Chance Richmond: What is it like to be a painting major?
Dawkins: Everyone has their own style, from abstract to realism. You have to pick your niche. My style is realism. I have it easier than other painting majors because my art style is more acceptable than say surrealism. I don’t have to go through what they go through during critiques.
Mayra Cruz: What do you mean by acceptable?
Dawkins: For example, in my illustration class one of my professors is very hard on people that paint abstract because he sees it as a different kind of style. A lot of people look at modern art and don’t understand it. Most of the time, you have to be an artist to understand it.
Richmond: How do you personally feel about abstract art?
Dawkins: I do think it is a cop out sometimes personally. I try to go by the same style as the greats like Da Vinci. I think when you get down to it, it’s lost its luster.
Cruz: What kind of style do you have?
Dawkins: Realism. I draw exactly what I see. Photorealistic is a better term. I’m starting to break away from that into impressionism, which is still photorealistic, but people in the middle of doing something.
Richmond: Who’s your biggest inspiration when it comes to art?
Dawkins: I love Picasso. Even though he was an abstract artist, I love how he changed the game of art. My other inspiration is Professor Hickman, I love his advice he gives me on my pictures. It’s funny because he’s an abstract artist, but he knows realism and he knows painting. He really helps us understand what it means to be an artist and keep up with current events.
Richmond: Could you talk about the difficulties of the fine arts school?
Dawkins: We don’t get funded enough. Painting is getting more expensive. There’s student grade paint and professional grade paint. Student grade is cheaper and more watered down. We try to go cheaper. It’s about $4 a pint, and you have to get 22 of those for class. Plus, the brushes are $8 each.
Richmond: Do you think the outcome is beneficial despite all the expenses?
Dawkins: After you finish a picture, you don’t think about how much time you spent or how much money you spent, you just think about that final product.
