Blaine Fontana

Describe your style in one sentence:

Where the organic and urban landscapes meet to discuss surrealism, mythology and worldly folklore.

What’s the name of your Infectious art piece?

Urban Safari.

Tell us a little bit about the piece and the inspiration behind it?

I’ve become very interested in exploring the relationships with animals and urban environments. Juxtaposing Animalia with pop graphics and urban aesthetics creates a new discussion between two elements that are usually segregated.

Name three unique things in your studio.

My nest: I was pruning one of the bushes in front of the house in Bainbridge Island and I noticed a perfect bird’s nest that had been retired. It was one of the first of many gems we [Blaine and fiancée Eugenie Jolivett] have found around the forest here to decorate our house/studio. The nest is also a reoccurring image in my work. It has a duality of mobile domesticity.

My Dunny: was a project I did for Kidrobot’s release party last year at the Standard Hotel in Downtown LA. Designing it was one of the most fun and tedious times I’ve had working on a sculpture. It’s actually a three piece set – there’s a 3 inch red Dunny driving a white 8 inch Munny, which is driving the 22 inch Dunny.

My Buddha head mask: I picked it up at Syren in Long Beach on 4th Street. It just looks fucking cool doesn’t it?

What websites do you look at regularly?

coohunting.com, joshspear.com, youworkforthem.com, newstoday.com

What’s playing on repeat on your iPod this week?

It started with the entire re-mastered collection of Led Zeppelin, then went into the Mighty Mellow albums, volumes 1-3.

What book are you reading these days?

Alan Weisman’s The World Without Us. I just finished the “Polymer is Forever” chapter. The book is changing my life. It was recommended to me by a very talented artist, Josh Keyes. What’s so interesting is that his paintings totally reflect the author’s vision. Josh was doing this body of work before the book came out, but its so compelling to see Josh’s paintings as exact visual references for the book.

Name three artists you’ve recently seen and loved.

Seattle artist and friend Grant Barnhart, and rapidly growing LA artists, Tessar Lo and Nate Frizzell.

What was your last sketch?

It was a commission for a collector in London. The unique aspect about this client was that he sold a Banksy piece to obtain an original from me. That was some profound flattery.

If you had to change careers, what would be next?

I think about this all the time. Hands down it would be a landscape designer, then later on, a restaurant owner/chef.

Do you have a garden yourself? What’s your favorite thing to grow…trees, flowers or food?

I’m very passionate about caring for my bonsai collection, and starting in March I’ll be growing my own food and herbs.

Erik Otto’s been so kind to share that you’re an great cook…what’s your favorite dish to make?

Sushi.

Can you tell me anything about Erik that would make him blush?

I love him.

And finally, what animal do you find most fascinating?

The iracongi jellyfish. It is one of the worlds most elusive and dangerous assassins.

3/4/08