With the Artists...
favorite BLOC28 product?
Mine, of course... just kidding. I think Craola's and Slick's came out real dope. I think they all are amazing and are gonna be gone real fast!
Mine, of course... just kidding. I think Craola's and Slick's came out real dope. I think they all are amazing and are gonna be gone real fast!
what inspired your take on Mickey?
I used my experiences as an artist as inspiration for the piece. The classic Mickey colors and classic graffiti throw ups were a perfect design match. Then I wanted to stretch him out and make him kind of skinny-- representing that starving artist, constantly putting in work. And I also wanted to put him in an environment that he would never be in, like an open field with burnt out cars.
I used my experiences as an artist as inspiration for the piece. The classic Mickey colors and classic graffiti throw ups were a perfect design match. Then I wanted to stretch him out and make him kind of skinny-- representing that starving artist, constantly putting in work. And I also wanted to put him in an environment that he would never be in, like an open field with burnt out cars.
"I love that graffiti is being accepted as a credible art form. I think it's a fresh look at an icon that everyone knows and loves."
any favorite Disney memories?
So many, I guess the first one that pops into my mind was watching the Wonderful World of Disney with my mom. Like Escape To Witch Mountain, and Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Davy Crocket. I can remember looking at Mary Blair illustrations of Peter Pan and Alice and Wonderland for hours.
So many, I guess the first one that pops into my mind was watching the Wonderful World of Disney with my mom. Like Escape To Witch Mountain, and Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Davy Crocket. I can remember looking at Mary Blair illustrations of Peter Pan and Alice and Wonderland for hours.
favorite Disney memories?
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland when I was about 7, the awe and amazement, the Haunted Mansion, the Matterhorn, and of course... America Sings, everything in Disneyland, the memories are pure Americana nostalgia for kids like me who grew up in California. Disneyland provided the ultimate fantasy world I wished I could have lived it forever...
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland when I was about 7, the awe and amazement, the Haunted Mansion, the Matterhorn, and of course... America Sings, everything in Disneyland, the memories are pure Americana nostalgia for kids like me who grew up in California. Disneyland provided the ultimate fantasy world I wished I could have lived it forever...
if you could work on an animated film, which one would it be?
I don't know if I have that kind of patience, but if I could've been on the animation department of the guys who did Fantasia, that would have been amazing, also Steamboat Willie to see how it was done way back then.
I don't know if I have that kind of patience, but if I could've been on the animation department of the guys who did Fantasia, that would have been amazing, also Steamboat Willie to see how it was done way back then.
what appeals to you about BLOC28?
Being able to work with Disney and having something to do with one of Walt's creations, even if it's just a little thing...it's appreciated
Being able to work with Disney and having something to do with one of Walt's creations, even if it's just a little thing...it's appreciated
"Andy Warhol for his pop icons
Dali for being a trip
Crumb for his open honest approach, and of course,
Walt Disney for character creation"
what inspired your images of Mickey?
It's an image that translated to my style very well from the beginning. I didn't expect much to come of it, I just did it and moved on, but as time went on I kept revisiting the mouse, kept changing its color ways...small things. The Mouse never left, it's still here and now onto the biggest project yet. If you think about it, Mickey Mouse himself has fed thousands of people with jobs and creative outlets and memories...he's the biggest celebrity in the world.
It's an image that translated to my style very well from the beginning. I didn't expect much to come of it, I just did it and moved on, but as time went on I kept revisiting the mouse, kept changing its color ways...small things. The Mouse never left, it's still here and now onto the biggest project yet. If you think about it, Mickey Mouse himself has fed thousands of people with jobs and creative outlets and memories...he's the biggest celebrity in the world.
what do you want people to get from your work?
I think the art becomes resistant in a reactive form. Graffiti is the voice of the dissatisfied soul. Life is hard; there are complications its reactions. I think graffiti is the natural reaction to an industry that is opposed to the quality of life for the individual.
I think more of my method is to paint some of the more uncomfortable, or outrageous things that go on in life, without getting involved. I want to inspire change. I'm very pro-art; I think art is a language that transcends all other verbal languages. I try to use art as a communication device and speak about powerful subjects.
I think the art becomes resistant in a reactive form. Graffiti is the voice of the dissatisfied soul. Life is hard; there are complications its reactions. I think graffiti is the natural reaction to an industry that is opposed to the quality of life for the individual.
I think more of my method is to paint some of the more uncomfortable, or outrageous things that go on in life, without getting involved. I want to inspire change. I'm very pro-art; I think art is a language that transcends all other verbal languages. I try to use art as a communication device and speak about powerful subjects.
what were your influences growing up?
My mother was my inspiration as an artist. She allowed me to dabble with all mediums. She shared her private book collection of other artists with me. Some of my favorite artists are: Salvador Dali, Michelangelo, Robert William, Alex Gray, Ron English.
My mother was my inspiration as an artist. She allowed me to dabble with all mediums. She shared her private book collection of other artists with me. Some of my favorite artists are: Salvador Dali, Michelangelo, Robert William, Alex Gray, Ron English.
what part of BLOC28 appeals to you?
The association of artists. I'm also an illustrator, so I look for interesting work. It is great to create with those who inspire me. This turns out to be a great situation where my art can reach a broader audience. These are good people to be associated with.
The association of artists. I'm also an illustrator, so I look for interesting work. It is great to create with those who inspire me. This turns out to be a great situation where my art can reach a broader audience. These are good people to be associated with.
"I have been inspired by Disney since I
was a little kid, since Fantasia. It got me
interested in colors, lights, shadow, all that."
favorite Disney memory?
My greatest memory was probably the first time I saw The Sword in the Stone and watched Merlin running from the witch changing into every kind of animal.
Also when I was a little kid, I was really sick once and my dad rented Swiss Family Robinson on Beta Max for me-- I watched it nine times in a row. After I got well, we went to Disneyland and I got to go up in the tree house.
My greatest memory was probably the first time I saw The Sword in the Stone and watched Merlin running from the witch changing into every kind of animal.
Also when I was a little kid, I was really sick once and my dad rented Swiss Family Robinson on Beta Max for me-- I watched it nine times in a row. After I got well, we went to Disneyland and I got to go up in the tree house.
what about BLOC28 appeals to you?
It is cool getting the chance to do something for Disney.
It is cool getting the chance to do something for Disney.
what inspired your vision of Mickey?
The difference between real rodents and Mickey, who is more than a mouse.
The difference between real rodents and Mickey, who is more than a mouse.
if you had the chance to work on a Disney animation, which would you chose?
Pinocchio, with The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr.Toad coming in at a close second... Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, Bedknobs and Broomsticks animated sequences and The Sword in the Stone.
Pinocchio, with The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr.Toad coming in at a close second... Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, Bedknobs and Broomsticks animated sequences and The Sword in the Stone.
Frazetta, Boris Vallejo
Salvador Dali, Thomas Cole
Sid and Marty Krofft
Jim Henson
Salvador Dali, Thomas Cole
Sid and Marty Krofft
Jim Henson
describe the process you went through creating this work...
Graffiti imagery and techniques play a major part in my work. Much of my work begins with spray painting colors on the blank canvas and then I pull the imagery from out of the chaos. I started with the yellow family because of its reference to cheese, a favorite food of mice.
Graffiti imagery and techniques play a major part in my work. Much of my work begins with spray painting colors on the blank canvas and then I pull the imagery from out of the chaos. I started with the yellow family because of its reference to cheese, a favorite food of mice.
favorite Disney animation?
Alice in Wonderland.
Alice in Wonderland.
what about BLOC28 appeals to you?
I like the fact that Disney has opened their doors to an art form that has not been fully appreciated.
I like the fact that Disney has opened their doors to an art form that has not been fully appreciated.
"I try to absorb all aspects of visual arts.
You couldn't tell by my work but I do
love the classical masters"
best Disney Memory?
Being from Hawaii, it was a big deal to travel to "the mainland". Going to Disneyland as a child with my family was an experience that I still cherish to this day. Whatever problems we had, they were checked in at the gate -- a tradition I want to continue with my kids. The lines were a small price to pay for a lifetime of happy memories.
Being from Hawaii, it was a big deal to travel to "the mainland". Going to Disneyland as a child with my family was an experience that I still cherish to this day. Whatever problems we had, they were checked in at the gate -- a tradition I want to continue with my kids. The lines were a small price to pay for a lifetime of happy memories.
Building BLOC28
