Chit-Chat with artist Darrell Roberts: The disorganization of artistry

The studio of artist Darrell Roberts of Chicago is just as abstract as some of his paintings. With paints and painted canvases strewn across his studio, Roberts uses his “mess” as inspiration for his work. Pieces of his studio and some of his latest paintings from several of his series will be on display at the Hinsdale Center for the Arts. “Mix and Match” is an exhibit combining the works of Roberts and Sandra Perlow, whom both use bright, bold colors in their paintings but in varied ways. The free exhibit will remain on display through March 20.

Darrell Roberts sitting in the middle of his studio. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Where does your motivation to create art come from?
I use the city to inspire me when I paint.

How so?
My series, “Sidewalk Voyages,” was created by my walks from my apartment to my studio. I would notice little hints of vegetation coming through the sidewalks in the spring, debris on the ground and the paint chips on the walls of buildings. I often took photos with my cell phone to have for inspiration in my studio. My “Chicago Lake” series is from my observation of the sky and Lake Michigan and the lakefront pathway. I spent a lot of time documenting the blues of the sky and water in the summer and all the colorful flora in the summer and wanted to see what color palette I would get during the winter. In the “Winter Warm” series, I wanted to create a series of paintings with warm colors - oranges, yellows and red - to emulate the warm cozy feeling of sitting in front of a fireplace during the cold Chicago winter days... And there’s a lot of movement in the city - with the bikes, trains and cars - so I try to capture that abundance of the city in a small space. 

What does your studio look like? Is it neat and clean or a mess?
It’s very, very messy. I have stuff on the tables. I have stuff on the walls. I tend to collect items I see at Walgreens and other stores that have a very vibrant color scheme, and I use the packaging for (ideas on) texture. My studio is quite chaotic, but I know where everything is.

So “your mess” helps your art process?
Seeing the different colors on the wall right there, it inspires my work.

Is there a main color that you frequently use with your pieces?
I would say there are three colors. I probably use a lot of orange and yellow because they’re warm colors, and then I contrast them with the blue. I think these colors are just a color combination that’s pleasurable to look at.

SEE THE EXHIBIT
WHAT “Mix and Match,” paintings by Sandra Perlow and Darrell Roberts
WHERE Hinsdale Center for the Arts, 5903 S. County Line Road, Hinsdale; (630) 887-0203, www.hinsdalearts.org
WHEN until March 20; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
HOW MUCH Free
WEB SITE darrell-roberts.com