Just like the superheroes Batman, Spiderman and Superman, Hermosa Beach resident Brian Kingston is what some might describe as a person with dual lives.

By weekday, Kingston drives from the South Bay to Culver City to work in a rather uneventful office environment where he is an accountant. But on the weekend and in his spare time, Kingston travels the world and, more importantly, focuses on his passion for art as a photographer and illustrator.

Kingston, who just bought a house in Redondo Beach and plans to move into it this fall, grew up in Manhattan Beach and graduated from Mira Costa High School. He later graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in economics and returned to the area to begin his post-college life.

Kingston has always been intrigued by art thanks to the influence of his aunt; and has captured people, places and things in regions like Indonesia, Costa Rica and Europe. He even lived in Australia for six months.

His latest pieces, now hanging on the walls at Java Man in Hermosa Beach all this month, are white colored drawings on black paper with the subjects being some very famous musicians, mostly jazz legends like Sonny Rollins, Grant Green and Dizzy Gillespie.

The Beach Reporter this week sat down with Kingston, one of the jury artists who participated in the city’s August Art Walk, and talked about his work and the inspiration behind it.

The Beach Reporter: When did you first express an interest in art?

Kingston: My aunt is an artist and my parents have always kind of pushed it. I’ve been taking classes ever since I was little and it was more for drawing. It was during college that I started to get more into photography. I really ran with that and put drawing aside. For the last few years, I’ve really pushed my photography. I’ve always done these jazz drawings, and recently I’ve completed more and more, and I finally got over my separation anxiety with them. I’ve always been really into jazz and the way some of the famous photographers capture with subtle lighting the emotion. It’s a challenge to try and do that on paper with a pencil.

Do real-life photographs then inspire the drawings?

Yes, I look at the photos and then try to give my drawings their own little twist.

What materials do you use for drawings?

I use black paper, and I use white and colored pencils, and the drawings are freehand. The drawing can come from the back of a CD or out of a book, it just has to be a photo that moves me. Using that photographer’s mindset I’ll see something that I think is cool and I’ll want to draw it.

The subjects for many of these drawings are jazz musicians. What is your interest in jazz?

I’ve always liked jazz. My father introduced me to music a long time ago, everything from classic rock to reggae, and I’ve always dug jazz. I’ve always been interested in the amount of soul found in the genre and the emotions that the musicians portray when playing their instrument. I’m really into horns and stand-up bass. I took a class in college called the history of jazz and I really got into then because I had a chance to read all different kinds of books like Miles Davis’ autobiography. In looking at the artwork, especially on the Blue Note label, and observing how the photographers really capture the soul of these players in one shot is what I try to do on paper as well.

What are some of your favorite jazz albums?

Miles Davis, “Kind of Blue”

Grant Green, “Live at the Lighthouse” (Hermosa’s Lighthouse Cafe)

John Coltrane, “A Love Supreme,” are probably my top-three picks.

How long does it usually take to complete one drawing?

That’s a secret (laughs).

Would you be interested in taking photos of musicians yourself?

Absolutely. My favorite club is Catalina Bar and Grill. I don’t take photos though because I think you need a pass.

Do you see yourself expanding into other areas of art?

When I have the money, I think I’d like to go to medium format and maybe shoot some portraiture. I am going to France in late October and whenever I travel it always gets me back into my photography again. I always travel with two cameras, one black and white and color. As far as drawing, I want to continue with the jazz drawings, create some bigger pieces and maybe even get into painting.

What are your thoughts on the digital camera revolution? Do you think it takes away from the art of photography?

Surely there are purists out there who believe film is the only way, but I don’t think it takes away from it all. I think it’s all about shooting the subject and if you can shoot something a hundred times and see what you are shooting, then more power to you. I think what people don’t like is that you can manipulate the photo after the fact.

What are some places you’d like to travel?

I’ve never been to South America so I would say anywhere there, Chile, Argentina, Peru. I’d love to go to Ireland and Asia, of course.