C.S. Intire
PAINTER. SAN JOSÉ, CALIFORNIA. USA
C.S. MCINTIRE (1966) ABANDONS SPEED THROUGH HIS COMPOSITIONS, WHICH RETARD VISION AND IMPOSE REFLECTION FROM A SITE OF SUSPENSION. BITS OF PAPER AND PIGMENT STICK, ORIGINALLY DISPARATE, COALESCE INTO RESIDUE. AN APPROACH OF PURPOSEFUL FUSION, WHERE AUTHORITY DERIVES NOT FROM INSISTENCE BUT FROM WHAT TEETERS ON ABSENCE. FEATURING @CSMCINTIREART — WWW.CSMCINTIRE.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF C.S. INTIRE
“Could you define your work? Where are your latest paintings heading? Tell us a little about your style.“
Genre-wise, I think my work falls pretty squarely in the abstract expressionist world. My process typically involves quick decisions that tend to find inspiration from memory and musical influences. Most people know my drip work, but lately my paintings have shifted away from that. I’ve been working with large squeegees and brushes lately, shifting between flat and vertical processes throughout the process of making each painting. The process is different than the drip work which requires a vertical perspective and has taken me in new directions. One body of work that came out of this process is comprised of abstracted landscapes that are a departure from the drip work. I start the paintings flat on my studio floor, which allows me to think less and create the foundation of the piece, then I shift vertically and use brushes and aerosol to make marks and draw imagery into the piece. They’re a bit more painterly than a lot of my work in the past three years.
“When you finish a work, what feeling does it leave you with: relief, satisfaction, a desire for more?“
Of course, there is satisfaction when I complete a piece – but it’s the actual process of creating that piece that brings me immense joy. Although frustrating, even the “failures” oddly feel like accomplishments. I know that blocks and failures are such a key part of my continued exploration and growth as an artist.
“Is there any time of day or state of mind in which you feel your creativity flows more naturally?”
I can be inspired at any time and anywhere, especially if I’m out in nature. Typically, I create in the early evening; it can be both meditative and a great way for me to release a lot of emotional energy. I tend to work predominately on paper which allows me to finish a piece in 2-3hrs. I work quickly as I want to capture whatever inspiration and energy is on board. But it’s important to clarify that I don’t rush the process; I let the piece tell me when it’s complete.
“What do you value most about the space where you work?”
I currently create in a small studio within my home. The most obvious benefit is that I can run downstairs any time inspiration hits. Although there is a physical limitation on scale of pieces, there is definitely no limitation on the level creativity.
“If you could describe your creative process as a season of the year which would it be and why?“
Hmm, this is a difficult question. I think it’s a toss-up between Spring and Winter. My process is intuitive and very “open”, much like spring which sheds off the old and opens up to something vibrant and new. However just like winter, I feel my process can be intense with shifting movement, energy and mood.
“What makes you know that a work is truly finished and not just abandoned?”
I work quickly as I want to capture that ephemeral inspiration that spurred the piece. As I mentioned earlier, I let the work tell me when it’s complete. I may make a final tweak or two, but I don’t want to overthink or edit to the point of losing the original flow and energy.
“Is there any material color or texture that you feel especially represents you?”
PINK! As a closeted kid in the early 1980’s, I didn’t dare go near the color for fear of being bullied. Ironically, it has now become such a power-color in my work. It can be both quiet and soothing or loud and electric. My favorite palette: pastel pink, black, sunflower/goldenrod yellow, and a hint of orange over an ivory base.
“What does art give you in your life that you could not get in any other way?”
Over the last year or so, I have felt a stronger sense of trust in my process and confidence in my work than I have felt previously. Now the task is to bring this same level of trust and confidence into other aspects of my life.
“When you look at your old works what emotions do they awaken in you?”
I starting painting in 2017 and it still feels relatively “new” in comparison to my longtime drawing and design experience. Looking at my earlier paintings I see an openness to exploration, but I also feel a sense of struggle with the uncertainty. I can recall the inner dialog that I battled against during creation of those earlier pieces. However, I also remember the exact piece that started a welcomed shift both creatively and emotionally.
“If your work could tell your story which chapter do you think it would tell with the most intensity?”
Definitely my current chapter. I recently turned 60 and I have never been more excited to welcome in a new decade. I feel content – but not complacent or stagnate. There is still plenty desire and room for exploration both personally and artistically.
Biography C.S. McIntire C.S. McIntire (b. 1966, San José) is a self-taught painter whose practice is shaped by visual intuition, design training, and a lifelong sensitivity to color, form, and perception. He has exhibited in juried exhibitions and solo shows throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. McIntire earned a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from San José State University and later worked as a graphic designer and art director, developing a strong understanding of composition and visual structure. Nature remains central to both his life and practice, often guiding the emotional tone and palette of his paintings. His work is represented by galleries across the United States and Germany, reflecting a growing international presence.
Piece with Artist Magazine. OCTOBER 2026. © www.piecewithartist.com
@piecewithartist
@C.S.MCINTIREART
ADVERTISEMENT