Two often overlooked elements of art are Tattooing and Graffiti. Both incorporate the exact same elements of design and use of negative space as fine art and for many of the modern movements in fine art, they serve as the foundation element for the styles. Both Graffiti and Tattooing are very rich subcultures that make up the urban landscape of America. Legal walls for Graffiti writers are popping up all around the country, business owners are recognizing the beauty of the art and allowing murals to be painted on their business walls. It’s only natural that a Graffiti writer would gravitate towards design as a career. The attention to typography, color and use of space in an uncontrolled environment are essential to their art. Today’s featured artist has done just that and incorporated his love for Graffiti writing into graphic design.
Q.How old are you?
A.29
Q.Were you born and raised here or elsewhere?
A. I was born in Gulfport, MS. I was raised in Bay St. Louis.
Q.Tell us about a character building event in your life that has helped you become who you are today as an artist.
A. There have been a lot of events that have changed my life. I was in a car accident at the age of twenty-three. I was thrown through the windshield and returned back into the crumbling car. I suffered countless injuries. Before this tragedy, I had a regular practice of drawing and painting. I never thought I was destined to do anything with it. After my car accident, I decided to pursue a career in the art world. I’m not much of a religious man, but I know someone was watching over me that night when my car tore to pieces. God had given me a second chance. He felt that I had something to give. I felt as if the only talent I could give was my art. After physical rehabilitation and getting back on my feet, I enrolled in the Memphis College of Art. I’ve been doing what I love ever since. I hope others enjoy it as much as I do.
Please tell us a little bit about your art.
Q.Do you do any work in other mediums?
A. I try to work with a little bit of everything. I love oils. I love aerosols and everything in-between. I’ve done pieces using crumbled newspapers and charcoal. I love experimenting. Sometimes things work, sometimes they don’t. Every now and then you will accidentally make something beautiful. It never hurts to try.
Q.How long have you been creating?
A. I can’t remember the actual age. I can tell you that I would analyze cartoons as I watched. “How can I draw papa smurf?”, “Why when I draw the Mystery Machine, it always looks flat?” Creating started at a very young age. My family was always encouraging. My parents would buy me paint sets (the ridiculous Crayola watercolor trays where each color would overflow into the next.)
I began creating early as a way to express myself. Sometimes it’s easier to create than to talk.
Q.Which artists do you feel you take the most inspiration from or admire?
A.I hate to be cliché, but I’ve always enjoyed Salvador Dali’s surrealist work. I’ve been inspired from animators such as Otto Messmer to architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei. Banksy is one of my favorite street artists out there. I try to find inspiration from every artist. My seven year old niece inspires me. Her drawing is quite impressive. You can find your muse in anyone.
Q.What do you feel gravitated you towards the arts?
A. I like to make stuff look pretty. No, no, no. I want things to be designed well and have some sort of concept. My family is very artistic. They handed me a little of their knowledge. Bottom line, art is one thing that has always made me happy. If people thought my art was horrible, I would still do it. It’s something I do for me. If I can make money from it, that’s an added bonus. If it makes other people happy, that’s great.
Q.Where was your work first exposed to the public?
A.In high school. A buddy and I started the first art club at our school. My teacher wanted me to do a watercolor piece of the resurrection. It was a catholic school. This would be the first painting submitted into the art club “hall.” I worked hard on that painting and it made it into the Sea Coast Echo. I was stoked.
Q.What message (if any) do you try to convey in your work?
A. A lot of my work is art done for art’s sake. Some of my pieces are just for visual appeal. I like to throw some type of concept into my work though. For example, the street art pieces take on a new meaning for me. I see these old decrepit areas as being beautiful. These are places that are run down and considered a nuisance to the city. No one looks at the beautiful architecture and the actual potential for the rebirth of this old office building or train depot. I like to bring attention to these structures by throwing a splash of color on them. It isn’t the scary part of town. It’s a part of town that should be rebuilt while preserving its natural elements.
Q.What feeling do you feel your work gives to the audience?
A.I have no idea. I just hope they feel something. Hopefully on a positive note.
Q.How do you think your street art has helped you as a graphic designer?
A.Fun Fact: Most graff artists have a day job as graphic designers. Actually, graphic design has helped my street art. In design, you are taught everything from layouts to typography. Before design, I was just painting my name in the center of a bare wall. I have to think about my entire space as a whole. How does this broken out window vibe with this typography and so on. They are two very different art forms but they meld together quite nicely. I love them both the same and each one compliments the other.
You can contact Jason at his email address platz_jason37@yahoo.com or on Facebook.
