An Interview with Ed Askew

A few years ago stumbling through cyberspace, I came upon Ed Askew’s work. When you hear music that’s new to you, there’s a moment that feels like you’re the only one who knows the music exists, no matter how old it is. That’s what happened when I first heard Ed’s song “Paper Horses”, and I knew I had to reach out to him one way or another. We eventually became Facebook friends and would share music here and there. I was later lucky enough to release a cassette tape for him called “Looking For Love”.

Ed Askew has released nine albums since his first in 1968 and has self-released many more online. For the World, his newest album is a culmination of his music, and proves that an artist’s best work can come later in life. Ed Askew is proof that with time, people will come around. It makes me extremely happy to see people recognizing him for the great inspiration he truly is. We talked over email about his new record, his upbringing, and what’s next. 

—Christian Filardo

THE BELIEVER: Many people know of you primarily for your work as a musician, but I also really enjoy your paintings. Could you talk about your time studying painting at Yale and your work as a painter?

ED ASKEW: When I graduated from high school I had no idea how I would make a living. My family—this was 1959—was concerned with what kind of job I would get, not where I would go to school. I did, however, have some talent in the arts. And I was encouraged to apply to art schools.  I was accepted everywhere I applied. But since there was no money for art school I decided to go to a small school in New Canaan, CT where I could get a scholarship. I figured I could earn a living as a commercial artist.

But in my second year, my love of making paintings got me. And I switched to fine art. After another two years I got accepted at Yale. That was the first time I ever lived away from home, and the first time I had a large circle of painter friends that I would see in and outside of school every day. It was a very good time for me.

 My work as a painter has always been tied to Modernism. I read everything I could find related to art, from Cézanne through the 1950s.  The issue of innovation never interested me personally, since I believe it may lead to a place where people don’t paint anymore. 

What interests me is all the stuff that goes into abstract and abstract-figurative...