SPOE
Interview with the French artist

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Interview with Spoe, the French artist based in Biarritz, France.

Spoe is a French artist I know from Biarritz, a city located in the South of France where I was visiting my mother and brother (hi family!).
Among other things, Spoe is a photographer, graphic designer and new school surf shaper. You get it, the guy is cool.
More artworks by Spoe.

Spoe with one of his shaped surfboard

Spoe with one of his shaped surfboard

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
My name is Paruite Tibo a.k.a SPOE, a freelance artist & graphic designer born in Paris and living in Biarritz (France). I come from the 90’s graffiti era, started working in the skateboard industry in 1999 before graduating from the art school L’ ESAHDAR in 2002.

Various screen-prints by Spoe

Various screen-prints by Spoe

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
Mixed media: i’m working on pictures (in the large sense of the word). It covers painting, sculpture, photography, urban ambitions, typesetting, layout. The media are various with a folk influence. The work gives a speech tinged with folk influences. The mass is crystallized between crisis and lightness, tip the happiness over the edge (editor’s note: yes, sometimes Spoe talks like an artist).

Artworks by the Biarritz-based artist Spoe

Artworks by the Biarritz-based artist Spoe

PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR WORKING PROCESS
Usually everything start with a photo i take (my camera is like a post-it for me, it’s where i keep my notes & things i saw, or people’s face i like). Then I draw the picture i like and add distortion & mechanical elements (i ‘m into it since i started industrial drawing in school). I’m into real painting action on 100x80cm media, and i love accumulation of geometrics and colors. Each picture has an story (personal or not). i’m also shaping surfboards in a new school way. No fins or rocker… This is a really creative research, more like graphic design, with rules but you can play with the lines and volume.

NYC mixed-media artwork

NYC mixed-media artwork

HOW DOES YOUR ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCE YOUR ART
Every morning I open my eyes with hunger to know more (ok almost every morning). I love to read old technical books, looking for new lines or new process… I guess my biggest influence is my education, the way I learned to do things and to see the world. I’m fatherless and one of my grandad was a painter, the other was a technical manager (in mechanic and electricity). I’m kind of a mix of them both. Recently i was working with Photography of a B-boy kid[/caption]

WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Lichtenstein
  • Rosenquist
  • Jasper Johns
  • Gaugin
  • Micallef
  • P. Pasqua
  • C. Harrigton
  • M. Brockman
  • D.Carson
  • W. Klein

    • A. Rodchenko

and much more…

ANY LAST WORD?
To be continued… Search is on

TRISTAN KERR
Interview with the Australian artist

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Interview with Tristan Kerr, a font artist based in Adelaide, Australia.

When I was in Adelaide for my Longing To Be Knotted Together tour, I met a cool, soft and educated artist named Tristan Kerr.
Cool, soft, and educated ? I swear I was in Australia. The talented and civilized artist is a font master, and I was happy to exchange some of my screen-prints with a couple of his beautiful artworks.
Living in Bali, I dream about an Australia with more Tristan Kerrs, and less shameless bogans (I mean stupid, pretentious, ignorant, and drunk bogans. I mean cricket & footy enthusiasts). Enjoy tasty treats.
Buy Tristan Kerr artworks

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
My name is Tristan Kerr, I’m a graphic designer come screen-printer. I’m Australian made but Swiss trained.

Various screen-prints by the Australian artist Tristan Kerr

Various screen-prints by the Australian artist Tristan Kerr

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
My work is often a mash of different vintage influences such as Hand Sign writing, nostalgic graphic icons, and 50’s advertising slogans.

Font experimentation printed on a wood deck by Tristan Kerr

Font experimentation printed on a wood deck by Tristan Kerr

PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR WORKING PROCESS
My Art is always hand-made from start to finish. From hand illustrating the design/typography, to hand screen-printing the finished piece. My traditional screen-print process allows me to work completely computer free.

Artwork by Tristan Kerr

Artwork by Tristan Kerr

HOW DOES YOUR ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCE YOUR ART
Traveling is a big part of my life, so changing environments continually inspire me. Living in new environments have helped spark new idea’s and approaches to my application of art, whether it’s a Hand Screen-printed poster or a Street Art piece.

Artifact, is a poster by Adelaide artist Tristan Kerr

Artifact, is a poster by Adelaide artist Tristan Kerr

WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?

  • Steve Powers
  • Jeff Canham
  • Grotesk
  • Lowrider
  • Numskull

http://vimeo.com/23851193

Monster Named Me
NEW WEB PICK

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Free and exclusive preview of Monster Named Me.

NewWebPick e-magazine is one of the most popular and reputable information exchange platform for the design industry in the world.
Their mission is to set up a designer’s platform for showing the global pioneer artwork, collecting the latest international design news, evaluating the design trend for in any period.
They just released their # 35 issue named Monster Named Me, and as I was part of the previous one, it has to be good (the #34 was totally amazing) 😉
More about New Web Pick new issue.

Artwork released for the 35 issue of New Web Pick

Artwork released for the 35 issue of New Web Pick

Exclusive preview of an illustration done for the Monster named Me issue

Exclusive preview of an illustration done for the Monster named Me issue

Photography art done for the 35 issue of the e-magazine

Photography art done for the 35 issue of the e-magazine

Artwork you can see in this Monster Named Me issue

Artwork you can see in this Monster Named Me issue

Blu
STREET ART OF THE WEEK

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Portfolio of the italian street artist Blu.

I like street art.
Every Friday, your favorite collection of art in the street.
This week, best street artist alive: Blu.
The street artist started to become notice after a series of urban paintings in Bologna, Italy, in 1999.
His innovative and inspiring street art style became famous around the world when he started to release animated videos.
In the mid-2000’s, his artworks also stated to be showcased in art galleries around the world.
Don’t forget to check the video bellow to watch the amazing video of the animated street painting by the Italian street artist.
More about the inspiring artworks of the Italian street artist Blu.
More amazing street art inspiration.

Artwork by the Italian street artist Blu

Artwork by the Italian street artist Blu

Collaboration with the Brazilian duo Os Gemeos in the streets of Lisbon in Portugal

Collaboration with the Brazilian duo Os Gemeos in the streets of Lisbon in Portugal

Blu went to Buenos Aires to paint huge street artwork on the walls of Argentina's capital city

Blu went to Buenos Aires to paint huge street artwork on the walls of Argentina’s capital city

Street art painted on a Brooklyn wall

Street art painted on a Brooklyn wall

Blu street artwork in the streets of Warsaw

Blu street artwork in the streets of Warsaw

BEASTMAN
Look See Exhibition

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Beastman is doing a new exhibition in Australia.

Piece painted by the Australian street artist for the Look See Exhibition.
The exhibition will be held at the Watt Space Gallery in Newcastle, Australia.
Make sure that you also check this really cool interview with Beastman I did exclusively for this blog..
I explained more about his inspirations, his working process, and tell us about how he developed his unique graffiti style.
Discover more inspiring artworks by the Australian street artist Beastman.

The Thing That Should Not Be, artwork by the Australian street artist Beastman

The Thing That Should Not Be, artwork by the Australian street artist Beastman

Poster for the Look See exhibition in Australia

Poster for the Look See exhibition in Australia

Artworks for a skateboard series

Artworks for a skateboard series

http://vimeo.com/27424960

JASPER WONG
Interview with the Hong Kong artist

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Hong Kong artist Jasper Wong tell us more about his artworks and working process in this exclusive interview.

I don’t like to say nice words unless I really mean it.
That being said, Jasper Wong is one of the nicest, coolest, truest and funniest guy I’ve met in the past 10 years (don’t ask me why I chose 10).
If you are Australian and like footy, Jasper looks exactly the same like Bobby Hundreds (come on Bobby is a big black dude, isn’t he?).
But if you are Mega, Jasper looks like the awesome guy who get his artwork tattooed on the leg.
Fresh off the golden jet-plane flying from his Hong Kong-based gallery called Above Second, Jasper recently went to Melbourne where he was invited to paint at the Carbon event organized by Acclaim magazine.
I was doing my exhibition there too, as an official part of the event, and the whole thing was hosted at Federation Square.
I’m still wondering why we didn’t get more chicks with so much awesomeness…
The answer may be green and smokable.
Now while I think about a way to tell you more about his gallery, you should take a look at the beautiful artworks bellow.
I guess I need to do more posts about Jasper and his many activities.
Did I tell you about the Pow Wow event he organize in Hawai?
More about the Hong Kong artist Jasper Wong.
More about Above Second.
More about Pow Wow.

Series of artworks exhibited by the Hong Kong artist Jasper Wong

Series of artworks exhibited by the Hong Kong artist Jasper Wong

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
I escaped from the womb with the name of Jasper Wong. I’m an artist, curator, writer, and I dabble in all sorts of tomfoolery.

Drawing by the Hong Kong artist Jasper Wong

Drawing by the Hong Kong artist Jasper Wong

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
Rainbows with a sprinkling of lasers and a dash of penis.

Jasper Wong did this clothing for Hurley

Jasper Wong did this clothing for Hurley

PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR WORKING PROCESS
Eat, shit, masturbate, and paint.
Just get down and dirty and don’t look back.

Bad Dads Hairdo is an illustration by Jasper Wong

Bad Dads Hairdo is an illustration by Jasper Wong

HOW DOES YOUR ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCE YOUR ART
My eyes are always open. I’m always looking and drawn to the most random bits of life. The environment is my biggest resource and lover.

Painting by Jasper

Painting by Jasper

WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?
Just off the top of my head, I absolutely dig folk like:

  • Darger
  • Haring
  • Nara
  • Aida

and the list goes on and on. I’m constantly finding new influences.

ANY LAST WORD?
I love MEGA!

Media coverage of the Longing To Be Knotted Together exhibition

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Media coverage of the Longing To Be Knotted Together exhibition

My Longing To Be Knotted Together touring exhibition is almost over.
Some of you may still come to the Marseille show on September 8th, but I thought it was time to look back at the media coverage I received for the event.

Some of the articles from this media coverage are in English, other in Chinese language, other in Indonesian, and more.
It feels great to receive such and international reception for this art project and exhibitions I did around the world in 2011.

A good opportunity for me to thank all the magazines, blogs, and most importantly the people behind the medias.
Thank you. THANK YOU!!! (just in case you didn’t get it in lowercase).
I wanna thank all of those who showed me love and support all along this journey, cause it wouldn’t have been the same without you.
You can click on every image to know more about the mag or read the whole related article.
I know, internet is quite magical.
I’ll post some of the big interviews I’ve done for various magazines in special posts during the next weeks.
Stay tuned.

Click on the images bellow for more informations about the international media coverage of my 2011 touring exhibition.

JAVIER DE RIBA
Interview with the Spanish artist

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Javier De Riba tells us more about his artworks in an exclusive interview.

When I was at in Berlin for my exhibition at Zirkumflex gallery, I met the spanish guys (sorry, I meant girls) from Lamono magazine, as well as Javier De Riba from Reskate!.
The man gave me what I must say was the best business card ever (made of wood covered with skateboard grip), and happened to be really cool. A good opportunity to practice a lil bit of spanish and talk about his projects. Now you are lucky too, not just because you are on the best blog ever, but because Javier will share some of his secrets with you. ¡Vamos!
More about the Nube Style

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Hop! My name is Javier de Riba and I’m a graphic designer, illustrator and reskater from Barcelona. I worked in some advertising agencies but now I’m working as a freelance. As there was no work, I involved myself in a personal project called Reskate! that makes me work with a lot of illustrators and learn from them.

Javier De Riba Reskate

Javier De Riba Reskate

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
I try not to have a particular style, to demonstrate myself that i can set out to do almost everything. This way I try what I like to do. These days I’m quite fond on lettering and liquid textures.

PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR WORKING PROCESS
I always start drawing by hand with different techniques and materials. Depending on the concept i use one technique or another. Finally i scan and make the final retouches on the computer.

No Hay Uno Sin Dos - Lettering artwork

No Hay Uno Sin Dos – Lettering artwork

HOW DOES YOUR ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCE YOUR ART
I try to collaborate and surround myself with different people who have interest in making creative things. This way we inspire each other and create a good atmosphere for creation. I also like to watch other people’s work on the internet because this makes me feel a good envy to move myself.

Framed painting

Framed painting

WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?
If i really like a work it reminds on my mind regardless who’s made it. I find myself more influenced by certain styles. From academic design to dirty and textured art.

Javier De Riba - Nube

Javier De Riba – Nube

ANY LAST WORD?
If i was about to die i would say: “amhhhh, Pin aprofita”. Pin is my flatmade and “aprofita” means in Catalan make the most out of your life.

Nube artwork detail

Nube artwork detail

Nube artwork detail

Nube artwork detail

HATEMACHINE 666
Interview with the Balinese artist

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Hatemachine 666 tells us more about his artworks in an exclusive interview.

The man behind Hatemachine 666 is my best friend in Bali.
When lunch time is ringing, I like to stop working and meet the talented artist and owner of the brand Stormbridge for a yummy balinese dish such as lawar (pork and pig’s blood with rice and spices) or be celeng (suckling pig).
Then we usually talk about some of our favorite topics like design, balinese culture, or girls (the married man is way more serious than me on that subject) with our friend Setiawan Tangsek.
We recently did a collaboration for his clothing line and produce the official outfits of my last touring exhibition Longing To Be Knotted Together.
Stay tuned because there is more collaboration to come, and I can guarantee that it will blow your mind.
Waiting for the new project to be released I’m happy to put some of his great work on my blog.
Matur suksma bli!
More about the Balinese artist Hatemachine 666.
More about Stormbridge.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF:
Hi, my name is Hatemachine666 and I live in Bali, Indonesia. I’m an illustrator as well as a graphic & apparel designer.
As a child I never received any formal training but Art is my passion.
I started from copying comic books, TV cartoon movies, nude pictures that I saw in my grand dad Playboy magazines (I discovered it in his treasure trunk and the images allowed me to learn more about female anatomy 😉 ). I never imagined that I would become a graphic designer or an illustrator cause at the time my dream was to become an astronaut. But Art was my real passion and I have been working as a graphic designer and illustrator for over 7 years now. I started right after I dropped my college at Indonesian Art Institute Bali ( I.S.I Bali ) and I’m working on apparel design, t-shirt graphics, CD covers, logos, posters, packaging design etc.

Hatemachine 666 avatar

Hatemachine 666 avatar.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
I can’t be too specific on that but I do love playing with skulls, nude women, flowers, snakes and all those ol’skool tattoo things. I then combine everything with a psychedelic, nouveau, or surrealist twist.

Duality - 6 colors screen print on black paper by Hatemachine 666

Duality – 6 colors screen print on black paper by Hatemachine 666.

PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR WORKING PROCESS:
I first draw a sketch of the concept I have, then ink it with markers before scanning it and finalizing the details on Photoshop. Sometimes I use a tablet that allows me to be more time efficient, but it all depends of the feeling I want to input in my work. Manual pratice is still the best for me I think.

Even the Great Should Fall by Hatemachine 666

Even the Great Should Fall by Hatemachine 666.

HOW DOES YOUR ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCE YOUR ART?
I grew up and live in Bali. It’s an island that still has deep beliefs in magic, ancestor spirits, god and goddess, demons etc. There is also a strong presence of traditional art with sculptures and paintings that I see everyday. All those things really have a huge influence on most of my works.

Killed By Butterfly by Hatemachine 666

Killed By Butterfly by Hatemachine 666.

WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCE?

  • Frank Frazetta.
  • Alphonse Mucha.
  • Jean Giraud a.k.a Moebius.
  • Charles Burns.
  • Alex Ross.
  • Pushead.

and more great artists.

Lady Muerte by Hatemachine 666

Lady Muerte by Hatemachine 666.

ANY LAST WORDS?

I always have this quote in my mind. It’s a short but meaningful one to me.: “I am still learning”. It’s from Michelangelo and those few words put me in the right state of mind to keep exploring my skills and improving myself. I hope it will inspire you too.

Cotton Candy Machine
JEREMYVILLE and BUFF MONSTER

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Cotton Candy Machine exhibition presents new artworks by Jeremyville and Buff Mosnter.

Tonight Friday August 5th 2011 Jeremyville and Buff Monster join forces for an exhibition at Tara McPherson new space The Cotton Candy Machine.
Silk screened prints, toys, and more surprises should make this Brooklyn show a nice event.
As they say, This event is sure to tickle you pink!

Jeremyville and Buffmonster exhibition show Cotton Candy Machine

Jeremyville and Buffmonster exhibition show at Cotton Candy Machine

Buffmonster sculpture

Buffmonster sculpture

Buffmonster drawing

Buffmonster drawing

Jeremyville artworks

Jeremyville artworks

Buffmonster vinyl toy

Buffmonster vinyl toy

Buffmonster print

Buffmonster print