Sills. She lives in Downtown Houston, and is very active in the Houston Arts Scene. I have never met her, but would love to. Her work is very interestingly bold.

Ironic? by Jordan Sills

 Alan's links

Website - http://www.inwex.net

Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/fewbluehue