1xRUN Thru Interview
The Californian by Jeff Soto
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale?
Jeff Soto: This painting was a commissioned piece for a high school friend.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Jeff Soto: I have been playing with the ideas of nostalgia and youth, and ultimately growing up and entering into the adult world. This painting focuses on a robot from a TV show we watched. It is rising triumphantly out of the badlands – the hills and mountains and rural areas we grew up in.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece with?
Jeff Soto: Acrylic paint on wood.
1xRun: When was the piece created and how ling did it take to complete?
Jeff Soto: I worked on this one off and on for a week or two in early Summer of 2014 right before a trip to Bordeaux. I remember I had to finish this before the trip.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Jeff Soto: I really like that this print is the actual size of the painting. Most prints are smaller than the originals.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Jeff Soto: It was a commission without any art direction, they let me do my thing. I did some drawings like always and found the right imagery. Though the colors are dark, it is a positive piece. It is also aggressive, and strong in a non threatening way I think.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Jeff Soto: You should buy it because you enjoy the image visually or conceptually. It is a large print with great detail and will look beautiful in a frame. The concept- growing up- is universal and something I find very fascinating (especially seeing my own kids grow so fast).
1xRun: You have been traveling quite a bit and staying busy, bring us up to speed on what you’ve been up to since your last release?
Jeff Soto: This year I went to Europe a couple times for art projects and also made my way down to Australia. It was actually a slow travel year compared to 2013, but I had some fun for sure! In 2014 I concentrated on moving my studio, painting more murals and starting a side company that works in illustration and design. Next year (2015) I will be painting and working on several upcoming shows, and building more on the fine art side of my career. And I hope to travel more!
1xRun: Any recent murals or exhibitions you’d like to highlight?
Jeff Soto: I was just in Berlin a few weeks ago for Urban Nation which is a museum focusing on street art and graffiti. There was an exhibit curated by Jonathan LeVine and several of us painted some large panels for the museum. It was really cool to see old friends like Nychos and Martha Cooper and meet some new people like Saner, Dan Witz and Olek. They treated us well in Berlin!
1xRun: Any new paintings you’ve been working on?
Jeff Soto: There’s a few things started in my studio.
1xRun: You recently did some concert posters for Phish and Primus, you’ve done a lot of great posters over the years, what have some of your favorites been and why?
Jeff Soto: I enjoy making gig posters quite a bit because bands do not typically art direct us. I like to listen to their music and draw, or, I just create something fun for myself. The rad thing is music is so open to interpretation that almost any type of art can work for a gig poster. One of my favorites is a poster I made for The Black Keys in 2011. It was for their Paris concert and the timing was perfect as I had just visited the city for the first time a month before. I was amazed and inspired by the architecture, fonts and design of Paris.
1xRun: Any bands that you’ve always wanted to do a gig poster for but haven’t got to yet?
Jeff Soto: I’ve made a ton of posters for rock bands, it’d be fun to do some for rap gigs… MF Doom, give me a call… Going forward next year I’ll be doing less gig posters and working more on my own prints.
1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Jeff Soto: Look for my first L.A. show in eight years this summer. I’m excited about that one! My first shows and my biggest fans were all in Los Angeles and it feels good to be coming back!
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Jeff Soto: Website – Instagram@jeffsotoart – Facebook – Twitter@jeffsotoart
-1xRUN