Jun, 15, 2021
ArtistsCommunityPhxArtist Spotlight
Andy Brown: In His Own Words
Murals by Phoenix-based artist Andy Brown can be seen across the Valley of the Sun, in urban spaces around Japan, and now in the Belkin creative offices in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. A self-taught artist, Brown is largely known for his “Sleisure” style, a concept of his own making, and through small- and large-scale works, he explores abstract musings and concepts grounded in nature and a strong sense of place.
In addition to a working artist, Brown is also deeply immersed in and dedicated to helping support the local art scene in any way he can. In 2016, he founded Megaphone PHX, a collaborative art space that hosts art openings, public and private events, open houses, art classes, and social gatherings to amplify the creative voices of our desert metropolis. We recently spoke with the artist to learn about his inspirations, what motivated him to open the downtown studio space, and the many projects he has in the works.
Here’s Andy Brown, in his own words.
“I stay grounded while chasing abstract and new ideas. I feel like I’ve been toeing that line my whole life, living in chaos but also having some sort of structure.”
Andy Brown. Photo credit: Danny Upshaw.
PhxArt: Tell us about where you’re from and what first inspired you to become an artist.
Andy Brown: I am from Phoenix, Arizona. I spent my early days on the west side of town until middle school, and after that, I moved to North Phoenix. I spent a lot of my childhood in the desert building forts, making up different games to play outside with friends, and always looking for something to do. Since then, it has been a constant pursuit of a creative outlet and new experiences for as long as I can remember.
In middle school, I became more interested in drawing. I would make drawings for couples who were dating, including their names in backgrounds or buildings, and in high school, I started drawing my own cartoons and creating my own characters. I was very influenced by friends who were into graffiti, making zines, skating, punk-rock music, hip-hop culture, and poetry. I was also inspired by life, the things happening around me.
During that time, around 1995 and 1996, I started using the name “Soldierleisure” as a way to describe the idea of who I was and what I liked. I was working and going to school, but in my free time, I loved creating. I feel like it really started to click for me in my high school years that being an artist was what I wanted to do, and I was willing to work for it. The ’90s were magical for me, certainly.
PhxArt: What are the media you prefer to work in?
Brown: I really love making marks, whether that is with markers, acrylic paint, oil pastels, or spray paint. Most of my mural work up to this point has been with aerosol paint and acrylic paints. Spray painting connects me to my younger years, and I absolutely love the sound of it, the movement of the body or the arm, and the freedom. I have multiple friends to thank for introducing me to many different forms of art-making and techniques.
Andy Brown, Process_Deserts Imagination, 2020. Aerosol and acrylic paint; Phoenix, Arizona. Image: Boyant Esparanza.
PhxArt: What topics do you like to explore through your art, and what do you draw inspiration from?
Brown: At the core, I think it’s about getting into the process, getting lost in it, and seeing what comes of it. Often times, I get ideas that come through me just from starting, making marks, and getting some momentum, whether it’s with a pencil or paint brush. Sometimes I’m inspired by looking at shadows on a walk, or by conversations with strangers or friends. I think these different small moments can have magic, and it usually happens in a very low-key way, unannounced. I’ve always noticed that if I just keep moving and staying out of “think mode,” things show up.
The subjects I enjoy focusing on in my work are varied and include imagined landscapes, abstractions, characters, and, lately, the Sonoran desert, the saguaro cactus, and personal growth. I stay grounded while chasing abstract and new ideas. I feel like I’ve been toeing that line my whole life, living in chaos but also having some sort of structure. I want to describe that concept through my art. I’ve noticed that, especially lately, as I’ve been enjoying slowing down and not traveling so much. This stillness has allowed for me to get into chaos without having to move around much, which has been fun and still productive.
Andy Brown, Fresh Horizon, 2020. Acrylic paint in plywood panel. Image: Davin Lavikka.
PhxArt: Tell us about your signature “sleisure” style. What’s it all about, and when did you first create it?
Brown: “Sleisure” is short for “Soldierleisure,” which is a word I started using when I was about 16 to describe this idea I had about who I was or what I liked. I combined “soldier” and “leisure” as one word because I wanted to describe the balance I felt by doing what I was supposed to do (recognizing I have to learn to get by in this world and support myself) and what I wanted to do (the leisure part of it). I recognized that during the day, I went to school and tried to follow the rules in one world, and then after the school day, it was all about creating in my own world with friends and what we really enjoyed doing, like skating, biking, hanging out, and drawing. I also realized that work grounds the free play, and free play rinses off the work, and being somewhere in between those two places is the sweet spot.
I would say the “Sleisure” style is an evolution of that idea, a word that I use to represent the concept. For some time, “Soldierleisure” became a clothing brand I brought to Japan and Urban Outfitters before we had the technology we have now. The first stickers I made were in 1995 at Kinkos, or I bought sticker paper and drew each design. Thanks to having friends around me who supported and liked my drawings, I felt encouraged to share more as time went on. It’s invaluable to have friends show love for my different ideas and art.
Presently, the core idea of “Sleisure” is still a major part of my life. I am making art that I want to make, and I still enjoy making. I’m also making a living off of my art. This combination of “work” and “play” manages my process and approach—it keeps that balance.
Andy Brown, Stairway to Heaven #1, 2017. Aerosol paint; Phoenix, Arizona. Image: Charles Darr.
PhxArt: Who are your greatest artistic influences?
Brown: There have been so many. Early on, it was Shel Silverstein books, Mad Magazine, Cracked magazine, M.C. Escher, Shawn Stussy, Justin Bua, “Twist” (Barry McGee), and a number of local artists who I would see on walls around Phoenix and Tempe. For example, I would see work by the TBK crew from Tempe and was massively inspired. More recent inspiration, I would say, comes from my experiences traveling to paint murals and installing Sol Lewitt pieces with their team.
Early musical influences off the top of my head were Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Bad Religion, Beastie Boys, Souls of Mischief, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Digable Planets, and so many others. Pre-pandemic, I went and saw some great musicians from Africa at the Musical Instrument Museum, such as Tinariwen and Bombino. Those were powerful experiences.
PhxArt: What inspired you to start Megaphone PHX, and what is the studio’s mission?
Brown: Megaphone PHX started because I needed a space that I was paying for monthly that wasn’t my apartment, mostly to hold myself accountable so I made art. I also enjoy being part of a community, so the idea had been in my mind for some time.
At the time, I asked a person I had recently painted a mural for if they had any affordable spaces to use as a studio, and I was offered a space that blew my mind. After being and painting there for a bit, I realized it was too big for just me and I didn’t want it all to myself, so I explored the idea of sharing it with other artists. This led to the idea of creating a place and ethos that could do a small part to support the arts in Phoenix. Eventually, with the help of some friends, the space became Megaphone PHX.
It’s been all trial and error, really, as it has been and still is a side project. But slowly, it’s getting more solidified. The space has taken on many shapes thanks to the different friends who have helped me along the way, shifting according to what they wanted to do at the time. Currently, Megaphone is on its third iteration and location in the Warehouse District in downtown Phoenix. We’ve built out a large working space and divided it up into studios so artists can focus on making their work while also being a part of a healthy, creative environment and community. We still have some artists who have been with us since the beginning, but we’ve also welcomed some new artists. Megaphone is the space where if you want to focus more fully and get out of your living space to make art, or if you want to pursue a day job in addition to creating, then it’s the place for you. I still enjoy being a part of it because of the people and the friendships that have formed. I really believe art-making is powerful, and I want to support people doing their thing.
Andy Brown, Process_Deserts Imagination, 2020. Aerosol and acrylic paint; Phoenix, Arizona. Image: Boyant Esparanza.
PhxArt: What are some works or projects you’re currently working on or have recently exhibited?
Brown: I was recently hired by Belkin’s creative team in Amsterdam to go out there and paint some of my original works as murals in their offices and warehouses. As far as looking forward, there are some collaborative things happening with a ceramics artist friend, and I’m very excited about working with the Desert Humanities Group from Arizona State University on a creative zine/book celebrating the saguaro cactus that should be out soon. I’ll also be celebrating 25 years of the “Soldierleisure/Sleisure” idea, so there are some fun things I will focus on this summer to introduce this fall.
PhxArt: What can our community expect to see next from you?
Brown: I’ll probably keep making art and putting energy into Megaphone PHX to see if it can keep progressing as an artist space. At the moment, we’ve just settled into the new location and have five open spaces that are available for new artists to rent. Once those are filled, we’ll hopefully start having some shows and events in fall 2021.
Andy Brown, Desert Vision 2, 2020. Oil pastel, acrylic, and aerosol paint. Image: Adam Zanzucchi.
SEE MORE
To see more work by Andy Brown visit www.abartworks.com and follow @sleisure and @megaphonephx on Instagram.
#CreativeQuarantine
We’re curious how creatives are navigating the time of coronavirus. Andy Brown shares what’s giving him life as a creative during quarantine.
Brown: I get life from taking time to realize that time is in charge, and it’s all about how I spend it. This is a great starting place for me. I also get jazzed on my fellow studio mates in Megaphone PHX, and I love riding my bike, hanging at home, walking, having conversations, and hiding out.