The man who paints men with beards – Q&A with Aaron Smith

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August 19, 2013

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Much like us, Aaron Smith loves men with beards, so we always knew we were going to get on. Famed for his portraits of the neo-dandy, this internationally renowned artist is not only a successful artist, he is also a respected teacher (Aaron holds the position of Associate Chair at Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design). He is also Pinterest royalty – around half a million people follow his boards.

Fanatical about the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Aaron depicts the vulnerability of men on his spectacular canvases through rigid poses and serious expressions. We couldn’t wait to catch up with Aaron at his home in Silver Lake, California, to find out a little more about the man who paints men with beards.

We’re honoured that you’ve agreed to talk beard with us, Aaron. How long have you been growing your beard, and have you always been a fan of facial hair?

Oh wow – let’s see. I’ve had some sort of facial hair off and on for years, but I’d guess the full beard has been in place for twelve years or so.

What originally inspired you to start painting?

I’ve always been an art nerd, but the painting bug hit me hard after seeing a Caravaggio masterpiece in a travelling show from the Vatican Museum. It made my heart ache. It was love. Before long, I was lobbying my parents to send me to art school.

Bearded men seem to appear frequently in your artwork. Where does this interest stem from?

For years I’ve collected vintage photographs of men from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. These images for me represent a masculine ideal, although I’m perfectly aware that my collection is aspirational, based on a constructed fantasy. For me the gentlemen’s stiff poses and serious expressions belie a kind of vulnerability. The beard represents a celebration of masculinity. Oddly, the beard can signal non-conformity as well as tradition. It’s also a wonderful abstract form filled with texture drama.

In London, beards are probably at their peak in the fashion scene. What’s the situation in LA? And how does that differ (if at all) to hipsters in NYC?

Well, I live in the Silverlake area of LA, which is closer to Brooklyn culturally than it is to most of the city. I suppose Silverlake also feels like the San Francisco Bay Area or Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Hell, Portland and Austin have their beardo hipsters as well. Silverlake is a great mixed bag: gay and straight, hipsters and artists, immigrant families, old timers, and on and on….
As far as beards are concerned, the early adopters long ago paved the way, and the rest of LA has embraced the phenomenon. Interestingly, the trend hasn’t been dropped by hipsters. For many men, once they cultivate a beard, it becomes a major part of their identity.

We like to ask our interviewees about their grooming habits. Do you have a secret haunt in LA that you could share with us? Do you have any favourite products or brands?

Oh, I’m a self-groomer these days. I buzz my own hair and trim my beard. I DO have a couple of favourite products however. I’ve been using Frank’s Beard Elixir by Mr. Natty from England http://www.mrnatty.com/shop/beard.  The stuff keeps the grey hairs of my beard soft and shiny; no easy task. My favourite beard and moustache wax (very important) is made by a Heavy Metal themed grooming line called Bath Sabbath. I kid you not… https://www.etsy.com/transaction/139795092.   They also make a mean beard conditioner called Odin oil… It’s Mead-scented! http://www.etsy.com/listing/102361661/odin-spiced-mead-beard-oil-conditioner?ref=correlated_featured  …Genius.

What do you feel are your greatest life achievements?

Oh boy, no pressure…
1-    Entered the world with a twin brother, yet was able to find myself. (He’s an artist as well by the way. Owen Smith…)
2-    Carved out a studio practice and a gallery career that feels authentic.
3-    Have taught full-time at the Art Centre College of Design for 14 years.
4-    After a long and happy relationship, I married my husband Tom.

What projects are you currently working on? Do they involve beards?

I’m preparing for a solo exhibition in NYC in October, presented by Sloan Fine Art. The show is called “Past the Pillars of Hercules” and will combine portraits of bearded gents, with woozy landscapes painted from Victorian Stereoview cards. http://mucksnipe.tumblr.com/post/57653546408/past-the-pillars-of-hercules-sloan-fine-art#notes

Who have been your greatest influences in both your professional and private life? Have any of them been bearded?

Besides my brother (who is bearded) and my husband (who is not) most of my influences are mostly historical art figures. Here’s a list…
Edouard Manet (fantastic beard)
Edvard Munch (occasional moustache)
Ferdinand Hodler (brilliant beard)
Cuno Amiet (ditto)
Edouard Vuillard (stunner)
Pierre Bonnard (alas, only scruff)
I must admit that much of my beard-fixation is located around my identification with these and other artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Do you have a bearded pin-up?

I have several of course!
Dead ones:
Edward VII, Czar Nicholas II, George V, Lytton Strachey
Living ones:
Nick Wooster (men’s fashion maven and friend), Matteo Gioli (milliner), Philip Crangi (jewellery designer), Mast Brothers (chocolatiers), and Angelo Flaccavento (fashion writer).

Finally, do you think you’ll ever shave your beard off?

Never.

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Image Source: Aaron Smith

For more info on  Aaron Smith visit: http://aaronsmithart.com/ and http://pinterest.com/mucksnipe/

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