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1. How would you describe the current art scene in L.A?

It seems like there are some really talented artists and designers working in Los Angeles right now…Although the city is very sparse and spread out, there is definitely a lot to be seen and plenty of galleries to visit. If you're ever in town, here are some spaces to check out >> six space, subliminal projects and the Lab 101 gallery. I would have to say Los Angeles is probably like any other large, metropolitan area - you have to make it what you want it to be…


2. How long have you been working with mixed media?

I guess you could say that I have been working with mixed media ever since I decided to take image-making "serious". Creating images out of various media, surfaces and materials has always been of interest to me-- It seems like a very natural way of working and feels very intuitive… I would never want to feel personally limited to designing with only one tool or just one type of pencil. I think there are times when an image needs the mark of a paintbrush to convey the idea. Or there are times when an image needs the mark of a paintbrush, a pencil, a silkscreen hit, and spray paint to convey the idea…. Both are valid ways of working I guess I just like to mix it up.


3. What materials do you primarily use?

Over the last couple of years I have really become attached to the world of silkscreen printing, I love being able to create editions and print on various surfaces. Other materials that have consistently been surfacing in my work lately have been old album cover inserts, different types of cardboard, wood, acrylic paint, color pencils, anything that can make a mark really. As far as papers and surfaces go, I really like things with a history to them-old thrift store records are great… When I tear apart an old "Tijuana brass" album to print on or paint on, its fun to think about how many times that album was danced to, or who owned the album, or who got "busy" to that album--- I don't know, it seems like there is some sort of inherent energy to things that are second hand. Besides, it's the perfect material to incorporate into making work.


4. Please describe the following projects and the inspiration behind:





LETS EXPLORE THE NORTH

This was a personal piece created for the "everybody enjoys" show that Justin Krietemeyer and I had last year. This particular print was created in reaction to living in Southern California… I have lived in Los Angeles my entire life and traveling "up North" usually means getting out of the city and having some free time with nature. I guess this print is pretty much about my childhood memories of traveling to northern California with my family-Yosemite, Big Sur, Eureka, Humbolt.-all of the California national parks.








EVERYBODY ENJOYS

This poster was designed for the "Everybody Enjoys" art show that was in collabo with Justin Krietemeyer. The idea behind the show was to create an environment that everyone could relate to-childhood memories, mix tapes, beer drinking... We had a blast making art for three months straight-- I know we're going to do it again, sometime soon…
HAULING LOVE

This piece was created for a new book/magazine named "Also Known As" that Cody Hudson of Struggle Inc is helping to coordinate. The book is launching summer 05 and will include a chapter with a collection of artists "graphic renditions" of delivery trucks in the city. It will include a bunch of truck renditions from various artists that include Cody Hudson, Evan Hecox, Grotesk, myself and others. The magazine is gonna be super cool and I'm gonna be selling the hauling love prints when the book drops so keep your eyes peeled.


5. Favourite album or magazine cover?

Picking out a favourite album cover is always a struggle for me… I guess you can say that my visual and musical interests are always changing and evolving. If I had to pick something out at the moment, I would have to say the "Don Randi Trio + 1 at the Baked Potato" album cover art designed by Milton Glaser is pretty genius. Mr. Glaser did a small painting of a burning baked potato which he set on fire with instructions to the photographer to record every stage of the burning painting. He used the second and final pictures for the front and back covers of the album… super feelin it.


6. What can you tell us about National Forest?

National Forest is a design studio created by Justin Krietemeyer and myself…. You could safely say it's just a couple of guys that are doing what they love to do- art, graphics, draw, paint, screenprint, surf, skate, etc, etc. Justin and I met while attending art school and immediately worked well with each other. Before we knew it, we were working on commissioned assignments and art shows together. Oh yeah, we also have a new crazy Belgian guy by the name of Brecht Cuppens working with us--- if you see him on the streets of L.A. ask him to race!


7. What advice would you give to students of art & illustration who are looking to break into the world of commissioned work?

At this point, I don't think I can give out a whole lot of constructive advice to students of art & illustration. I still consider myself very much within the "learning phases" of my life… If I could say anything at all it would probably be something like-- "Go for it; don't take No for an answer; go for it; do what you love; don't let them destroy your dreams! Did I say go for it yet" ???
8. You recently visited Vancouver, B.C. How was it?

Vancouver was wonderful. My girlfriend and I took a train ride from Los Angeles to Seattle and then a bus from Seattle to Vancouver. The train ride alone was amazing. I think that nowadays everyone gets too wrapped up in getting from point A to point B in a hurry and misses out on what's in between. It was great to slow down, and really enjoy the changing of the landscapes that a train allows you to see.
Once in Vancouver, we had a blast… its so much different from Los Angeles. The city has good public transportation, is surrounded by water, has a gigantic park, is right at the base of the North Shore mountains and has clean air--- what more can you ask for…

9. Can you tell us about your up-coming projects?

Hmmmmmmmmm…… Element Skateboards is releasing a five board "National Forest" series a very long time from now; Just finished working on a Death Cab for Cutie poster-five color style; going to be contributing to the Basefield project once again this year; going to keep working with clay; keep making kites; knit some sweaters; lots of longboarding field-trips this summer with NF!!!


10. What was the last great movie you have seen?

What was the last great book you have read? Lets see… I just recently re-watched "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" by Terry Gilliam… it made me realise how much I like all those great fantasy movies from the eighties-time to re-watch the "Never-ending story." As for great books-I'm actually in the midst of finishing up "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey, it's told in a totally different perspective from the movie so its really interesting…