Welcome to New Elements Gallery’s exclusive interview series, where we dive into the creative minds shaping contemporary art. Today, we are thrilled to present an in-depth conversation with Donald Furst, a visionary artist renowned for his thought-provoking and intricately layered works. With a career spanning over two decades, Furst’s art is celebrated for its innovative fusion of traditional techniques and modern aesthetics, challenging and expanding the boundaries of visual expression. Join us as we explore the inspirations, processes, and philosophies behind Furst’s compelling creations.

Can you tell us about your artistic journey? How did you start working as an artist? Like many artists, I have early memories of happily wielding Crayolas as a youngster. Somehow, I had an awareness growing up that I was going to be an artist. It was my great privilege to study printmaking with the renowned Mauricio Lasansky at the University of Iowa. 

Your subject matter is often about more liminal spaces--empty halls, deserted forest roads. What draws you to these places?  Both kinds of subject matter are spaces I have experienced by repeatedly moving through them. If I see something often enough, eventually it suggests itself as an artwork.  

What are a few of your influences?  For pastel, the great artists of the mid-18th century “Golden Age of Pastel.” For printmaking, the British masters of mezzotint during the same period, John Martin’s eerie vistas in the early 19th century, and Edward Hopper—both etchings and paintings—in the early 20th century. 

You mostly work in pastel and charcoal. What draws you to these mediums? They are so forgiving and so malleable—I just keep pushing the pigment around until it looks right. 

With your latest work (INTO), there's a bit of color. This is a departure from previous work NEG has seen. What made you want to switch? A lifetime of doing art convinces me that I am a tonalist, rather than a colorist. Yet I admire artists who use color boldly, freely, and inventively—even though I am not that person.  I think it may have been the French Impressionist Degas who said, “If I had another lifetime as an artist I would work only in black and white.”  My recent work has color, but by and large it is not colorful.  My use of color fits within the framework of my tonal approach. 

When I look at your work, I get bouts of nostalgia, mystery, even some beautiful hauntedness. What do you want the viewer to take away from your work?  What you said! I would hope that the viewer enjoys visual stimulation but also ideas that make them reflect and ponder, to enter into the specific world of that piece of art.  

Any exciting things on the horizon? Shows, etc.?  Following retirement this past July from 39 years teaching in the Art Department at UNCW, I am now circling back to an abundance of unfinished art projects—everything from pastel to printmaking to egg tempera painting. Some of those pastels appear in this exhibit. 

Please let us know where we can find your work, specifically online! https://www.donaldfurst.com

Anything else I missed?  No, I can’t think of anything. 

Thanks Mr. Furst!