Photographer Interview: Kyle Scully
April 28, 2010 § 5 Comments
Kyle Scully is one of the best photographers in Vancouver. Here’s our convo.
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
I am 23 years old. I own five bicycles that I ride on a daily basis. I eat pizza. I listen to 60’s rock and I spend most of my time taking photos.
Were you into photography as a kid?
I’ve been taking photos ever since I can remember. As a kid I was living on a really steep street called Long Drive. It was similar to the ones in the movies with a scary name like “Dead Man’s Curve” or “Skull Smasher Hill”. Anyways, my friends and I used to race down the hill on our skateboards and bikes jumping off ramps. Taking photos of this craziness is how I first got into shooting photos.
I have never been to Vancouver, but it seems like a pretty rad place. How would you describe the city?
For me, Vancouver has everything I could want in a city: nice beaches, mountains, relatively warm climate, and it’s easy to get around by bicycle. Yes, it does rain a ton. And yes, it can be depressing at times but as soon as the summer rolls around you forget all about the last 6 months of rain.
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Artist Interview: Corey Thompson
April 23, 2010 § Leave a comment
I can’t even begin to tell how much I love Corey Thompson‘s sketchbook drawings. He’s got well over a dozen sketchbooks up on his website and might even have a few he’s hiding from us. Besides his killer sketchbook drawings, he also makes magnificent works of art on various size pieces of paper. Funky drawings + a colourful watercolour background will never disappoint. He printed some of his work in the form of a zine, titled I (One), which is available for purchase!
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
I live in Portland, OR and I enjoy making things: art, zines, doodles, hand drawn type, and whatever else I think of.
When did you start making art?
I grew up always drawing. I use to look at old comics and the art in them would always inspire me to draw. When I was younger I would usually draw epic stick figure wars and dudes that would wear monk-like robes. Been drawing ever since.
Artist Interview: Skinner
April 13, 2010 § Leave a comment
Skinner’s insanely detailed paintings are grotesque works of art I enjoy staring at! He’s been in dozens of shows and has a lot more planned for the coming months. So, you just know he’s been keeping extremely busy. Nevertheless he took time to answer some questions!
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
I am a vegan metal guy who likes strange and bizarre things… I like animals.. I hate authority and douche bag cops … I like taking mushrooms and climbing mountains. I love emotional moments when you see who Someone really is… I like stop motion animation and strong coffee and I fucking love the Melvins
What types of things were you into as a kid?
As a kid I was into anything fantastical and strange…scary stories, comic books, fantasy films, Dinosaurs, Sharks, The incredible Hulk…I really, really was focused on Sharks, dinosaurs, and the Hulk…then i saw Ultra man on TV one day and freaked out! it was the first time at 5 years old that i learned what time a tv show was on and coordinated my life to see it…then Godzilla of course…
Photographer Interview: Lukasz Wierzbowski
April 5, 2010 § 1 Comment
Poland-based Lukasz Wierzbowski is one talented photographer. Here’s our short conversation about photography!
Tell me a little bit about yourself?
Tall, blonde hair, blue eyes. 27 years old photographer.
Where were you born, and where are you currently located?
I was born and raised in a small town called Lubliniec (famous for a pretty good mental health hospital, women’s prison and military base). Few years ago I moved to Wroclaw to study social psychology and immediately have fallen in love with the city.
When did you pick up your first camera?
My father introduced me to photography when I was around 12. As far as I remember he tried to teach me how to us one of those heavy Russian rangefinder cameras. Although I was totally fascinated by the mechanism it was a way too complicated for to operate at that time so I quickly switched to my moms point-and-shot camera.
Artist Interview: Tyson Anthony Roberts
April 1, 2010 § 2 Comments
I have been a big fan of Tyson Anthony Roberts‘ work for a while now, so it was fun getting to know a bit more about him in this interview format! If you missed the video of Tyson creating one of his paintings, earlier this week, click here.
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
I live in Seattle but I am not from there. I grew up in Visalia (CA), went to college at UC Davis near Sacramento (CA) and moved to Seattle two years ago. I have also lived in Mexico City and have traveled through Central America. I have strong interests in science, ecology, biology, photography and of course… painting.
How’s life in Seattle? Favourite spot in the city?
Seattle is interesting in that you can go to a variety of different hoods and feel like you are in a unique little city of its own. For example, if you want an amazing pork sandwich you have to go to Paseo in the Fremont or Ballard areas (30-45 minute bike ride from where I live on Capitol Hill), but if I want Chinese or Pho, I’d have to go to the International District to do it right. As of now, my favourite spot in the city is the International District mainly because that’s where my studio space is located.
Artist Interview: Ryan De La Hoz
March 18, 2010 § 1 Comment
Ryan De La Hoz creates some really amazing drawings. Skeleton gloves, top hats, ladders to nowhere, and dripping piles of unknown liquids — you’re sure to see the originality in Ryan’s work.
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
I am twenty four. I had a big ball of positive energy as a child and I am trying to keep that rolling (and bouncing) until I am ninety-nine.
What’s it like living in San Francisco?
San Francisco is pretty. People don’t show up to events until 10 pm. I like San Francisco because it feels like a large city with plenty of culture and things to do but it is actually quite small. On a social level it often has a hometown feel. A collective of about 14 artists have a large space in the Mission District where they let me stay when I want and I am beyond lucky for that.
Has making art always been a part of your life?
Yes! I have the typical 80’s-90’s kid story. I would draw Magneto, the Ninja Turtles, Batman, Bucky O’ Hare, The Maxx, Spawn, and Captain America constantly. I only became “serious” about art as far as exhibiting-in the last 4 or 5 years.
Artist Interview: Kelsey Brookes
March 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
Kelsey Brookes creates some truly magnificent art. In the interview we talk about San Diego, the colour pink, and the text seen in his paintings — among other things.
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
Surf, Paint, Eat, Sleep. Not necessarily in that order. Hangin out with friends, loving my girlfriend, sneaking onto the golf course by my house, taking mushrooms in the park, going to the Symphony, going to the Museums in Balboa park.
How’s San Diego treating you? What’s the art scene like there?
I love this place right now. I had no idea there was an art seen in San Diego until recently. Its small but going strong. Its also nice that LA is not too far away.
Are you always in the mood to paint, or does it come and go?
Definitely comes and goes. Its cyclical like most other things in life. But I have been really amazed with how well creativity can work if you force it and work hard at it. I always thought it was such an intangible thing that would just have its way with you and leave you when it wanted but you can control and force it sometimes.
Blogger Interview: Ellie Snow of Mint!
March 10, 2010 § 1 Comment
Ellie Snow runs a design blog called Mint — a blog which is constantly updated with a ton of amazing content. Being named one of Times Online’s top 50 design blogs in the world! Mint recently went through a little re-design and it looks better than ever, so now you definitely have to take a visit! Besides the blog, Ellie also runs an online shop, called Hello Tenfold. There you will find all your custom paper goods. All images below are taken from her Flickr.
Handmade Mint business cards
Where did you grow up? What was your childhood like?
I grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. I rode my bike everywhere and spent a lot of time at the beach by default, but I was one of those weird kids who hated the beach. I read a lot and I was pretty quiet.
Did you go to design school?
No, I went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and majored in printmaking. Partly, I was intimidated by design schools when I was coming out of high school, but I also liked the idea of being able to take a bunch of random classes in all kinds of disciplines.
Tell me about Mint!
Mint’s my design blog, and I post a few times daily on art, design, handmade and vintage things. I started Mint soon after I began working as a graphic designer. I was spending a lot of time online trying to cram in a design education by studying other layouts and typography, and I wanted to start a blog to keep track of it all. Then I got addicted to the community aspect of blogging, and felt like a lot of doors started opening up for me.
Photographer Interview: Jeremy O’Sullivan
March 5, 2010 § 2 Comments
Interview with Beijing-based photographer Jeremy O’Sullivan. This guy has got a great eye for photography. The photos below will prove this statement.
Thank you very much for doing this interview Jeremy, especially because you can’t even reach the site, since all WordPress blogs have been blocked in China, as you mentioned. What’s that like, not being able to reach certain sites, since China has blocked them? Here in Canada nothing is blocked (as far as I know).
Well there are always weaknesses to any fortification (in this case ‘the great chinese fire wall’ being the intangible line in the sand), so it’s pretty common practice to access blocked sites in china via a proxy server. They can be a bit of pain to use but at least it rules out a total information void.
In saying that however it is a little disturbing how far these recent blockades are going now. I think Flickr might well be on it’s last legs in china, farm 3 & 5 have been blocked in Beijing for the last 6 weeks or so. The recent isolationist trend of the Chinese government (in regards to the online censorship of foreign sites) is not a cool ploy. The world needs a visible china and likewise the people of china need a continued opening up of dialogue with all of the rest of us.
Anyways, tell me a little bit about yourself!
New Zealand is my home, I grew up in a wooden house with roots stinging through its walls. Later my family moved to the seaside and penguin’s replaced the roots as our inner wall companions. I got a degree in sculpture and I tried my hand at art making for a while before falling into a more or less sedated life as a tape machine operator at a post production company. Through a somewhat odd tale of religiosity & riot I ended up tumbling my way to Beijing. That was about 3 years ago, currently I’m teaching kids language skills and marching noise skills at the aerospace institute. Photography is something that has grown out of these dynamics like a pole from a flag.
Artist Interview: Will Bryant
March 2, 2010 § 5 Comments
Will Bryant is an Austin-based illustrator with a knack for drawing really enticing things. I am insanely in love with all of Will’s creations. He’s also part of a studio called Public School.
collab with Jared Andrew Schorr
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
I’m happily married to my childhood sweetheart. I loved growing up in the 90s and still have an infatuation with Michael Jordan. I’m truly blessed to be able to make a living doing what I absolutely love.
What’s it like in Austin, Texas? Ever been to SXSW?
Austin is amazing. You have the aspects of a big city but the vibe of a small town. Loads of great food, music, and a great culture that’s continually growing. Solid vibes all around! And yes, several times. I started coming down for just showcases Gorilla vs Booze, Paw Tracks showcase, and then eventually for other free stuff.
Were you into drawing at a young age? If so, what types of things would you draw?
I was, but not just a whole lot. I mostly would draw sports figures, sneakers, profiles of dudes heads with varying facial hair.
