Today we’d like to introduce you to Hunter Knolmayer.
Hi Hunter, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a passion for creating. Drawing and painting from a young age, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in making art. I studied Visual Communications Technologies- Computer Graphics and Photography when I first began attending college back home in New Jersey in 2009. As I was introduced into the world of tattooing; one semester prior to obtaining two associates degrees- I made the decision to drop out and move to Southern California.
As a hub for tattooing art and culture, San Diego has provided a great community that’s acted as a catalyst in my creative journey. Since moving to the west coast, I returned to school and completed a Fine Arts- Digital Media Associates Degree Program, and continued my education at San Diego Mesa College. As an avid painter looking to push my knowledge and understanding of the art form, I’ve also taken online courses through the Watts Atelier- an excellent place for any serious artist to sharpen their skills.
I’ve been pushing to make my artwork more available to the masses, and now have a ton of prints and products available online! I’ve even adapted my original oil paintings to be worn on various clothing items on my web shop. Www.hunterknolmayer.com
Now 15 years in the craft; I am currently tattooing full time at Remington Tattoo in North Park. I am also accepting commission painting requests and seeking mural opportunities; especially in the San Diego community. This beautiful chunk of heaven has provided me with so much throughout the years and I’d love to help further beautify our home by painting murals for all to enjoy. I urge any restaurants, businesses, schools etc. looking for new artwork opportunities to contact me. I am focusing mainly on large scale tattoos and paintings these days, but I welcome anyone interested in my work to please reach out so we can chat! The human element of my career is one of the most fulfilling aspects of being an artist. I find it very culturing to have the opportunity to meet and connect with such a diverse array of people. I take great pride in my ability to take a client’s vision and create a masterpiece we can both be stoked about. I have a love for the collaboration involved, though I feel I do my best work when I’ve got enough artistic freedom.
I feel like my artistic journey is only beginning, and I’m just working on making the right positive connections to really do big things. I’m going to keep doing me and push those big tattoos and big paintings with a big heart- til the rest of the world catches on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, I’ve been run over by the struggle bus countless times. I thrive in the struggle. Bring the hurt! Bring the hate! Smite me almighty smiter! I will not drown in the murky waters of criticism. I’ll stay afloat, I’m here to make waves! An early defining moment in my artistic struggle was being rejected from taking a portfolio art class in high school in preparation for college. That feeling of not being good enough really pushed me to work harder and develop my skills. As “class artist” in school I was accustomed to receiving praise, and it was a pivotal point for me to be criticized or deemed to be lacking what it takes. This was a very humbling event, and set me up with a new way to find motivation when I could have been discouraged from following my dreams.
A defining moment in my tattooing career was hearing a buddy and artist I looked up to tell me, “Tattooing isn’t for everyone, I should break your hands!” – in his defense I was not doing great work at that time, and today, I am grateful for this comment. These were some of the most powerful words I’ve ever heard. I find motivation in proving people wrong, I love the haters! I love a good challenge! How else am I going to grow as an artist?
“The more you suffer, the less it hurts…
…and once you’re emotionally numb, you can truly be happy.”
– This may be a gross exaggeration that most likely will upset anyone that reads it, but we all need to suffer to appreciate joy. We all need to toughen up. Life will present us with obstacles and a lot of times it’ll hurt. We all have days we want to cry, but the smiles on the other side of those tears make the sunny days even brighter. Let the pain teach you. This is growth.
A defining moment I am living in right now was being rejected by a local Art and Wine Festival last year. I pour my heart and soul into all of my work and after putting over a decade into creating an online portfolio, I somehow still struggle to showcase work that curators would want in their galleries or events. I see people mindlessly splashing color on a canvas, writing a politically charged poem about it, and selling for millions. Conceptual and abstract works that show no technical knowledge and understanding of design fundamentals and composition can line the walls of galleries and museums! Sometimes I feel like it’s not fair, but it’s just more reason for me to work harder.
I have dedicated my life to my passion for making art and it is a constant battle to try and feel “worthy” to the taste of “what’s in” these days. I refuse to sell my soul and conform to the mediocrity of perceived “quality contemporary art” – if it means to be ingenuine to the craft that is my purpose in life. I am grateful that I don’t paint like everyone else. I’m grateful that my art “wasn’t good enough” to be showcased in that festival which will not be named. I’m grateful to constantly get beaten down and forced to work harder to show the world what I’ve got. An ancient Hindi word “genshai” means to never treat others or yourself in a way that makes you feel small. I practice genshai when I feel like I’m about to get discouraged. I will persevere. I will create artwork that is genuine and from my heart.
I am already making a living making art, but that’s not success for me. I strive for much more. I strive to spread love and creativity with my artistic vision. I strive to have an impact in the art world and make a difference in people’s lives by expressing myself. I strive to lovingly paint the flesh of those who vibrate on my frequency. I strive to adorn the walls of those who can appreciate the works I craft. I strive to dream big and paint even bigger!
I am actively driven and passionate about my tattooing, as well as my fine art- and the next frontier for me is becoming a muralist.
I am looking for clients interested in starting fun large scale tattoo projects!
I am accepting commission requests for paintings!
I am looking for walls to create murals on!
This is a call for any local businesses that may be interested in hanging some of my art, or having a mural painted!
I am offering free consultations for all services provided! I would love to talk to YOU about your next creative idea!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a custom tattoo artist, fine artist- commission oil painter, visionary and aspiring muralist. I’ve been tattooing since 2009 and I have a focus on creating large scale work that fits and flows with the human body. I am currently working at Remington Tattoo in North Park. I have a love for biomechanic and bio-organic tattooing as well as realism, geometric, illustrative and psychedelic work. I am constantly evolving my compositions and technique, and I find joy in making cohesive designs that are built to withstand the test of time. At this point in my career, I am focusing on creating high visual impact with tattoos that look great from across the street!
As a fine artist, my primary medium is oil paint and I like exploring a diverse range of styles. I draw inspiration from the tattoo world as well as my fine arts and digital media studies- with a focus on realism. I enjoy painting gripping, emotional portraits. Many of my works involve women; often using ornamental filigree and gothic architecture in my compositions. I enjoy the energy of the elegant arcs and sharp points of these elements in juxtaposition of the smooth, still faces of the figures. I want to evoke emotion in my viewers; take them on a trip through their own subconscious. Time to get lost.
I recently began a series of abstract landscapes entitled “dreamscape psychedelia” which depicts several iconic San Diego landmarks with a Psychedelic “bio-organic” twist. The term bio-organic may be redundant, but it’s a broad stylistic sub-genre that typically dives into textural details and structures of many life forms and organic matter. My more abstract work is rich in depth while creating a wild environment that the viewer can get lost in. I gravitate towards this kind of work because the subject matter can be up to interpretation to the viewer. These works are meant to have a fantasy feel and transport you to a strange new world of color, texture and light.
I am always open to taking on commission requests on paintings, though my availability is limited to only a few projects a year. Portraiture is a specialty, though I am open to taking on many styles of work.
I like painting big and am actively reaching out to local businesses interested in working with me on mural projects!
Of my qualities as an artist, I am most proud of my drive. Creating art is ever-consuming, not just an aspect of my life. I can’t stop thinking about art, it’s a beautiful curse that haunts me in amazing ways. Of course I have tattoos and paintings that I am super happy to have created, but I feel blessed that I can’t stop reaching higher and pushing harder. I think my insatiable desire to constantly create on many different levels is what sets me apart from most.
I dedicated the vast majority of my time over the last decade or so mainly focusing on my tattooing, while leaving my painting career on the back burner. After prioritizing my flesh work for so long, I began to feel like I needed to push a little harder with my painting. I gave myself what I like to call a “death bed analogy”
I didn’t want to have to think to myself on my death bed, “Remember when I had the opportunity to push my art to the world, and I chose not to put in the work?”
I since put together an online catalog of my artwork on my website www.HunterKnolmayer.com – where anyone can choose from fine art prints, fine art canvas prints, and a selection of clothing with artwork adapted from my original oil paintings!
I have been creating an arsenal of artwork and have tons of prints ready for upcoming events, markets and festivals. It has been a labor of love and I find peace in the pursuit of sharing my creations with people all around the world.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
A fun fact is that I am carrying on the legacy of my great grandfather, Walter Herbert Marler, who was a skilled oil painter. I have a few of his original paintings in my possession and often take them off the wall to study when working on projects of my own. Though I never had the opportunity to meet the man, in a sense, I get little painting lessons from him every now and again. My grandfather wasn’t the only recorded painter in my lineage. I have multiple talented artists in my family tree, including my Uncle Jack, my Aunt Peggy, and my grandmother Rita Knolmayer. It’s great to see how these artists have sprinkled a bit of magic and creativity in my bloodline, and to know that their expressive souls live on within me. I feel as though I channel the spirits of my ancestors when I am creating art.
Pricing:
- Fine Art Prints $20 and up
- -visit www.hunterknolmayer.com
- For tattoo pricing:
- For painting and mural pricing:
- message @Hunterurscum Instagram Or visit www.hunterknolmayer.com
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.hunterknolmayer.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/hunterurscum
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntercustomtattoos?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@hunterurscumart
- Other: Www.hunterurscum.com – SHOP
