In this Interview, we had a chance to chat with B.A Dallas, A Colorado based artist, about his work, and some creative inspiration behind his fly fishing focus art featured in the Silverthorne Art Project.
B.A. DALLAS is known for his graphic Sumi lines and impressionist knife work. Inspired by his grandfather, Tom Beecham’s pulp fiction illustrations, graffiti, and western culture. B.A. is in pursuit of stories to tell. With studios all over Colorado, he is creating studies of personalities and noir stories. B.A is most often found working on all types of art mediums with intentions of telling a story and sparking emotion. Releasing series for over twenty years B.A is currently working on a collection in his Dirty Modern West Style. The Dirty Modern West is an aesthetic based on the blend of cultures and lines, graffitied over tourist attractions. The Dirty Modern West is an amalgamation of international ideas repackaged and sold back to Americans as authentic. Beautiful decay, heartbreak and eras overlapping create a colorful texture for a modern vision of the west.
FL: How could you explain your path to becoming an artist? When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in the arts?
BA: I come from generations of professional artists and since I was a kid, always had to be engaging in creative art. So, to sum up a long story of becoming I never realized I wanted to pursue a career in the arts, it just came as a natural talent and state of being.
FL: What was it like growing up for you? Can you name any influential people that led you to where you are now?
BA: I found that growing up in New York, the graffiti in the city was as inspiring as the fine art in the museums, and those two backgrounds led to a very definable and unique style. Where I could blend two backgrounds that make me who I am as an artist.
FL: What was it that drew you to Fly Fishing?
BA: My grandfather was a master Fly Fisherman and watching him work expertly coerced fish into biting is much to behold. As an adult, I’ve been reinvigorated to fly fish through spending time with my friends at the Rolling Jay Ranch in Colorado.
FL: What have you found has been one of the most difficult barriers to conquer in your creative journey?
BA: In my particular artistic journey, art is a fickle mistress.
FL: When did you finally decide to mix your art with your fascination with fishing?
BA: A lot of my family is quite famous for their wildlife art and even though I do my work in my Dirty Modern style it is an homage to my roots.
FL: Can you name any moments on the water that have contributed to any specific fishing pieces you’ve worked on?
BA: I would say that by pulling little brook trout from a stream, you see the most spectacular colors and metallics nature has to offer.
FL: What is your favorite medium to express your art through? Is there a specific reason for this?
BA: My favorite medium currently is working in steel, using turn of the century metal shaping tools and I get to work on the grand scale I’ve always dreamt about.
FL: What is your process when you begin to work on a new piece for the first time?
BA: I get a complete vision of the piece I wish to create, then I create a detailed layered sketch of how to execute the piece, then I gather materials, turn on the tunes and check out.
FL: Do you have any sort of mission with your art? Are you aiming to accomplish something specific, or just want to create and share it with the world?
BA: Having watched incognito people experience my work, I get a kick out of their interpretation of the piece, and I never explain my work.
FL: What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue art in the outdoor/ fishing space?
BA: I would say that I’ve heard a million people talk about what they are going to do, just start doing it.
FL: Where can people learn more about your work?
BA: At badallas.com. I always respond to emails and phone calls.
FL: What’s next for BA?
BA: I am building an entire exhibition of giant sculptures, however, I have not yet found the venue that is large enough to host my exhibition.
Thank you to BA Dallas for taking the time to share some of his creative inspiration with us. To learn more about his art, check out his website here. Also, thank you to Colorado Tourism and the Town of Silverthorne for helping make this piece possible. For more information on visiting some of BA’s inspiration, click HERE.
https://flylordsmag.com/artist-spotlight-george-hill/\
