David Hinnebusch won’t take indifference for an answer. You will either love him .. or hate him and he makes you choose. And so goes for his art as well. I first met David Hinnebusch on E. Melrose Ave. in 2003. He was sitting outside of a coffee shop pimping out his latest show at the time. After an afternoon of arguing about contemporary art among other things…I fell in love and spent the next 3 months photographing his project and spending time getting to know David Hinnebusch.

Hinnebusch has an interesting outlook on art and making art…something in between necessity and loathing. He speaks of his work as almost an afterthought. At times he could be construed as pompous…or an art snob. But when you actually loom at his art and spend time with the man…you find that art is prevalent everywhere in his life. A recovering addict for over 15 years, who spent his childhood growing up in Africa, and his adulthood working as a fulltime artist…Hinnebusch’s “loathing” for art is definitely a loving relationship. His work reflects every true and honest moment of himself and his life.

Hinnebusch’s work comes in spontaneous, freeform spurts. And each stroke is one of pure Hinnebusch…everything in his art is a true self-relection. In the 3 months I spent getting to know him…I found there was always an element of surprise when learning and exploring his work. I never tired of watching a piece evolve. Sometimes working on multiple pieces at a time, his next move was never predictable.

When I said that he is either loved or hated…there’s a good reason. Hinnebusch has been called a hack artist and yet his work commands more attention than most I’ve seen. Become become drawn to it …even the haters, just to hate it. I am a lover…and would have to say Hinnebusch is definitely an LA artist worth checking out. Check out his website : www.fakeart.net for the latest.

I asked him a few questions…

Cate: How long have you been in venice?
David: Since 1974 except I don't live in Venice anymore- I live in Santa Monica- where poor artists who can't afford to live in Venice end up.

Cate: How long have you considered yourself an artist?
David: Since I was a kid.

Cate: What inspires you?
David: My friends, my 1970 c-10 Chevy pick- up truck, books, TV (cspan2 on the weekends), people, spicy food, sometimes making art, punk rock, history, a good blow job, the surf.

Cate: What do you think about the LA art scene?
David: I'm not really that into art or scenes for that matter. I love people though and love people who love art.

Cate: How would you describe the life of a working artist in LA?
David: If you mean as- in "making a living working artist" I wouldn't know exactly. I still get help from my Mother whom I love and adore. I'm not a trust fund kid- my folks are middle class (dad's a retired african linguistics prof., mom's a micro- biologist- but for the record I don't think trustafarians should work if it means taking the job from, If you mean "working" as in trying to make a living, I would say I consider myself extremely fortunate- I have the greatest friends in the world many of them I met since I started doing my art full time, . They feed me, give me shit... and give me shit... and feed me and love me and do art with me and because I'm a getting older romantic at heart i see my life with some good old school painting of an Orange crate label for a background- and I do have an orange tree and a grape weed, and a hot pepper plant and I think I've got an avocado tree coming up, and peaches and fucking figs everywhere. And we have the light- like the light in Spain and I've seen sunsets all over the world and bar none the best one I ever saw was right here over Malibu and I even got the LAPD cop to stick her tongue out from her patrol car in the foreground to prove it. That was in Venice. New York is great- but I only seem to sell my art to New Yorkers in L.A. and in New York, I sell to Californians and folk who used to live in NYC... But L.A. is great. I love the film business, the history, the military industrial complex, the cultures, wouldn't mind the red car back on the Westside but I ride my retro-chinese cruiser everywhere now.

Cate: How would you describe your work??
David: It's the new porn for women and the lights are turned down real low...

Cate: You sold on venice beach for 3 years, why stop??
David: I grew up in the sun and got skin cancer my first year out on the beach so I had to cut back on the time I spent out there.

Cate: Do you have any upcoming shows? when/where?
David: working on it- and I do a daily art post on myspace (myspace.com/hinnebusch) - now working on selling prints, t-shirts etc.

Cate: What art advice would you give to young artists in LA??
David: start selling, sell sell sell! focus on being true to what ever craft/ or process you chose and get it out there. I believe that if you aren't selling or (not giving away- that doesn't count) your work you are being selfish. I remember when I sold- someone bought my first painting! The look in her eyes I will never forget- it was like I touched her soul and I'm a cynical fuck. Don't give your work away not even as gifts. I give T-shirts and belts away and when I'm broke I'll trade art for services. Your work is as important as anyone else is even if your #1 patron is still your Mom.