This Thursday there is yet another art showing at Upper Playround's 24SF gallery. Todd Bratrud's offering of small paintings and illustrations is titled 'Half Assed' along side Maya Hayuk's 'Forevers'. Todd combines skill and humor in a triumphant and modest way. Looking forward to my introduction to Maya Hayuk's work. Check it out if you can. Here's some links for those interested:
I'd like to proudly present Mini-Interview Thursday Special Guest Pea Hix! The man is a humble guy that knows his stuff, takes it seriously and can back it up! Some may know Pea as the Keyboard player and part mastermind of the Lo-fi (up till recently) Musical act Optiganally Yours. They have released two albums to date: 'Exclusively Talentmaker!' and 'Spotlight On' as well as appearances on several compilations including 'Better than the Beatles - A Tribute to the Shaggs' and 'Powerpuff Girls 'Heroes & Villains'. Keeping with a somewhat simple and stylized approach the group consists of only 2 members: Pea and Rob Crow (Pinback, HeavyVegetable, Other Men, GoblinCock, Thingy & More). Oh, and the live shows simply amazing! With backstage players and multiple costume changes you will be thrown into a whirlwind of emotions. I think I almost cryed during a live performance of my favorite song 'The Oar' once but then realized I was looking at half naked men wearing capes and plastic viking helmets. Read on and please check out Pea and his hella interesting interests.
Mike Sutfin: Two part question: Can you please explain what first attracted you to the optigan as a musical instrument? How many of these wondrous machines do you own?
Pea Hix: i've always been into obsolete and also-ran technologies. the nice thing about musical instruments is that, unlike some other types of technology, they never really become "obsolete" completely, because there's always some sort of unique character to an instrument that just can't be replicated in any other way, and if it's a sonic color that you need to use, then it's not obsolete. i've always felt that the character of a musical instrument is most importantly defined by what it *can't* do, rather than what it *can* do. that's why so many modern synthesizers are really boring- they all do everything, to the point where it's difficult to distinguish one from another. but something like an optigan is so limited, yet theoretically had huge potential to provide an *unlimited* variety of sounds. that, in fact, is how it was marketed. to me, it's far more interesting to work within a set of limitations rather than having an infinite number of possibilities available. to me, having too many options tends to stifle my creativity- i spend too much time trying to choose what i want to do, and second-guessing whether or not i should have done something else, rather than just getting on with it and making the most of a limited set of options. because, you know, there's always an infinite range of possibilities even within the narrowest of confines. but back to your original question, it's not just the fact that the optigan is a very limited instrument that attracted me, it's of course the actual sound of it as well, which i find very haunting and mysterious. and to me, mystery is the most important element of any kind of art.
PH: as to how many optigans i own, the answer is... who knows? it all depends on whether the gutted ones count, etc, but the last time i tried to nail it down, it was something like 12?
MS: You are an accomplished man of the outdoors. You recently hiked entire Pacific Crest Trail (A trail reaching from the Mexico border all the way to Canada). I won't ask you to reiterate your experience since you already documented your journey in a detailed Trail Journal. I'm just wondering how you came to decide to take on such a huge challenge? Was it at all scary to just say to yourself Ok, I'm gonna hike 2663 miles?
PH:i've always been into hiking, but have only taken up backpacking in recent years. i don't believe in astrology at all, but for what it's worth, i definitely identify as a classic gemini, in the sense that i tend to be an all-or-nothing type person. so, going on a weekend backpacking trip never really appealed to me much- too much hassle for just a short trip. i'd rather just go day-hiking with a bottle of water in my hand. but hiking the pct was a completely different idea. it allowed me to fully give myself over to that world, for a long period of time. long-distance backpacking isn't like normal weekend backpacking. it's a full-time job. your main task is to make lots of miles every day. there's not alot of time for sitting around by lakes, etc. it was a regimen that really made sense to me. i'm not sure if i would describe the idea of hiking the pct as "scary," more that it was just daunting. and it must be said that i, like most folks, didn't just wake up one day and decide to hike the pct. over the course of 3 years, there were several shorter hikes leading up to it, which gave me the skills and confidence i needed to tackle the big trail. you really don't get an appreciation for just how epic this challenge is until you get, say, a little past the halfway point. at that point, you feel like you've been out there forever, and that you still have forever to go. that's when most folks end up quitting- it really hits them that this is a BIG thing. and the psychological challenge is much greater than the physical challenge.
MS: I know you like going to garage sales bright and early seeking out forgotten and discarded Ebay gems. What's the most valuable item you've procured?
PH: hmm... good question. tough to say exactly, because some items strike me as being more exciting/significant than others, regardless of how much actual profit i made. i always think of this one really rare record i bought for .70 and sold for $1900-, but almost never remember this rare speaker i bought for $20- and sold for $3500-. also, there are other scores where i bought a lot of items in one bulk deal, that i tend to think of as one thing, even though there were several distinct items. i bought a closet full of old hi-fi gear for $50 that i made a total of about $8k on. and i bought a large collection of books for $10 that i made about $6k on. i've been doing this for about 10 years, so the list goes on and on and on and on... but i have friends that have made much bigger scores than me. last year a friend of mine bought a coffee table for $100- and sold it for $62k.
MS: Any hopes in terms of a new Optiganally Yours album? ETA?
PH: you know, it's funny. the new OY record, called "OY In Hi-Fi," has been in the works for years. i was just thinking about this, and realized that we started work on this record right around the time that pinback was just starting up. so yeah, it's l-o-n-g overdue. rob always seems to have bigger fish to fry, and i'm a notorious procrastinator. we work on it occasionally, but just haven't managed to hit that pocket of time where we can just crank it out and finish it. BUT (and i've been saying this for awhile), i think we're getting close to hitting that pocket, and when we do, it shouldn't take us much time to finish it up. in the meantime, i've posted various demos and things on the OY myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/opyrs
Did this drawing while waiting to meet some friends in the city today. I had a blast and think I will try to do more sketching when I can. Started out just drawing Valencia St. then Willie Nelson came on the radio and I drew the beardy guy.
A new sticker! Heavy doody 2 color on clear vinyl (3"x4.5"). Pavillion Nomme Sansqartier translates to 'Flag of No Quarter' which basically means 'Take No Prisoners'. Pirates would raise this flag, and if you ever saw it flying, you're days were numbered. This design is my take on an old Pirate Jolly Roger. I left all web info off the faceplate so it could stand on it's own like a mighty warrior. Sticker available for $1 in the STORE section of my website.
These two incredibly talented artists are teaming up and sharing Upper Playground's two-story gallery space located at 252 Fillmore St. San Francisco, CA 94117. Usugrow has traveled from Japan and will be on hand. The opening reception starts at 7 this Thursday [Aug. 2nd 2007].
I feel pretty recharged after this years comicon. I saw so many great artworks and met a ton of cool people. Motivation @ level 10. The books I got this year include: Tim Biskup's Jackson 500 Vol. 3 Brice Timm 2007 Sketchbook Travis Charest Sketchbook 2007 Sanjulian Sketchbook Frank Cho Sketchbook 4 Barron Storey 'Life After Black' Terada 'Zenbu' Simone Bianchi 'Oinirika' Enrique Fernandez 'Les Liberateurs' Black and White Images 'Third Annual' (not pictured). I also scored a Pushead Damnedron Hand Painted/Stippled figure this year. He's hiding in the picture.
Check out this Cataclysmic Abyss inspired Mural on the wall of a new skateshop in Imperial Beach CA called 'Ollie Angel'. I'm really flattered someone would do this eventho they probably have no idea who I am. it's been a good day so far. I hope it continues...I don't know Butchie instead.
It's almost time for our trip to San Diego for Comicon. I can feel it in me belly, I love this part of the summer. I will NOT be part of Artist's Alley this year but who knows? The elusive 'Mike Stufin' might make an appearance as in 2005 (I couldn't attend that year, but somehow there was an empty table with my name spelled wrong....embarassing). I will be signing from 11-12 AM and 3-4 PM on Friday @ the Upper Deck booth #2829. I'll be there with amazing artists like Zoltan and Gabor (Hungary), Alex Horely, Andrew Robinson, and Doug Alexander Gregory. For the most part I will be walking around the con, buying books and getting inspired. I can't wait...I wonder if Aquatic Bigfoot will show up...if he does, it might come down to fisticuffs.
When you slow down to watch the shameful ones you support what you hate. it doesn't seem like the majority of TV advertisers care what brings in big ratings good or bad. Don't you notice when celebrity X says or does something horrible, the world media jumps on it, then in some backward-ass logic, the accused starts making more money than ever? I think becoming hated in America is the new get rich quick plan because apparently everyone loves to tune in to watch the beatings.
With so much information available these days whether it's screaming into your eyes and ears thru your Digital-Cable-Satellite TV OR from the wireless signals buzzing to and from the 8 different hand held appliances fashioned to your Bat-belt OR the 800 zillion magazines, newspapers and internet sites available at the drop of a hat...you have a choice. "It's not what they're selling it's what you're buying'". Maybe if we ignore it, it will GO AWAY. *Opinion*
Found this old picture of Charles Bronson @ the Fireside Bowl today and I thought it was pretty interesting how everyone is partially hidden. Plus, Mark looks like he could almost be about to start rapping and I have no torso and really short legs.
My brother Pete and his friends from Long Beach and beyond have put together their own skate video 'SINHABITS'. The feature is scheduled to destroy on Monday July 16th. One of the many cool things about this video is that it features a wide variety of skaters...including pros and amateurs, but no one seems to care about that crap...they are a crew of friends. Pete did some artwork for the release as well. 'Nice one Pete!'.
I love my tiny 8 x 9 studio but sometimes I gotta get the hell out...even tho I want to work. We don't get a lot of perfect weather days here in the Bay Area so I gotta stop and smell the roses when I can dammit. I used to search for perfect diners/coffee spots with good light for drawing. Thing is, I don't really wanna talk to anyone. Haha. I guess people think if you are out with your sketchbook you're probably looking for attention (which could be cool if that's what you're lookin for I guess). So recently I've been looking for more quiet spots where I can hermit-out Kenobi style. I found this awesome one near...well, can't tell ya pal. It's in the East Bay I'll give ya that. Below: reference action shots of my friend Devon wearing his somewhat Druid looking wrestling cape and hood. Look at me getting all excited about riding my bike a mile down the street to go draw...His band is going to Africa on tour! Conquest For Death
Heyo. This Magic: The Gathering expansion set Planar Chaos has been out for awhile but I've been so busy, it's taken forever to scan and retouch the images. When these paintings were returned to me my first thought was they looked really smooth and too clean looking (It had been about 4 months since I'd seen them). I've been trying to add in more texture lately by doing my under-paintings with Acrylic often painting with rags and a toothbrush in addition to my usual brushes. Anyway, I thought this time around I'd show the quick color comps I do for each painting. Ok, back to work...
I'm not going to get into the habit of posting YouTube clips regularly (that would make me a bit lazy) but in this case I can't help myself. If there's anybody that is offended by Ninja Turtles using profane language please steer away.
Here is a small preview of the record cover I did for Pinback's upcoming 'Autumn of the Seraphs'. The album is scheduled to be released 9/11/2007. I had done some artwork for them previously on a couple CDs...a tour EP called 'Too Many Shadows' and the B-sides collection 'Nautical Antiques'. Those were important and I took them seriously but to do art for their fourth full-length album, on the MIGHTY Touch and Go label? Run by Corey Rusk who played in the legendary NECROS? O, the pressure...and excitement. I worked with Rob and Zach for over a month just coming up with ideas and sketches. I'm not going to give away any details that the band hasn't already, but as posted the final artwork is 'extensive' (Image above taken from Touch and Go website). Pinback Touch and Go Records
This Thursday's mini-interview is with the multi-talanted Tod Swank! (BTW, this is the last interview for a month). If you don't know Tod is an ex-pro skateboarder but he's done so much more. In addition to his skate career, he was the first senior photographer at Transworld Magazine, designed several classic deck graphics and one of the OG skate zine makers (I kinda restate this in the first question..sorry). Eventually Tod became supreme overlord of Tum Yeto Inc, the flagship for several skate companies: Foundation Super Company, Toy Machine, Zero, Pig Wheels, Dekline, Hollywood Skateboards, Poot, Deathbox, and Ruckus Trucks. Tod and his right hand man Matt Barker were the first to give me a chance at working on skate graphics and I'll always be thankful for that. Tod is way busy and I appreciate he took the time to do this interview.
Mike Sutfin: If we look out at the world today, there's no way to deny skateboarding has become a breeding ground for a variety of talents outside of riding a skateboard. In addition to your current head-honcho position at Tum Yeto, you were one of the first to make a personal skate 'zine', you created some extremely memorable deck graphics and you also became a successful photographer. Do you think that the unorganized nature of skating creates more original personalities?
Tod Swank: Mike, thanks man. I am flattered. I am not sure in regards to your question. I think skateboarding draws out the creativity in people maybe more than tennis or squash. I think there are crazy personalities all over the place. I am a heavy observer. There are legit freaks in everything out there. Does skateboarding fuel the creative fire? I am sure it does.
MS: Squash! Ok, second question. Skating has proven itself and endured. Now we have generations of skateboarders becoming more and more nostalgic. I often hear older skaters say they feel out of place when it comes to contemporary skateboarding. I'm interested to know, even-though you work in the industry everyday, do you ever feel that way?
TS: I feel out of place. But more because I am an angry, anti social, vegitarian male. I wonder when meeting the up and comers that come into work, what they think of me?...like I might of thought of Brad Dorfman or George Powell. With the utmost reverence and honor or just some business slacker that doesn't understand skateboarding? That's what I thought. Both ideas. I think it's damn cool that skateboarding has older generations and I think they can relate to the younger in their own ways. It's more like the younger skaters might not be able to relate to those (us? Me too?!?) older dudes.
MS: In addition to any skaters that might be reading this blog, we probably have a few Sci-Fi fans. Could you please explain the origin of the Foundation Super Company name?
TS: Issac Asimov my boy, Issac Asimov. One of Scifi lits greats. His "Foundation" series including the Robot novels. The premise being of generations upon generations of human, social and technology development in the face of a emminent collapse of the galactic civilization into a cataclysmic abyss of dark ages. One man, Hari Seldon, develops a type of mathmatics that predicts future development of civilizations called psychohistory. He predicts the fall of the known galactic empire and using psychohistory sets in motion a plan to reduce the emminent dark ages from thousands of years to a mere sliver in hopes to bring forth humanity back to it's former and a better glory. I named Foundation Skateboards after this series.
MS:I love that story! I grew up in the Mid-west and back then my knowledge of you came from magazines and videos. You always seemed to have an air of humor about you. I'm wondering if there's any really funny stories that stick out in your mind from early in your skate career? I like stories...
TS: This is my humor:Cynical, pessimistic, sarcastic, satirical imply holding a low opinion of humanity. Cynical suggests a disbelief in the sincerity of human motives: cynical about honesty. Kinda sad, eh? Fit's right in with why I am besiged by Issac Asimov's Foundation. Funny stories? Me trying to get Dave Swift kicked out of Del Mar Skate Ranch because he clocked me over something stupid. That wasn't that funny, was it?
MS: Fighting can be funny. I could tell you a good story about when I got hit with a flaming chair but this is your interview. Ok, last question...there was a distorted drawing of a teapot on multiple graphics you drew. Can you elaborate the significance or how that theme came to mind?
TS: The teapot action came from my experience with a group of Scottish and English dudes I met at Del Mar Skatepark and over in the UK back in the early 80's. We used to sit around and drink tea and bitch and moan about all kinds of shit. Grasping for straws I think.
Thanks for the opportunity Mike and thanks for the awesome Cataclysmic Abyss cover. FYI that ties into both my love for scifi and Frank Frazetta art.
My friend and fellow magic card artist Terese Nielsen came to me with a project not long ago that I thought was really cool. She was asked to art direct a game that promotes people just being cool to each other and %10 goes to charity. The game's theme involves angels and symbolic stuff but it's not tied into any religion. Some of the artists involved were Donato Giancola, Christopher Moeller and of course Terese Nielsen. Angel Quest
