Describe your style in one sentence:
Sleek patterns, rough textures and vector shapes without complicating things.
Tell us a little bit about the pieces and the inspiration behind them:
Shady is an art print version of my concert poster for Simian Mobile Disco. I’ve always wanted to use the back page of our local paper (the escorts section) as a background or overprint and this was the perfect print to use it on. It gave it the perfect sleazy/sexy quality I was looking for.
Closing In came about one day in the woods just east of Snoqualmie Pass on a camping trip. We took a hike out to a waterfall and I just happened to look up at this particular moment and pulled out my camera. Later that evening, back at camp, I was sitting by the fire when the bats started buzzing our site and the idea came about to insert them into the future print that was resting inside my camera.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
Ninjas. Lots and lots of ninjas. On rooftops.
What was your first job?
In my teens I worked in my Dad’s shop as a machinist in Campbell, CA. He had a lot of technology clients such as Apple and IBM. I basically milled pieces of metal to spec. Senior year of high school I worked in a Juice Club (now Jamba Juice). The roar of blenders still haunts my ears.
What’s your process in creating a piece of art?
It’s a pretty simple formula for me. Develop ideas >>> Sketch out Ideas >>> Render sketches on the computer in Illustrator.
How did you get into skateboard design?
I’ve been skateboarding since I was 8. The industry was blowing up in the 80’s and the Bones Brigade ruled all. I remember going into the skate shops as a kid and being blown away by all the graphics on the boards. Now it’s just another medium for my art, just like snowboards, a print or a canvas.
How do you get inspiration for your gig posters?
As a seasoned concert poster artist, I usually ask myself just one question before starting on a design for a certain band. What does the music look like? If I follow this recipe, I usually end up creating something that works really well. I’ve learned my lesson creating designs early on that had little or no relation to the musicians.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
A deep beat with a catchy hook. Upbeat and definitely head-nod-able.
What music is rotating on your iPod?
Ratatat, MGMT, UNKLE, Ghostland Observatory, Amon Tobin, Simian Mobile Disco, Burial, and the new Bloc Party which rules.
What things have you seen recently that are going to inspire a piece of art?
That’s It That’s All – a snowboard film has sparked an idea for a new art print entitled “Butterflies”. Look for it in early 2009. Also, I want to continue the mountain peak series I started and do different mountain ranges with the names of the peaks and their elevations drawn to scale.
What’s the most unusual canvas you’ve painted on?
I was actually commissioned by a fellow artist to do a painting version of Shady. I clipped smutty newspaper ads for about a month and then lacquered them to the canvas. The painting was on top of those.
What is your favorite color?
Green and all shades of it.
Who are three artists whose work you admire and have on your walls?
Duane Armstrong, Aaron Horkey and Daniel Danger.
Can you describe your computer?
A G-5 Mac for my 9-5 job with a 23" cinema display. A 20" iMac at home in our den. A new black MacBook for travel purposes. I really like dark desktop images. They make whatever I’m working on pop a little more. Mainly I use the nature ones from the 3D art of digitalblasphemy.com.
What websites do you check out regularly?
gigposters.com, expressobeans.com, omgposters.com, seattletimes.com, cnn.com, imdb.com, netflix.com, stevenspass.com and the new vice, facebook.com.
If you had to design yourself a tattoo what would it be and where?
I’ve always wanted to get a tattoo but I’m way too indecisive to get something permanently inked on my skin. If it came down to it, I’d get some kind of Swiss cross on a shield with Edelweiss flowers surrounding it on my mid upper back. I figure my heritage could never go out of style and it will always be a part of me.
What are your most treasured possessions?
My flatfile and my passports (Swiss & USA). Everything else can be bought again.
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
Taco Bell. (A crunchy taco supreme and a bean burrito with no onions.)
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I just finished up the branding and web site for a friend’s company. I’m in this book and I’m currently participating in three shows into the New Year: Art of Musical Maintenance V, Screenprinting 102 and Lofi Performance Gallery.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
I’ve always been a big fan of Architecture. Designing something in 3D would be tops. I also love any kind of Sustainable Design.
Mike Klay
