Showers (Houston,Texas) http://www.facebook.com/ShowersTheBand?ref=ts
How long have you guys all known each other ?
Nathan: I've known Marshall approximately _______, I met Taylor a couple years ago, but we didn't talk until this band; kind of an unspoken thing.
I met Derek through Marshall when this band was getting going. (ya see here we were all working/hanging out at this taco and snow cone stand every day, when we got to talking about music and realized we didn't like each other or each others taste in music but we figured the best plan of action was to start a band.
We wanted the opportunity to fight and kick people out. You can imagine our bewilderment when that plan was a complete disaster and we ended up moving in together as sort of a co-op. with free love and everything!
After a long period of unisex jumpsuits and calling Marshall, back then as "Mars-hall", father; we went through a lot of groovy group therapy and eventually started a band for the right reason.... To get famous enough that one day we can tell our kids we had a song sampled by Skrilex.
How many members are there ?
Anonymous: We've been a four piece for about a year now & just this week we added a fifth member (Shane Broeker.)
Who are they ?
Marshall: Derek Lynn (Drum & Production), Nathan Allen (Guitar & Vocals), Taylor Drackett (Bass & Vocals), Shane Broeker (Guitar & strange undertones), Marshall F Walker (Vocals & Guitar)
Who are your influences in this project?
Derek: Anyone who keeps a solid backbeat without being too much of a show-off. Off the top of my head - Klaus Dinger, Jason McGerr, Justin Peroff, and Stephen Morris
Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?
Richard "Maury" Povich: Music
What is everyone listening to right now ?
Taylor: I've been listening to the music from Twin Peaks a lot, also Father John Misty, St. Vincent, and Eleanor Friedberger are on my current rotation.
Shane: Cold roses by Ryan Adams
Nathan: Tomorrow by Built To Spill
Derek: Delta Spirit, The Walkmen, and Drake
Marshall: Roger Sellers new record "Moments"
What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Derek: I saw The Darkness a couple of months ago and it was probably the best show I'll see until I see The Darkness again.
Nathan: Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey circus
Shane: Randomly walking in on Choir of Young Believers in the back of Urban Outfitters this past sxsw
Taylor: Har Mar Superstar and Father John Misty. I didn't know who FJM was at the time, I went for Har Mar...
Marshall: Roger Sellers.
Check out Showers at Fitzgerald's (Houston,Tx) the will be playing with Balmorhea on October 1st, 2012. For more information visit the link provided .
https://www.facebook.com/events/264847243632511/
LIMB (Houston,Texas) www.limblimblimb.com
When I first saw James Templeton aka LIMB, I swallowed a fly. Due to the "OH Face " I was making For this sound to be coming out of Houston at that time was just refreshing. And a few years down the road he's still remains relevant with his music.
Who are your influences in this project?
I tried to really block a lot out on this one and start fresh, but probably Flying Lotus/Jim Edwards/Andre Duracell/Talking Heads
How would describe LIMB in 5 words ?
This question is so embarrassingly difficult to answer. Though, I think the first word that comes to mind is Houston.
How do you feel about the growing popularity of Electronic Music ?
It is more a growing popularity of accessible music. It's not news that computers have made it easy for anyone to write, record and distribute music they didn't even know they could play (and probably couldn't with out computers or samplers). Software is dense! small and open sourced! If you know where to look, people are giving it away! Electronic music is accessible and that is why it is so popular. I think a lot of the "old" craft is a being lost sure, but new ones are being invented and be so everyday. I just hope history sifts out those who are barely trying.
What are you listening to right now ?
Adultry Kidding (Fuck Marry Kill)/Meshuggah(koloss)/James Blake (James Blake)/Rustie (Glass Swords)/New Order (Low Life)/Extra Life (dream seeds)
Who were your influences in the past music project?
The past project had been a three piece, so it varies a bunch. Can/Faust/Fourtet/Madlib/Battles. It has been a minute, but that is what I can remember.
What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Josiah Gabriel. Production is so so solid... and there is a song quality that has been rare in electronic music since 2000 (my opinion).
Extra Life. Thoughtful, meticulous, heavy music is hard to come by these days. These guys hit the nail on the head!
Whats the last thing you ate ?
Black bean soup my sister made me. Raspberries.
nEW yORK cITY qUEENS (Houston,Texas) https://www.facebook.com/newyorkcityqueens
How many members are in the band ?
6 Members
Who are they ?
John Stephens - Guitar, Vocals
Daniela Hernandez - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Kitty Beebe - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Tom Guth - Guitar
Isaac Chavez-Garza - Drums
Philip Stephens - Drums
Who are your influences in this project ? Our influences range from late 1950's, early 1960's pop to modern rock like Arcade Fire, Beach House, The Strokes and Delta Spirit.
Who were your influences in the past music project ?Our influences have essentially always been rooted in early pop and classic rock; The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkle, etc.
How long has everyone known each other ?
We've known each other since high school. Me (John), Kitty, and Tom all grew up in the same suburb; Kingwood. Daniela moved to Kingwood in high school after her father took a job in Houston. Isaac moved to Houston in college from Minnesota.
What comes first the music or the lyrics ?
The writing process is entirely dependent on the song. Sometimes something as simple as, "She said it's over and I'm leaving but I wanted to stay" will lead to the development of an entire song. Other times, we jam over an instrumental piece for some time before I think about what lyrics might fit.
What is everyone listening to right now ?
What we listen to varies from day to day. Right now, I'm listening to John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band and Frank Ocean - Channel Orange.
Whats the last good show that you went ?
The last show that we all went to and loved was Delta Spirit's at Fitzgerald's a few months ago.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Flappers and Philosphers, or something along those lines.
How early in your life did you start making art ?
I was drawing since I was a kid, I was super inspired and influenced by sci-fi and horror movies, cartoons, and a friend of mine who was older, and was drawing monsters and heroes, comics, etc. But I wasn't really "serious" about it, it was just something I needed to do from time to time, it was fun. Then I went to University, which pretty much took away all the fun in drawing, and after I graduated I had two years when I haven't drawn anything. Then I discovered street art and I almost had to start again from scratch, I was afraid of drawing, but slowly I rediscovered the fun of drawing and painting.
Who are your influences ?
My girlfriend Heliana ( Aitch ), whose works I love, was a huge influence, she almost forced me to try new mediums, when I met her I was only drawing with paint markers on stupid papers, she taught me that working on different kinds of papers, with ink, watercolors, acrylics, is nice, fun and precious.
Also, another huge influence was my friend Other - I learned from him that it's so beautiful to paint on pieces of found wood and old furniture, and I was also very much impressed by his work ethics and energy, which motivated me to work more.
I really love art in general, so aesthetically my influences are many, and range from street art, pop surrealism, naive art, naturalistic illustrations of plants and animals, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Henri Rousseau, Walton Ford, Bosch, Fernando Botero, Victor Brauner, to young artists like Jon McNair, Other, Aitch, Jean Spezial, Heiko Mueller, Barry McGee, Os Gemeos, Ekta, Zbiok, and many others whose works I love. Here's a blog with few of my favorite artworks: http://saddo-recommends.tumblr.com/
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
I have periods when I like to draw mixes of birds, tribal heads, symbols, abstract shapes, or more thoughtful paintings, meditations on the passing of time, loss, death. And times when I draw zombies. Or times when I like to draw/paint cute cartoonish characters. And times when I mix all of these. It depends on my mood.
What medium do you mainly use ?
It's the same as with my subjects, it really depends on moods, sometimes I like to make fast illustrations with ink on paper, sometimes I like putting a lot of work on paintings made with acrylics on canvas, sometimes I like painting on wood, on walls…I like all of them, ink on paper is much faster, brings an immediate satisfaction, it can be sold cheaper/quicker. Painting on canvas or wood or walls takes more time to develop, and at some point it can become pretty frustrating, but the satisfaction is much bigger in the end.
What keeps you up at night ?
The Sopranos and Oz.
For Images of Saddo Raul's art work visit his Flckr http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddo/
Suntur
Bangkok Thailand
Illustrator
Bangkok Thailand
How early in your life did you start making art ?
I've been interested in arts since I was very young so I went to an art university. And I started making art pieces since my 3rd university year.
Who are your influences ?
My cousin. He is very good at drawing and he was my first drawing mentor.
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
Human in different characters as well as simple objects I found in my daily life.
What medium do you mainly use ?
Any plain paper with water color.What keeps you up at night ?
Drawing. :)
Sarah Welch (houston,texas)
How early in your life did you start making art ?
I started drawing pretty early, but didn't take it seriously til high school. I knew I didn't want to go to the giant shitty public school my neighborhood was zoned for so I found a way out. I managed to get a transfer to a better public high school by enrolling in the school's "fine art academy" which was a kind of proto-magnet program that had course requirements and access to better than government-issued art supplies. Going to that school changed everything. It made me more ambitious about life in general.
Who are your influences
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
I studied textile design for part of college and am still fully obsessed with prints. I love inventing and incorporating pattern into my work. I'm all over drapery, garments, and made-up ambiguous forms that look like drapery and garments. I've actually taken it as far as screen printing images of puffer jackets and rumpled looking shapes as repeat yardage.
What medium do you mainly use ?
I use basic mechanical pencils and 001 ink pens. I do printmaking, especially in the last couple years, I started working with VROOOOOM Press doing screen printed comic books and short run gig posters and whatever. I've worked with screen printing, relief printing, offset, letterpress, and actually, tonight I'm going to start learning about using risograph printing. I just helped move this risograph yesterday, we drove all the way to a church in Killeen to pick it up and then hauled it back to Houston last night. It was way heavy.
What keeps you up at night ?
The future keeps me up at night. I am also scared of cockroaches.
www.sarahwelch.info
Shannon Lynn Grant (Austin,Texas) Photographer
How early in your life did you start making art ?
I started photography ever since I put my hands on a camera as a little girl, playing with point and shoots, photographing your average objects and people. Once I became a student in high school I took every possible class learning how to develop film manually, photograph it manually, and printing in the darkroom manually; both black & white and color. The process is beautiful. It reveals the true Art and beauty of photography. You would perhaps find me in the photo lab in high school the majority of the time, and I loved being there with no hurry to get out of class. Once I became aware of the Art of photography and the Art of seeing, while building the ability to see beyond seeing, photography eventually became natural for me and I wanted to learn more and more and photograph more and more. Writing was always my art, mainly poetry, and through the years my photographs started to write the words for me. I stopped writing at a point. I did not consciously decide to, I just stopped. However ironically I am currently writing a very elaborate and lengthy blog entry of my journey back and forth to Los Angeles from December 2011 to May 2012, documenting Occupy LA, revolutionaries, protestors, activists, and the other very odd lives of people who surrounded. The main idea of the experience is to educate and document the current awakening through multiple Arts forming a community of awakened spirits. Stay tuned for the entry at www.shannonlynngrant.wordpress.com. Eventually I got into digital photography and photographic software programs when I was 18 at the start of college. I hated the idea of digital at first because I felt as if it was destroying the Art, however I learned to understand the many benefits within digital and I have not been in a darkroom since. I would love to again experience the process of projected light, and thankfully someone last week just referred me to someone who has a darkroom, so that very well may be possible in the near future. Photography has everything to do with light in which I remember my high school photo teacher Nicki Stager saying, "I paint with light". She inspired me to pursue photography as something more than just a personal Art and hobby.
Who are your influences ?
Henry Cartier-Bresson and Aaron Siskind would be my biggest influences. A photojournalist and an abstract artist. Cartier-Bresson is known by his "decisive moment". He would never set up a photograph and he has captured some of the most beautiful and well known photographs through patience and awareness. While creating a photojournalistic series or moment, it is important to capture those moments of time naturally and become almost invisible.
Aside from photojournalism, I love abstract photography. It is something that I have not spent much time on lately because of other focuses, however it is one of my favorite personal styles. There is so much beauty and design overlooked through our normal everyday lives. The key is seeing the image rather than looking for it, and also having the ability to see that image even when one is not looking for it. Anything can be seen as beautiful; it is all in how you perceive it. Aaron Siskind photographs various textures creating black and white images of objects we would never suspect to be objects of beauty. Becoming aware and seeing beyond what many ignores is a different way of seeing the world. Not only is it possible to create beautiful Art seeing this way but also one becomes more aware of their surroundings even when without a camera.
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
Sometimes you can catch me doodling flowers and mushrooms, hah, I don't draw much, nor do I put passion into it. On the other hand if I were to put effort into drawing I would draw observationally, perhaps people or things in their natural environment. However I could use a camera and the subject could be captured with light onto a sensor (or perhaps film) capturing thousands of pixels of information creating an image that captures a moment in time. I than could put it in photoshop and put a sketch filter on it. Word.
What's one of you favorite subject to photograph?
I typically like interesting people in interesting locations or people who live in odd environments with interesting ideas. Photojournalism and documentation over a period of time or random spontaneous moments is what I mainly focus on and love. I hate posing subjects, and it just doesn't work in journalism. There is more of an impact with unposed images. I want what is real, and I want to capture what society does not typically see or ever see. I also love abstract photography which is one of my personal styles. I'll photograph anything from rust, pealing paint, dripping paint and I have even shot something that seemed to be vomit once. Being aware of my surrounding and seeing the image rather than looking for it has created some of the most interesting and beautiful images. It is important for me to be constantly aware of my surroundings if I want to effectively see the beauty surrounding me, in which the average person usually overlooks or doesn't perceive as anything. All expectations and control of a subject must go out the window. I am also a sucker for graffiti. At one point in my life I could never pass a graffiti wall and not abstractly photograph it. The lines colors and diversity of graffiti creates some real interesting stuff and I also love the Art. Graffiti is what lead me to become aware of the rust, peeling paint, dirt and grim surrounding the walls and ground of buildings and nature, in which that is when I started to shoot grim and create imagery that looked nothing of the sort except for a beautiful design. Music is something else that I also enjoy photographing, because I love music; who doesn't. I shoot anything from live music to band promotions to musicians in their natural environment.
What medium do you mainly use ?
I use digital cameras processing RAW files through Light room or Photoshop camera RAW. I prefer Canon cameras, however I will not turn away a Nikon. I have not photographed using film in almost 5 years because I haven't had access to a darkroom. Also film is pricey and scarce and some brands don't even sell film anymore. It is also just not the same taking film to your local film developing store. I have no control over the process of the final image in which the darkroom is where the Art of photography shines. I would rather shoot digital in that case. Anyway eventually I would have to scan the image or negative to make it digital. Today we can make digital images look like film which is what I often do. I love film grain however sometimes it is not necessary. I typically use more monochromatic colors rather than full color because it reveals more emotion. I mainly use Lightroom and Photoshop and sometimes Illustrator for specific designs. If I am creating a composite obviously I will use Photoshop. Photoshop and Lightroom have become a part of my everyday life, and it is currently the photographers professional workflow to shoot digital. Film is slowly dying and darkrooms are becoming computer labs. Because of the internet it is not necessary for me to print too often, but it depends on what the image is being used for, however if I were to print for personal use or gallery shows I prefer semi-gloss paper at an unique size printed at a professional lab. No 8x10's please. Canvas is cool too.
What keeps you up at night ?
The thought of the many issues in our society and the unhappy, ignorant, and sleeping state of humanity, especially in America, keeps me up at night. I am an empathetic wisdom seeker and I put effort into learning anything and everything to help guide myself and humanity into a higher consciousness, becoming spiritually awake. Through both the conflicts and beauties of survival we all can create Art. Inspiration is key. Art is mainly an expression of the self which is in my opinion important for every single human being to put effort into doing, especially now with the many internal changes we are all experiencing. Everybody has an Art they can express themselves with. If they do not, they have not discovered it yet. I am and will continue to influence more LOVE in this society through Art and inspiration. It's time to wake up. ; )
More info on Shannon Grant www.shannonlynngrant.wordpress.com
Shakey Graves (Austin,Texas)
How many members are there ?
Shakey Graves is a solo project, its just me, Alejandro Rose-Garcia.
who are your influences in this project?
Everyone. This is what music sounds going in my ears and coming out of my mouth….my heroes include the late great Townes Van Zandt, Michael Hurley, Elliott Smith, The Wu-Tang Clan, ABBA, you name it.
Whom have been influences in past music projects?
Influences are influences past or present. All the same stuff I already mentioned and some stuff I havent, I love black metal, crazy lo fi shit, horrible screamo music, weepy dude jams...whatever, but I used to want to be in Saetia, Cradle Of Filth, Japanther, Die Emperor Die....I used to play in a shitty awesome screamo band, so, loud crunchy whiny shit that I love..and Usher of course.
Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?
Usually music, but sometimes words demand melody….there is no math to this.
What are you listening to right now ?
Crooked Cowboy & The Freshwater Indians which is the best unheard band on earth in my humble opinion, Electrelane, Tim Fite, Those Darlins, Wild Child, Other Lives, Cradle, The Luv’d Ones, M83, The Ventures.
What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Those Darlins
Whats the last thing you ate ?
A Kool Summer Sammich at Bouldin Creek Café in Austin TX
Thursday, August 9, 2012
When the going gets TUFF part 2
TUNES
ART
Great people +great art = WWW.WEKILLYOU.NET I stumbled across this great group of Artist on Instagram. All HAIL INSTAGRAM.. just kidding but, seriously I cant stop looking at it.
@The Ghost Wekill you is their Instagram.
How early in your life did you start making art ?
We Kill You: We grew up in houses on the forest where a lot of our early childhood years were spent loving arts and crafts. As soon as we discovered skateboarding and punk music that was all that mattered. It was not until we were at the end of our high school years that we found our way back in to art and decided to set foot towards various schools and ventures. Through out all that we stuck together and the end result is what is here now
Who are your influences ?
WKY: Influence comes from birds and trees, skateboards and curbs, sunsets and lakes, Hüsker Dü and the Descendents. We try to take the world around us that we love and are involved in and turn it in to art.
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
WKY: The best thing to draw…. The Bunny loves shapes and color combos. The Bat loves repetition. The Bear loves fonts. The Ghost is really into really detailed drawings of animals and people.
What medium do you mainly use ?
WKY:Lately the canvas has been one of 2 things: Paint on our hand made toys or watercolor and ink on paper. The Ghost has been trying to take a step towards wood working while The Bat has been focused on intricate paper cuttings. The Bunny is still pretty much a graphic designer working mostly on the computer in illustrator. Were covering all grounds!
What keeps you up at night ?
WKY:Very vivid dreams. Here at WKY we keep a dream book filled with the wild adventures that go on in the night. Those visions and stories are what create the landscapes and paintings that go on in the world of WKY. Dreams are reality. We are also very concerned with the impact we and the people around us are having on the environment. Too much destruction. Too much consumption. Someone else won't fix it, its up to us. Its up to you.
Steven Orton......
> How early in your life did you start making art ?
Everything, music. film sound tracks. architecture. tv shows about the outdoors and wildlife. Dinosaurs. I like the work by Hunderwasser & Gusta Klimt because of the colours and shapes. Alphonse Mucha is amazing. Seb Jarnot. Books I use to read as a kid with the illustrations by Quentin Blake in. Past relationships. My cat Tacky paha!
I got told off at college and university quite a bit because I'd do all my sketchbook work and then scribble lady genitals on all of the people. I don't know why but I kept all my work and looking back now it always makes me laugh. I draw bearded men and women alot. I like to draw faces. nostrils and glasses. I like to draw faces a lot actually. ocean monsters & mermen. I'm going through a phase at the minute and drawing mermen in space.
I'm not really a fan of computer aided design.. Partly because I just don't understand it.. I like to do all my work by hand. I try not to over complicate it by using lots of mediums. My stuffs quite loud and messy as it is so I'll just stick to fine liners. hot water and paint brushes. Indian inks and crayons. Tipex.
https://www.facebook.com/POORBOYLIFE
QUINCY
BANKS (htx)
Soulful
melodies+style+throwbacks = Grown folk music with new kid
soul........ Its hard to believe that someone this young was able to dig deep
into some soul music that was made 30 years before he was born.
Who are your influences in this project?
Quincy Banks Everyone and everything, related to music or not. I make a conscious effort to build and discover every day. Inspiration is everywhere.
what got you into making Electronic Music ?
Quincy Banks: Though I wouldn't necessarily consider my music "Electronic", I believe that I was initially inspired to start making music once I began hearing jazz and soul samples of songs that my family would play while I was growing up, flipped into hip-hop and other genres. I actually didn't get serious about making music until I inherited my first box of records though.
How do you feel about the growing popularity of Electronic Music ?
Q.B : I'm not sure yet. I'm always down for innovation, though a lot of people approaching the game these days seem as though they aren't doing their research and are ignoring those who preceded them. Too many musically uneducated cats are calling themselves "DJs" or "producers" because they have a computer program and it's all becoming a bit frustrating. The genre is nearly over saturated at this point, so I just try to do my own thing. Nevertheless, there are some very exciting things happening if you dig in the right places.
What are you listening to right now ?
Q.B: At the exact moment I'm listening to "Lonnie's Lament" by The John Coltrane Quartet. I try not to ever limit myself to a single genre or era of music. I usually aim for listening to at least one album that I've never heard before every single day whether it be some '50s free jazz, '70s psych rock, '90s hip-hop, or something recent and tasteful. Basically anything timeless.
What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Q.B: The Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli) show at House of Blues in Fall of 2011. Not only did I get to see a legendary hip-hop duo perform, but I also witnessed one of my favorite turntable DJs, J Rocc of the World Famous Beat Junkies, spin.
Whats the last thing you ate ?
Q.B: Barbacoa tacos from the sketchy food truck next to Alabama Ice House.
Who are your influences in this project?
Quincy Banks Everyone and everything, related to music or not. I make a conscious effort to build and discover every day. Inspiration is everywhere.
what got you into making Electronic Music ?
Quincy Banks: Though I wouldn't necessarily consider my music "Electronic", I believe that I was initially inspired to start making music once I began hearing jazz and soul samples of songs that my family would play while I was growing up, flipped into hip-hop and other genres. I actually didn't get serious about making music until I inherited my first box of records though.
How do you feel about the growing popularity of Electronic Music ?
Q.B : I'm not sure yet. I'm always down for innovation, though a lot of people approaching the game these days seem as though they aren't doing their research and are ignoring those who preceded them. Too many musically uneducated cats are calling themselves "DJs" or "producers" because they have a computer program and it's all becoming a bit frustrating. The genre is nearly over saturated at this point, so I just try to do my own thing. Nevertheless, there are some very exciting things happening if you dig in the right places.
What are you listening to right now ?
Q.B: At the exact moment I'm listening to "Lonnie's Lament" by The John Coltrane Quartet. I try not to ever limit myself to a single genre or era of music. I usually aim for listening to at least one album that I've never heard before every single day whether it be some '50s free jazz, '70s psych rock, '90s hip-hop, or something recent and tasteful. Basically anything timeless.
What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Q.B: The Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli) show at House of Blues in Fall of 2011. Not only did I get to see a legendary hip-hop duo perform, but I also witnessed one of my favorite turntable DJs, J Rocc of the World Famous Beat Junkies, spin.
Whats the last thing you ate ?
Q.B: Barbacoa tacos from the sketchy food truck next to Alabama Ice House.
Great people +great art = WWW.WEKILLYOU.NET I stumbled across this great group of Artist on Instagram. All HAIL INSTAGRAM.. just kidding but, seriously I cant stop looking at it.
@The Ghost Wekill you is their Instagram.
How early in your life did you start making art ?
We Kill You: We grew up in houses on the forest where a lot of our early childhood years were spent loving arts and crafts. As soon as we discovered skateboarding and punk music that was all that mattered. It was not until we were at the end of our high school years that we found our way back in to art and decided to set foot towards various schools and ventures. Through out all that we stuck together and the end result is what is here now
Who are your influences ?
WKY: Influence comes from birds and trees, skateboards and curbs, sunsets and lakes, Hüsker Dü and the Descendents. We try to take the world around us that we love and are involved in and turn it in to art.
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
WKY: The best thing to draw…. The Bunny loves shapes and color combos. The Bat loves repetition. The Bear loves fonts. The Ghost is really into really detailed drawings of animals and people.
What medium do you mainly use ?
WKY:Lately the canvas has been one of 2 things: Paint on our hand made toys or watercolor and ink on paper. The Ghost has been trying to take a step towards wood working while The Bat has been focused on intricate paper cuttings. The Bunny is still pretty much a graphic designer working mostly on the computer in illustrator. Were covering all grounds!
What keeps you up at night ?
WKY:Very vivid dreams. Here at WKY we keep a dream book filled with the wild adventures that go on in the night. Those visions and stories are what create the landscapes and paintings that go on in the world of WKY. Dreams are reality. We are also very concerned with the impact we and the people around us are having on the environment. Too much destruction. Too much consumption. Someone else won't fix it, its up to us. Its up to you.
Steven Orton......
> How early in your life did you start making art ?
Oh jeez, I'd probably say from about the age of five or six. I use to spend my pocket money on big packs of paper an felt tips and draw for hours on end. I can remember I use to draw alot of ocean scenes, mermaids and waves and underwater kingdoms. I'd go to my local video shop at the weekend with my mum and always take out the same films, it was either the never ending story or disneys fantasia. I'd watch them on repeat and then draw my own characters and give them all names and make up stories about them. I was such a geek as a child I probably should of been out with the other kids on my bike or something but id rather stay in on my own and make up stories with pictures.
> Who are your influences ?
Everything, music. film sound tracks. architecture. tv shows about the outdoors and wildlife. Dinosaurs. I like the work by Hunderwasser & Gusta Klimt because of the colours and shapes. Alphonse Mucha is amazing. Seb Jarnot. Books I use to read as a kid with the illustrations by Quentin Blake in. Past relationships. My cat Tacky paha!
> Whats one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
I got told off at college and university quite a bit because I'd do all my sketchbook work and then scribble lady genitals on all of the people. I don't know why but I kept all my work and looking back now it always makes me laugh. I draw bearded men and women alot. I like to draw faces. nostrils and glasses. I like to draw faces a lot actually. ocean monsters & mermen. I'm going through a phase at the minute and drawing mermen in space.
> What medium do you mainly use ?
I'm not really a fan of computer aided design.. Partly because I just don't understand it.. I like to do all my work by hand. I try not to over complicate it by using lots of mediums. My stuffs quite loud and messy as it is so I'll just stick to fine liners. hot water and paint brushes. Indian inks and crayons. Tipex.
> What keeps you up at night ?
I'm def more of a night owl... If I could i'd stay up all night drawing and sleep throughout the day. I cant seem to concerntrate during the day if I sit down and try and draw. I find I do some of my best and favourite pieces in the middle of the night. I don't have any distractions and I can just sit down and get on with it. I find hours can go past and I don't even notice. before I know it its like 4am and I need to be up for work in a few hours. I can have ideas come to me like all the time so ill make notes in my phone then get into bed that day and then scribble my notes down. like a visual diary.
https://www.facebook.com/Illustrationste
PoorBoyLife (thailand)
How early in your life did you start making art ?
-When I was in elementary school, I started to draw characters from Dragon Ball Z. Then I keep on drawing till today.
Who are your influences ?
- Everything /everyone around me.
What;s one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
- A character I created called 'POORBOY', hairy body, sharp teeth, and having a sad face.
What medium do you mainly use ?
- All kind of markers.
What keeps you up at night ?
- When I have all these things together, marker, paper, music and beer.
https://www.facebook.com/POORBOYLIFE
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
When the going gets tuff......... PART 1
When
the
going
gets
tuff......... PART 1
So Its been a while since the last post, Summer was pretty busy. But its back to business, I have put together two back to back issues to make up for the long absence......don't worry......
ART
How early in your life did you start making art ?
My Mom always loved drawing, going to art museums, and the very idea of art, creating, and what those things mean. Because of that, I was exposed to all kinds of work very early on and began developing my own interests in visual art. With her encouragement I probably started drawing and painting regularly when i was 6 or 7 and I haven't stopped since.
Who are your influences ?
Because the process of making work is so fluid and different depending on how i feel or what the piece is about, I go through phases of who my "favorite artists" are, but if I had to pick a few who have influenced me and inspired me pretty continuously, I'd have to say the photographers Sally Mann, Bill Henson, and the painter Gottfried Helnwein. It doesn't matter how many times I look at each of their bodies of work, I am always moved and inspired by them all. Henson's series The Paris Opera Project and many of his photos from another Untitled series really changed the way I thought about how I used light and color in my work. Sally Mann's photographs often revolved around her family, but she is never scared to show the ugly or unhappy side of family life, or the darker side of life in general. Her openness and honesty is something i deeply appreciate. Though Gottfried Helnwein's work is generally a different style of painting than my own, his subjects are always a bit strange, disturbing, and even scary at times; which is something I am always drawn to. There is a lot that we all have to deal with throughout the course of life that is troubling, uncomfortable, and difficult to face and Helnwein delves into those things head on, and always depicts each scenario in an unusual and interesting way.
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
No matter the medium I'm using, I have always been more interested in, and inclined to make work about people and my relationships with those around me. For me, Art is a means to understand the way I feel about something, grasp a better understanding of a difficult situation, and sometimes its just about preserving a moment. Because i hold my friends and family so dear, people end up being the majority of my subject matter.
What medium do you mainly use ?
I went to school as a Photography Major but often include painting, drawing, and experimental mixed media in my work. I use whatever material is most effective in describing the subject, look, and feeling of what i am trying to create.
What keeps you up at night ?
Oh, so many things, but I'll just say the simultaneous fear and excitement of Tomorrow.
Bess Garison
How early in your life did you start making art?
I can’t ever remember a time in my life when I wasn’t making art. I’ve been beading since I could thread wood beads on yarn, carrying a camera around since I was eight, and have always been creative. If something can be made, I am determined to make it.
Who are your influences?
Alice Neel, Larry Clark, Lucian Freud, Tara Donovan, Kenton Nelson, Ian Shults, Dan Havel and Dean Ruck, Megan Tipps, Shelby Hohl, Tamera Lichtenstein, Alex Goss, and my friends are the subjects for my photography. I also believe it is important to recognize and be influenced by artists whose work isn’t on display in New York art galleries. I have been disappointed by a couple of my professors insisting that if your work isn’t in New York that you aren’t considered talented. As an artist, I believe it is important to recognize everyone and be inspired by local artists that are just as talented as the artists featured in Artforum and New York galleries.
What’s one of your favorite subjects to draw?
I struggle with getting proportions correct, but I really enjoy drawing the human figure. Each person is different and so you have to constantly take the individual differences of the figure into consideration as you draw.
What medium do you mainly use?
My media changes so often, but lately, acrylic and oil paints, conté sticks, and pencil.
What keeps you up at night?
Stress and my kitten, Scout.
for more information on Bess Garison go to http://bessgarison.weebly.com/
MUSIC
Weird Beer and Zzzz's
A newly formed Hip-Hop Duo from Houston,Texas.. humorous, head-bobbin, fun hip hop. not too serious not too playful just right. the kind of music we like to taste.
How many members are there ?
There are 2 members.
Who are they ?
Weird Beer (Derek Lynn) and Zzzs (Ashley Clos)
who are your influences in this project?
Zzzs: Since we've only recorded two songs, it's hard to say, but rhythmically there is some Slug (Atmosphere) influence sprinkled with Yoni Wolf, Eyedea and maybe Azealia Banks...? I think Azealia is influencing an attitude in "I Need A Hug" more than anything.
Weird Beer: I'm all over the place with influences but as far as producers go : Kanye West, 40, Q-Tip, Just Blaze, The Neptunes, and Rick Rubin are all pretty important to me.
who were your influences in the past music projects?
Zzzs: I was in a Weezer tribute band (The Sweaters), so I'd say there was only one influence there--Jewel. Just kidding. It was Weezer. I was also in a band in high school with my two best friends (Corey Smothers and Molly Sherman) called Wrinkly Johnson. We were ultra gross, not to be taken seriously by any means, but we used a typewriter as a percussion instrument, which I thought was really innovative.
Weird Beer: I've mostly been in rock bands in the past and as far as those go Ethan Durelle from Waco,TX has always been a big part of shaping the stuff I play. I play drums in a band at the moment and the motorik beat the dude from Neu! invented is pretty much my bread and butter.
How long have you guys all known each other?
Zzzs: I met Derek this summer--May, I think. We vibed immediately, so it feels like I've known him longer. Old pals.
Weird Beer: What she said.
Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?
Zzzs: In a way Derek and I work independently from each other in the beginning of the process. I come in with a couple of verses written that still need some work. I'll explain to him what the song is about, e-mail him my verses, and he usually pulls a beat from his library that magically fits (that's how it happened for 'I Need A Hug'). For 'He Should Know' I sent him my verses and he created the beat afterwards and totally nailed the mood I was hoping for. Once we start recording that's when the majority of collaboration happens; he'll tell me what needs fixing, we'll solidify the lyrics, I'll throw out some ideas for vocal effects and stuff.
Weird Beer: Like Ashley said we both do a lot of work separately but when it comes time to record it's 100% a team effort. By the time we're done it feels like both our fingerprints are all over it.
What is everyone listening to right now ?
Zzzs: I've been listening to ChannelOrange, specifically Andre 3000's verse on 'Pink Matter'. I just listen to that verse over and over. The whole album is pretty killer, but somehow that one verse just blows my mind and overshadows everything else. It's the climax on ChannelOrange, in my opinion. Besides that, Gwen Stefani's first solo album.
Weird Beer: I just started watching Twin Peaks so i've been listening to the theme from that show over and over again.
Micro Fiction
by Jonathan Jackson
the
going
gets
tuff......... PART 1
So Its been a while since the last post, Summer was pretty busy. But its back to business, I have put together two back to back issues to make up for the long absence......don't worry......
Ariana
Katechis
How early in your life did you start making art ?
My Mom always loved drawing, going to art museums, and the very idea of art, creating, and what those things mean. Because of that, I was exposed to all kinds of work very early on and began developing my own interests in visual art. With her encouragement I probably started drawing and painting regularly when i was 6 or 7 and I haven't stopped since.
Who are your influences ?
Because the process of making work is so fluid and different depending on how i feel or what the piece is about, I go through phases of who my "favorite artists" are, but if I had to pick a few who have influenced me and inspired me pretty continuously, I'd have to say the photographers Sally Mann, Bill Henson, and the painter Gottfried Helnwein. It doesn't matter how many times I look at each of their bodies of work, I am always moved and inspired by them all. Henson's series The Paris Opera Project and many of his photos from another Untitled series really changed the way I thought about how I used light and color in my work. Sally Mann's photographs often revolved around her family, but she is never scared to show the ugly or unhappy side of family life, or the darker side of life in general. Her openness and honesty is something i deeply appreciate. Though Gottfried Helnwein's work is generally a different style of painting than my own, his subjects are always a bit strange, disturbing, and even scary at times; which is something I am always drawn to. There is a lot that we all have to deal with throughout the course of life that is troubling, uncomfortable, and difficult to face and Helnwein delves into those things head on, and always depicts each scenario in an unusual and interesting way.
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
No matter the medium I'm using, I have always been more interested in, and inclined to make work about people and my relationships with those around me. For me, Art is a means to understand the way I feel about something, grasp a better understanding of a difficult situation, and sometimes its just about preserving a moment. Because i hold my friends and family so dear, people end up being the majority of my subject matter.
What medium do you mainly use ?
I went to school as a Photography Major but often include painting, drawing, and experimental mixed media in my work. I use whatever material is most effective in describing the subject, look, and feeling of what i am trying to create.
What keeps you up at night ?
Oh, so many things, but I'll just say the simultaneous fear and excitement of Tomorrow.
Bess Garison
How early in your life did you start making art?I can’t ever remember a time in my life when I wasn’t making art. I’ve been beading since I could thread wood beads on yarn, carrying a camera around since I was eight, and have always been creative. If something can be made, I am determined to make it.
Who are your influences?
Alice Neel, Larry Clark, Lucian Freud, Tara Donovan, Kenton Nelson, Ian Shults, Dan Havel and Dean Ruck, Megan Tipps, Shelby Hohl, Tamera Lichtenstein, Alex Goss, and my friends are the subjects for my photography. I also believe it is important to recognize and be influenced by artists whose work isn’t on display in New York art galleries. I have been disappointed by a couple of my professors insisting that if your work isn’t in New York that you aren’t considered talented. As an artist, I believe it is important to recognize everyone and be inspired by local artists that are just as talented as the artists featured in Artforum and New York galleries.
What’s one of your favorite subjects to draw?
I struggle with getting proportions correct, but I really enjoy drawing the human figure. Each person is different and so you have to constantly take the individual differences of the figure into consideration as you draw.
What medium do you mainly use?
My media changes so often, but lately, acrylic and oil paints, conté sticks, and pencil.
What keeps you up at night?
Stress and my kitten, Scout.
for more information on Bess Garison go to http://bessgarison.weebly.com/
Weird Beer and Zzzz's
A newly formed Hip-Hop Duo from Houston,Texas.. humorous, head-bobbin, fun hip hop. not too serious not too playful just right. the kind of music we like to taste.
How many members are there ?
There are 2 members.
Who are they ?
Weird Beer (Derek Lynn) and Zzzs (Ashley Clos)
who are your influences in this project?
Zzzs: Since we've only recorded two songs, it's hard to say, but rhythmically there is some Slug (Atmosphere) influence sprinkled with Yoni Wolf, Eyedea and maybe Azealia Banks...? I think Azealia is influencing an attitude in "I Need A Hug" more than anything.
Weird Beer: I'm all over the place with influences but as far as producers go : Kanye West, 40, Q-Tip, Just Blaze, The Neptunes, and Rick Rubin are all pretty important to me.
who were your influences in the past music projects?
Zzzs: I was in a Weezer tribute band (The Sweaters), so I'd say there was only one influence there--Jewel. Just kidding. It was Weezer. I was also in a band in high school with my two best friends (Corey Smothers and Molly Sherman) called Wrinkly Johnson. We were ultra gross, not to be taken seriously by any means, but we used a typewriter as a percussion instrument, which I thought was really innovative.
Weird Beer: I've mostly been in rock bands in the past and as far as those go Ethan Durelle from Waco,TX has always been a big part of shaping the stuff I play. I play drums in a band at the moment and the motorik beat the dude from Neu! invented is pretty much my bread and butter.
How long have you guys all known each other?
Zzzs: I met Derek this summer--May, I think. We vibed immediately, so it feels like I've known him longer. Old pals.
Weird Beer: What she said.
Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?
Zzzs: In a way Derek and I work independently from each other in the beginning of the process. I come in with a couple of verses written that still need some work. I'll explain to him what the song is about, e-mail him my verses, and he usually pulls a beat from his library that magically fits (that's how it happened for 'I Need A Hug'). For 'He Should Know' I sent him my verses and he created the beat afterwards and totally nailed the mood I was hoping for. Once we start recording that's when the majority of collaboration happens; he'll tell me what needs fixing, we'll solidify the lyrics, I'll throw out some ideas for vocal effects and stuff.
Weird Beer: Like Ashley said we both do a lot of work separately but when it comes time to record it's 100% a team effort. By the time we're done it feels like both our fingerprints are all over it.
What is everyone listening to right now ?
Zzzs: I've been listening to ChannelOrange, specifically Andre 3000's verse on 'Pink Matter'. I just listen to that verse over and over. The whole album is pretty killer, but somehow that one verse just blows my mind and overshadows everything else. It's the climax on ChannelOrange, in my opinion. Besides that, Gwen Stefani's first solo album.
Weird Beer: I just started watching Twin Peaks so i've been listening to the theme from that show over and over again.
Anthony Reynolds
Who are your influences in this project?
It ranges from RJD2, DJ Shadow, Prefuse 73, Flying Lotus, Star Slinger, Tokimonsta, and Hudson Mohawke
What got you into making Electronic Music?
It started when I was in college and I really got into electro house, because that was big at the time. I started DJing house parties and opening sets up for dance punk bands in San Marcos. The big leap from DJ to producer began when my friends in the band Zlam Dunk asked me to remix a song of theirs. It got some good hype, but I feel as if I've come a long way since.
How do you feel about the growing popularity of Electronic Music ?
It's great! Electronic music is the defining musical movement of our time, and many musicians have embraced it. The mainstream is going to eventually become bored with dubstep as it becomes more and more prevalent. This opens the door as to what is possible and what we will be hearing in the next few years.
What are you listening to right now ?
Oh man, it's a mix of everything as I love music in general. Recently: Young Montana?, Fancy Mike, Zomby, EPROM, HEALTH, Lunice, Tokimonsta, Rustie....to name a few.
What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Oddly enough, Murder By Death at Fitzgeralds. I have been a fan of theirs since 2003, and I hadn't seen them since 2008. The last song they played, "Those who came," gave me goosebumps and left a chill running down my spine. It's a powerful song.
Whats the last thing you ate ?
A peanut butter and nutella sandwich on oat bread. About three of them.
Who are your influences in this project?
It ranges from RJD2, DJ Shadow, Prefuse 73, Flying Lotus, Star Slinger, Tokimonsta, and Hudson Mohawke
What got you into making Electronic Music?
It started when I was in college and I really got into electro house, because that was big at the time. I started DJing house parties and opening sets up for dance punk bands in San Marcos. The big leap from DJ to producer began when my friends in the band Zlam Dunk asked me to remix a song of theirs. It got some good hype, but I feel as if I've come a long way since.
How do you feel about the growing popularity of Electronic Music ?
It's great! Electronic music is the defining musical movement of our time, and many musicians have embraced it. The mainstream is going to eventually become bored with dubstep as it becomes more and more prevalent. This opens the door as to what is possible and what we will be hearing in the next few years.
What are you listening to right now ?
Oh man, it's a mix of everything as I love music in general. Recently: Young Montana?, Fancy Mike, Zomby, EPROM, HEALTH, Lunice, Tokimonsta, Rustie....to name a few.
What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Oddly enough, Murder By Death at Fitzgeralds. I have been a fan of theirs since 2003, and I hadn't seen them since 2008. The last song they played, "Those who came," gave me goosebumps and left a chill running down my spine. It's a powerful song.
Whats the last thing you ate ?
A peanut butter and nutella sandwich on oat bread. About three of them.
by Jonathan Jackson
ode to those that lose their selves in our happiness
Do
we allow those that are able to express themselves, when they are at their
worst to make ourselves happy or do we set aside our own happiness to allow
those that entertain us to lead life that dose not put them in harms way? I
pick the true happiness, which is that of my fellow human being, either man or
woman, young or old, black or white. For if not genuine, then why express it? But
if one is genuine, when at his worst, then so be it, cause one only knows one
thing and that is to be true to oneself.
So
be kind, oh baby be kind when looking for ones true happiness, cause it may not
be what you really want, but only what you think you need and to find a
relationship not base on ownership but something based a a mutual feeling of
acceptance, piece of mind and love. Because anything is possible and nothing is
impossible, when freedom comes into play. So believe and hope that the another
day comes to get it right this time, to make things right, with those that bend
their back to give us our piece of mind.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Your are your own Queen..........
Since We have started posting these, They have lacked a female presences. So we found a few brilliantly creative young women, asked them a few questions about where they get their inspiration from. These Three Women really enjoy what they, and they are very good at getting their ideas and thoughts across when it comes to their work.
ART
Nikoo de Scloctres
How early in your life did you start making art ?
I started almost a year ago. It came from a being heartbroken. Needed to do something and get my pain out in some way so i picked up some charcoal and started sketching. I actually have the pictures on my facebook. One is a self portrait and the other is the guy who broke my heart.
Who are your influences ? Lou Ros(Huge influence), Charlie Isoe, Jaybo Monk(LOVE), Jason Shawn Alexander, Best Ever, DOC, and a couple more...mainly the first four in that order 
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
Women. They are by nature beautiful, sensual, sexy, amazing, and so erotic. They are the ones who make us who we are. They are the ones who create life and nurture us. I love everything about them.
What medium do you mainly use ? I started with charcoal and oil pastel. I try to keep that in each piece. I mainly use acrylic now but have added aerosol lately as well.
What keeps you up at night ? I have insomnia really bad actually. My mind is constantly moving and coming up with ideas. I do some of my best pieces from 1-6am actually. I turn on my Pandora (Wolf Drawn station and just get going)
Gabriella Hulet
How early in your life did you start making art?I don’t know if you could call it art but I’ve been drawing all over everything for about as long as I can remember. Art in its various forms has been a significant part of my life since I was about 10, but it was only recently that I decided to pursue it as something more than a hobby.
Who are your influences?
Abdelkader Benchamma, Katja Davar, Oleg Dou, Vanna Bowles, Egon Schiele, Yosuke Goda, Andrea Zittel, Ernesto Neto, and Tara Donovan. I’ll leave you with that but the list could go on much longer.
What’s one of your favorite subjects to draw?
Ben Affleck. Just kidding. I really enjoy drawing hands, mainly due to the fact that for about the first 15 years of my life I went completely out of my way to avoid drawing them. All of the figures I drew back then would have their arms clasped awkwardly behind their back. They felt too intimidating a task to attempt at the time but once I conquered my aversion to them they became one of my favorite subjects.
What medium do you mainly use?
Watercolor, pen, and conté.
What keeps you up at night?
FASHION
ANYA LLYOD
http://chicledeanya.comhttp://
What made you want to become a designer ?Art inspires me. I’m a painter by heart, but I love fashion. Creating
my own line gave me the satisfaction of doing the best of both worlds.
In my own words, I feel like I’m creating sculptures you can live in.
I feel like my clothes are a reflection of my paintings. I usually mix
patterns and add an element of surprise. I’m a believer of mixing
crazy prints together. And honestly there was nothing out there I
wanted to wear or buy, so I decided to make them for myself.
Describe your style in three words
electronic adolescent patterns
What designers are you paying attention to right now ?
I have designers that I've always loved and followed like EleyKishimoto, Balenciaga, Marni. But lately I've had my eye on Mary
Kantrantzou, Jean-Charle de Castelbajac, and Martin Margiela (and not
cause of Kanye) .And I've always admired the lesser known brands like
CTRL,Manoush, and the local designers, because I see myself in that
category
Whats kind of garments do you enjoy designing most ?
Basically hoodies and leggings…which coincidentally is what I’m known
for. I do though like creating that one-of-kind pieces. Usually I
approach it like art, take fabrics and start sewing pieces together
until it becomes something amazing. Those are always fun and
definitely something I can't make again...performance art?! lol
for. I do though like creating that one-of-kind pieces. Usually I
approach it like art, take fabrics and start sewing pieces together
until it becomes something amazing. Those are always fun and
definitely something I can't make again...performance art?! lol
What keeps you up at night ?Twitter. My wii "just dance 2". And obsessing over the weather to determine whether if I should wake up early to wash my hair. These curls got to look fresh.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Everyday People Very Great Things
1.Art
Devin Finch.....
If you know Devin Finch then you know how great this interview went. enjoy! Devin would have wanted you to enjoy it.
Cowboys and Indians: How early in your life did you start making art ?
Devin Finch: I fucked around all the time as a little kid, mostly copying Sonic the Hedgehog comics and Dragonball Z screenshots. I remember drawing a really shitty 'sketch' of a giant pair of titties when I was around 6. And in classic little kid fashion, it was just two big circles with two smaller circles inside. My aunt walked in on me drawing the shitty titties with her new boyfriend and started questioning me on what the fuck I was drawing. I panicked and quickly drew the shittiest, malformed rectangle on top of the titties and claimed it was a Monster Truck poster for my new Monster Truck Club. Nothing's changed really.
C&I: Who are your influences ?
DF: Lisa Frank. Garbage Pail Kids. Elliot's closet in E.T. 70's mech-heavy anime. Cute girls in 90s porn. Buzz's storage chest in Home Alone. Playboy cartoons from the 50's and 60's. Horror comics from the 50's (Tales From the Crypt and shit like that.) Old Hannah Barbera off-model toy packaging. The shows Peep Show and Larry Sanders. The Banana Splits.
C&I: What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
DF: Pictures of cute girls that look like they were printed on old comics then dropped in a puddle.
C&I: What medium do you mainly use ?
DF : Different colored pencils, one mechanical pencil and sometimes a shitty ball-point pen. Then tons of Photoshop rainbow explosions melted on top.
C&I:What keeps you up at night ?
DF: Drinking box wine and watching porn obsessively. Or depending on if I'm in a relationship or not, waiting till my girlfriend falls asleep so I can check her texts and find out she's cheating. Then masturbating again.
For more info on DEVIN FINCH go to ..... http://www.devinfinch.com/
Tra Slaughter ............
I had the chance to work this the gentleman, when I curated a show called the Mix, which is an annual show that a friend named,Tito Fabian and myself organize.
Cowboys and Indians : How early in your life did you start making art ?
Tra Slaughter: I remember 2nd grade, coloring with my teacher's assistant. We'd be assigned to color different words or pictures, and the T.A. would also color with us. The student that did the best job was awarded the T.A. colored piece... needless to say, I had quite the collection of her work! I also remember watching cartoon early Saturday mornings and drawing / coloring my favorite characters. Oh, and who (showing my age here) can forget "Picture Pages" with Bill Cosby. That was awesome!
C&I: Who are your influences ?
TS: My favorite artist at the moment is Charlie Isoe. Fantastic work. My girlfriend recently purchased one of his pieces for me, and it hangs in my studio. I look at it daily / nightly and truly inspires me. There are quite a few artists that inspire / influence me but, I'm also mostly influenced by just everyday life and the people that I encounter during my day-to-day.
C&I: What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
TS: My favorite subject to draw is people, and specifically faces. Faces of all types. I love the stories that a face can tell without saying a word. When I'm working on a painting of someone, it's as if I'm in a conversation with them, but a silent conversation. My favorite kind.
C&I: What medium do you mainly use ?
TS: I mostly work in acrylic, but I'm also a big fan of Oil Sticks. Graphite, Oil Pastels, and house paint are some mediums that I keep handy as well. Pretty much anything that will make a mark works for me.
C&I:What keeps you up at night ?
TS: The fact that I have to wake up early for work keeps me up... nah, seriously, odd dreams that I just can't seem to remember keeps me up. You know, you wake up out of a dream, and most people can vividly remember theirs... well, as soon as I'm awake, the dream / memory of that dream just vanishes. It's like the colors just running down the drain in a pool of water. It's actually very frustrating, as dreams are the true exploration of self, and yet, I can't seem to keep the light on.
Kristopher Kotcher
Is an Artist that I met in Austin,Texas. Kris and a friend of mine Adrian Landon Brooks (I will interview him in the next post of Still Playing Cowboys and Indians) were painting a mural on the side of this bikini shop called Eastside Bikinis. We sit down at a cafe down the streets and I ask the questions I ask every time I meet an new artist. This what he had to say.........
C&I; How early in your life did you start making art ?
Kristopher Kotcher :Well the earliest I can remember is in Kindergarden but maybe even before then. But when I was in Kindergarden I got in trouble for something and as a punishment I wasnt aloud to do Art hour or whatever and I got really upset and went to the other side of the class room and was crying. My Teacher Miss Thomas came over and felt bad so she let me go back and make art. It was my favorite part of the day. I still cry if someone try to take my art supplies away. Im a big baby. Boo hoo.
C&I :Who are your influences ?
KK: Well from a young age I was really influenced by the books I would read as a kid. I would always try to copy the drawings and that is really a lot of how I learned how to draw. I loved Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. My work is built off that child like imagination. I gain inspiration from other Artists as well. Ed Templeton, R. Crumb, Jack Teagle, Margaret Kilgallen, and Jon Boam are just a few Artists whos work really inspires me. I am also really inspired by Architecture especially European. I always look at pictures of different Houses to gain influence on how I draw them. Really influences come from all over. Just life.
C&I: What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
KK: I really enjoy thinking up new characters to draw. With my work I kind of have slowly over the years been building this little world all my own. With all kinds of different monsters, humanoid characters, little bird people, fish, Its fun to just keep expanding. I also really enjoy painting landscapes and villages.
C&I:What medium do you mainly use ?
KK: Well when I paint I use Gouache, Watercolor, and ink. But I also have been doing a lot of Sculpture work where I use plaster strips, felt, Antlers, and whatever else I find handy to make sculptures of my characters.
C&I: What keeps you up at night ?
KK:Well I used to have this problem where I had no patience and I had to finish a painting in one sitting and I didnt care if it kept me up all night long. I am kind of an obsessive person like that. I would stay up until my eyes couldnt stay open anymore. Luckily I have gotten a lot better about it. I spend alot more time on my work and being patient has helped me grow as an artist. I still do stay up late a lot working on stuff though. Its pretty much all I think about all the time. Its borderline unhealthy. Luckily I have a very understanding and supportive wife. Cause I do not think most would. I love her for that. Art and creating is my passion in life its like breathing.
find more of Kristopher Kotcher's work at
www.frenemylife.com
2. Music
J.Gangelhoff (Houston,Texas) Joe Gangelhoff is a person I have known for along time, but recently got to know a different side of Joe, the creative side, a look into a quite life of excited thoughts of a young man's mind. Since I hate describing what music sounds like, why don't you go a head and listen. See what words you can come up with.
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Latest tracks by /oeyjoey/joey
Shakey Graves (Austin,Texas) During Free Music week in Austin, Texas, I was introduced to a young man that goes by the name Shakey Graves. Walking in right before his set started a friend suggested we squeeze to the front. "I am down" I reply, little did I know I was about to be watch one of the best Singer/Songwriter acts in Austin,Texas. Armed with a small acoustic guitar, a kick drum (which he used to the keep the beat with his left foot) and a voice that you wouldn't expect a tall skinny white boy to have. He had the girls smitten after the first song.
3.Literature
by Mills McCoin (Houston,Texas)
Devin Finch.....
If you know Devin Finch then you know how great this interview went. enjoy! Devin would have wanted you to enjoy it.
Devin Finch: I fucked around all the time as a little kid, mostly copying Sonic the Hedgehog comics and Dragonball Z screenshots. I remember drawing a really shitty 'sketch' of a giant pair of titties when I was around 6. And in classic little kid fashion, it was just two big circles with two smaller circles inside. My aunt walked in on me drawing the shitty titties with her new boyfriend and started questioning me on what the fuck I was drawing. I panicked and quickly drew the shittiest, malformed rectangle on top of the titties and claimed it was a Monster Truck poster for my new Monster Truck Club. Nothing's changed really.
C&I: Who are your influences ?
DF: Lisa Frank. Garbage Pail Kids. Elliot's closet in E.T. 70's mech-heavy anime. Cute girls in 90s porn. Buzz's storage chest in Home Alone. Playboy cartoons from the 50's and 60's. Horror comics from the 50's (Tales From the Crypt and shit like that.) Old Hannah Barbera off-model toy packaging. The shows Peep Show and Larry Sanders. The Banana Splits.
C&I: What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
DF: Pictures of cute girls that look like they were printed on old comics then dropped in a puddle.
C&I: What medium do you mainly use ?
DF : Different colored pencils, one mechanical pencil and sometimes a shitty ball-point pen. Then tons of Photoshop rainbow explosions melted on top.
C&I:What keeps you up at night ?
DF: Drinking box wine and watching porn obsessively. Or depending on if I'm in a relationship or not, waiting till my girlfriend falls asleep so I can check her texts and find out she's cheating. Then masturbating again.
For more info on DEVIN FINCH go to ..... http://www.devinfinch.com/
Tra Slaughter ............ I had the chance to work this the gentleman, when I curated a show called the Mix, which is an annual show that a friend named,Tito Fabian and myself organize.
Cowboys and Indians : How early in your life did you start making art ?
Tra Slaughter: I remember 2nd grade, coloring with my teacher's assistant. We'd be assigned to color different words or pictures, and the T.A. would also color with us. The student that did the best job was awarded the T.A. colored piece... needless to say, I had quite the collection of her work! I also remember watching cartoon early Saturday mornings and drawing / coloring my favorite characters. Oh, and who (showing my age here) can forget "Picture Pages" with Bill Cosby. That was awesome!
C&I: Who are your influences ?
TS: My favorite artist at the moment is Charlie Isoe. Fantastic work. My girlfriend recently purchased one of his pieces for me, and it hangs in my studio. I look at it daily / nightly and truly inspires me. There are quite a few artists that inspire / influence me but, I'm also mostly influenced by just everyday life and the people that I encounter during my day-to-day.
C&I: What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
TS: My favorite subject to draw is people, and specifically faces. Faces of all types. I love the stories that a face can tell without saying a word. When I'm working on a painting of someone, it's as if I'm in a conversation with them, but a silent conversation. My favorite kind.
C&I: What medium do you mainly use ?
TS: I mostly work in acrylic, but I'm also a big fan of Oil Sticks. Graphite, Oil Pastels, and house paint are some mediums that I keep handy as well. Pretty much anything that will make a mark works for me.
C&I:What keeps you up at night ?
TS: The fact that I have to wake up early for work keeps me up... nah, seriously, odd dreams that I just can't seem to remember keeps me up. You know, you wake up out of a dream, and most people can vividly remember theirs... well, as soon as I'm awake, the dream / memory of that dream just vanishes. It's like the colors just running down the drain in a pool of water. It's actually very frustrating, as dreams are the true exploration of self, and yet, I can't seem to keep the light on.
Kristopher Kotcher
Is an Artist that I met in Austin,Texas. Kris and a friend of mine Adrian Landon Brooks (I will interview him in the next post of Still Playing Cowboys and Indians) were painting a mural on the side of this bikini shop called Eastside Bikinis. We sit down at a cafe down the streets and I ask the questions I ask every time I meet an new artist. This what he had to say.........
C&I; How early in your life did you start making art ?
Kristopher Kotcher :Well the earliest I can remember is in Kindergarden but maybe even before then. But when I was in Kindergarden I got in trouble for something and as a punishment I wasnt aloud to do Art hour or whatever and I got really upset and went to the other side of the class room and was crying. My Teacher Miss Thomas came over and felt bad so she let me go back and make art. It was my favorite part of the day. I still cry if someone try to take my art supplies away. Im a big baby. Boo hoo. C&I :Who are your influences ?
KK: Well from a young age I was really influenced by the books I would read as a kid. I would always try to copy the drawings and that is really a lot of how I learned how to draw. I loved Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. My work is built off that child like imagination. I gain inspiration from other Artists as well. Ed Templeton, R. Crumb, Jack Teagle, Margaret Kilgallen, and Jon Boam are just a few Artists whos work really inspires me. I am also really inspired by Architecture especially European. I always look at pictures of different Houses to gain influence on how I draw them. Really influences come from all over. Just life.
C&I: What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
KK: I really enjoy thinking up new characters to draw. With my work I kind of have slowly over the years been building this little world all my own. With all kinds of different monsters, humanoid characters, little bird people, fish, Its fun to just keep expanding. I also really enjoy painting landscapes and villages.
C&I:What medium do you mainly use ?
KK: Well when I paint I use Gouache, Watercolor, and ink. But I also have been doing a lot of Sculpture work where I use plaster strips, felt, Antlers, and whatever else I find handy to make sculptures of my characters.
C&I: What keeps you up at night ?
KK:Well I used to have this problem where I had no patience and I had to finish a painting in one sitting and I didnt care if it kept me up all night long. I am kind of an obsessive person like that. I would stay up until my eyes couldnt stay open anymore. Luckily I have gotten a lot better about it. I spend alot more time on my work and being patient has helped me grow as an artist. I still do stay up late a lot working on stuff though. Its pretty much all I think about all the time. Its borderline unhealthy. Luckily I have a very understanding and supportive wife. Cause I do not think most would. I love her for that. Art and creating is my passion in life its like breathing.
find more of Kristopher Kotcher's work at
www.frenemylife.com
2. Music
J.Gangelhoff (Houston,Texas) Joe Gangelhoff is a person I have known for along time, but recently got to know a different side of Joe, the creative side, a look into a quite life of excited thoughts of a young man's mind. Since I hate describing what music sounds like, why don't you go a head and listen. See what words you can come up with.
Latest tracks by /oeyjoey/joey
Shakey Graves (Austin,Texas) During Free Music week in Austin, Texas, I was introduced to a young man that goes by the name Shakey Graves. Walking in right before his set started a friend suggested we squeeze to the front. "I am down" I reply, little did I know I was about to be watch one of the best Singer/Songwriter acts in Austin,Texas. Armed with a small acoustic guitar, a kick drum (which he used to the keep the beat with his left foot) and a voice that you wouldn't expect a tall skinny white boy to have. He had the girls smitten after the first song.
3.Literature
This Dude Thinks He’s Jesus
by Mills McCoin (Houston,Texas)
I was practicing my short game in Omar’s front yard when he walked out to complain about the noise. Tim was drawing pictures and keeping bar from his lawn chair situated next to the record player but safely behind the tee box. He was serving Bloody Mary’s on this particular Saturday morning in July.
I chipped another ball. Omar grabbed my nine iron with anger and expletives asking that I no longer hit golf balls at his bay window. I grabbed his shoulder and said, “Hey, man... this dude thinks he’s Jesus.”
Omar was stunned, so Tim threw a paper airplane from behind the bar and hit him square in the belly. He unfolded the airplane and found a ticket to Benny Hinn’s Holy Spirit Miracle Service. He looked up at me with the joy of a boy trippin’ on Christmas. Tim cued up the record player to Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down by the School Yard” and thoughts of good old-fashioned trouble poured over Omar’s brain.
We ran around the yard like children until the song ended; then jumped in the car and headed to Rudyard’s to brief over beer and burgers. Omar was familiar with this crazy bastard, but I had done some “research” and felt the need to share. So I began to regale the mythology of Benny the Hinn.
Toufik Benedictus “Benny” Hinn is a smarmy mad man laying claim to special powers of healing given to him by God (specifically, the one from the Bible). He moved to Orlando and founded his first church in 1983, the Orlando Christian Center... which means that the arrogance of Benny the Hinn carried him so far as to open shop on Walt Disney’s turf. Normally, the idea of someone trying to compete against Walt Disney in a contest of “who’s got a bigger imagination” seems silly and predictable.
But back to Benny and his jet. The alarming success of his “healing services” has allowed Benny to relocate to Southern California’s Orange County with his family and television show, which is called “This Is Your Day.” The name of the show never changes. It’s always YOUR day.
Benny Hinn lives lavishly in his ten million dollar home and flies around to his various “miracle crusades” on his jet (I wasn’t just making a pun earlier- he actually has a jet that costs nearly $200,000 per month to operate). And he doesn’t just go to the local pentecostal church downtown. Noooooooooo. No way. There’s no money in that. This dude fills stadiums with people. And these “people” are either skeptics (like Omar and myself) or they believe he is actually a circus freak with magical powers. And on this day, Benny’s Traveling Bullshit Show was at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
We parked downtown two hours before the show started and left Tim sitting on the hood of the car- drawing, of course (he was our getaway driver if it came to that). We walked into the Toyota Center and Omar’s head began to change colors as he tried to take in all of the information from his new environment at once, like a child.
As expected, it was crowded; and it didn’t take long for me to get separated from Omar. I knew he would show up later though, so I wasn’t worried. I continued walking about by myself trying my best not to participate in the madness but failing beautifully. The scene was surreal. It was, in fact, a circus. When was the last time you went to church and the concession stands were open? Popcorn, peanuts, hot dogs, nachos- the usual suspects, but draft beer was not available. I was heart broken, mildly. Alcohol and miracles are not a rare pairing.
There was a table near the entrance where old women with blue hair were loudly selling books (no Bibles though) and other merchandise used to brainwash the obviously weak. Amongst the propaganda was a DVD that assured me if I believed in God (again, specifically the one from the Bible) and did whatever the DVD commanded me to- then my FINANCIAL CRISIS WOULD GO AWAY. I knew then that I was dealing with liars. Familiar foes of mine. And oftentimes, not foes at all.
In any case, I left the table and went to look for a seat before any of the old ladies could trap me with the magic they were hiding in their humongous hair. I found a spot halfway up, between a middle aged black woman who was already weeping and a middle aged Mexican woman sitting with her children who were eating cotton candy. I felt very cynical and caucasian.
The arena air smelled like a thousand different perfumes battling it out to see which one can remind me of church the most. Occasionally though, a pocket of stadium beer stench wafted into my vicinity and I would be reminded that our city’s NBA team plays in the very building where Benny Hinn was about to commit egregious fraud.
The service began with songs being sung by a patchwork choir-for-hire (Benny Hinn doesn’t have his own choir because that would require him to pay people money- so he works the sympathy gig and gets the voices for free from different churches around whatever town he’s flown to on his jet). All of a sudden, Benny Hinn appeared in front of the pulpit on the stage. I had no idea what was going on until I saw him. I didn’t understand the mechanics of his show... until I saw him. He was clad head to toe in white- like a klansman almost. Sporting tannish ostrich skin dress slippers with his white cruise director suit... I won’t lie, he looked godly. On his left was the music and on his right was a bullpen of pastors and other minions dressed in dark suits. Behind Benny was the choir. Earlier, when I said it was a circus- it got circus-ier.
The first act was an eleven year old girl that Benny called out of the audience to the stage. She looked like Rudy from The Cosby Show. Rudy proceeded to sing a song like a miniature Whitney Houston strung out on electric cocaine. It was pretty miraculous.
The next act was a heart-warming lesson from Benny on how to dodge the IRS. He actually talked about it. I was shocked. With his forked tongue, Benny said that all inquiries into his ministry had been concluded and he’s cleared to continue stealing people’s money.
The third act was a music/salvation combo. The music was wondrous and probably scored by Andrew Lloyd Webber or whoever does work for Jerry Bruckheimer. Benny climbed back to the top of his mountain and asked that everyone who had been “saved” by that point- stand up. Omar magically reappeared on the floor, five or six rows from the front!
Omar was the first to stand up then hundreds of others scattered across the Toyota Center followed suit. Benny applauded their salvation and commanded them to come to the front of the stage so that he might bless them- closer. Omar ran up to the stage like he was going to sit in Santa’s lap. Everyone stood silently during the blessing of “the new people”; all except Omar, who was wiggling like a puppy dog. After the blessing, I made eye contact with him and he joined me up in the cheap seats.
Then it was time for the wallets and checkbooks to come out and vomit forth revenue into the belly of Benny the Hinn. Buckets were passed around to collect all of the booty. I didn’t donate but Omar scribbled, “You are a fraud,” on the back of his business card and dropped it in the bucket with hopes of a free lunch. Benny continued to preach words that encouraged people to donate and assured them that they would get something back- someday. For crying out loud (which is what a lot of people were doing at the time), he wasn’t even being Karl Rove about it. He laid out his evil right in front of us... and people bought it. He hadn’t even performed a miracle yet!
But then he did- and that’s when the shit hit the private jet engine.
After the buckets were collected, Benny’s enthusiasm took a turn for the violent. His speech got darker and more condemning. Over and over again, he repeated exact phrases as if to cast a spell upon us. Then without warning, Benny screamed at the minions like a dirty old pirate, “Fire on YA!” and they all fell back into their chairs or to the ground. He did this several times while yelling and carrying on like a professional wrestler on pay per view.
And that was it- that was the “miracle”. After six hours, he “healed” what was essentially his entourage. You can’t “heal” people that work for you and call it a miracle. That’s flagrant. And the biggest surprise of all was that nobody asked for their money back. That’s what disturbed me the most. It wasn’t Benny Hinn that bothered me; it was the fools perpetuating his fraud. Benny Hinn simply manipulates people’s vulnerabilities for profit. He’s not the only one, so I can’t throw stones. But the people that “contribute to his cause”- those are the vipers. They are the ones aiding and abetting this con artist; and getting nothing in return but more lies.
If you ever see a man dressed in white with Bibles in his hands and dollar signs in his eyes- he ain’t Jesus.
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