Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Lindsey Meyers Interview
MD: For the record, state your name, age and occupation:
LM: Lindsey Meyers, 33, Photographer & Mixed Media artist
MD: Tell us about your work.
LM: I make photographs because it’s the only thing that I have that is really my own-it makes me feel grounded. I never intended to become a photographer and I basically shoot whatever I feel like shooting, despite having been told that I am better off shooting only one thing….
I like to move people with images and push the envelope… any way that is- that makes me feel satisfied- really and truly. I shoot only 35 mm pictures on my Canon that I have had since I was like 14- no post-digital/Photoshop stuff- just old school shooting.
My mixed media work is a result of a random trip to the art supply store and years and years of writing in journals, on the backs of parking tickets, gas receipts, leftover strips of canvas, etc. The pieces are large format photographs on layered canvas with gels, glitter and acrylic paints and whatever else my mood allows for… seems people either gravitate towards the photos OR the mixed media, and most seem to have strong emotions about both which is, again, just how I like it.
MD: What is your background? How did you get involved with art?
LM: I was born in the Northeast suburbs of Chicago and I don’t really have any artists in my family that passed on any traits, but being creative was always just a part of me and of life. And I come from a family of really funny people.
I studied theatre at Steppenwolf in Chicago and Choate in Connecticut, and then graduated from The Chicago Academy for the Arts with a Major in Theater and a minor in Music. We were immersed in creativity at the Academy- in every honest aspect of art really, from set making to costume design to writing to performing, so having that experience throughout high school really changed my life and affirmed my relationship with the Arts.
I also danced at Joel Hall in Chicago for a long time and studied at Columbia College in Chicago for a few years. I graduated from USC with a degree in Psychology- combining both art and Psych made perfect sense. And, thankfully, Los Angeles was the catalyst for my photography and mixed media just coming out and into the world. It took me by surprise actually- it was a time in my life where art really did save me.
MD: Do you have any upcoming (or past) exhibitions/ shows you'd like to discuss?
LM: I have shown work at the Agora Gallery in SoHo and out in Los Angeles which has been very cool. And I participated in a group show in Swainsboro, Georgia which was also great… the small town community there is trying exceedingly hard to expose its young people and residents to art and is doing an amazing job. It’s a true grass roots art movement down there and I am honored to have been a part of it.
One of my favorite shows has also been down South at The University of Mobile in Alabama, where I was given the "Southern Humor Award" for my mixed media piece called "America's Sweetheart." That, in itself, was funny and flattering.
I recently participated in the Ravenswood Art Walk in Chicago, and have a rather steady gig going with the Flat Iron Association’s "First Friday" and "smART Show" series at the Flat Iron Arts building in Wicker Park. I am hoping to get going on some shows in Logan Square this coming year- my neighborhood has a lot of street energy and art is being made everywhere… so it would be fantastic to get involved in the movement over here in 2010.
MD: Is any of your work political?
LM: Much of my work seems to have a political edge to it whether intentional or unintentional. That is not always welcomed in the art world. I like to explore gentrification, socio-economic issues, race and gender issues, etc., and I love the different dynamics, in landscape and in content, both above and below the Mason-Dixon Line… it’s my little fascination.
I do try to focus on our being human and together and similar and not on what keeps on separated. I have found that the ideologies present in the city of Chicago are not such a far cry from those that people like to believe are only ways of thinking and being in the American South. People here hate to admit that.
I derive so much of my inspiration from the underground music scene and graffiti movement that I was immersed in throughout my teenage years and in my early twenties. Street art is and has always been political, and I have much respect and admiration for all of the street artists who have paved the way for artists like me and for work like mine. It’s empowering to say it, whether on a brick wall in an alley or through a lens and a moment in time.
MD: Have you held any jobs/ careers that you'd like to discuss?
LM: I have done everything you can think of: dishwasher, waitress, coat check girl, nanny, school teacher, paralegal… the list goes on. I am a terrible, terrible waitress by the way. I always knew that I should stick with everything that made me relatively happy and usually paid the bills in order to get home and to create art on the dining room floor in the middle of the night.
Other than washing enormous pots of bean soup, I have liked most of these jobs- by far, teaching was the best. I taught middle school in California and preschool here in Chicago, and both of those experiences dramatically changed my life as well. All in all though, being a stay-at-home mom to my girls and continuing to make art has been the best combination to date….
MD: Any amusing anecdotes regarding your work?
LM: I usually get strange looks while shooting, and have had a range of shooting experience- from extremely scary to deeply and emotionally moving… usually I am asked if I am a cop or with a newspaper. It always makes me laugh to get asked if I am with the police though.
When I got told to “Fuck off” and was spat at on Milwaukee Avenue, I felt like I had gotten what I needed that day. But my best experience was talking to a Pastor named Andrew in Vicksburg, Mississippi- he was also pumping gas from the truck to the station. We discussed the light. I still carry his card in my wallet almost seven years later.
What are you currently reading? Matzo ball Gumbo, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, French Quarter Fiction, Coastal Living Magazine (it keeps me dreaming).
Favorite movies? Harold & Maude, Paris, The Wedding Singer, Away We Go, Ma Vie En Rose, Revolutionary Road
Music you like: Twilight Singers, Ed Harcourt, Kings of Leon, Explosions in the Sky, Nina Simone, Ray Lamontagne, and Patti Griffin.
MD: What are some of your interests?
LM: Traveling, baking, making music, hanging out with my girls, throwing parties and surrounding myself with good friends & family… nothing beats good eats and good drink and lingering well into the night.
And although it appears cliché, I enjoy being charitable. I always try to give to the Tipitina's Foundation in New Orleans, which raises money for NOLA schools and provides opportunities for musicians to succeed in the creative world. Giving back rocks- you can always spare a little something.
Favorite visual artists? Banksy, Sally Mann, Mackenzie Thorpe and Mary Ellen Mark
MD: If someone were to come to your town/ city (Chicago) to visit, what places/ bars/ parks/ events etc should they be sure to check out?
LM: 3rd Coast Café in the Gold Coast, the Lakefront and Lake Shore Drive, Logan Square, Blues Fest, Country Music Festival, Rosa's Blues Bar in Logan Square and Café Spiaggia for the best peach Asti and gnocchi on the planet.
Your website(s): http://www.lindseymeyers.com/
Monday, November 30, 2009
Laura Prieto-Velasco
Laura's metalsmithing process is an enigma; she finds her best work is made when she is simultaneously being OCD and making a HUGE mess (it's all about balance, yes?)...instead of keeping a diary, Laura has been keeping a collection of daily detritus samples (pictures please!)...having worked with metal for the past decade, Laura's still intrigued and obsessed with the material; perhaps it's the crystalline structure? Its response to fire? Its recycle-ability? Even when working with other materials, Laura finds she treats just about everything she touches as if it were metal. One time, for example, Laura tried to rivet together a wood frame, only to fail miserably and leave some sweet hammer-marks on the surface (hey, live and learn, right?)...
Website: http://www.lauraprietovelasco.com/
Blog: http://www.skrapmetal.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
James Swanson: Artist and the traveler
MD: Tell us about your work.
JS: I've been working on a series of paintings called "Painting from Afar - the Artist and the Travelers' Journeys." I'm trying to travel the world in paint with the help and the travel experiences of friends, new and old.
The friends are normal Travelers from all over the world, that as the Artist, I have somehow met through this project. The Travelers share their stories and pictures with me and I share the journey with brush on canvas with them. It's a journey with many twists and turns.
I've met some wonderful and crazy people so far that I would have never met were it not for this idea. Like a couple who live in an RV and drive around the country fly fishing, or hill walkers in England who need to see what's over the next ridge, or a bird watcher in Seattle.
It is a collaborative effort between the Artist and the Traveler to make the art. Each Traveler, story, and painting is blogged about from start to finish, with the blog staying with the painting to tell its story. I have been able to make some really nice pieces so far and have many pieces to paint, but I'm always on the look out for new Traveling friends, so come join me in this adventure.
MD: What is your background? How did you get involved with art?
JS: I started out my Art career as an Illustrator out of college, painting covers and ads for magazines, and was very successful at it, winning advertising and design awards for my work. I always joked that my art portfolio has traveled around the world, while I sat in my studio. That's part of how I came up with this concept.
The others parts were a mix mesh of needs wants and wishes that this concept answered for me. 1 - I'm not a very good traveler myself, but I love history and research. 2 - I live in Chicago and for a landscape painter, winter is a tough time to paint. And also being the Prairie State doesn't really help when things are pretty much flat to look at. 3 - I wanted more out of my paintings. I wanted them to have a real story and not just be a pretty landscape painting or portrait. I also wanted each painting to have its own unique idea but still be tied to the other paintings in the series.
I'm just starting to send out feelers about this concept to galleries for shows, but the last art show I was in I won the Best of Show prize with one of the travel paintings.
MD: Is any of your work political?
JS: With my art I'm trying to pull things and people together, so I do try and stay away from political issues. But that being said, one of my paintings did have something to do about endangered wetlands in California. I just didn't know it at the time when I met the Traveler for the painting. Turned out to be one of my favorite paintings so far in the series.
MD: What are you currently reading/ listening to?
JS: Current books I'm reading besides the art books that I read over and over again such as "Oil Painting, the workshop Experience" by Ted Goerschner, would be The Saxon Tales series by Bernard Cornwell, Dirty Job by Christopher Moore and Death of a Maid by M.C. Beaton. I listen to a lot of things when I work. When I start a painting I like to listen to classical music for the rhythm. But when I get down to finishing a painting I listen to books on tape; murder mysteries are always good.
MD: Favorite comic strips/ comic books/ graphic novels?
JS: Danger Girl by J. Scot Campbell. One of the best-drawn comics that I've ever seen.
MD: Favorite visual artists?
JS: NC Wyeth, Colley Whisson and Jim Dine.
MD: Favorite movies?
JS: The Commitments.
MD: If someone were to come to your town/ city to visit, what places/ bars/ parks/ events etc should they be sure to check out?
JS: If you are coming to Chicago you must check out the museums and "the Bean" in Millennium Park. And one of the best burgers in town can be had right there at Cafe in the park.
Website(s):Theartistandthetraveler.org
http://paintingfromafar.blogspot.com/
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Michael Brucks
Tell us about your work.
What is your background? How did you get involved with art?
I'm from the suburbs. I went to Catholic schools my whole life. My older brother and I used to put on mock masses when we were little ones in the middle of the night. I loved cartoons on Saturday mornings. I once made a promise to god that I would NEVER give up my Saturday morning cartoons! Alas, I grew up and discovered girls. But I always loved to draw and create narratives. It's just in my blood. I had to do it.
Do you have any upcoming exhibitions/ shows you'd like to discuss?
The new work had been planned to be exhibited by a not-for-profit organization called Gen Art. We had some problems but I love the people there and I really hope we can do the show together.
Is any of your work political?
No. I'm officially apolitical. So many people shouting "Obama this" and "Obama that". Do all these people truly believe their destiny lies in the hands of some random dude? My future belongs to me. Who cares who's president.
What themes does your work generally revolve around?
I remember watching Dustin Hoffman on "Inside the Actor's Studio" and he was telling a story of having dinner with Sir Lawrence Olivier. They had just finished filming "Marathon Man" together. Hoffman asked him "why do we do this?" and Olivier said, "you want to know why?" and then leaned over the table and stared him dead in the eye and whispered intensely "Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!"
What materials do you generally work with?
Paper, Canvas, Wood, Oil, Acrylic and Charcoal. I love wood. I love cutting it. I love the smell of it.
Did you study art in school?
Yes. I too have one of those useless Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts! I met great people in school. School is a great place to strike up friendships and socially interact. But as a witty American writer once said, "never confuse your schooling with your education."
Have you held any jobs/ careers that you'd like to discuss?
I once heard that Bruce Willis said that he got laid more as a bartender than an actor. I was a bartender once.
Any amusing anecdotes regarding your work?
The nicest thing anyone said to me regarding my work was "you're fucking crazy! (dramatic pause) but in a good way."
What are you currently reading?
I found an old book publish in 1885 on "legerdemain" which is an old way of saying "sleight of hand." But I really just got it for the old instructional illustrations. I love those! But I don't read that often. I mostly just sit alone in my studio and stare at the wall or walk around and pretend things and talk to myself.
Favorite movies?
Braveheart, Apocalypto. I love strong archetypes and I don't think anyone does it better these days than Mel. I don't care what anyone says about him.
Trois Couleurs: Rouge, Bleu, Blanc. The late Krzysztof Kieslowski made this trilogy and he's amazing at creating these compelling, intimate moments that really hit me in the gut. They don't seem to have a clear logical explanation to them. I value the gut much more than the head. He's dead now, but he had guts!
Music you like:
Aphex Twin, Underworld, Marilyn Manson, Eminem, Old Metallica
What are some of your interests?
Close-up magic, filmmaking, languages, mimicking accents... especially strong Russian ones like Sean Connery did in "The Hunt For Red October."
Favorite comic strips/ comic books/ graphic novels?
I used to love when Jae Lee did Sandman. I remember always hunting for anything that Bart Sears drew. I never read the stories though. But after finding out that "A History of Violence" was a graphic novel, I changed my mind! Great story! Great movie!
Favorite visual artists?
Luigi Serafini created a series of works called the Codex Seraphinianus. What an amazing idea!
If someone were to come to your town/ city to visit, what places/ bars/ parks/ events etc should they be sure to check out?
There is a tree growing in an alley way on Leavitt street (in the city of Chicago). I used to remember the crossroad but now I forget. But you should drive up and down Leavitt until you see this tree growing in an alley. It's magical!
Your website(s):
http://www.michaelbrucks.com/
Friday, October 02, 2009
Ellie Brown Interview
For the record, please state your name, age and occupation. Ellie Brown, 34, Professor and Artist Marketing Consultant.
Tell us about your work. My primary medium was photography for many years, but now also work in altered books and mixed media. My subject matter varies, but always comes from a personal or documentary perspective. My largest project to date has been photographing my sisters for ten years which is now in a book called Two Girls: My Sisters 1996-2006.
What is your background? How did you get involved with art? I am from Boston and was raised by a mother who was an artist, so it seems that it was in my genes and I had no choice in the matter. I had always wanted to go to Massachusetts College of Art, and so I did and then later, I went to San Jose State for my MFA.
What are some of your goals and/ or plans? Currently my goal is to get my artist marketing business off of the ground. I would really be happy to teach, help other artists, make art and continue to exhibit actively.
You currently have a solo exhibition in NY? Yes, at Center for the Book Arts in NYC. It is up until Dec. 5th and I'm giving a talk about my work there on October 28th.
Have you held any jobs/ careers that you'd like to discuss? I have had some truly terrible jobs which I don't care to relive. Some of the best jobs I've had have been teaching at various colleges when I have a class where the students are engaged and I feel like I have actually taught them something.
Any amusing anecdotes regarding your work? In my collaborative work, Ten Days in the CAPSULE, I gained a strange degree of fame from people who were following the project and I have since become friends with some of them!
What are you currently reading? The Happiness of Architecture by Alain de Botton.
Favorite movies? The Graduate may just be at the top of my list for its humor and cinematography.
Playlist of a few favorite songs: Oh no, what genre? I was a DJ for many years so I always think in Genres. I'll give you a quick soul playlist since that was one of my favorite things to play.
- Listen Here, Valorie Keys
- Soul Time, Shirley Ellis
- California Soul, Marlena Shaw
- Nothing But A Heartache, The Flirtations
- Date With The Rain, Eddie Kendricks
- Move On Up, Curtis Mayfield
- I Believe in Miracles, The Jackson Sisters
- Tainted Love, Gloria Jones
- Harlem Shuffle, Bob And Earl
- Able Mable, Mable John
Favorite comic strips/ comic books/ graphic novels? I'm a big Daniel Clowes fan. I also just read Black Hole by Charles Burns. Favorite visual artists? That is a long list, sort of like music, needs to be broken down by genre for me. I'll just name a few random ones in no particular order: Olafur Eliasson, Spencer Tunick, Fred Tomaselli, Joseph Cornell, Kara Walker, Emmet Gowin, Sarah Morris, Sally Mann.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Rarebirds
We recently met up with Carolynne McNeel, lead singer of the Rarebirds.
(Philadelphia) Performing this Thursday, September 24th at JD McGillicuddy's Regina Spektor after-party featuring Rarebirds & Broken Prayers. Doors open 10:30pm, $5 admission, 421 N. 7th Street - between Spring Garden and Callowhill.
MD: Tell us about your music.
We sort of have a broad range - I generally categorize us as "bluesy indie rock," poppy at times, mellow and sort of country-ish at times. We'll go from really quiet to full-on rocking out, from one song to the next, or sometimes within a song.
MD: Have you recorded?
Yep, two albums: Flight Patterns (2005) [6 songs] and Burial at Sea (2007) [11 songs]. Hopefully we'll be recording our 3rd next year!
MD: Do you tour?
Rarebirds hasn't really toured per se. We do out of town shows here and there, but we stick mostly to Philly (due to kids and jobs, etc).
We did just recently play a really big outdoor amphitheater in Greensburg, PA (just outside of Pittsburgh), where we were treated like absolute rock stars, complete with signing autographs. That was a nice change from the bar scene in Philly (which I have no problem with either, just sometimes it's nice to branch out and play different sorts of venues and crowds). This summer we'll have played 5 different outdoor shows, ranging from quaint block parties to big festivals.
MD: Tell us a little about the band.
CM: Rarebirds formed in early 2004 after my old band April Disaster disbanded in 2003. I took a brief stint at performing solo, and then as "the Carolynne McNeel Three," even after we started playing as a 4-piece, and the name was a misnomer.
When we set to work on our first record during the summer-fall-winter of 2004 we decided it'd be a good time to give the band a proper name, so that's where Rarebirds came in.
The band has a history of shared musicians from other local Philly bands. I started playing with Rory Connell (on guitar, sometimes bass) from Raccoon (which went on to become Dr. Dog, although Rory didn't continue on with Dr. Dog), and then with Dave Dworanczyk (Secession Movement), then Adam Herndon (Faux Slang, Run Runner, Barking Spiders, Elevator Parade, This Radiant Boy) joined the band playing bass. That was the line up for a couple years. Rory stepped down, and we introduced keys to the mix with Rick Hass (Faux Slang, Barking Spiders, This Radiant Boy) to fill out the sound.
In 2006, Keith Forsythe who had just moved to Philly from North Carolina (where he had played mostly in metal bands!) joined on guitar. That year we began recording our 2nd record which we produced and recorded ourselves. It took about a year or so to finish.
I don't remember exactly when, but Rick and Adam stepped down (probably some time in 2007). Each had many other obligations with different bands, jobs and getting masters/ doctorates. Adam stuck around and filled in when we needed a bass player, and we had Alex Yaker (Roomtone, Honey Church) who I also play with in Grammar Debate filling in on bass. During that whole time (fall of '07), we started playing with Lara Manogg (the Lara and Joe Show, which is a children's music show, and Elastic Medium) on keys.
Dave left the band, and in fall of 2008 we solidified our line-up with John Ziga on drums (whom I had played with in April Disaster... talk about coming full circle... he's also played in True if Destroyed, Rizzo Machine and Army of the Red Museum) and Ben Morgan on bass (Be Careful Little Hands, The Sand Family, Slipping Into Sublimnity, and Lexicon). You may also recognize him as MC Digga, the German rapper.
So our current line up is as follows:
Carolynne McNeel: guitar, vocals, occasional keys, violin
Keith Forsythe: guitar, backing vocals
Lara Manogg: keys, backing vocals
Ben Morgan: bass, backing vocals
John Ziga: drums, backing vocals
Lara is actually pregnant at the moment (due early October), so Alex Yaker is going to be filling in on keys for a few months.
MD: Do you have any other musical projects you're involved with right now?
I've played with Grammar Debate for about 5 years now - I play violin, guitar, keys and vocals (mostly backing vocals).
I also play with Roomtone on occasion (vocals and percussion) and I played in Ports of Call (which has since disbanded, earlier this year).
Ben has his alter-ego, MC Digga where he's a German Rapper - it's actually pretty amazing to watch!
Lara currently plays in Elastic Medium and the Lara and Joe Show.
John and Keith don't play in any other bands at this time (although I think John may be starting an all drum band with his 4 1/2 year old son).
MD: What are some of your goals and/ or plans?
We mainly want to have fun and put out records that people like/ make them want to come out and see us play.
We're happiest when we have a really good and receptive crowd. I'd much rather play to an empty room with like 2 people in it who are really enjoying themselves than a packed room at a club where people are just standing there not showing any emotion whatsoever.
Of course I think we'd all love to be able to make a living doing this (wink wink- if anyone reading this interview wants to make that happen!) but at the same time we have a very realistic vision.
MD: What are some of your interests (other than making music)?
Well, I am immersed in the arts. I have Mew Gallery which is a full time job (minus the paycheck to go with it!... the bar job and teaching is what pays the bills) so I'm constantly running the show there with my partner Lauren. We do everything from housekeeping, to keeping the books, to promoting all of our artists endlessly. So my own art generally takes a back burner to that. But i am driven to create, so I usually end up staying awake till 4 am making jewelry and anything else, whether the medium is fabric and my tools are needles and sewing machines, or whether it's encaustic and wood and I'm working with my hot plate and heat gun.
MD: Historic figure you'd like to have a drink with, given the chance?
James Brown, Amelia Earhart, Elvis, Ray Charles, Lee Harvey Oswald.
MD: Favorite movies?
Anything with Bill Murray! Aside from that I don't really watch a whole lot of movies. I do love old Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly movies though, and Alfred Hitchcock.
MD: Your websites:
http://www.rarebirdsmusic.com/
Friday, August 21, 2009
Joe Tagg/ Solaram
The name of the new project is Solaram. I guess I started writing the bulk of the new material over the winter of 2008, with the exception of two of the tracks that I had left over from a few years back when I was playing with Himalaya. I started the actual recording part of it in February after I secured a contract with Rainbow Quartz. The album (Love And The Sweet Divine) should hopefully be out in October. I say hopefully, 'cause the date has changed something like three times already!
I've been working with Ryan Van Kriedt from The Asteroid #4. He's got a great ear! It's been great working together. Totally laid back. It doesn't hurt that we're on the same page as far as music goes, either. Ryan and I laid down most of the tracks. We had some help from my friend Mike from The Three 4 Tens and my friend Jeff on drums. Also, Brian and Jamie from Himalaya came in and did some guitars and pedal steel. All great players.
MD: TELL US ABOUT THE MUSIC.
JT: Well. I guess you could say it's a bit dark at times. I've lost quite a few family members and close friends over the past few years. Definitely rough, coping with all of it. I've had some other issues as well, and I guess this album captures that period of time perfectly, for me. My first love is, and will always be rock 'n roll, so the record's not this gloom and doom piece either.
MD: A FEW FAVORITE SONGS BY OTHER ARTISTS?
JT: I'm not too good with song titles. I have piles of cds. No cases or sleeves, all around the house. My girlfriend, Carla, hates it and lets me know often! I will say that anything by Zeppelin, The Beatles/Stones, The Who, The Pixies/Spacemen 3/Stone Roses...I can go on.
MD: LAST CONCERT PERFORMANCE ATTENDED.
JT: I haven't been getting out too much, especially since I started with this record. I know it's been a while...I'm gonna have to say Spiritualized at the TLA in Philly, last August!
MD: WHAT ARE YOU READING?
JT: I've been reading Songbook, by Nick Hornby. It's a collection of stories of different songs, and how they connect him with moments of his life. It's a pretty cool book, definitely worth checking out. Everybody has these songs...not necessarily these particular songs, but...
MD: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GOALS OR PLANS?
JT: Well, for the immediate future, finish this record and tour. I've already started work on the follow up. Other than that, maybe a couple weeks in Paris or Amsterdam or both. They're my two favorite places on earth.
MD: OTHER JOBS YOU HAVE HAD.
JT: I've had a lot of other jobs. I worked at a movie theater, I worked with insulation in low income housing. I was an electrician's assistant, a carpenter's assistant. I worked at a wood shop, did demo work on houses in Jersey. House painting, clean-outs, moving furniture. The list goes on...
MD: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR INTERESTS?
JT: I love film. I would love to score a movie some day. I also love to travel.
MD: FAVORITE MOVIE?
JT: 2001.
MD: FAVORITE VISUAL ARTIST.
JT: Jackson Pollock.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/solaram09
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Mike Wolff / Mr.Doodle Interview
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am Mr.Doodle; an artist, illustrator and designer, thoughtfully manufactured out of lego in the beautiful Sussex countryside some 30 years ago. I lived in a tree until the age of 10 when I discovered I had the ability of flight. These days I like to produce beautiful, weird, surreal, pleasurable, intricate, enticing and exciting images, objects and virtual environments. I like the colours green, yellow and orange in no particular order. Qualities I admire in others include open mindedness and integrity. In my youth I had a penchant for tree climbing and dressing as Superman. Nowadays I prefer to indulge in sophisticated doodling, meditation and cheese on toast eating. Which reminds me.... I think I've left the grill on. Oh... and since the passing of the millenium I have been on a quest. It's exciting!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Shawn Kilroy Interview
Shawn Kilroy is a musician, actor and filmmaker from Philadelphia...
MD: Tell us a little about the bands you have played with.
SK: I have had the privilege of playing with many of my favorite area musicians over the years. In my earlier days, I played with most of the Three 4 Tens guys, who I grew up with. I have also played and recorded with members of The Cobbs, Manta Ray, Black Landlord, Vibrolux, and Illinois. My last album features Mike SloMo Brenner pretty heavily, as well as Seattle legends Rich Stuverud and Jebney Lewis. Jenny Prescott and my wife Heather Kilroy round out the rest of the disc along with North Lawrence Midnight Singer Joe Boyle. Kevin LeBree is always in there somewhere too!
MD: Tell us about your music...
SK: Little bit of everything in there. Someone wrote an article saying I was an electro artist, and it kind of stuck and that's what I'm known for, but I also play rock and roll, psychadelic, punk, blues, disco, folk, fake-jazz and country & all kinds of pop music.
MD: Have you recorded?
SK: Yes, I've released 3 full-length albums since 2004. The Neon Gate, and Thai Stick Dragon, both self-released. My newest release, this year's, Hessian Love Songs, came out on earSnake, Gemini Wolf's label. All available on itunes. 2 as Kilroy, 1 as Shawn Kilroy.
MD: Where do you record?
SK: The first record was recorded at my old South Philly rehearsal spot. TSD was recorded above the Rocket Cat Café in Fishtown back in 05 when it had more of a crack-house vibe. Now it's a nice apartment, but back then old paint was falling off the walls and windows as Warlocks had sidewalk meetings and I made my beats. Hessian Love Songs was recorded at Pete Rydberg's 1935 Studio down on Bancroft.
MD: Playlist of a few favorite songs:
SK: Fugees - Ready Or Not
Joe Jackson - Steppin Out
Pink Floyd - Cymbaline
Stooges - Gimmee Danger
Sheryl Crow - Oh Marie
Go Go's - Lust to Love
Everything But The Girl - Missing
NRG - Need Your Love (Like the Sunshine)
Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive
BeeGees - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
Iggy Pop - The Endless Sea
David Bowie - Soul Love
Duran Duran - Skin Trade
Visage - Fade To Gray
Bauhaus - She's In Parties
Led Zeppelin - Down By The Seaside
Barbara Streisand - What Kind Of Fool
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Stranger Than Kindness
Neil Young - Will To Love
Tom Waits - Heart of a Saturday Night
SK: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
SK: I'm producing radio spots for an ad agency in Voorhees. I like it.
MD: Any amusing anecdotes regarding your shows/ performances/ fans?
SK: Johnny Knoxville kept staring at my wife's ass at a show he came to at Silk City.
SK: I don't have any interests. I'm not even interested in making music. I have to do it or I get sick. I'm sure that sounds pretentious and phony, but it happens to be true. I write, record and perform music so that I don't have to live out my bullshit. I try to put the worst of myself into the work. Sometimes it works.
MD: Historical figure you'd like to have a beer with, given the chance?
SK: Barney Rubble, what an actor.
SK: Blade Runner, Flash Gordon, American Werewolf in London, Road Warrior.
SK: Blood: a Tale, Wolverine & Havok: Meltdown, and of course, The Dark Night Returns
SK: ESPO, DERO, KAIR, PRAEZ, PEP, & MB.
Shawn Kilroy's Website: myspace.com/thaistickdragon
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tom Smith / Dr. Sizzle Interview
MD: What is your background? How did you get involved with art?
Dr. Sizzle: I always drew on stuff as a kid... copied the Sunday paper funnies and my Saturday morning cartoon favorites. Then by the 2nd grade I got into breakdancing which was married with graffiti art (somewhere around '82 think). Through Graffiti I quickly developed my cartooning skills and progressed into more realistic styles of drawing. I was always fascinated with drawing the human form: faces, hands, and dynamic poses. I guess I was born with an artistic passion in my soul. Lots of people tell me true artists are left handed because they use the right side of the brain which is the side that is most creative or some shit. I guess that makes sense. After taking high school art majors I realized art was something I was good at and could probably make a living doing, so I signed my good name to a student loan at the Art Institute of Philadelphia where I received my degree in Visual Communications / Graphic Design.
MD: How would you describe your work?
Dr. Sizzle: Well my current body of work would probably be described best as exaggerated realism. I don't know if that makes sense or not but it's kind of a distorted life-like caricature using Pin-Ups as my foundation. Instead of distorting distinctive facial features, I exaggerate the anatomy in whole, enhancing heads, hands, and other bodily forms in inflated proportions.
MD: Have you studied art in school? What did you like best about the school you attended? What advice would you give to anyone considering going to school vs. doing it on their own?
Dr. Sizzle: As mentioned previously, I attended AI where I thought I was being taught to be a better artist. The drawing and painting classes were minimal and they geared us towards computers and graphic design. In the long run it helped with getting a job. But I guess I was expecting to be more of an Illustrator. It was like pulling teeth to get info out of some of the teachers. Others taught me more than I can understand and still to this day am just realizing what they meant. As far as advice- choose your school wisely. Education is expensive and if you are serious about it choose a serious school and program. When it all comes down to it, you either have it or you don't. School doesn't give you talent – it just helps you sharpen your skills.
MD: How have you been influenced by the art community? Who/ what inspires you?
Dr. Sizzle: To be honest I try not to keep up with the art community. It sickens me to open an art publication and see new artists being featured and it all looks the same to me. Art has become trendy and it's really another person's rendition of a style that already has been done. There are a bunch of artists out there that are setting these trends and I enjoy their works but I see others copying them to the point where they can't even enjoy their own creativity. So I really don't get influenced by the art community other than techniques that I might want to experiment with. To me, I see art as an expression of ones thoughts carried onto a medium or surface. Paint, Drawing, Sculpting or what ever your fancy, should be 100% your own visions. Don't paint to impress the masses or magazines- paint because that's what you paint even if it sucks. If you're passionate about it you'll make it great and people will appreciate it more than you're ripped off version of someone else's passion.
MD: Do you have a career/ job (other than the art you create independently)?
Dr. Sizzle: Yup, I am a motion graphics designer and animator for TV and video. I create the cool stuff people take for granted on TV. Like your favorite commercials, or music videos and even the show title open.
MD: Have you had any careers not related to art?
Dr. Sizzle: HA! I designed Hoagies while going to AI. LOL. Yeah, lots of odd jobs before I got my break in the professional world.
MD: How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
Dr. Sizzle: It's tough out there. To put a price on something you spent a good deal of time on and expect someone topay that is really hard. If you're up and coming, or just not well known enough, you really have it hard. I have a hard enough time parting with my originals as it is and to price them to sell is almost impossible. I've been creating prints and selling limited numbers signed until I exhausted them to the point of selling the originals. Creating a website and swag helps a lot to promote myself and get the name Dr. Sizzle out there. It's really hard balancing time to paint, promote, work my day job, hold my family together … not to mention my nine million hobbies and other creative vices…
MD: What are your goals? What are your plans for the future?
Dr. Sizzle: My plans are to paint when I feel like it and not make it my job. It's important to me to keep painting a hobby and not my primary source of income. Once that happens it becomes work which is no fun. I paint for passion not for paychecks. Changing that would have a considerable effect on my art and my love for it. I plan to continue painting my Pin-Ups and
branch them off into a few directions and various series. I have a few products in the works as well as some videos and books planned, so stay tuned!
MD: Do you have side projects you work on? Have you collaborated w/ other artists in the past?
Dr. Sizzle: Being a graffiti artist, I have worked on much collaboration on a very large scale. It's one of the best feelings. I hope to get out this summer and do a few more.
MD: What was one of the most memorable projects you've worked on?
One is a portrait I did of Miss Mia Sinclair which took over a year to complete and is one of my largest brush paintings. Mia passed away last October 2008. I'm glad I had the pleasure of working with her.
MD: What are the biggest changes you've seen in the art world since you got involved? Where do you see the art industry going in 5 years? 10 years?
Dr. Sizzle: Well I have to say the "Lowbrow" art scene has taken the world by storm. It was frowned upon and was never really accepted into the gallery and art world but now it is pretty much dominating the globe. I suspect things will evolve full circle. As people start to realize there is a difference between Lowbrow Art and Lowbrow posers. People will eventually go back to a more Fine Art taste and talentless crud will wash away. Then again who am I to say what is good and what is not. Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. So maybe the things I call trash and what people love and that will wash fine artists away AHHA. Who cares, art is art. People will express themselves whether someone likes it or not. I think if enough people hate you you're probably doing it well enough to piss people off it will eventually become the best thing the movement ever seen. Just like PUNK ROCK!
MD: Favorite painter/ artist:
Dr. Sizzle: I have tons of favorites, a few, in no particular order are;
Keith Wessner, Glenn Barr, Coop, Gil Elvgren, Rockin' Jellybean, Maxfield Parrish, Robh Ruppel, Kris Kuksi, Frank Frazetta, and many others.
MD: What are you listening to?
Dr. Sizzle: Old Punk from the early 80's
Website: http://www.drsizzle.com/
Monday, July 20, 2009
Shawn Dubin Q&A
Shawn Dubin is a Philadelphia based illustrator and tattoo artist. He has published a number of books, including Dreary and Naughty and Friday the 13th of February.
MD: You're currently working on a new series of paintings?SD: They were initially based on memories from Halloween throughout my life, starting in the late seventies and stretching up to the present. Once the idea solidified a bit, I felt compelled to illustrate those old costumes that came in a box- paperboard masks with terrible plastic jumpsuits that tied up in the back. If you were lucky they came with a cape or your parents got you one separately. My imagination always made them far more amazing than they actually were. From there, the series branched out into other time periods and less kitschy costumes. I could probably spend the rest of my life doing these.
MD: You've got quite a collection of work. What's next? What are some of your goals and/ or plans?
SD: At the moment, my writing partner Jason Ridings and I are preparing a package to send out to a few major comic book companies for consideration and keeping our fingers crossed.
Outside of that, I've started writing a follow up to the Untimely Endeavor (which is getting sent out to publishers for consideration this summer along with Land of Broken Dreams), begun work on the halloween paintings, plotting out a line of t-shirts/miscellaneous articles of clothing, and started writing something of a children's story. There are also more comic books in the pipes. It never ends.
I'm also hoping to find a gallery that's willing to show my work in the next year or so.
MD: You've published quite a few books...
SD: I had the fortune of working with John Lafleur on the Dreary and Naughty series a few years back. The first two in the series (which is slated to run up to seven books) are still available online. The third book, The ABC's of Being Dead, is finished and awaiting publication. As of the moment, the premise is floating around in Hollywood limbo with talks of it becoming a movie one day.
This summer, writer Glen Feulner and I are self-publishing a book called Worlds Without End which revolves around a female protagonist who travels throughout multiple realities, ultimately bringing about the end of each. Uplifting stuff. It will be available through Amazon, Borders, etc.
MD: The Untimely Endeavor comes across as mournful and poetic, with really interesting backgrounds...
SD: I wanted to explore the use of a "dip pen"; to illustrate something the way someone would have a century ago. I also wanted a chance to illustrate a number of different locales throughout the world that interest me while placing a fantastical character in each to stretch/warp the boundaries of the mundane. Naturally, I chose a well dressed skeleton named Wallingford for just this purpose.
The first illustration came about as an accident one night while sketching and is now the second plate in the book. It created the flavor for what would ultimately become the overall plot: Skeleton finds shrunken head in soup, shrunken head engrains itself in skeleton's day to day life, skeleton reject and abandons shrunken head, skeleton searches the world over for shrunken head, skeleton finds shrunken head. Ultimately, it's a story about friendship, loss and appreciating what you have.
MD: In addition to illustration, you're also a tattoo artist, yes?
SD: I've been tattooing in Philadelphia for twelve years now at Moo Tattoo on South Street. Recently I've been doing a lot of work that's similar to my illustration style. I hope the trend continues.
MD: You've worked on a number of comic books.
SD: I've been working with Jason Ridings (writer) for the better part of a decade on a number of projects. When we met I told him I'd never draw super heroes. He proved me wrong when we did a story called Guardians. It was a one shot comic chock full of super heroes of our making.
We've also been working on Thirteen- an ongoing supernatural thriller which is much further up my alley. The first issue is completely inked with the other five issues in the initial run thumb-nailed and ready for production. Conservatively, we have enough material for this series to last at least five years. I'm ridiculously excited about continuing work on it.
My cousin, Alex Dubin, and I worked on a project called the Eighth Dwarf which re-imagines the snow white story through a darkened lens. The first run of the series is written and thumb-nailed through to completion. He had originally written it as a screenplay which, conveniently, lends itself to being story-boarded into a comic book format quite readily.
I've also been working off and on for the last ten years or so on a vampire comic about a powerful family that stretches all the way back to the Roman Empire and their degeneration/search for humanity as their respective worlds fall apart.
If none of these find a home with an established comic book company, the plan is to self publish and see where things go.
MD: Your miniature paintings have so much detail. What's your process?
SD: I use ridiculously small brushes and sit hunched over these little bits of illustration board for hours on end, nearly going blind. It's actually a good deal of fun.
MD: Have you exhibited your work?
SD: Years ago. I'm in the process of looking for a venue to have a show some time later this year or early next year.
MD: If you were to build a house out of unorthodox materials, what type of house would you build?
SD: A hobbit hole or a giant tree house attached to a sequoia.
MD: Favorite movies?
SD: I'm a big star wars nerd.
MD: Playlist of a few favorite songs:
SD: Hard to pinpoint songs- but on any given day i'll cycle through some Arcade Fire, Neutral Milk Hotel, Howlin' Wolf, Pixies, Mulatu Astatke, Sinatra, Talking Heads, Johnny Cash, Radiohead, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, etc.
MD: What are some of your interests?
SD: Music (making and listening), gardening, travel, good food and drink (both preparing and ingesting), history, living...
MD: Historical figure you'd like to have a beer with, given the chance?
SD: Aleister Crowley.
MD: Favorite comic strips/ comic books/ graphic novels?
SD: I really loved the Lucifer series put out by Vertigo. Collected the whole thing in trade paper backs and made my poor wife read it. She actually enjoyed it.
Also- The Preacher, V For Vendetta, Watchmen, Kingdom Come, Matt Wagner's Mage and Grendel, BPRD, Hellboy, Marvels and the current run of Captain America stories.
MD: Favorite visual artists?
SD: Salvador Dali, M.C. Escher, Maxfield Parrish, Heironymus Bosch, Edward Gorey, Shel Silverstein, Alphonse Mucha, Arthur Rackham...MD: What is your background? How did you get involved with art?
SD: I've been drawing since I could hold a writing implement. Haven't been able to stop since. My mother was a big supporter early on and really nurtured the bug. My neighbor/surrogate big brother was also something of an artist. He'd sit me down and show me how to draw things like Popeye and Snoopy for hours while our parents watched television and talked.
I went to the High School for Creative and Performing Arts in Philadelphia before it was in the gorgeous building it now inhabits. Also went to the University of the Arts briefly.
MD: Have you held any jobs/ careers that you'd like to discuss?
SD: I was a record store/book store clerk for Tower for more than two years. While there, I drew a bi-weekly comic that went out with paychecks based on experiences I and my co-workers had. For the holidays one year I did an entire comic called "Tower of Babble" in which we, the employees, locked the doors of the store and massacred the customers. My boss sent it around to other branches both here and in England. It was quite cathartic. Nowadays I'd probably be reported for disturbing behavior that may lead to a nasty incident. All in good fun.
Website: shawndubin.com