Tyson Anthony Roberts has a truly refreshing take on the world. His vivid landscapes are represented by round-tipped lines and are inspired by environmental transitions of rural and urban life. Using the Brushes iphone app and still photography, Roberts has successfully managed to merge a digital lifestyle with fine art capabilities. Check out our Q & A for a window into the world of this Seattle painter.

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PP:  What websites do you generally start your day with- do you have a daily routine for news/blog/info consumption?

TAR: I like to see what is going in the news by visiting NPR.  I then check out Gizmodo to see what is happening technologically.  For art stuff usually I visit Fecal Face, Juxtapoz or just  look up an exhibition or artist I heard about.

PP: When did you realize you had talent and how has it evolved over the past few years?

TAR: The approach I currently take is more loose and flowing. Earlier on the work was a bit tighter and more linear, less mixing of colors. Many of those elements are still present and have evolved to encompass more interesting and playful color combinations. I have also started working larger and in doing so I am taking more time to develop each painting.

PP: It seems that you’re primarily a painter. Have you ever experimented with other mediums? If not, why is paint the perfect medium for your message?

TAR: I have experimented with other mediums, particularly photography and digital painting.  I frequently take pictures of landscapes and scenery that appear to be in transition.  I am interested in the states of growth, destruction and movement.  I have also used an iphone to create digital paintings using the Brushes app.  I was able to obtain a style similar to what my canvas work portrays, it is a nice application indeed.

PP: When’s the last time you took a professional/creative risk and how did it effect your work?

TAR: A big change/risk that I took somewhat recently (2 and a half years ago) was moving from Sacramento to Seattle.  In Sacramento I wasn’t painting as large as I am now.  I used to make a lot of paintings using watercolor and paper and would occasionally utilize canvas or the walls of a house.  Since moving to Seattle, I have found myself to be more focused and confident in working larger.  This usually translates to more time being spent each painting and thus is a change from the immediate results obtained from when I was mostly using watercolors.

PP: How do commercial and pop culture trends play a part in your work? Do you believe it’s a factor that drives your design?

TAR: I feel like it is because of commercial and pop culture that I paint what I paint.  Newer phones, faster internet, smarter computers…these things increasingly are becoming more convenient and user friendly and in turn more and more integrated into our daily lives.  Many people (like me) spend a lot of time looking at pixels either on their computers, phones, tv’s or what have you, so what I feel like I am doing is rendering nature to look like it exists in a digital medium as well.