Guy Hepner is pleased to announce our new collection with fucci. Join us as we discuss the process behind the paintings.
Q: What first sparked your interest in painting, and when did you realize art was your true passion?
A: I became a painter by accident. I spent years working as a graphic designer, sketching illustrations at my desk in my free time and posting them online. When those illustrations started gaining traction and people wanted to buy physical pieces, I taught myself how to paint. I quit my day job 11 years ago and I’ve been painting ever since.
Q: How would you describe your artistic style, and how has it evolved over the years?
A: People call it “Pop Art” or “Post-Pop Art,” but I don’t actually reference pop culture at all. My work is rooted in the “Ligne Claire” style, clean black outlines and bold flat colors. That part hasn’t really changed. I like to keep my paintings minimal, though some pieces end up busier than others. Early on, my work was much more erotic, but over time, it’s become more refined.
Q: Can you walk us through your creative process? Do you follow a routine, or is it more intuitive?
A: Everything starts as an illustration. In the early days, that meant pen and paper, but now I mostly draw on an iPad. I refine the composition, play around with colors, and tweak things until it feels right. Once I’m happy with the vision, I project the illustration onto a canvas and use it as a reference guide while I paint. In some ways, my process feels a little Lichtenstein-esque—mixing traditional techniques with technology. But I still like to keep things hands on. I stretch and gesso my own canvases. I build everything from the ground up.
Q: Has your cultural background or personal experiences influenced your work? If so, how?
A: Being of Scandinavian descent, I grew up surrounded by thoughtful design. This is something that naturally filters into my work. Designer furniture frequently appears in my paintings. My father was a musician and visual artist and my parents were both entrepreneurs. I was raised in a loft apartment that had our family business and storefront directly underneath so creativity and business were always intertwined. That mix has shaped me to navigate both the artistic and commercial sides of my practice.
Q: Are there any artists, art movements, or cultural influences that have shaped your approach to painting?
A: Absolutely. My work is shaped by a mix of influences from both fine art and illustration. I’ve always been drawn to the bold simplicity of Tom Wesselmann and John Wesley, their ability to strip forms down to essentials while keeping a strong sense of composition and color. From illustration, Hergé and Joost Swarte have been major influences. Their clean lines, flat colors, and meticulous clarity has had a lasting impact on how I approach my own work. I’m interested in that space where fine art and graphic illustration overlap and where every line feels intentional.
Q: What inspires the subjects in your work? Do you have a favorite piece you've created? If so, what makes it special to you?
A: I’ve always been drawn to the sweeping curvature of the female form. There’s a natural rhythm to it that feels both structured and fluid. When I first started, I wasn’t particularly interested in drawing faces, and over time, that absence became a signature element in my work.
As for favorites, I don’t really have any. Like many artists, my relationship with my work is cyclical. When I’m working, I’m fully immersed but then I’ll grow tired of it and want to change everything. Time has a way of softening my mood swings. Years pass and the flaws don’t bother me as much and I end up appreciating what was a necessary step in the process. DISCOVER fUCCI ART FOR SALE AND CONTACT INFO@GUYHEPNER.COM for further information.
