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New York City-based portrait and figurative artist John MacConnell’s work focuses on how people interact with contemporary life, culture, and community. Before he can begin to create, he must first establish a true connection with his subject. “While I'm drawing, I'm interviewing the sitter. All of that conversation works its way into the art,” says MacConnell. In his book, Draw You / Draw Me, he pays tribute to those he considers closest in his own personal community. “Community is the people you are surrounded by—people that share your ideals and way of life,” says MacConnell. He used this project to further support members of his community by donating a portion of the proceeds from the book to a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention in the LGBTQ community, in honor of two childhood friends he has lost.
SQSP: How do you define ‘community’?
JM: Community is the people you are surrounded by—people that share your ideals and way of life. My community is filled with artists and dreamers, doers and makers, teachers, thinkers, and healers. These people inspire and encourage me. My recent book, Draw You / Draw Me is a tribute to those that I consider the closest in my personal community. It is dedicated to two childhood friends that are no longer with us because they felt like outsiders in theirs. A portion of the proceeds from the book are being donated to The Trevor Project in their honor. The Trevor Project does great work to let young people know they're not alone.
SQSP: What mental and/or physical space do you need when creating new work?
JM: With my sketchbook, I can work anywhere. I love creating on location but I don't do it enough. In Draw You / Draw Me I made an effort to visit the subjects in their own homes to create their portraits. It adds to the work as the personal spaces provide context for the subjects and also helps them to relax in their own home.
When creating larger pieces, I need space. Living in New York City, can make that a problem. I work from home and have a small space in which I create. I'm constantly putting up and tearing down my easel when I have a subject over to pose. That said, I love working from my place. It's a much warmer environment than a traditional studio and it helps puts my subjects at ease.
SQSP: Who in your community do you look to when you need support or inspiration for your work?
JM: I surround myself with people that support and inspire me—artists, performers, athletes—anyone that sets goals and is taking steps to reach them. My mentor, the artist Mark Beard, is a huge inspiration. Every time I visit his studio he is working on something new. Additionally, I find support and inspiration on Instagram. Some artists are in NYC and we have met up, like Da Ping Lou, Adam Chuck, and Menelik Puryear. Others I've never met but watching them from afar inspires me to continue to push my practice, such as Jen Mann and Doron Langberg.
SQSP: You’re currently based in New York City. Does living there influence the direction of your artwork?
JM: I LOVE living in New York City. I truly thrive off the energy of my surroundings. It is incredibly inspiring to see so much going on, especially in the creative scene. From actors practicing their craft to designers launching their brands, it's motivating to be around others that are working to have their perspective seen. Additionally, living here offers me the opportunity to meet many people. Not only do I get to work with locals, but the many people visiting. I feel like one of the lucky few that get to meet the people I interact with on social media. Through my work I get to document these encounters. Part of my work is bringing the digital social space into the physical reality.
SQSP: You’ve spent time teaching art as well. Did the experience of working with students change the way you felt about your own creative process? If so, how?
JM: Teaching was definitely an eye-opening experience for me. I was teaching an introductory course, with no prerequisites. My struggle as a professor was reaching the students that took the class because they thought an art class would be an easy elective. Art is fun but requires dedicated work and a passion. It made me appreciate the students and anyone that makes a commitment to create.
SQSP: Much of your current work focuses on the human male form. How does using a live model change the way you think about the art?
JM: To do a thoughtful portrait, you need to spend time with the subject. I love meeting all the people I'm working with. While I'm drawing, I'm interviewing the sitter. I ask them where they're from, what they do, how their summer was... All of that conversation works its way into the art.
SQSP: Your most recent book features some of your friends, colleagues, peers and mentors. How did your personal connection to the men featured in the book make you feel about the project?
JM: This project is very important to me because of my connection with the men in it. All of them have impacted my work in one way or another. Some inspire me to create, some point me in the right direction when I'm lost, and others are simply my biggest cheerleaders that keep me motivated when the finish line is out of sight. Some of the people I had worked with in the past, but many were new. It was exciting for me to introduce so many of my friends to my world, a great experience to share with friends, and an honor to work with my mentors who I respect so much.
SQSP: Can you tell us more about your regular drawing sessions? How has this experience positioned you as an expert on the figure in the local community?
JM: I don't think I've made it to expert, yet, but I hope that my presence is inspiring to some to give drawing a try. These sessions are a really great place for people to get an introduction to figure drawing or get some practice in for the experienced. It's a very relaxed environment. We start with short poses that allow everyone to warm up and advance into longer poses as the session progresses.
SQSP: What are you most excited to work on next?
JM: I'm thinking it might be time for another show. Stay tuned!
To learn more about John’s work, visit his website or follow him on Instagram. Or visit squarespace.com to get started building your own portfolio.