FAQ

Question: Is M. Récup your real name?

Answer: It is a pen name. In French, récup is short for récupération, meaning recycling, which is what much of my work amounts to in one way or another. The word also can also be used perjoratively as faire de la récup, meaning political or commercial appropriation. But I have to ask, did you really want to know who Santa Claus is?

Question: Why do you give away your art?

Answer: I'm decluttering the chalet. ... which has the benefit of being true. ... But I also believe in the power of art to help people think. Therefore, I believe everyone should own original art, objects that come direct from the mind and experience of a creator to their hands.

Question: Are you a socialist?

Answer: No, I'm more of a surrealist when it comes to politics. But I do believe in Art for All so in that way maybe.

Question: Then why is your website called the creative socialist?

Answer: This socialist thing is living rent free in your head, isn't it? In truth, I admire the socialists. In the distant past, they did great things - paving streets, making trains run on time, improving sanitation, casting out pimps, swindlers and grifters (news flash: they're back). But today's socialists? Sad! This is a small effort to put original art into the hands of people who may not be able to afford it. That sounds like creative socialism to me although my financial planner might call it something else.

Question: What's your Instagram handle?

Answer: I don't have one. I am not on social media.

Question: (Gasp!)

Answer: See below

Question: Are you a man or a woman?

Answer: Yes. I am.

Question: You live in New York, don't you?

Answer: You've caught me out! No, I do not.

Question: London?

Answer: No, but I've been mistaken more than once for early 2000s Eric Clapton - even in London, where one would think people would know the difference.

Question: Isn't this project unfair to other artists? It's hard enough to make a go of it as a creative without some fool giving his shit away.

Answer: Were you my teacher in art school? Ms. Bevington, you've been unmasked! To answer your perfectly legitimate though cheeky question: Artists do have a right to make a buck, just like anyone else. You know, supply and demand, free country, American way, Adam Smith, creative disruption, The Wall Street Journal, yada, yada, yada. But the incessant jabberwocky on Instagram and TikTok is tiresome. The pitching, preening, curating of image. The overly enthusiastic, barefooted tips, how-tos, and "free" tutorials. Noise! I stand athwart the clammer yelling "Stop." Or perhaps, I am yelling "Stoop" or maybe "Stroopwafel." I had an excellent one on the street in Amsterdam last year.

Question: Why aren't your paintings framed?

Answer: Really? I'm giving away my IP - not my 401(k). 1) They don't need to be framed. 2) Perfectly fine frames can be procured (or made) relatively inexpensively. My conscience is clear.

Question: So where do you go next?

Answer: With any luck, Aix or perhaps Copenhagen.

Question: I mean with this project.

Answer: Oh, well, that all depends. Where would you like me to go?