December 2011 ⁄ Derek Nobbs
Derek Nobbs was born in 1980. He lives and paints in the Pacific Northwest.
Could you tell us about your obsession with dead sailors and lumberjacks? What's the reason for the death theme dominating in your artworks?
I admire both the architecture of the skull and I employ the skull as a symbol of death. Death is the final frontier, the great unknown, the last great mystery; it reminds us to live and to make the most of life. I consider my work to be in the tradition of the memento mori.
Your art has strong connection with sea. Why is it so important to you?
Not all my art is related to the sea. I have done more pieces which feature sailors than other themes simply because there is so much nautical symbolism to pull from. The sea is as important to me as the mountains or the desert — though the mystery of the sea is bottomless.
Does your interest in death mean you love life?
Yes and no — death and life — nothing is that black and white. Memento mori, remember you die: make the best of life.
Let's say, death is the last phase of a life cycle. What other evidences of life inspire you?
I think you are more interested in death than I am. Many things inspire me, the mysteries and beauty of nature, antique print design, old things, music, folklore, explorers like Shackleton or Fawcett.
Are you afraid of aging and death?
As Adolphus Greely once said: “To die is easy, very easy; it is only hard to strive, to endure, to live.” I am more afraid of missing out on life than what happens after it.
Perhaps, you art is a kind of an attempt to understand death?
To some extent it is, but it’s more my way of understanding and exploring life and understanding what I love in life that makes it tolerable and worth enduring.
When did you start drawing?
In the womb.
What are your favorite tools?
I’m always looking for a better and easier way to do things, so I don’t cling to any favorites.
What's your technique of paper aging?
I dig a shallow grave and bury it in it for a week, then I pour bourbon on it.
What's the last book you've read?
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn.
Have you ever read N. V. Gogol? He's a famous Ukrainian writer and he also was inspired by death and mysticism.
I haven’t; I’ll have to check him out — he sounds interesting.
What do you know about Ukraine?
Not a lot I’m afraid. So many countries, so much painting to be done, so little time.
