Daily Inspiration: Meet Chandler Ford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandler Ford.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. My dad is an artist and worked in graphic design his whole career. Growing up, I would request that he draw sketches of my favorite things at the time – unicorns and skunks – before dropping me off at kindergarten. I was always amazed at the images he could create out of thin air. I would say my artistic nature came naturally, but truthfully my talent was honed over many years of practice – it’s the enjoyment of the craft that comes naturally! I spent a large part of my career working in digital illustration, but I fell in love with oil painting about 5 years ago and haven’t looked back. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I find as an artist that my biggest challenge is the circuitous pursuit of inspiration. I go through periods of art block and despair about my work, and then a hint of inspiration tumbles into a new pursuit that feels absolutely effortless. If I could pinpoint that secret magic moment where the inspiration takes over, I’m sure I’d be much more productive! But it’s the eternal artist’s struggle. And the lulls offer a great opportunity to take in new studies, new mediums, and to try new things! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love creating beautiful images in oils. I work primarily in figure painting and portraiture, sometimes in the realm of pop surrealism. When I start to see the figure coming to life under my brush, everything in my world feels right. It’s still magical to me to see unexpected hues in the light or shadow suddenly pulling a whole portrait together. And I love the challenge of working in such a physical medium with all of its lovely constraints – being forced to take your time. Working with oil paint is definitely a labor of love. As for my subjects, I’ve been enjoying the exploration of femme beauty for the last several years. I feel as though I’m still growing as an artist and still finding my voice through paint. But I adore depicting femme figures and playing with alternative imagery to evoke a certain feeling. 

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I definitely feel as though creating art is taking a risk – you’re putting yourself on display, which is inherently vulnerable. I find that this is one of the more therapeutic aspects to painting. It becomes a socially acceptable way to tell your truth, which you might otherwise be afraid to tell. When I was younger, it was definitely more of a risk for me to share my art. I’m queer and proud, but kids aren’t always kind to young queer kids. I’m extremely fortunate to be in a place now where I can express myself through art freely without fear of repercussion. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chandlerford.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chandlerfordart

Image Credits
Chandler Ford