Flask Lounge is proud to feature Isaiah Quittner as our Artist of the Month this July. Known in the art community as “Fractal Boi,” Isaiah brings a deep, emotionally rich body of work to our brick walls. I enjoyed meeting Isaiah and discussing his art, inspiration, and journey.
Background and Inspiration
Isaiah Quittner, a visual artist based in Burlington, Vermont, has been creating art for over a decade. Though his current medium is primarily acrylic paint, he has a fondness for ballpoint pen and ink. Isaiah describes his art as a “visual journal,” capturing significant moments and emotions from his life.
“I hope people see the struggle that I’m trying to imbue into it, but also understanding that the most important thing about creating is you can take pain and make it palatable.”
Exhibit at Flask Lounge
This exhibit at Flask Lounge is Isaiah’s first solo show, and it holds a special place in his heart. Each piece represents a chapter in his life, a culmination of emotions and experiences. “I hope people can see the pieces and know they’re all really important chapters in my life.” He views his work as a means of connecting with others, helping them feel less alone through shared experiences and emotions.
Journey Through Art
Isaiah’s journey into art is significantly influenced by a traumatic experience in high school, which he describes as a brain anomaly or seizure. This event profoundly altered his perception and drove him to pour his emotions onto the page. “I spent an entire week filling a page as densely as I could because I was worried about my mortality,” he recalls. To try to encapsulate the deepest depths of our emotions, Isaiah balances the beauty and pain on a single page through contrast, using various textures, sizes, and depths of emotion. He incorporates expressions and body language positions to convey these emotions, considering how we naturally position our bodies as a way to connect with others on a deeply human level.
Live Painting at Festivals
Isaiah’s venture into live painting at festivals began with smaller community events, invited to paint at shows and festivals by his friend Kayla Levitt. These early experiences helped him grow comfortable with live painting, eventually leading him to larger festivals. “Live painting is a perfect confluence of most of my passions. I get to connect with people, dance, and enjoy the music,” he says. The energy and interaction with festival-goers add a unique dimension to his work; though he remains true to his vision, he sometimes incorporates audience suggestions.
Challenges and Inspirations
Like many artists, Isaiah faces financial challenges and the constant struggle of balancing work and life. “Often, I’ll stay up very late because it seems like the only blocks of solid time I can work on a piece.” Despite these obstacles, he finds inspiration in a diverse range of artists, from contemporary figures like Gabriel Welch and Jonathan Solter to historical greats like Hieronymus Bosch and Ernst Fuchs.
Memorable Moments
One of Isaiah’s most memorable live painting experiences was at a show for LTJ Bukem, where the synergy of the music and atmosphere made the painting process feel natural and ecstatic. “I was depicting a creature that kind of embodied the maniacal bliss I was feeling,” highlighting the joy and freedom that art brings him.
Connecting with Isaiah
Isaiah’s art is a testament to his resilience and ability to transform pain into beauty. He hopes that visitors to Flask Lounge will appreciate his work’s aesthetic and connect with the deeper messages within. To follow his journey and see more of his art, you can connect with him on Instagram at @fractalboi or via email at isaiahquittner@gmail.com. His website, currently under construction, will soon feature a range of his works and clothing items.
Rapid Fire Questions with Isaiah Quittner
Jessica Nolette: Are you a hunter? I have to ask you because you’ve got a gun up behind your head, and you’ve got a deer on your shirt. 🤨
Isaiah Quittner: That’s funny. 😂 No, that’s my roommate’s, and it’s a BB gun from when he was a kid. I don’t like killing things.
Jessica Nolette: What’s your favorite place to travel? 🧳
Isaiah Quittner: York Beach, Maine. It’s nostalgic for me, with memories of hanging out on the beach and getting candy from Goldenrod.
Jessica Nolette: If you could sit down and have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? 🍽️
Isaiah Quittner: Probably a friend of mine that I’ve lost, Connor. I think there would be something really nice about that.
Jessica Nolette: What is a go-to app on your phone that you feel like you can’t live without? 📲
Isaiah Quittner: Instagram. It has my entire artistic timeline since eighth grade, and I fear losing all that history.
Jessica Nolette: What’s your favorite food? 🍔
Isaiah Quittner: Probably a hamburger, or some Annie’s macaroni and cheese.
Jessica Nolette: Do you have a favorite movie? 🍿
Isaiah Quittner: “Mr. Nobody” and “Waking Life.” “Mr. Nobody” explores different life paths based on decisions, and “Waking Life” dives into existential and philosophical concepts with a unique rotoscoping animation style.
As Isaiah continues to explore and express his artistic vision, we are honored to showcase his work at Flask Lounge. We invite you to come and experience his art’s emotional depth and intricate beauty throughout July.
