Brandon's retro inspired collages are quite eyecatching, his work ranges from a mellow vintage vibe to bright electric creations. I enjoy the methods he uses--gel transfers and combining paper and paint techniques. I feel like he places a lot of weight on instinct in his work, as many of us do, and the importance of process. Anyway, I love all of these vibrant pieces!

Name (Real or Screename): Brandon McLean
URL (Blog, Website): http://www.elus1v.com
Location (Where are you from?): Orlando,Florida

Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: Assembled creations of my explorations through the layers of life.

Q: What do you like to work with (magazines,photographs, vintage) Be Specific!
A: I combine paint with collage. Using various vintage magazines, newspapers, and other found ephemera to help build the layers, and then juxtapose them with found photographs from years gone by. I like the dirty, worn, and gritty feel of vintage materials and the mysterious quality of the photographs from the past. These photographs depicting people you may or may not know, but they allow you to develop your own story behind the face and glorify these people as heroes or maybe in some cases even as ghosts.

Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: I started making collages and art in general around 2000 after I suffered a stroke, and became intensely focused and centered on art as an exploratory process. Figuring out life by taking the various scraps and remnants and juxtaposing them in new ways.

Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: Right now I'm mainly a self-employed artist, but I also work in construction as a builder with a wakeboarding events company. At ABOX Fabrications, we build and develop new obstacles for wakeboarding events all over the country. But I'm trying my hardest to make a living as an artist full time, because that's what I truly want to do in life.

Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: I did take some art classes in college, and learned some important processes and techniques, but I am mainly self taught. Trial and error away from peering eyes does wonders.

Q: Explain your favourite techniques.
A: My favourite technique is photo copy transfer. It's a gel medium transfer process, that allows you to transfer photo copies to any surface, allowing the stark black toner to stay behind amongst a built up paper and paint background. I love the layering process in art. Combining paper and paint in new arrangements, then covering them up, sanding them down, adding more, allowing the surface to dictate the next move.

Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: My favourite piece that I ever created is one called 'Work a Day Lives.' I made it back in 2005 and traded it to my friend, artist Robert Mars for one of his great pieces. I really like it because it was one of the best instances I have collected where you can allow the background to show you where the composition should go, and to never be afraid to cover something up, or get discouraged with a piece, because if you trust the process of art making the right way will rear its head for you.

Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: I admire any artist that spills their whole self into whatever it is that they create. Anyone hustling to make their dreams come true. Some of my favourite current artists are Alex Kopps, Jim Houser, Robert Mars, Word to Mother, and Conor Harrington.

Thanks Brandon!