CSA Artist: Ed Franklin

Ed Franklin is an artist that studied at Berea College and now lives and works in Lexington, KY. Franklin currently works at a book and gift shop store called Sqecial Media when he is not creating his amazing pieces. His wood pieces are whimsical and mythical. He builds this community through his art. He created a gift-giving art project called "A Doll a Day for June," where he placed one of his hand-created dolls all around downtown Lexington. It was a type of scavenger hunt with clues and photos that he posted to hint people where they were. The month-long event lasted all month till June 30th. He has used his art and talents to connect people together in the community.    

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Lexington Art League (LAL): What motivated you to become an artist? Was it something you always wanted to do, or did some person or event influence you to pursue it?

Ed Franklin (EF): I remember someone I very much admire saying to me, "Let's have some fun and get lost in this beautiful city." I was just a kid at the time so the idea of being lost troubled me, but the more we walked, the more relaxed I became
and the more aware I became of the landscape around us. Being a bit lost makes you more aware of your surroundings.
Being a bit relaxed makes your surroundings more beautiful. With that excursion I began to look at drawing (and art in general) as language, communication, dialogue -a city to become lost in - alive with shape, colour, line, form, grid, repetition, pattern.
Everything is constantly talking to us. Lines that catch, entangle, move us along. I wanted to be part of that energy and movement.
 
LAL: What would you say is your number one inspiration in creating the pieces that you do?

EF: A lost and hidden time.
 
LAL: What goes into your design process for a new piece? 

EF: A good deal of waiting and being patient.
 
LAL: What would you describe as the central theme of your artwork?

EF: Looking backwards—  old German and Scandinavian toys, icons, Dada, modernism, a first kiss. 
 
LAL: What do you think is the biggest reward in creating and sharing art?

EF: Being able to communicate in a different sort of language.

LAL: What went into the creation of the pieces being presented in the CSA shop?

EF: Energy, effort, thought— creating 30 small pieces in a very short amount of time becomes like building a small factory with an employee of one.
 
LAL: What does it mean to you being apart of CSA and supporting the local arts?

EF: Supporting any art and having the possibility of making someone even a little happier goes a long way in making me feel lucky and a bit better about the world.