Devin Lawson
Austin, TX, United States
Bio
Devin Lawson has two recurring motifs in his life – monkeys and burlesque ladies. While doing his associates in Animation at an Art school in Houston, his demo reel involved a monkey who had voodoo powers. For his first project as a freelancer he designed the website of burlesque stripteaser Miss Maulie. He’s since worked with Cafe del Mar, Thunderdog Studios and Ralph Lauren, but for his Infectious art piece for he had a yearning to revisit monkeys and burlesque. Check out his homage to to Dita Von Teese’s infamous martini glass striptease act and drunken fez monkey and see if he can tempt you into adding a little lounge style into your life.
Interview
Tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind your Car-tini design:
I’ve always been a fan of burlesque, lounge acts, cocktail parties and the high class retro life style. I used to love it when the James Bond marathons would come on… I would sit at home for hours and just soak in the martinis, the girls, and the ridiculous gadgets. Dita’s work is also a huge source of inspiration for me. As are so many others that pull that iconic retro style into modern day work.
What car would you most like to see your Infectious artwork on?
Aston Martin DB5 is the obvious choice and my dream car.
How did you come up with the name Spicy Donut?
Well I mentioned I was a nerd right? It’s a pretty obscure anime reference… It just seemed to fit me. Spicy and sweet and rather dorky.
What’s the most unusual thing that’s ever inspired a piece of your art?
I once did a piece that was 200 2”x2” variations of the Pillsbury Doughboy. I couldn’t tell you why I picked the Doughboy. But it had to be done.
What was your collaboration with Cafe Del Mar?
It was actually a bar concept designed in 3D. It’s supposed to be built in Dubai sometime this year.
What’s currently on rotation on your iPod?
ManMan, Herb Alpert, Brad Neely Songs, Gogol Bordello, LCD Soundsystem, Flight of the Conchords, Koop, Richard Cheese and Benny Benassi.
What websites do you look at for inspiration?
ffffound.com, deviantART.com, juxtapoz.com, behance.net, vinylpulse.com and threadless.com.
Who are the three most recent artists you’ve seen and loved?
Arthur De Pins, Audrey Kawasaki and Chris Sanders.
What are your vices?
Toys (especially Anime Gashapon, Dunnys and giant robots), White Russians, drinks in a coconut with a tiny umbrella sticking out of it, burlesque girls.
If you had to draw yourself a tattoo design what would it be and where on your body would you have it?
I’ve been trying to develop my own crest, something that would incorporate all my inspirations in one piece. I want it to become a visual representation of me and use it in all kind of unique ways like wax seals on envelopes and all kinds of weird Royal family type stuff.
Are there any upcoming projects you’d like to share?
I have a couple more ideas for Infectious and a couple of paintings in the works, so there will probably be some shows that follow that.
Any advice you’d like to give other artists thinking about submitting to Infectious out there?
Go for that idea that sticks in the back of your head for a while. That idea that keeps you smiling when you draw it in your head before you fall asleep.
8/12/08
