Talking With: Max Gottfried, Village Artist

Residents looking for some culture on a leisurely Saturday afternoon are in luck. 

The Babylon Village Art Council will host its second annual indoor Winter Art Show today from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm  at the Masonic Lodge on West Main Street.

The featured artists are: Max Gottfried, Don Bartsch, Ned Butterfield, Paolo B. Bianchi, Deb DiDomenico, Bill Kuchler, Nancy Keating, Melissa Maiello, Ellen Nicholls, Tiqvah Terroade and Jonathan Zamet.  

The council chose Goffried's work for its promotional poster and event post card. So Patch spent some time talking to Gottfried about his work and life as an artist. 

 What kind of an artist are you?

“I’m an artist who paints whimsical characters with color and pattern in surreal settings.  They are fun to look at with fun themes; nothing too serious.  That’s the way I view life.”

 How long have you been a painter?

“Oh my goodness!  I was a child when I started drawing.  I think I was noted in the fourth grade for a picture I did.  So I guess I was nine years old.  I was always encouraged by my parents.    I’ve always loved art; painting, drawing… all facets.”

From whom did you learn?

“I went to the New York public education system.  I graduated Pratt institute in 1975.  I don’t know if there’s any per say artist that I learned from.  ”

Is this how you make your living?

“I’m like Superman. During the day I have my glasses and am a mild mannered professor at Nassau Community College, as well as an art instructor at the USDAN Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, etc.  It’s the 21st century.  Even though I would like to paint 24 hours a day, seven days a week; I need to pay my bills.  I’m a working artist.”

What is your biggest inspiration?

“It’s not one thing.  I grew up on a diet of comic books.  I always loved the color, the simplicity, the line, the design.  I wanted to be a comic book artist.  My aunt always wore these wonderful clothes. I admired her sense of fashion.  There was a style in the 80’s called the Memphis style.  I enjoy film noir type of movies with these gangsters and dark shadows.   Eventually I developed my own style by many things; by looking at pop culture, movies, color, fashion and pattern. So there are a number of sources that influence me when I’m creating something.”

Where have you shown your work before?

“I’ve shown my work every year at the Fire House Gallery in Garden City.  I had a recent show at the Long Beach Coffee Nut Café last November.  I try to get in as many shows as possible.  I have so many paintings.  At the end of the day, it’s nice to share this stuff.”

What is your favorite piece you’ve ever done? 

“Whatever the next one is going to be is my favorite.  I have so many ideas that I need to work on.  Once I’ve done something, I want to move on to the next thing.”

 What is some advice you could give other artists who are just starting out?

“Have patience and perseverance.  Don’t be so self-critical.  Don’t take it to heart if other people are critical of your work.”

Tell us about this upcoming art show.

“This is my first time exhibiting with the Babylon Village Art Council.  I answered a call for entries and I was selected.  They liked my piece so much; they selected it for the poster and post card as well, as it shows my whimsical style.  There will be a number of artists besides myself showing there, with an assortment of styles and types of work.  There will also be some musical accompaniment as well.”