Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ethan Kotch.
Hi Ethan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey as an artist so far has been just that, a journey. I’ve gone through ups and downs, starts and stops, and, more recently, a complete change in direction. Over the years, my understanding of art has evolved. And more specifically, what I want to say has evolved.
I dabbled in art off and on while growing up, but it wasn’t until 2017 before I started taking a more professional approach to it. I started painting random things I liked, experiences I’d had, or really anything. However, having not taken any art classes before, I found myself getting frustrated when attempting to apply different techniques. They didn’t come naturally to me, and honestly just felt like a slog. Rather than dwelling on this or giving up, I realized I didn’t actually have to know how to do these things in order to achieve something that was not only impactful, but also brought me joy. So I said the hell with it.
I completely negated the need for shading/blending or even having different colors touch each other. I started painting solid colors with solid black lines, leaving negative space between the line work and the colors. And thus, my unique style came to me, and it was born from a place of non-conformity and finding my own secret path to the destination I dreamed of.
While my earlier work focused on darker, moodier themes with complex stories, I have now landed upon a different subject: my little star characters. I’ve been developing them over the past year, and it’s completely changed the message I want to put out there. I want to be a voice for the LGBTQ community. Someone who is showing a loving, supportive queer relationship through their art. Someone who is encouraging others to love themselves, to support each other, and to dream of a better future. I want to remind people to treasure the little, intimate moments that we happen uponduring our lives because these moments ARE what give us life. They’re what encourages us to keep going, to wake up in the morning, to give any project we’re working on our all, and to dream when we fall back asleep at the end of a long day.
Life is hard. It can feel overwhelming. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep our focus, and it’s even easier to fall off track. I want my art to be a moment of light in someone’s day. Something that reminds them that there is so much beauty to be seen in this world if we just open our eyes and our hearts to receive it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Quick answer: No.
Ok, but really, it hasn’t been a smooth road. As much as I love creating art, I’m not yet at a place where it brings in the income I need to not only support myself, but to live a free and full life. I’m developing my career as an artist while also working full-time as an interior stylist. I love my job, and I love what I do. But I also love art, and I love creating it. Can’t I just do both?
I feel these two things will always be a part of my life. The difficulty is finding out how to balance the two and not use up all of my energy on one so that I don’t have space for the other.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. What can you tell our readers who might not be as familiar with your work?
My art is now even more personal than ever. Over the past year, I have discovered my two main characters: the jockstrap star and the singlet star. Sometimes, they represent me or my relationship; sometimes they represent the person I want to be or dream of being; and other times, they represent the encouragement that I not only need for myself, but that I want to share with the world.
I have refocused my direction. I realized I wanted this little star couple to be the focal point of my art. They bring me so much joy, and I love thinking of new scenarios to put them in. I want them to feel multidimensional, meaning that sometimes they are positive and encouraging, sometimes they’re cheeky and suggestive, and sometimes they’re insightful and make you ponder the meaning of life. Because that is what we all are; we’re a conglomerate of many characteristics, interests, and needs.
I also wanted to make sure it was obvious that they are a male/male couple, hence the jockstrap and singlet with their little bulges that are almost impossible not to notice. And yes, you can see the outline of their genitalia, but I don’t want their existence to be centered around this detail. They are s*xual beings, but they are also so much more than that (just like you and me). We are not one thing, and neither are my stars.
What changes will you expect in your work and the industry over the next five to ten years?
The only thing I can predict here is that it will be unpredictable. End scene.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ethankotch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethankotch
