This LA based artist talks about living in downtown LA and gets into a heated discussion on table tennis. He shows @FFDG April 1st w/ Derek Albeck.
This 28 year old artist who's living in downtown LA and a graduate of Cal Arts will be showing with fella Los Angeles-ite Derek Albeck at Fecal Face Dot Gallery in April. We wanted to see some of his recent work and see what makes him tick before we let him in our tiny gallery... He prefers whiskey over beer and table tennis over machine gunning. We like him already.
Describe your process of creating a new piece.
I usually I figure out what size of paintings I want to make. Build the panels. Then go out and shoot a ton of photos. I'm always observing and creeping out on my surroundings. After that I sort through what I have collected then get to work.
What materials do you normally work in?
Ink and watercolor on wood panel and paper. So nice!
There's a lot of fix gear-ness in your recent work. I take it you ride a bunch there in LA. How has traffic been receptive to more bicycles? Here in SF we have a strong bicycle collolition. Are cyclists organized much there?
Yeah, It's not only that I enjoy riding, there has been a change in society with bicycles and it is a really good thing, especially for LA. The only thing is that traffic and people that drive cars from my experiences have not taken it too well. People are aggressive. Over the past year or so there has been a strong organization of people riding from all over Southern California and is because of what the North has started. We need more bike lanes and happy people.
If you had to explain your work to a stranger, how would you do it?
I make art. I work with my surroundings and what I am involved with at that time in my life. At the moment I am making paintings and have been playing with installation and peoples neglected treasures and trash.
Favorite piece of clothing right now?
My Levis
How long have you lived in LA and what brought you there?
A year and a half. It made sense to move to downtown, I could have a studio/live space, it was active and I could put my car to rest.
Where did you grow up?
Pomona, CA
What do love most about living in downtowd LA?
That's a hard question. The fact that every time I step outside I can never expect what I will see or end up doing.
Seems like more and more people are moving back downtown LA. What has it been like for you since moving?
I enjoy it. The community is growing. I can ride, eat, paint, sleep, drink and not leave down town if I don't have to. I believe most people were hesitant due to the past perceptions of downtown, with skid row and all. But with all the renovations, staples center and all the rest of the nonsense they are building people are coming back with comfort. There is the fortunate and less fortunate, and literally only a street away from each other.
What's your perception of the LA art scene these days?... Or at least what you've seen/ experienced?
Not too sure. There is some really good art going on but most of it out of LA.
Baseball, football, table tennis, or machine gunning?
Table Tennis
If I came out for a visit what would we do/ where would you take me?
Go check out some museums/ art shows. Ride, eat some good food. Play some wii. Then go grab some drinks and who knows from there.
What are you really excited about right now?
To be making art.
When are you the most productive?
Definetly at night.
Favorite trip taken?
My honeymoon in Europe for a month.
Music?
Kitsune Noir mixcasts.
What were you like in high school?
Pretty mellow.
Upcoming projects and/ or upcoming shows, etc...?
As for shows, I will be showing with Derek Albeck at Fecal Face Dot Gallery opening April 1st. In July I will be headed to Barcelona for a solo show at a space called Miscelanea. There are a couple of things in the oven right now, but recently I finished some illustrations for a Japanese clothing company called Vulture Journal Standard, which will be released soon in Japan.
Be sure to check Marco who's showing with Derek Albeck opening April 1st in San Francisco at Fecal Face Dot Gallery.
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