Interview by Jimon

1-Where do you live and create? I currently live and paint in Encarnacao, Portugal. A small coastal village 45 minutes north of Lisbon.I’m just about mid-way through a residency with RES Gallery, formerly known as Outono Projects.

2-How would you describe Zac Hoffman? Calm, impatient, hungry, positive.

3-Did you study art or is it inherent? I studied finance funny enough, but my mother was an artist, so I grew up painting.

4-You have a distinct style, what is the origin or inspiration behind your style? Thanks. I guess it all started with my mom.  I remember mimicking her drawings as a kid. But it’s constantly changing. I grew up in Southern California and I loved Barry Mcgee and Mark Mckee and Neckface. I was really into skate graphics. Especially if they included boobs or flames. Nowadays, I’m drawn to the Chicago Imagists, Guston and Peter Saul. I’ve always admired paintings that look like drawings. If that makes sense.

A lot of my work is influenced by books too. I collect children’s encyclopedia’s, Bukowski novels, marine biology, and philosophy books-to name a few. I like to think of my practice as a study of life on earth, and the books are my reference material. Children’s encyclopedias especially are insane sources. Not just the imagery but the description of everyday life is perspective changing. Everything is simplified.

My environment also plays a role in shaping my work; traveling exposes me to new cultures that find way into my drawings and ultimately my paintings. From the hectic scenes of Skid Row to the sleepy Portuguese village I’m in now, my paintings end up reflecting my surroundings. Sometimes literally in the composition but more so the essence of the location, I guess. Style a constant evolution that grows through trial and error. In the end, I like to have an open dialogue with these influences while I paint while staying as true to myself as possible.

5-Is there any reality behind your paintings or is it purely imagination? I’ve never really thought of my work as imaginary or real but somewhere in between. It all stems from drawing. I go most places with my sketchbook and draw little bits throughout the day. Currently I’m pretty fascinated with the contrast of the physical world and one’s mental state. The lady waiting in line at Starbucks but thinking about sex, or the guy picking up his kid at school but is mentally on a fishing boat in the middle of the ocean.

6-Do you work on one painting at a time or multiple?  I work on multiple at a time, usually in groups of 3,5 or 7. I like odd numbers. It helps me visualize the work as a show. I find that the paintings can push one another over time. Taking risk in one can help advance the painting across the room. It’s a strange dance that helps me balance my colors and themes as they progress.

7-What is the toughest part about being an artist, please explain?  The toughest part for me is stepping away from my paintings. It’s easy for me to get caught in an internal struggle with a piece. At times when I am out of the studio, I find myself still thinking about colors, shapes, composition etc. It can be frustrating, but the challenging parts make it more rewarding. The navigation throughout this odd industry is very exciting and I would take the ugly parts of being an artist over any other career. Especially accountants.

8-Tell us something about the art world that you want to see changed?  I’d love to see the rise in popularity of emerging and mid-tier galleries. It’s a tough business being an art dealer, and it seems near impossible to survive selling a couple paintings here and there without some grand private funding to keep you afloat. I deeply admire those that taken on this challenge and the collectors that choose to support smaller galleries.

9-The future is __beautiful and exciting. Hopefully sunny. Hopefully long ______.

10-What inspires you the most?  The sun, breathing, death, space,the ocean, and my family.

11-If you could live in any museum anywhere in the world which would be your choice?  One on a tropical island somewhere. If the Galapagos has one that would be nice. I would have to Google it

12-What is final thing you do in the studio before you call it a day/night? I usually take a photo of the pieces I’m working on. Then lay in bed strategizing the next steps. It’s probably a terrible habit but I can’t seem to stop. There is something insightful about viewing a large painting on a small cell phone. If the work looks strong on a 3 x 5-inch screen I like to think I have better chance of making a good painting.

13-If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table? Jim Nutt, Katherine Bradford and Goya.

14-Name three things you can’t live without in your studio? Step stool, water, light

15-If you were asking the questions what question would you ask please follow up with an answer? Where was the first place you exhibited your artwork and how did that come about?  The first place I had my work hung on a public wall was at a carwash in Southern California. I think it was a sea creature drawing contest. I was probably age 12. But anyway, I won somehow, and my parents got a free carwash. I must have drawn one hell of a dolphin.

16-How would someone find you on social media? @loser.angeles

17- Please name the first thing that comes to your mind while reading the following:

Art=time

Food=Burrito

Sports=baseballs

Politics=money

Poor=Politics

God=flying in white cape

Rich=Bono

Luxury=Not quite

Sex=Huge Fan

Picasso=Genius

Religion-the Pope