Dave Battjes: Meet the Artist
Hi, I'm Dave. I love painting big letters on crusty outdoor walls, playing with my hyper active dogs, and scrolling endlessly through art and design on Dribbble and Pinterest. Letterforms are my go to whenever I pick up pencil and paper. I started playing with letters back in 2012 and found a medium I wanted to stick with.
Q: How did you get involved with Lions and Rabbits?
A: I was connecting with other artists and they were all asking if I ever talked with Hannah before. It was pretty clear that Lions and Rabbits was a major hub for Grand Rapids artists.
Q: What themes/ideas are highlighted in your work? Intentions?
A: I'm a happy and positive guy. Most of my work centers around a desire to spread joy to others.
Q: Run us through your creative process - How do you start, flow and finish?
A: I often stare at a blank page waiting for some idea to magically pop into my head. After I realize that my mind doesn't work that way, I jump into my list of ideas that I always add to when random ideas DO pop into my head. I find something that feels right to me in that moment and start sketching. I draw letters in all kinds of ways and with all kinds of layouts til I find one that I like. Then I refine the idea a few times until everything is looking good. If I haven't gotten bored with my idea yet and moved on to a new project, I create the final piece.
Q: What obstacles/struggles have you encountered throughout your career as an artist? Or challenges you face through your creative process
A: Most of my struggles come from my own feelings of self doubt or imposter syndrome. It's hard to get out of your head and into a project when you feel all mixed up. When I'm not trying to talk myself up, the biggest struggle is time. My craft takes a backseat to some other important things in my life. It's always something I think about but between a full time job as a graphic designer, two other jobs, and a family, it's often the last thing I do.
Q: Can you share a little more about how your art career started. Have you always been in your field? Were you self taught or had additional schooling?
A: I've always been an artist. Like most kids I loved to draw. I would get a lot of recognition amongst my teachers and peers so I just kept doing it and never really stopped. I first started playing with letters back in 2005 when I got the graffiti bug. It took me until going to school in 2010 for Graphic Design to finally get serious about a career in the creative field. Everything I learned just brought me right back to letterforms. Most of what I've learned in hand lettering has been self taught but all the rules of typography I learned in school.
Q: Who/what are your biggest inspirations that play a key role in the work you produce?
A: Inspiration comes from anywhere. There are so many talented people creating incredible works everyday. It's impossible not to find something that gets you excited to create. The original artists that got me into lettering are Erik Maranovich, Jessica Hische, Greg Lamarche, Revok, Mary Kate McDevitt, Dan Cassaro, and Margaret Kilgallen. The list has ballooned since then but I still feel a connection to their styles.
Q: Is there anything you wish you could change about your work?
A: Change? Heck no! I love when I get to do what I do. My work will always evolve and morph as I do and I enjoy experiencing that change. Given the opportunity, I would however change the physical aspects of the art. Like being able to paint larger than I ever have or build three dimensional letters that you can interact with or make letters out of the earth like Robert Smithson.
Q: What mistakes have you made? What did you learn from them? What are you trying to get better at?
A: Hahahaha! I've made more than a few mistakes but I've never let that stop me. Art is about growing and you can't grow if you think you know everything. I've messed up big jobs, I've destroyed things I spent hours creating, I've burnt myself out more than a few times. It's all part of the process. There is no easy way to learn something. You just have to be humble and never quit. I think I'll always be working on time management. No matter how often I try to be realistic, I'll always be a time optimist.
Q: Do you feel supported by your community as an artist? In what ways could you feel more supported?
A:The art community in Grand Rapids is fantastic. Everyone is so supportive and caring. I would feel more supported if I joined in on more events. I'll make that a goal of 2022 so look out there for me. I'll be sure to high five you.
Q: Describe a moment when you felt most proud of yourself
A: Last summer I painted the largest sign I ever had. A 76 ft long logo on corrugated metal siding. It was such a technical challenge to get it right. I was sweating all the small stuff but it came out beautifully. Bonus! The whole branding concept created for the business won an Addy in Lansing.
Q: What's most important to you about what you create, and how it impacts others?
A: Art makes me happy. Whenever I spend a day painting outside I come home with a big smile and joy that I want to share with the people I care about.
Q: What's next? What are you currently focusing on or looking forward to?
A:I kicked my butt at the end of 2021 so I've been taking it slow in the beginning of this year. I'm not pushing too hard on myself. If I can find time for a nap, I'm taking it.
Q: What does being an artist mean to you? What is the function of artists in society?
A: Being an artist is just who I am. Creativity is inseparable from any other part of me.
Q: And of course, if you could chose any vehicle to travel, real or imaginary what would it be?
A:One of my boys lego creations. They are very post apocalyptic and likely dangerous to drive on traditional roads.
Follow more of Dave’s work on davebattjes.com and instagram.com/davebattjes
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