Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Aaron Thomas Roth and I am a collage artist.
How did you get your start?
“Head to the Wall”
I was a freelance illustrator working in New York City in the 1990’s when I met designer Carlos Fachi. It was about that time I was working on large-scale collages which, for me, were more of a “fine art” application and completely different from my illustrative work. Carlos had an art gallery downtown at the time and after seeing my work he offered me my first solo New York exhibition.
What inspires you?
For me, inspiration comes when I least expect it and usually from the simplest of things. Seeing a photograph, hearing a song… or even just walking down the street and seeing a texture on a wall or a spill on a sidewalk can really be all that is needed for a foundation for a new piece.
“Waiting For The Sun”
What do you like about AZ?
Arizona is unlike any place I’ve ever lived. The weather and the landscapes here can be magical. I love standing outside on hot summer nights watching the lighting storms in the distance and listening to the far off rumbles of thunder.
I occasionally miss the seasons of the East Coast but there is something to be said for wearing a tee-shirt here in December.
Where can we see your work?
I would love to say I’m hanging here or there but at the moment my work is not hanging anywhere. This past year and a half I was unable to produce any new work and unfortunately had to cancel a couple of exhibitions. Now that I’m up and running again, I have decided to concentrate on just producing work. No distractions and no excuses…
What would you like to accomplish before you die?
I must say I have lead a very fortunate life… I’ve done all kinds of stuff but as a person who creates images that hopefully capture peoples attention, I think the ultimate for me would be to one day hang in the Whitney Museum of American Art in NYC. That would be the cherry on top.
What is your mantra?
Live in the moment… Live like there will be no tomorrow…. And trust no one! 😉
