09 December 2013 (released)
09 December 2013
Richard Grieco is best known for his role as Detective Dennis Booker in the 1980’s hit series 21 Jump Street but not all know of his talent as an artist.
Grieco started painting 20 years ago and years later it was Dennis Hopper who encouraged the artist to share his work with the public. Today Grieco’s work is highly sought after and can be found all over the world.
Describing his work as “Abstract Emotionalism”, a phrase the artist coined, it is evident that his emotions jump through the canvas with his unique magnetic style.
Film-News.co.uk caught up with the multi-talented Grieco to discuss his latest project and how he felt about going public with his art for the first time, an experience he describes as “baring your soul”.
Film News - When did you realize you wanted to be an actor? I was playing football in College and I decided to go New York to study theater. I found the only time that I felt comfortable was while I was on stage.
Film News - In 2009, you revealed that you have been painting since 1991 after some encouragement from Dennis Hopper to go public with your work. How did it feel sharing your work with the public for the first time? Dennis didn’t encourage me to paint, because I was already painting. Dennis just encouraged me. I did a movie called the Apostate with Dennis in Puerto Rico in the 90’s. He saw the work at my house and he loved my work. I said, “Wow, thank you!” He said, “But you’re doing one thing wrong.” He goes, “It’s different stuff and it’s wonderful, so show it to the world.” It took me probably about nine years to figure it out. I didn’t show it until 2009-10. So he was a big inspiration to me as far as actually showing my work to the public. As far as showing my work to the public at first it was a little intimidating because you are basically baring your soul and all your emotions to be on display to the public. Whereas most people tend to hide their emotions and feelings. But after the incredible response in how it has affected people emotionally. It was the best move I ever made.
Film News - You refer to your work as “Abstract Emotionalism”. Can you tell me more about it? I coined the phrase about three years ago because I thought it was something different, yet almost linear to what painters were doing back in the 1920, 1930, 1940’s etc. When they were turning their expressions more into an abstract form. I think my work represents Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism. It’s all about pure emotion. It about the unbridled emotion where there is nothing literal about it. If you paint with an idea, which is based on an emotion, what comes out on canvas becomes pure. I paint on the ground so I have a 360-degree view above the canvas. I know other artists have done that but for me it works perfectly because I feel like I am almost inside the canvas. I get a better perspective of the process by painting all around the canvas than I would if I was just painting in the perspective of 180 degrees. I rarely touch the canvas because I like to keep everything pure. So “Abstract Emotionalism” to me is a pure form of art that combines a lot of what they were doing back then and instilling it with my own style.
Film News - Your pieces are bold and each tell a story. Where does the inspiration come from? Sometimes I feel like I am a conduit for all emotions. Yes there are certain times where I manifest certain emotions to get to a certain point to convey on the canvas what I am feeling. It’s a very emotional process to get to that point. So as far as each painting telling a certain story the actual story is you.
Film News - Over the last four years you have kept a low profile to concentrate on your work. How has this time assisted your creativity? It’s assisted me immensely because when you paint especially from the perspective I paint from. You can’t dabble in it you have to be totally committed no matter what the cost.
Film News - I understand that you also make “Soul Bottles”. As well as being attractive pieces, it is clear that a lot of emotion has gone into them. You describe them as “the perfect conduit for pure emotion”. What can you tell me about the process and thought behind each piece? They happened by accident. One night there were 8-9 people who wanted to watch me paint. They had heard about me painting and how crazy it can get. So, I decided I might as well have a little party. So we were serving martinis, and drinking having a good time. When I was out there painting and I had all this paint all over my hands. And I grabbed one of the bottles and looked at the bottle like it was a child, where you’re developing it, almost like I was nurturing it. It was a weird thing that happened where the “Soul Bottles” came out that night. It was one of those surreal moments that only happen once in a great while. The Soul Bottles to me are very important pieces of work and people really seem to enjoy them. It’s interesting. I rarely touch the canvas, if I do at all. With the “Soul Bottle”, I never let go of the bottle. It’s my energy going through the bottle constantly, constantly I just started using colors to create different images and fine lines. I’ve never seen anybody else do them.
Film News - What is one thing the public don’t know about you but you are willing to share? I have a pet squirrel named Henry.
Film News - What are you currently working on? Are we going to see you in the movies again? Painting vigorously, and I just finished a movie that should be coming out this summer.
Check out Richard Grieco’s website here www.griecoart.com 
