Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard ChauDavis.
Hi Richard, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am Richard B ChauDavis, San Diego artist (born 1956), doing my art in San Diego since graduating from UCSB College of Creative Studies with a Bachelor of Arts in 1979. Married (1) with children (2), cisgender, Christian, bisexual, monogamous, he/him/they/them. Art that’s often naked, edgy, ethical, sexual, multimedia, performance, composite, archival…
I’ve shown and done performances locally at SDAI, The Studio Door, Oceanside Museum of Art, Bard Hall (First UU of San Diego) and Art of Pride’s annual festival. I did a tremendous amount of volunteer work for SDAI which eventually turned into being an independent contractor for SDAI while running an ArtGym… It was a lot of fun. Now at 70 I have stepped away from most volunteer (and independent contractor) work). I occasionally show (when accepted) at The Studio Door and a few other places as the themes and costs align with my interests and pocket book. Art is pay to play in San Diego. I receive support for my art from patrons who like me or my art (not necessarily both) at www.rbcdart.com, I currently put out 3 newsletters to my patrons and followers. One is SFW, the other is NSFW, and the third is ‘as I post it’. The third newsletter can flood an inbox… Currently I have 32 followers/patrons/former patrons and they give me around $120 a month. A few of the Local Artists that I recommend are Ed Hatten, Fred Marinello, Brian Meyer, Doris Bitar, Glen Crooks, Jon Abel, Effi Karakaidos, Hank Gross. Eugenie Geb, Wade Cline, Scott Bruckner, Lori Lipsman, Nancy Carp, Anna Stump, Hilary Paul McGuire,.. and many more. San Diego is artist rich and patron poor. Sadly it is also cheap so without a patron (self, spouse, friend, or collector) being an artist involves selling at much below minimum wage for most. Unlike actors when artists have a show they generally pay for everything including refreshments. Admission is free.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Surprisingly I have been well treated by critics, galleries, and the public. I do hold a line on Institutions where my art is censored, To be fair, it takes courage and ethical clarity to support my art even if you like it. Patric Stillman has been a hero. Tim Fischer (former SDAI Director), Larry Caveney… again it is a long and much appreciated list. Each painting/performance is a struggle and a joy.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a baseline I do photoshoots. First, everything was a black and white blurry slow exposure photograph, then layering of digital images to catch the split minute that I captured earlier in the blurry photos. Then photoshop color and layering. Followed by mixed media and returning to my painter training. All during those decades I would do performances in the photoshoot, at Art of Pride, and SDAI.
I am very proud of ArtGymSD at SDAI. A lot of people invested time and very little money to turn it into something special. I do think my paintings are wonderful. Several performance pieces worked out well Tainted Milk, Begging, the Banana Booth to name a few.
Right now I am specializing in scribbling on photographs. I am successful 3 out of 5 times.
I have often been told by other artists that they would like to deal with sex as I have (not necessarily like I have). It is sad that depicting this part of human nature is professional suicide. Many galleries in the region will not even show nudes. This is not true in literature, film, music and stage. Protecting children is often sited which, of course, is a lie. Parents can always keep their children or themselves out if they have issues. Watching from afar I have observed that when children do see my work they tend to point and laugh and then look for something more manga… and, as all artists, I am set apart by the fact I am doing my own work for my own reasons.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Skinny dipping, love the water, even when I was drowning I dreamt that I was swimming around the bottom of the pool looking for the stairs, not frightened at all.
Pricing:
- Free, subscribes to the website and SFW newsletter
- 五福 Wufu Patron $ 5 /month A fiver is always useful!
- Twin Red Envelopes Patron $ 10 /month Two fivers to help me support the work and live history
- $ 15 /month Patrons at this tier help significantly with material costs of creating Richard and Maria’s art.
- Performance Patron $ 25 /month I could cry, thank you.
Contact Info:
