Daniel Martin Diaz “Quantum Mysticism” Interview.

Daniel Martin Diaz‘s most recent show “Quantum Mysticism“, opened at La Luz de Jesus Gallery on December 3.

Daniel, along with his wife, creative and business partner Paula are hard workers, running  their Sacred Machine gallery in Tucson, playing shows, recording and releasing music with their band Blind Divine and keeping steady Daniel’s prolific art career as he creates for gallery shows, books, public and private commissions, magazines, posters and album covers. His third book, “Anatomy of Sorrow“ has just been released by La Luz de Jesus Press / Last Gasp and Blind Divine is about to self-release a multi-disc album project. Daniel answered a few questions for beinArt upon his return to Tucson after the show opening.

Show statement courtesy of the La Luz de Jesus website: In “Quantum Mysticism,” Daniel Martin Diaz unravels the mysteries that lie beneath unconscious thought processes that bring us closer to the secrets of symbols and their everlasting effect on our psyche. Inter-dimensional entities, sacred machines, time travel, sacred geometry, The Illuminati, alchemy, and the mysteries of higher consciousness are a wellspring of inspiration for this solo exhibition.

Q: Did you experience any visions or have any major revelations while creating the pieces for “Quantum Mysticism“?

DMD: I often have revelations when I am creating because I let the moment take me over to a point that I am not conscious of what will evolve. With the show “Quantum Mysticism“, I found myself delving deeper into the metaphysical meanings of symbols and how they effect us. I would notice that the deeper I would look into these meanings, the more questions would unfold.

Q: What is the significance of the roots in your pieces?

DMD: The roots to me are organic and also chaotic. If you look at quantum systems you can see things at an angstrom level that look like roots. They have a living quality to them that symbolize our connection to the earth.

Q: Does concept precede the creation of each piece? Or do you begin sketching, drawing and painting and let it take you where it may?

DMD: Oftentimes I start a sketch or drawing with a concept, other times it is simply a design that sparks the development of the concept. It evolves from there. I try not to think about it too much or it will seem forced.

Q: How do you divide your time between your public and commissioned works, your own art, and your music? How do you work out your time management and scheduling?

DMD Paula and I work very long hours everyday, sometimes as many as 12 or 15 hours straight if we have deadlines to meet. I like to be able to divide my time between art and music, doing one keeps the other fresh. I have to be realistic when agreeing to do commissions for instance. I let collectors know ahead of time that my paintings take up to a month to complete. When dealing with public art, we are fortunate that most meetings can be worked into our schedules.

Q: Though you work with many different materials, you primarily use oil on wood – at what point and why did you decide this to be your main medium?

DMD: I have always enjoyed working with wood, since I was very young. Painting on wood and building my own frames was something that came very natural to me. I have worked with acrylic and other printmaking materials and enjoy those mediums, but oils seems to lend themselves well to the style that I have created for painting, which is to use multiple fine layers of paint for a glazing effect. Being self-taught, the medium of oil on wood was something that allowed me the flexibility to explore and develop my own technique.

“Quantum Mysticism” will remain on display until December 31, click here for to see the show on the web. “Anatomy of Sorrow” is available now from La Luz de Jesus Gallery.

Images:
Daniel and “Sanatio” 12″ x 16″
“We Never Sleep” 16″ x 12″
“Iconoclast” 10″ x 8.5″
“The Visitation” Graphite on paper 13″ x 18.5″
“Faith” Paper and gesso, created in collaboration with Rhod Lauffer 7.5″ x 4″ x 4″