Austin English: Abstract Realist in Conversation

with his imaginative authenticity, inviting onlookers to deep levels of contemplation.

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, artist and writer Austin English spoke to members of the Davidson community about his career path and plans for the future. As a cartoonist, English has published three books, and his artwork has been displayed in galleries across the United State,s including Et Al in San Francisco and Marvin Gardens in New York. He also runs his own comic specific publishing house, Domino Books, and teaches art at various institutions.

English began his talk reminiscing about artists who inspired his work: Lewis Carrol, who wrote Alice in Wonderland, in addition to artists Charlotte Solomon, Mark Bayer, and several others. English was inspired by these creators to make art in a way that is authentic to his own experiences. He made it quite clear that without these influences, his work would have looked quite different, or even ceased to exist entirely.

With these words, the audience gained insight into the rules and principles that guide English’s work. In his art, English generally places an emphasis on powerful colors and shapes which may appear jarring to those expecting a run of the mill cartoon. English values the ability to constantly experiment, pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable as his stories take the unexpected route.

English went on to take the audience through three of his books and the work that went into creating them. The excerpts from

English’s three books displayed his mission to unconventionally depict human nature. The strange, stunted figures and behaviors in surreal landscapes were meant to show the awkwardness of people trying to fit in. The mannerisms, he explained, were inspired by actors in the films of minimalist filmmaker Robert Bresson. The characters, it is important to note, were played by non-professional actors who express themselves on screen in ways professionals are taught to avoid.

The way English constructs his stories gives them a natural feel as they progress from one panel to the next. They are overflowing

Focusing on his own aesthetics offers the work a transcendent quality as if it were an amalgamation of opposing styles such as blending techno and jazz music, another medium he takes inspiration from. HIc omics inspire powerful emotions, including joy, love, pain. The odd figures, moved about by a surreal dialogue connect the scenes and unite each panel into one cohesive work. Through self publishing, English has been able to share his work that may have been too his experiences with self-publishing first as a consumer, then as an artist, and finally as a publisher with his own company.

It has allowed him to make his passion his life’s work, and through Domino Books he can now give that gift to many other aspiring writers and artists. He has been able to shake up the industry and expand audiences for unconventional artists.

The talk closed with a Q & A in which English answered questions about how he has given back through his teaching.

He spoke of his mission to help others find their mode of creative expression and how he tries to emphasize that pure creativity and passion in all the work he does with his students.

He spoke about the future of the artform and how technology has begun to have a major impact on his work. There is a great freedom in what English has been able to accomplish in his work. It is the work of creators like English that allows viewers to understand the zenith of visual arts, a creative realm with no limits and a clear connection to the subconscious which inspires all that one can dream up and create.

Stephen Walker ‘26 (He/Him) is an English and Political Science major from Haverford, Pennsylvania. He can be reached for comment at stwalker@davidson.edu strange for conventional publications. Selfpublishing has also enabled English to share this work with the world. He spoke about