Meet chris coates: visual artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with chris coates and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi chris, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have, honestly, spent most of my adult life not taking many crazy risks. I’m pretty conservative when it comes to things like that. I, mean, i have definitely lived a life with not many regrets, but I also have tired to be a bit more responsible. I hear people say “You only live once” as some sort of justification for ruining that one life you get.

With that said,I am currently stepping out and doing this really crazy thing. I am working on a pretty big art project that will be completed soon. A space for artists to create art while surrounded by art. A kind of gallery-slash-studio space for visual artists. it has taken a lot of my time and money during 2020.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I often times having a hard time describing what I make. I love movies. I love the art of visual storytelling. I like to make my work look like a still from a film. Like a short story that is a chapter in a bigger one. I wouldn’t say its an easy process, but it is one that I enjoy. it doesn’t make much sense though.
I spend hours on an image that people will spend a couple seconds looking at, then scroll past for it to be buried in the sea of images on the internet. I’m not really sure who I do this for. I hope whoever that is has found it and appreciates it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love showing people what I call “Weird Atlanta” I don’t really like the “pseudo-Hollywood” that Atlanta has become. I love the older places, the less polished ones. For my itinerary, let’s pretend we are in the before (Covid) times.

We’d have to go to MJQ at some point then have 3am waffles at Majestic Diner.

Get a roll of quarters and blow it all at Joystick on Edgewood. I recommend trying the bourbon coffee there. *chef’s kiss*

Watch the sunset on the the roof of the Clermont Hotel, then go down to the basement to check out Clermont Lounge.

Grab a sub and a bottle of wine from Publix and have a picnic at Piedmont Park.

If you’re down for some light trespassing find an unlocked door that leads to a rooftop. Go on a clear Summer night and take in the lights of the city. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s really not just one person I can dedicate this to. I have had a lot of conversations over the past couple of years with some people that are very important to me. They know who they are. They help me find perspective and give everything I create its context. Everything I make is borrowed from the stories around me. I appreciate everyone that has trusted me enough to share their stories and be a part of mine.

Instagram: @the_donnie_darko