Vaughn Belak: Art Imitates Life?
Written by: Jodi Renee’ Thomas
Dstripped Magazine

On his website, Vaughn Belak (www.vaughnbelak.com) refers to himself as an “artist, miscreant, long time stumbling bar fixture and reformed musical deviant of questionable talent.” In person, Belak can only be referred to as larger than life. He has an almost cartoon-like appearance with his often shocking blood red or black hair, pale skin, tattoo covered body and devilish grin that let’s you know that he is almost always up to something. He has in recent years become the art worlds token “bad boy” and that is a reputation Belak has not only earned, but wears proudly.

His past of touring the country with bands such as “Beautiful Destruction,” “She’s Dead,” “Synical,” “Heebee Geebees” and countless others show just to look at him. If you saw him walking down the street, you would assume he was a “rock star” or at least a “rock star wannabe.” He’s got the face, the attitude, the swagger, and often the drunken shenanigans part down flat. Little would you know that he is up faithfully every morning painting at 9am, and that his artwork is hanging on the walls of hundreds of homes throughout the world (including my own.) Vaughn Belak has found the universal balance of work hard for your passion, and then play even harder. I must admit, I am a bit jealous, as that is a balance that many of us destructively creative types struggle for daily.

In his youth, Belak expressed his creativity by painting on his friends leather jackets, skateboards, and tagging (or graffiti.) “I think some of my friends still have the leather jackets I painted twenty years ago, not that they can really wear them to their stock market jobs or anything,” Belak mused at how much time had passed. He then put down his paint brushes and leather jackets for a guitar and a pair of leather pants, to proceed on rock n’roll tours and make a million or so bad decisions. Then about eight years ago, as he was watching his at the time girlfriend paint away her pain and frustration, he decided to bring his own brushes out of retirement. He started by resurrecting the skulls, shrunken heads and monster motives from his youth but the new ones showed a bit more flair, angst, obvious emotion than their predecessors. A few months later, a friend of his was managing a night club and agreed to let him hang some of his new work on the walls. Within weeks, they were sold out and an artist was born.

Since then this modern day nomad has lived all over the country, but he mostly splits the title of home between Atlanta, GA and Orlando, FL. To the point that his friends in either city laugh when he moves with a jovial “you’ll be back” and a “see you soon” hug. Perhaps the love of these cities is what gives him his edge or at least his versatility. If nothing else, calling two very different cities home gives him a countless amount of bars to stumble out of and go home inspired.

Following in the footsteps of other painters like Vincent Van Gogh and Jackson Pollack, Vaughn Belak battles the demons of drug addition, over indulgence of alcohol and personal pain daily; yet uses them to motivate and inspire his artwork. Artwork that just like it’s artist, paints a vision of melancholy, morose but more than it’s share of whimsy. In recent years his art has transformed from cartoonish shrunken heads and skulls to sensuous and scantily clad women who show obvious power and strength but still with a dark side. When talking about his career, Belak speaks with such a self deprecating humility that it’s almost charming. Perhaps it’s his past, or maybe it’s his future that keeps him striving to grow both as a person and an artist. He will openly admit that he drunkenly fell head first into his new found success, but it will always be the best decision he’s ever made inebriated.

For now, he is busy fielding shows in Orlando at Tatami Sake’ Lounge, Pom Poms off Bumby and the like. That is, until he decides it time for him to live in Atlanta again. Then that city will be lucky to have him, and be his muse. For those who are no where near the places that Belak feels at home, you can order his art for your home on his website (http://www.vaughnbelak.com/). And for those of us who cannot afford the high price of original art ($200-$300 for an original, $60-$100 for a print), Belak has gone back to his roots. His artwork will be available on T-shirts and skateboards in the coming months, thanks to Jacket Off Clothing (http://www.jacketoffclothing.com/). So now, we are all invited to Vaughn Belak’s private party.

I was the “friend” who gave him his first show by allowing him to hang his paintings in the club I was running, I knew then that he would go far. But even I am amazed and proud of the niche he has made for himself and the success he has found doing something he loves. Vaughn Belak. Questionable talent? I think not.

JACKET OFF Clothing Company has featured Vaughn Belak in his own exclusive “Signature Series” line of apparel. CLICK HERE or on the photos below to view and purchase his works on JACKET OFF gear!

Happy shopping from ALL of us here at JACKET OFF Clothing Company!