Interviewer: Ella Colwell
- What kind of art do you create? Favorite mediums? Describe your style!
I think I create a very juvenile, off-kilter stream of consciousness kind of art. Not just in the look of the art itself but also because I’ll draw on everything and anything and use anything and everything to draw it. My favorite utensils are paint or sharpie on assorted walls, my most used being just pen and paper (I absolutely hate pencils)
- What influences or inspires your style? Is there any artist you look up to?
I’m influenced by stuff that catches my eye and that comes in all sorts of forms of media from graffiti and magazines to assorted posters, signs and other fuckshit I see around in the world. I think I’m also really inspired by people themselves and whatever they’re doing and saying but I mean that in a beautiful way, things I just am in awe of. That or just the stream consciousness of whatever is in/on my dome. I look up to so many artists but two specifically that I look up to heavily are Emory Douglas and Margret Kiligan. Emory Douglas was the main artist for the Black Panthers and has created some of the sickest shit I’ve ever seen. His posters have these thick lines, bright colors and big ass words that feel like they’re screaming the message at you, and it’s super powerful, and I hope that my art at times feels like that. Margret Killigan was an artist who did graffiti around San Francisco and similarly to Douglas works she has big beautiful letters and bold colors. Her art is more folk inspired but is insanely beautiful and draws you in with the way she draws and orients all the figures in her work.
What’s your favorite creation? What’s the story behind it?
My favorite creation is the artwork for my friend Soren’s album “Did You Look At The Clouds Today?”. It’s a phenomenal album that he worked super hard on and something I think everyone should listen to (especially if you’re into electronic music). The art I created for it isn’t the “best” or most “amazing” art I’ve ever created but it’s my absolute favorite and most valuable due to the nature of a close friend not only seeing something in it but thinking enough of it to entrust me to make something that would represent their art and their vision. Which I think has to be one of the most beautiful and meaningful things someone can entrust you with.
- Has Evergreen been able to support your artistic interests? Is there anything you wish they could help with?
I think Evergreens Photography classes and more specifically the space of photoland have helped me improve the photographic aspects of my art insanely. On the other hand I think there is a serious lack of intensive art and design courses that aren’t low credited, online or weekend classes that also require prerequisites. I would love to see an art/design class that is 12 credits or more. I not only think Evergreen has the resources to do so but I also think there’s a big interest and want for it on campus. I think so many people want to do art and learn how to do it professionally but just don’t know where to start and are deterred from it more by the lack of classes there are to take.
- Do you have any art-related goals? What do you hope to do with your creativity?
I think like most people who do creative things my ultimate “goal” is to not only to be able to make a sustainable living off of my art but make it in a way where I feel I’m not losing the ability to be creative within the work I’m making, regardless if it’s an ad campaign, logo, website, marketing etc. (though it would be really cool to have my art on a t-shirt). The only thing I feel like I can hope to do with my creativity is to make someone think and feel. Ideally it would be that euphoric “whoa thats some cool shit” feeling we all get with the media we like, but also just the idea of anyone engaging with my art at any level of feeling or thinking even if it’s just at a glance or for a second makes me feel like I’ve done what I hope to do.
