Can you share a bit about the pieces:
Unfinanced Love was originally an illustration for a charity postcard project called 28 Cents. At the time there was a big dog/cat food recall in China where people’s pets were being poisoned with poorly regulated pet food. I read that people were not able to seek compensation for the emotional distress of losing their pets. I used my family’s Jack Russell terrier, Petie for reference. He’s good dog.
I created The Dating Habits of El Chupacabra to release as a print with my El Chupacabra toy that I made with Kidrobot. My Chupacabra is really well natured creature, but he is really embarrassed about the fact that he can only eat goat blood. As a result, he stays away from the world for fear of persecution of his vampiric ways. He really loves to dance. Sometimes he uses his chupacabra powers to re-animate his victim’s skeletons and practice his moves. If he every meets a lady chupacabra, hopefully he will impress her with his dancing skills and get to take her home!
If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
I’m seriously bad at describing my own work and I hate the way it sounds when I do. On the surface, you might call it pop surrealist… Artist statement-wise, my work is a conversation of emotions and reflections of how I see myself in this world and how the world sees me. I filter through my influences from traditional tattoo art, vintage swimsuits, Masonic symbolism, fins, gills and flowers, to create a unique visual language. I’m fascinated by the occult and religious imagery, though I am more interested in playing with the meaning of symbols than using them as they are historically intended.
What’s your creative process when producing a piece of art?
For me, creating the image is just as much about the process as it is about the final product. I essentially break down the composition and build it back up again in the painting process. I use the computer to move around pieces of the rough sketch. Once I get the image planned out, I break it apart and I paint the composition in separate parts on paper. I often use Xerox transfers to copy my sketch onto Strathmore 500 paper and I like to paint with alkyds, which are fast drying oil paints. It’s all about building up textures. Then I collage the whole thing back together on wood panel, adding patterns and embellishment.
Could you share an image of one of your latest sketches?
Sure. Here is the initial sketch of one of my new paintings, ‘The Pits’ and the color study.
Would you share some unique things in your workspace that inspire you?
I have this amazing devil puppet I got in Amsterdam, and I have a bulletin board with layers of sketches and weird reference I’ve accumulated.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received in response to your work?
The New York Times Book review of Kidrobot’s “I Am Plastic”. Out of a 300 page coffee table book Steven Heller mentioned me (!) alongside Frank Kozik, Tim Biskup, Gary Baseman and Jim Woodring
What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
A bunch of Tara McPherson posters, River City Rebels poster by Becky Cloonan (one of my favorites) and some more prints by Geoffrey Darrow, Brian Ralph and Scott Campbell. I have some new prints from Jeff Soto and James Jean that I need to hang up.
What are you really into right now?
Harry Potter on audio book, True Blood, Garage Punk podcasts, and waffles.
What would be on your quintessential mixtape?
There would defiantly be a Ramones song, TV Party by Black Flag, Thumb Cinema by World/Inferno Friendship Society, Mr. Misery by The Aggrolites, Concrete Jungle by The Specials, One Step Beyond, 5 Descendents songs, The Cramps, The Meteors, some version of The Crusher, Say Anything by the Bouncing Souls, something by The Clash, The Sonics Sonics, I Want Your Skull by The Misfits and Cock Sparrer.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
The Sonics Sonics underwater, with a little Debbie Harry, and a little World/Inferno Friendship Society, circa 2003.
What websites do you check out regularly?
Fecal Face.com, The Daily Beast, Cute Overload and I love Flickr and Twitter.
What’s a memorable picture you can remember drawing as a child?
When I was in 3rd or 4th grade I made a little comic book called ‘The Adventures of Super Turtle’. It was about a red-eared slider turtle (because that was my pet at the time) that turned into a super hero when all the guppies in his pond disappeared. They were being held by goldfish gangsters.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
I am currently learning how to tattoo. If I had to do something completely different, I think I would do architecture, or maybe become a train conductor…
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I’m going to have a table at APE con in San Francisco this year. I’m also in a good group show out in LA in November. Other than that I am going to start really pursuing tattooing.
What’s your motto?
If you want something done, do it yourself.
