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Darin Overholser
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DARIN OVERHOLSER believes his purpose in life is to uncover the "humor of being human." An artist by day and a stand-up comic by night, he never misses the chance to make fun of pop culture. His satirical images have been seen in local newspapers, board games, trading cards and murals. One of his works is permanently on display as the stage of the Funny Bone Comedy Club. Check out his work first hand at
illustratorguy.com, but first read about five things that inspire him.
Pop Culture. Paris Hilton, Ashlee Simpson, the Pope, Dr. Phil ... these are just a few of the people that inspire me to wake up in the morning and promptly hit the snooze bar 37 more times. My inspiration comes from the crap I'm spoon fed by the media. My art isn't a personal investigation.
Realism. Most visual jokes are simple line drawings in the form of a cartoon or daily comic. I enjoy realism like the cheese bag Sunday landscape painter. I've tried to get away from a set structure, but it's not me. I don't want my audience to squint and think over a painting. When looking at an original Overholser, I expect a chuckle and then you move along because you have shit to do.
Appropriation. People become comfortable with images they're familiar with. The slightest satirical twist can change the original meaning -- or make people react in a totally different fashion.
Dark Humor. I'm obsessed with what makes people uneasy. My goal isn't to offend, but it comes with the territory when I'm dealing with topics and figures people idolize. Dark comedy is great, because it's based on the honest truth.
Mantis. It makes love to you and then bites your head off.
ARTICULATIONS offers five things important to one of Cincinnati's visual artists. To be considered, contact Jacquelyn Vaughn, jvaughn@citybeat.com.
