1xRun Thru Interview
Continuous Thunder by Malt
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is there a story behind it, and is the original still for sale?
Malt: The story behind the piece is searching to fill that empty space inside when losing someone very close to you. As the saying goes time heals all wounds, until then it’s “Continuous Thunder.” Yes, the original and two complimentary pieces are available here on 1xRun along with the prints.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Malt: I always tend to work in a series of color combos, mostly in 3’s. This series being one of them. There are two smaller originals that will also be available with this run.
1xRun: When was this piece created and with what materials?
Malt: It was just recently completed in January of 2014 using a mix of acrylic and spray paint.
1xRUN: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Malt: The idea starts the way most of my pieces come about. Laying down the background and staring for a while. Then figuring out where I want the flow of the piece to go. With this piece it’s kind of a “X” pattern. I wanted to do a hopscotch kinda deal. You know, the maroons and pinks over the greys and the greys over the maroons and pinks.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Malt: This around 35 hours to complete over the span of a week or so.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Malt: Ladybugs in the dead of winter. The afterlife and shit…
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Malt: It’s a new year, why not buy some new art!
1xRun: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Malt: Beamertron.
1xRun: Give us a bit of insight into the Acid Forest, is that series still continuing? How has it evolved throughout the years?
Malt: The Acid Forest started off as a experiment playing with color and shape, using the landscape as a basic mold. Yes, the series is still continuing, but mostly on my outside projects, larger scale murals. As for it evolving, the basic concept remains the same but adding new elements here and there, those are the building blocks for it’s evolution.
1xRun: How and why were you drawn to birds initially as a subject and why do you think you have maintained such an interest in continuing with them?
Malt: I really don’t have some super sweet answer or deep meaning behind the birds and owls, it kind of just happened. After doing the Acid Forest series for a while I felt the pieces were missing something, they needed more of a focal point and something for the viewer to connect with. The birds and owls just popped in my head at that moment in time. I feel I still have a interest in painting them because there are so many ways to break the character down, almost abstract at times. It’s probably the graffiti background and the repetition of painting the same name over and over for years and seeing how many different ways to change the same 4 letters. I’m sure sooner or later I will move on to a new subject matter but as long as it is still interesting for me this is where I will be at.
1xRun: You’ve been staying busy, bring us up to speed on the last few months of 2013 and what you have been doing?
Malt: Basically just hibernating in the studio, painting everyday and trying to run up a huge DTE bill. I like to get a lot of the studio work done when the weather is shitty outside so come spring/ summer I can concentrate more on outside projects.
1xRun: Any events or shows coming up that you’d like to highlight?
Malt: There are a lot of projects in the works but the only one set in stone for 2014 is at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art in Grand Rapids this June. I’m really looking forward to this one. This show will be the first time i can really get loose with the space.
1xRun: Any artists really been pushing you to step your game up lately?
Malt: Yeah…too many to name, but basically the majority of artists you guys (1xRun) and Library Street have brought into town over the last couple of years. From the “Detroit Beautification Project” to the recent “Z Lot project”. So many of those artists I’ve that I have admired for a long time. It’s great to finally get to see the work in person. And of course my friends/ crew mates I hang and paint with. Seeing the progression in their work makes me push myself even harder. Kinda of a friendly competition so to speak.
1xRun: Anything else we did not touch on that you want to talk about?
Malt: I just want to thank everyone that has purchased a original painting or a print in the past. I really appreciate the support.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Malt: Facebook – Instagram @malt1ski
-1xRUN