Darius Hurley's Bulldogs Unleashed Q+A

The summer of 2011 may be remembered for many reasons, but one will be , the public art display of 25 larger-than-life bulldogs that has captured the interest and imagination of many local residents. Fourteen of them will be available for live auction. In addition, there will be raffle prizes, including the chance to win one of three 17-inch commemorative bulldogs. Artist Darius Hurley of Batavia painted one of the smaller bulldogs and named it Abundance. Here is an interview with him, one of a series with the artists whose creativity has made Bulldogs Unleashed this summer's main event.

The auction will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Fox Valley Country Club, 2500 N. River Rd. (Route 25), North Aurora. 

Batavia Patch: What is the name of your bulldog and where can we see it?

Darius Hurley: Abundance is at City Hall.

Batavia Patch: What was your inspiration for your design?

Hurley: The idea came from observing Batavia's rich farmland.

Batavia Patch: How long did it take to complete your bulldog and what media did you use?

Hurley: It took a few days. I used acrylic paint.

Batavia Patch: How long have you been an artist?

Hurley: I've been working up to it my whole life.

Batavia Patch: Why did you become an artist?

Hurley: Making art makes me happy.

Batavia Patch: What is the inspiration for your art?

Hurley: Gina Florio. I owe it all to the inspirational advice she puts on her studio door. Gina is a wonderful artist now based at . She's a wise bird. She once said to me, "Darius, art is created for many reasons, one of them being to endorse and inspire others to create without fear. If someone looks at your work and says 'I can do better than that,' then its job is done."

Batavia Patch: What media do you usually use?

Hurley: I use anything that's not nailed down, and sometimes stuff that is nailed down.

Batavia Patch: What are the favorite subjects for your work?

Hurley: Nudes, drunk people, caterpillars.

Batavia Patch: Where can the public see your work?

Hurley: The Shake Shop in Chicago and Water Street Studios in Batavia.