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Our 39th installment features the work of an artist who combines rhythmic sounds, with live dope art. He personifies the words ‘performance art” with every stroke whipped across the dark canvas. Thousands come to see him. Just ask Arco Arena (home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings) and Disney. The passion represented in his art fully reflects the reason he was chosen to be featured. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome Mr. Rhythm and Hue, David Garibaldi!

STAMP: Such accomplishments for a young guy.
David: I’ve been very blessed. I just thank my parents for instilling in me a good work ethic when I was young.

STAMP: I am sure you have a HUGE fan base, but there maybe some who don’t know you.  Tell the readers a bit about yourself.
David: I am a performance painter where I create portraits and large images on stage in minutes to music. I’ve had the opportunity to open up for some big name entertainment acts and I’ve been commissioned by companies to bring their “brand” to life on stage in my unique art style performance. I’ve been doing this professionally for the past 8 years. I’m also addicted to twitter (@garibaldiarts).

STAMP: Do you study at an art school?  What impact did/does it have on your art career?
David: I did not study at a traditional art school after high school. I’ve been an artist my entire life and I never waited for a specific class to create. In high school though I was introduced to some hardcore art training. Specifically, I had an animation teacher that introduced me to figure drawing and that is where I started to get serious. That time in my life really set me on a track to create around the clock and set my artistic standards higher.

STAMP: What inspired you to become an artist?
David: I was never really inspired to become an artist, it was just always part of my identity to create. It’s always been a part of life. When I decided to create art professionally, I was definitely inspired by very hard times I was going through. I had lost my job, my car was repossessed, and I was about to be evicted from where I was living. It was then that I made a conscious commitment to start putting my creativity to work in a serious way.

STAMP: “Rhythm and Hue”.  What is it?
David: “Rhythm and Hue” is the best way I could describe the art and the experience I create on stage. It’s all about music and color. When I first started painting I was doing it live at nightclubs and jazz clubs – like a lot artists you see now, just off to the side. I was inspired by artist Denny Dent and numerous others who were a part of this performance painting movement. It was like a calling. “Rhythm and Hue” is about art, but it’s an experience where I can combine inspirations from graffiti, dance, and music.

STAMP: What factors go into planning a show?
David: I usually start with finding a subject that will connect best with the audience. It could be a pop icon, musician, leader, or even just a word that I feel would connect with some sort of message. Once I find the subject, I find music that will not only connect with the image, but connect with the audience. It’s important that the whole experience is entertaining. It’s ‘performance’ painting not ‘speed painting’. Once I have those two elements, it’s just creating the image over and over again until I can create the likeness of my subject in an entertaining way. That is just the art side, I also have a team that helps organize the production side of things with lighting, sound, and equipment.

STAMP: What is the significance of using black canvases during your performances?
David: I do mainly paint on black canvas but it can really be any dark color canvas. The canvas just needs to contrast with the colors I’m using. That way I feel like I’m ‘revealing’ an image instead of ‘applying’ it. The technique just works best for me on stage.

STAMP: We all make mistakes, but for your shows I can’t tell if you do.  Are there ever any pieces that you weren’t happy with?  Or some unintentional strokes (mistakes) that made the pieces better?
David: I make mistakes sometimes on stage. I try not to, but I also have my ways of correcting them as I’m painting. It’s paint so I can always cover my mistakes. Like any other artist, I’m very critical of my paintings afterwards on how I can improve them. But when the painting is auctioned off for tens of thousands of dollars for life saving causes, I get over my own mistakes and feel a lot more positive about the picture. The person bidding obviously did not feel the same way I did.

STAMP: Any shows that stand out from the rest?  Care to share?
David: When I was on tour with Blue Man Group, I opened about 30 shows for them in a different arena every night. For me, it was the realization of a dream I had to use my art form to really move people, and I saw that every night. It also challenged me because I realized how much more I need to grow as an artist and entertainer.

STAMP: It seems that your performance art has opened the door for many opportunities.  Let start with Disney.  Tell us about your experience with Disney and how that happened?
David: I was originally introduced to Disney through their ‘fine art’ program. They have selected a small number of artists from around the world to recreate classic characters in their own artistic style. We then had the opportunity to help launch Disney Epic Mickey for Wii and a couple other things that are in the works now. One of the most influential pieces of art for me was the film, Fantasia. It’s just humbling and inspiring to work with the people at Disney.

STAMP: What is the deal with the Danger Room?  You have secured licensing rights for Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, and Elvis Presely?
David: Well the Danger Room is just a nickname I gave my studio. It gets crazy in there sometimes. As for the numerous estates we work with, my publishers have really been instrumental in securing the rights to create their famous images. We work with them directly in choosing images that I will eventually recreate in my style. Most artist’s don’t really go this route, but it has opened up a lot more doors into other networks.

STAMP: Speak about your non-profit activities.  What is your mission and what have you accomplished so far?
David: A few years ago I realized how much we were able to benefit non-profit organizations using paintings from my shows. At that time I set a goal to reach $1,000,000 by age 30. This number is based on what the paintings bring in for the non-profit organizations through auctions. I’m 28 now, and so far we’ve helped raise over $750,000. During my shows, I also talk about how we can all live our lives as platforms to benefit and inspire people and/or organizations we believe in.

David: Do you still create gallery art and where can we see some?
David: Yes, I do still create gallery art, but I’m more focused on publishing the originals into open edition and limited editions. On my website we post any gallery shows or galleries that carry my work. You can also find my posters on most poster websites.

STAMP: What does Garibaldi Enterprises Inc. consist of?
David: At some point your passion becomes a business. Garibaldi Enterprises Inc. is just my parent company to everything from “Rhythm and Hue” and other ventures we hope to expand into in the future.

STAMP: What are some words of encouragement you want to share to aspiring artists?
David: Really search or discover what you are passionate about outside of art and create that. It can be horses, science, women, animals, music, global warming, anything. But become an expert in that and express that love, knowledge, or hope you have for that field. When you do that you begin to attract a unique crowd of people that will become your first and most loyal collectors. It happens in a very natural way. Also be sure you have a hard work ethic. Don’t wait for someone to tell you to create, just create around the clock. One more thing is don’t get caught up in ‘art politics’; remember the love you had when you started, and just create what you love.

STAMP: What can we expect from David and Garibaldi Enterprises Inc. in the future?
David: I’m really just focusing on creating more studio paintings but definitely expanding my performance painting show “Rhythm and Hue.” There is a lot more I would like to create on stage for the live experience and push the limits of using art, technology, dance, and more.

STAMP: Do you agree with the overall objective of STAMP Magazine?  Why or Why Not?  And what ways do you feel it can improve?
David: I definitely agree with what STAMP is doing, and I think continuing to use your platform to shine a light on a lot of great artists out there. I’m grateful you chose to feature my work.

You can see more of David and his “Rhythm and Hue” on his website at: http://garibaldiarts.com/