Vaughn Belak is an artist out of Orlando, Florida. Over the years, he has been a touring musician and is a working artist, painting whimsical but dark characters with a with a solid dash if pop-culture. Vaughn and I knew each other in our misspent youth and recently had an opportunity to reconnect thanks to the technological terror of social media.

Vaughn, just to set things up; we originally met each other back during our rock-n-roller days in 1990’s Atlanta. I remember you as always being a bit more different in the sea of different we were all soaking in, for example while everyone was going through their own days of musical snobbery, I recall you had an unabashed love for Kiss. How did you manage to stay on the edge (musically, socially and fashionably) while never becoming a snob or alienating people? Has this always been the case?

I simply like what I like. I know some of it is maybe junk food but I’ve never been ashamed of liking something other than the norm. In my time in Atlanta, I stayed mostly around friends that thought the same way. I always gravitate towards the people that just don’t give a fuck regarding what is acceptable to like. Be that art, music or even style if I find value in it that is what matters to me. For instance … I dislike a certain band where the singer was the drummer for a super popular band. I get heat for saying his music is a dial tone to me but I can accept maybe you like it. Treat people well even if you may disagree on something. Then, see if you can agree with them on other stuff maybe. Atlanta is great in regards to diversity and it really shows in its art community.

So I only truly know you from Facebook, which is an odd thing to say, but it’s given me some insight into what has gone on in your life. Your artwork has a really whimsical sense of pop culture even though there is a dark current running through it, and commercially it has viability. Do you have any work that you would consider less commercial? Does viability in the market influence your choices in what you paint?

I do abstract work for private commission, that is in my opinion less marketable than some of my other work. I may be backwards in this thinking but for now, I promote it less. I’m currently leaning more towards the darker more surreal imagery than anything else, though.

OK follow up; you have been working as a professional Vaughn as long as I have known you and as a professional artist for several years. is there anything in particular that is making you change up your work now?

As a professional artist, I want my work to grow and maintain my own fingerprint. I can look at work I did 6 years ago and while I may cringe I can still see my own identity there. What pushes me to change is always the same in art and in life. Discomfort. When I am no longer comfortable with the level I am working at I will find a way to move past it. Currently, I am inspired by David Stoupakis and Menton Matthews. So, to get where I want to be I aim for that level of both quality and output.

One of those influences you mentioned, you used to make music with as I recall. Has it been a lifetime of you both trading influences?

Not at all. As will happen, people do regrettable things. Back in our band days, I took from him. He and I didn’t speak for years. Eventually, I made some personal changes and needed to clean up some of my past. One of those things was our relationship. He has become one of my most valuable friends since and I am extremely fortunate to be able to bounce ideas off of him again. He’s very good with giving critical insight when I can’t see certain things.

Without delving into too many of your scars, what turned the page for you?

I’m totally open about the fact that in the last few years I got sober and also quit using narcotics. I do a lot of work with recovery and it has helped me rekindle many damaged relationships over the last few years. No secrets here man. I’m an open book.

I totally get that, and your honesty is inspiring. Behavior is like a rut in a well-worn road. Even bad behavior becomes comfortable and easy. What made you take the hard turn to get off that easy path?

Again, discomfort. It’s a great motivator. When you simply can not take it anymore and even a different misery is preferable to the current one you will take action to change. I had had enough finally and made a choice to do something different. Not talk about or think about…do something about. I’d wanted to change for years. I just never wanted it badly enough until one night five and a half years ago when I did. Funny enough, my last drunk was at my old favorite bar in Atlanta!

Nice Rollins reference … OK, last one.

It looks like you hit the festival circuit pretty hard. I’d imagine that’s like touring with a band. We’ve all read tour diaries like “Get in the Van” and watched Penelope Spheeris’ music Documentaries. Absent the obvious groupies and guitar pick throwing, how did your earlier life in music influence your life as a working (touring) artist?

Ha … Rollins once said something about slavery to addiction that hit me right between the eyes. He makes very good points on the subject.

I was a touring musician for years. In Los Angeles as well as Atlanta. Touring with a band teaches you a lot of incredible valuable lessons. Always be early. Always bring duct tape and Gold Bond powder. Ha… But in all sincerity, touring life helped me be ready for anything. And also, roll with change. Not every situation will go to plan. In fact, it seldom does. I also maintain contact with lots of friends from that past life and have gotten my art on album covers and walls of some incredibly talented and amazing people because of it.

Vaughn, thank you so much for your time. Best of luck and much continued success to you.

Thank you for talking to me and the questions. I truly appreciate this. Have a great day sir!

Vaughn is currently part of a group show at Ars Memoria Gallery in Chicago.

He will have new work available on is Facebook Page and is available for commission work at least half the year.

Upcoming shows include:

• City Arts Factory in Orlando
• God’s and Monster’s Transmetropolitan Gallery.