Psychedelic Punx Interview | Respect the Dreamer
This interview was curated by START Shows
How did you get your Artist name?
I love painting in bright colors and creating little characters inspired by punk music.
How did you get into creating?
I’ve been creating since I was a child. I love the idea of making something that never existed before, it’s a cool concept.
Where are you from?
I hail from Fort Collins, Colorado!
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?
I’m lucky enough to live in an area filled with art and music so I was definitely inspired by those around me and what I hear and see out in the streets on a daily basis. The skate scene here in Colorado is also fantastic, lots of creativity in the skate community.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
It took me a long time to find my style. I never gave up, I kept creating no matter the circumstances and eventually something clicked. So nothing particularly advanced my knowledge or skill, just kept drawing and my skills/knowledge advanced naturally.
What does your current setup look like?
My studio is organized chaos. I have a bookshelf filled with spray paint and skate mags, my art covers the walls I have so much I’m running out of ground room to put them! My walls also have music posters and random stuff I like such as tiny toys or action figures, little free show flyers or magazine cutouts, postcards, set lists, an easel. You name it! I got a bunch of clothes projects scattered I want to work on. A drawing table, my alien mascot hanging from the ceiling. Have to have my speaker too, got to listen to music or podcasts while I paint.
Who inspires you?
There’s a slew of people and things that inspire my art. I love looking at all the graffiti and street art when I’m out it inspires me to create or gives me a good idea that I could incorporate into my art. My mom is a big inspiration she has been my biggest supporter. She literally is a walking piece of art. She dresses very bright and uses little toys, sequences, trash haha you name it! And makes herself little sculptures, clothing, jewelry, hats! She’s great.
What is your goal when you create?
To create a piece that I can be proud of and makes me feel accomplished is my only goal.
Why do you create?
I create because I have to if that makes sense. There something in me that when I come up with a good idea I must get it out. I have to create, it’s what keeps me happy.
How has choosing your creative path affected your life?
For a long time I didn’t think my art was good enough to be seen but I kept being told otherwise. So one day I decided to make an Instagram account for my art and the support just grew from there. Choosing to share my art has affected my life significantly! I am lucky enough to be a part of a local art collective here in Fort Collins, I got to have my art shown in a London gallery as well as NYC! I never would have guessed that my art would take me to New York not only that but being able to network with other creative people and talk with you guys! Never would have happened if I didn’t take a creative path. I have been fortunate.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?
I think the only real obstacles I have to deal with really is financially unfortunately. I try and find my canvases everywhere I can and use every thing from actual canvas, walls, cardboard scraps, leftover paper scraps whatever I can find to save some money! Spray paint is not cheap!
What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?
Vinum Sabbathi by Electric Wizard. I love doom metal the heavier the riffs the better! I grew up listening to lots of different genres of music. There’s so much good music out there how can you limit yourself to just one! But Black Sabbath (Ozzy years of course) have been my favorite band since the 7th grade. Once I heard doom for the first time it was the raddest thing to me. Doom and punk really inspired me to pick up guitar. There’s nothing that sounds quite like it and I like the unusual.
What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?
My ultimate dream is to make art for a living but I know that can be an extremely difficult task to achieve. The steps I am taking to make that dream a reality is really just gaining exposure, networking, selling some merch like clothes, pins, prints, stickers. Stuff like that.
What would you tell someone else with a dream?
Don’t let anybody stand in your way of making your dream possible. If there’s a will there’s a way.
Tell us about your most recent release
Most recent art show was Bam Red Dot Exhibition at One Art Space in NYC. It was fantastic to be a part of, I met so many cool people and got to see some incredible art!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychedelicpunx/
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