John Wentz Presents His Visceral Concatenation

June 2, 2012

Here for his debut RUN, we are excited to debut a new piece Concatenation from Bay Area artist John Wentz. Inspired by the writings of psychologist Carl Jung, Wentz’s work explores how the archetype of the hero – and specifically the superhero – influences the human experience. Juxtaposing vintage comic book characters with surreal depictions of children, John aims to create a dialogue between his childhood and the childhood of today, which seem to lack or misunderstand this timeless archetype. Read on for the 1xRUN Thru Interview with John as he discusses his upcoming RUN, past influences and more…

1xRUN Thru Interview

Concatenation by John Wentz

1xRun: Is the original still for sale?

John Wentz: Yes, the original is for sale. The original size is 16 5/8”x43” oil on canvas. and is framed. I usually do multiple studies of a piece before beginning, but with this one I just dove right in. My formats are all custom sizes because I use a specific form of geometry to determine my rectangles. They are hardly ever your basic 18”x24” etc. Once the rectangle was determined I began drawing with oil paint. After the basic drawing I moved big brushes and began layering.

1xRun: When was the piece drawn and created?

John Wentz: This piece was created in April of 2012. It was the last piece I did for my solo exhibition “Synthesis” at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco. It opened May 4.

1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?

John Wentz: I guess I would just sum up the next three questions. It was a very visceral painting for me. The imagery was important as far as fitting into this new series, but I was also very concerned about what the paint was doing. I really wanted to push the mark making of the brush strokes to an almost abstract quality. The piece is about movement…separation and a coming back together. The brushwork had to reinforce that.

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

John Wentz: This piece actually came to me in a dream during my commute to work. I had a long night of painting and had only slept for a few hours. I dozed off for a second and this image popped in my head. I didn’t think much of it for a couple of days, but it just stuck there. I didn’t want to start another painting because I only had a few weeks to finish up everything for my show, but I couldn’t help myself. I usually don’t start pieces with an image first and then try to figure out what it means after. However, this was one of those pieces.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

John Wentz: All in all, I’d say about 12 hours. Usually, I do a lot of planning and spend many many hours on a painting. Then, every once in awhile you luck out and things just fall into place and come together quickly. I lucked out on this one.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

John Wentz: Let’s see…a few things. For one, it was also an exercise in color restraint. I only used two colors plus white. The palette is: Titanium white, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Like I mentioned before, I really wasn’t going to do this piece for the show. I really didn’t have the time. The image was burned into my brain though and I just couldn’t get it out. It was one of those images that you just have to paint. It turned out to be my favorite piece in the show.

1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?

John Wentz: Because they like the image and it somehow resonates with them. Also, I think it’s a great way for enthusiasts to purchase art if their budgets don’t allow them to have the original. And for the artist, it helps to spread their work around and increase their audience.

1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.

John Wentz: Visceral.

Run #00247// Concatenation by John Wentz

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

John Wentz: This probably sounds typical or kind of flowery, but I never stopped. I think every kid starts drawing very young. Most stop at some point for whatever reason. I just kept doing it, never put the pencil down. I think that’s true for a lot of artists. As I got older I took a year off hear or there, but once I decided on art school not a day goes by that I’m not doodling, painting or drawing.

1xRun: What was your first piece?

John Wentz: A drawing I did of Spiderman in the 5th grade. My first very “serious” piece was titled “Goodbye Hero”. It was also my first serious sale in a gallery. I was pretty excited. I still have an image of it.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

John Wentz: The first I could remember is Frank Miller. When I got my hands on “The Dark Knight Returns” I flipped out. I copied every panel. That was 1986 I think. After that it was Screaming Mad George who was better known for his special effects in horror movies. I really loved his artwork. But he could do anything: movie effects, painting, illustration, Halloween masks, music. A true renaissance man. Shortly after, I became hooked on Juxtapoz magazine and became influenced by artists like Eric White, Jerome Witkin and Mark Ryder.

Frank Miller - Dark Knight Returns

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

John Wentz: One of my main influences is the Spanish painter Antonio Lopez Garcia. I discovered his work in art school and it had a heavy impact on me. Back in August of 2011, I was fortunate enough to go to Madrid where he was having a retrospective at the Museo Thyssen. Just about every work he’s ever done was there. It completely changed my life in regards to the power of art and the idea of painting for yourself and your experience. After that I’d say Ann Gale, Jenny Saville, Edgar Degas and Michelangelo.

Antonio Lopez Garcia

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

John Wentz: Absolutely!! My current playlist includes: Meshuggah, High on Fire, Behemoth, Ramones, Dr. Octagon, Gang Starr, Tom Waits, The Misfits and The Dead Weather.

I’m also a crazy podcast subscriber so If I’m not listening to music, which is rare, I’m listening to podcasts.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?

John Wentz: Jenny Saville. Just so I could watch her paint. As far as mark making goes, I think she is one of the most innovative that fine art has seen in a very, very long time. But that’s just my opinion. I probably wouldn’t contribute much…just sit back and learn.

Jenny Saville

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?

John Wentz: Probably Michelangelo. For me, his drawings are among the best in history. His compositions are just mind blowing. I’m really fascinated by his methods and working habits/ethics. He never stopped working and never stopped searching. I guess I’m a really selfish person because again it would be for the learning experience.

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?

John Wentz: I feel terrible for admitting this, but I’ve never purchased a piece of art. I spend all of my money on art books. I’ve been fortunate enough to trade with other artists. And I do still have the first piece I’ve ever traded for.

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?

John Wentz: Wait!! I kind of lied about the last question so I’ll correct it here. The university I teach at has a faculty auction every year which benefits our annual student Spring Show. I’m am very fortunate to work with some extremely talented people who also happen to be some of my favorite artists. I try to buy a piece every year to collect the work of my colleagues and also help the students. The last piece I purchased was in 2011.

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

John Wentz: I am participating in an upcoming group show at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco. That runs from June 16 to July 8. I’ll also be moving all the work left from my solo show at 111 Minna Gallery to my website for sale. Other than that. I’ve been tirelessly contacting galleries in order to book more shows and I’ll be starting on a new body of work in June.

1xRun: Where can people find you on the internette?

John Wentz: Website – Blog – Twitter – Facebook

-1xRUN

Ana Bagayan Presents Her First Alien In Color

June 2, 2012

“My work is inspired by the metaphysical- ghosts, spirits, intergalactic space creatures, anything that hints at the idea that we are just a small part of the unimaginably vast universe. Some of the works are based on hypnosis sessions of people who believed they had been abducted by aliens. I’ve created human/alien hybrid creatures based on the experiences these people described. All of the works, I feel incorporate the inherent beauty of interpreting both the known and unknown.” – Ana Bagayan

Here for her debut RUN, artist Ana Bagayan has brought us one of her many alien sketches, the catch here? It’s her very first in color! Another reason we’re excited on this one is that Ana will also be hand-embellishing each print. Read on for the 1xRUN Thru with Ana as she talks about her debut RUN, her influences and more!

1xRUN Thru Interview

ST4R CH1LD by Ana Bagayan

1xRun: Is the original still for sale?

Ana Bagayan: Not yet, I’m still thinking about what will happen with the original.

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?

Ana Bagayan: May 2012

1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?

Ana Bagayan: The image is the first of a series of Alien and Hybrid beings that I’ve been developing this year. I document them all in my Alien Book, which is sketchbook that I keep with me at all times, including during sleep, so I can document all ideas relating to Extraterrestrial civilizations.

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

Ana Bagayan: I first started exploring this theme while I was working on my solo show at Thinkspace Gallery. I watch and listen to various things while I paint and my interests greatly influence my work because it is all an extension of my being.

One day, my husband brought a documentary he had downloaded called The Experiencers, which documented hypnosis sessions of people living in different parts of the world who have claimed to have been abducted. What I loved about this film specifically was that the ‘experiences’ these people were having were mostly positive, rather than the sensationalized version we see in most movies.

Charcoal Drawings for Thinkspace Gallery by Ana Bagayan - 1, 2, 3

From that point, I have been exploring and researching and imagining what some of these lifeforms might look like and what planets they might inhabit. In addition, this lead me to a new outlook on existence and a transformation within myself that is manifesting into my artwork.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

Ana Bagayan: Two days.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

Ana Bagayan: It’s my first Alien in color.

1xRun: Why should people buy this piece?

Ana Bagayan: They should buy it if they feel a connection to it, whether its the energy behind the piece or just because they just like the image.

1xRun: Describe the print in one gut reaction word.

Ana Bagayan: Supercool

Run #00252 // ST4R CH1LD by Ana Bagayan

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

Ana Bagayan: I’ve been interested in art since I was a child, I don’t remember the exact age that I started drawing.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

Ana Bagayan: Classical art: Leonardo DaVinci, Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling & Ingres

Contemporary: Joe Sorren, Mark Ryden & Eric White

"This piece from Joe Sorren was one of my first and favorite discoveries when I was first learning about contemporary art." - Ana Bagayan

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

Ana Bagayan: Currently into: Z. Beksinski, Alfred Kubin and Frans von Bayros.

Z. Beksinski

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

Ana Bagayan: Yes, mostly electronic music, dubstep, classical music, and recently I’ve been starting to like rap. I just watched the Notorious B.I.G movie.

Ana Bagayan In Her Studio Space

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?

Ana Bagayan: I’d collaborate with Leonardo DaVinci and invent something cool.

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?

Ana Bagayan: I don’t remember, most of the art I have was acquired through trade with other artists.

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?

Ana Bagayan: I just bought a drawing from Yosuke Ueno.

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

Ana Bagayan: My schedule is always changing so the best way to keep up with me is to check my website and social media. I post new artwork on my site often such as sketchbook scans, drawings, and new paintings.

Also, I have a few group shows coming up in June.

Currently I’m working on a painting of the Power Puff girls for a Cartoon Network show at Comic Con, a piece for the Green Blood show at Dorothy Circus which benefits Greenpeace and Oceana, and a couple others towards the end of the month, in addition to doing drawings and paintings of Aliens for my own enjoyment.

1xRun: Where can people find you on the internette?

Ana Bagayan: Website – Facebook – Twitter & Instagram @anabagayan

-1xRUN

Aaron Nagel RUNs Us Thru Signals

June 2, 2012

In a bit of a departure from our typical 1xRUN Thru Interview, we instead turn the page over to Aaron Nagel as he highlight his latest RUN Signals. Read on for a beautifully detailed step by step from Aaron written while working on the 30″ x 40″ oil on canvas painting “Signals” in late 2010.

1xRUN Thru Interview

Signals by Aaron Nagel

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?

Aaron Nagel: Late 2010.

1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?

Aaron Nagel: This is a companion piece to “The Calming“, where I was still working through combining a messy light background with a refined figure. I kept a very detailed journal of the process of this painting, and did my best to document each step. (Those entries start here.) This was my third “Step by Step” journal series and as someone who really values this kind of writing from other artists, I felt I should pay it forward — hopefully good painting karma. (Read on for Aaron’s Step By Step

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

Aaron Nagel: The idea and execution came about much like most of my work; which is basically just a search for what is aesthetically pleasing, but with the right mood. I was particularly interested in working out the light background, which was something I hadn’t done much of. Also, it was the beginning of many (and ongoing) attempts to combine a loose background with a gradually more refined figure, from the outside in.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

Aaron Nagel: A few weeks I think. I don’t remember this one being too problematic, but I did do a lot more glazing and layering than I do these days.

1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.

Aaron Nagel: lighting.

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

Aaron Nagel: I just now started working on a new series for my first solo show in New York City. That will be with Lyons Wier Gallery in Chelsea, opening in October.

Read on for Aaron Nagel’s Step by Step

Words & Images Courtesy of AaronNagel.com

The idea of documenting the process and my thoughts on a painting from start to finish initially sounds exhausting, and as usual, I’m always wary of providing too much information. Not that I have some top secret painting techniques or anything, but more that it generally feels a little more personal than just posting a finished piece and allowing people to process it their own way. (there’s a fine line between being a private guy and keeping a blog on the internet for the world to read…and that fine line was likely crossed years ago so I should probably stop worrying about it). And of course I’m constantly asking myself if people really want all this information? which is another moot point — it’s my own blog, and if people weren’t interested, they wouldn’t read it right? why worry? Besides, I’ve done ‘step by steps’ three times before, [here] & [here] & [here], and people seemed to enjoy them. I also read other artists blogs constantly, and find them entertaining and very educational — if anybody gets a little of that from anything I post here, i’m happy.So there you have a very abbreviated version of my thought process on these entries, and a preview of the meanderings to come. Am I aware that I felt the need to justify posting on my ownblog? yes I am. You’d think with a couple websites, a facebook page, a decrepit myspace profile, a half-ass Twitter account, and who knows what else, I’d be comfortable with the presumed ego one needs to self-promote. Which is not to say I don’t have an ego, because I do, and it’s awesome. But I digress…I’m ready to get serious now.

there is some progression of glazes [above] I promise, a couple of days worth. I make sure never to glaze lights with too much white, even in the harshest highlighted areas, as I find it kind of screws up the temperature and can make things unintentionally cool (with the exception of the black painted areas which reflect a much cooler light).

i’m almost finished with the glazing [above], and while the figure looks close to where I want it, the background is looking a little too flat — so I re-painted it. I was looking for a more uniform look at the top of the piece, and a more layered look for the bottom where the figure degrades into the background to give the whole thing a little more depth. It’s lost a bit in these pictures (as usual), but I think the change, though subtle, makes a big difference.

almost done, final pictures in the next post!

And it’s done! This was a fun piece, and I’m very happy that I didn’t ruin it with all the experimenting (there’s been a bit of that recently). Unless anything changes, this piece will be part of the Arts Fund Expo at the W Hotel, for this year’s Art Basel in Miami.

– Aaron Nagel View These on Aaron’s Blog Starting Here

Warholian Profile : Aaron Nagel Courtesy of Aaron Nagel/Warholian

1xRUN: When did you first start making art?

Aaron Nagel: I’ve been drawing since I was in kindergarten. I remember drawing a jet on a pillowcase we were making and being pretty excited about it. I can still draw it. I didn’t get into painting until my early twenties when I started experimenting in my garage and doing album art for bands. ( Below check out a behind the scenes look at the artwork for Gavin Castleton’s latest album done by none other than Aaron Nagel.)

1xRUN: What artists inspired you early on?

Aaron Nagel: Early on, H.R. Giger was my dude, and I really liked Alphonse Mucha.

1xRUN: What artists inspire you now?

Aaron Nagel: This list is endless, but here’s a few: Rembrandt, Ingrés, Pasini, Sargent, Jenny Saville and Sean Cheetham. (See Aaron’s blog where he writes about seeing works of several of these artists on his site.)

1xRUN: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?

Aaron Nagel: Actually, never. I listen to audiobooks, always have.

1xRUN: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be?

Aaron Nagel: Damien Hirst, then I could fund the rest of my art career and go back to working by myself.

1xRUN: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be?

Aaron Nagel: Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. (See Aaron’s blog post about his recent trip to Chicago and Ingres here)

Signals by Aaron Nagel

The Calming By Aaron Nagel

-1xRUN

NYC Graffiti Writer Cycle Brings Us The Trippy Miami Part II

May 31, 2012

CYCLE grew up writing graffiti and skateboarding. He received his BFA from George Washington University in Washington DC and then his masters from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. CYCLE makes his living producing fine art, illustration and graphic design. He has shown his fine art in galleries in New York, Washington DC, Paris, San Francisco, and Los Angeles as well as Art Basel in Miami. He most recently has had a design piece inducted into the permanent collection at the MoMA in New York as well as shown at the “Art in the Streets” exhibit at the MoCA in Los Angeles. He has also produced exterior murals and installations in New York, San Francisco and Miami. CYCLE has been commissioned by Kid Robot, Think Skateboards, éS shoes, and Disney XD for projects. CYCLE’s work has been profiled in publications such a Juxtapoz, Mass Appeal, Complex, and Time Out New York as well as in numerous books including “The Art of Getting Over” “Definition: The Art and Design of Hip Hop”, “Up Until Now” by Upper Playground and “Fresh Paint NYC”.

Cycle

1xRUN Thru Interview

Miami Part II by Cycle

1xRUN: What materials was the original printed on and drawn with?

Cycle: The background is a mixture of spray enamel and acrylic paint layered in a drip technique. Multiple layers were mixed till I finally got to a texture I was happy with. On top of that I painted the images of the skull, the hummingbirds and the organic bubbles and growth with acrylics with some spray effects. I had no definitive sketch when I painted it, so the painting evolved as I painted it.

1xRun: Is the original still for sale?

Cycle: Mixed Media on Canvas, $1,800.00 Yes, it is still for sale. You can buy the original direct from myself and you can contact me through my website if you would like to inquire about purchase.

1xRun: When was the piece created?

Cycle: I want to say maybe 2009?

1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?

Cycle: This piece was featured in a write up and interview I had in Juxtapoz magazine a few years back. I believe the painting was given a full page photo to itself.

Cycle

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

Cycle: The reason it is called “Miami Part 2” is the painting is based on a wall I painted during Art Basel in Miami a few years back. The wall was graffiti-esque and a bit cartoony. I liked the concept enough though to do a serious version in painting form, which is the art you are looking at today.

Cycle Art Basel Miami

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

Cycle: I honestly don’t remember. I guess I worked on it on and off for 2 or 3 weeks. I am usually working on more than one painting at a time and I rotate through them as I feel the need to work on them. Some I am feeling right away and are easy to paint some take longer as I need to think on them more. I do remember this painting being one of the ones that came to me easier.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

Cycle: It is a mixture of realism, graffiti, and some surrealism. It’s an interesting combination of different elements

1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?

Cycle: Great colors, interesting imagery. This piece has always gotten a favorable response when shown so now you can pick up your on copy. I have a solid history as being part of the American graffiti movement and I’m striving to move on to being a gallery artist. It would be a great piece to own for someone who is a fan of my graffiti career or some one who is interested in modern surrealism.

1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.

Cycle: Trippy.

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

Cycle: I have always been drawing since I was a child. It’s always been with me.

1xRun: What was your first piece?

Cycle: Probably crayon on wall.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

Cycle: Skateboard graphics and graffiti were my first real art inspirations. I was shown art books early on and my mother would take me to museums as a child but it was in high school that I first started to pay attention to specific people. I liked William Stout, Sento, Ralph Bakshi, Pushead, Jim Phillips, V. Courtland Johnston, Bio, the Tc-5’s and graffiti I saw around NYC.

Vernon Courtland Johnson

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

Cycle: Mostly just my friends. Seeing my friends do well and getting to have good conversations with them about art is what inspires me now. People like Doze Green, the Morning Breath guys, Cey Adams and Queen Andrea. People that I have a personal connection to and can discuss things with. Admiring people from a far is one thing, but the feed back from people I trust is what is most important to me.

Doze Green

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

Cycle: I almost always listen to music as I paint. I rotate trough a variety of music as I paint depending on what I am painting and the mood I am in. I like latin jazz, Buena Vista Social Club, Chilled out reggae, Mix tapes from DJ Z-Tripp, DJ Neil Armstrong, Hip-Hop from the early 80’s thru about ’96, Black Sabbath.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?

Cycle: I have been lucky enough to collaborate with some good people so far in my life. as I mentioned in a previous question above personal connection with people is more important to me than admiring some one from afar. If by natural course of events I end up meeting some one and we vibe well and a collaboration happens then that is a nice bonus. I like to have things happen organically. Being involved with graffiti has really killed the concept of hero worship to me. After meeting some of my favorite graffiti persons and them turning out to be real jackasses has lead me to be more independent minded when it comes to dealing with people.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?

Cycle: How about the people who did the cave paintings of Lascaux. Their art has been running for thousands of years and stood the test of time. Painting in a dark enclosed space on a wall, sounds just like doing some modern day graffiti.

Lascaux

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?

Cycle: I don’t really buy art, just art books.

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?

Cycle: Dalek had already given me a piece but I think I bought something off him about 7 years back for a $100 bucks. I don’t really buy art. I have been lucky enough that some of my favorites have blessed me with pieces or drawings out of the kindness of there hearts.

Dalek

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

Cycle: I’m about to come out with an interview in an Australian art magazine called King Brown. There is an magazine launch /art show here in New York for that issue on the 26th of July at Klughaus Gallery. I also have a solo show in November at a spot in Brooklyn called Weldon Arts. I am always open to hear from new galleries about future opportunities and I am also available for doing illustration work.

1xRun: Where can people find you on the internette?

Cycle: Website – Blog – Facebook – Instagram @chriscycle

-1xRUN

Nathan Ota & Risk Team Up On Crucifix

May 31, 2012

Graffiti writer RISK & artist Nathan Ota have been collaborating since their formative high school years. We’re excited to debut the first of a series of collaborations from the Californian duo, the first of which highlights a trouble laden period of time in the graffiti career of RISK. Read on for the exclusive 1xRUN Thru Interview with RISK as he discusses his upcoming print with Nathan Ota.

Nathan Ota & RISK

1xRUN Thru Interview

Crucify by RISK & Nathan Ota

1xRun: Tell us a little about the original, is it still for sale?

RISK: Sold.

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created

RISK: 2011.

1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?

RISK: It was from the first collaboration show with Nathan Ota. Nathan and I have been painting together since high school and we do one collaboration show a year. This piece was a classic, it is classic Risk with the R, and it is from our first body of work

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

RISK: At the time I was going through a lot of drama with the city officials. Nathan and I were talking about how they were crucifying me. We were making jokes and then we thought of how we could translate that with out being to blatant and corny. This is the image we came up with. It is an abstract urban representation of me being crucified by the city officials.

1xRun: How long did this piece take?

RISK: 45 years.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

RISK: It is a collaboration between myself and Nathan Ota, and it is our first body of work.

1xRun: Why should people buy this print?

RISK: I believe you should only buy art you love, if it strikes you, evokes emotion or you just really like looking at it, you should buy.

1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.

RISK: Deep.

Run #00245 - Crucifix by RISK & Nathan Ota

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

RISK Since before I can remember. My grandmother told me about all the things I made. She gave me things like buttons, and empty spools, etc. as toys. I had to be creative to occupy my time.

1xRun: What was your first piece?

RISK My first graffiti piece was a “Surf” piece on the side of UNI hi in Los Angeles.

Surf

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

RISK The Los Angeles Fine Art Squad did a piece on the side of the West LA police station. It was a freeway falling off into the Ocean….This was the first Mural that blew me away! just look at it!

Los Angeles Fine Art Squad

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

RISK There are too many to list, every one in MSK is truly inspirational.

MSK in Detroit

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

RISK I listen to a lot of Led Zeppelin, Classic Rock, Funk, and Blues. Especially when I’m doing graffiti pieces, I lie to imagine my letters dancing or fighting.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?

RISK Zeppelin. I know they are musicians but that’s who I’d like to collaborate with.

MSK

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?

RISK Michelangelo.. He is the best-documented artist of the 16th century, and considered one of the best artists of all times, yet he had a very low opinion of painting. Some of his work among the most famous pieces of all times. There is too much to say about him and his work, he had so many mediums and attributions. He was considered the greatest living artist of his time and he pioneered Western Art. I don’t think you could get any better than that!

Michelangelo - Sistine Chapel

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?

RISK A Robert Williams print and I still have it.

Robert Williams

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?

RISK I’m currently trading Seen for a piece. I consider him to be one of the all time best graffiti artists!

Seen

1xRun: What else have you been up to? What else do you have in the works?

RISK: I’m working on a show in London happening in conjunction with the Olympics next month.

1xRun: Where can people find you on the internette?

RISK: –Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram –

Nathan Ota: – Website – Blog

-1xRUN

Matt Straub Spaghetti Mash-Up Westerns

May 24, 2012

“My work is a Mash-Up of sensibilities. These paintings echo the period of transition between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. The paintings’ varied and layered surfaces resonate with affinities to artists such as William De Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein, and Sigmar Polke. Featuring classic Western iconographic images of cowboys, cowgirls, guns and horses, my work depicts the violent narratives and sentimental mythologies of the American West—a landscape defined by melancholy sunsets, badlands, gunfights, outlaws and red-blooded heroes. References include Hollywood Westerns and the bold visual vocabulary of the comics and pulps of the 1940’s-50’s. BANG! BLAM!

My work also looks under the hood of the present day reality of the American West, with its concrete plains and Mini-Mart cowboys—places where the buffalo used to roam. These Pop-Westerns are like graffiti splattered box cars rolling across the plains. My paintings are a metaphor for a vanishing West.I currently work in New York City and have a home in Buffalo, Wyoming. I have hitch-hiked across most of the American West and even hopped a few freight trains. My work has a deep nostalgia for the the harsh landscapes of the West.” – Matt Straub

1xRUN Thru Interview

Ain’t No Time by Matt Straub

1xRun: Is the original still for sale?

Matt Straub: Original is still for sale. It was done in 2010 and is 52″ x 58″. Price $7,200 plus shipping.

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?

Matt Straub: June 2012

1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?

Matt Straub: This print was made from a very large painting by same name. See it here on my website. Often I find the painting are more powerful without text—thus the empty speech bubble. This is not traditional western art.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

Matt Straub: This series has some hand embellishments on the top of the print. I have used some Krink and spray paint because these materials are cheap, fast and loud! In my distant past I had a graffiti and street art background.

Matt Straub

1xRun: Why should people buy this print?

Matt Straub: If you appreciate vintage art styles, Pulp novel covers, Golden Age Comics, the romanticizing of the West, POP art, or just like a tough painting of Hell Cats and outlaws my work is for you.

1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.

Matt Straub: Mash-up

Run #00244 // Ain't No Time by Matt Straub

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

Matt Straub: I have been making art all my life.

1xRun: What artists inspire you?

Matt Straub: There have been so many artists that I have looked closely at—literally hundreds. But currently people like Sue Williams, Sigmar Polke, David Parks, Frank Auerbach and Joyce Pensato.

Sue Williams

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

Matt Straub: Early Country western starting with Hank Wiliams and Lee Hazelwood. Newer country like the Deraillers, Rock-a-billy including Link Wray. Old and new psychedelic(13th Floor Elevators, A Band of Bees, M. Ward, All Night radio, the Notwist) and freak folk stuff(Bonnie Prince Billy, Devendra Banhart,) and then there is always Neil Young and Dinosaur Jr.

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

Matt Straub: I have a show coming up at a great funky gallery: The Yard Dog in Austin, Texas on June 23rd.

1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?

Matt Straub: Website

-1xRUN

British Artist Tom Bagshaw Showcases A Saint

May 22, 2012

Based in the Georgian city of Bath, England, Tom Bagshaw works as an illustrator under the moniker Mostlywanted. His commercial work is commissioned worldwide for a wide range of clients, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sony, the BBC, GQ and Scholastic to name a few.

For his personal work he has developed a highly rendered digital painting style through which he explores themes of fantasy, beauty and mysticism. While is work deals with imaginative content, it also aims for a strong level of realism in its presentation. Although feminine beauty plays a large role in his work, the women he depicts are never frail damsels in distress. More often than not they’re strong, intriguing characters, with an air of mystery to them.

1xRUN Thru Interview

All the Devils by Tom Bagshaw

1xRun: When was this piece created?

Tom Bagshaw: This piece was created at the end of 2010

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

Tom Bagshaw: This was actually a piece done for the PornSaints group, I was approached by them to produce a piece and was introduced to a model/performer Lila Night, then I produced the painting from there. I took the line ‘Hell is empty and all the devils are here’ from Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and it kinda grew from there.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

Tom Bagshaw: I can’t remember as I was working on other stuff at the time, but i think the final painting took a few days.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

Tom Bagshaw: Its one of few pieces where I had a model to work with!

Lila Night

1xRun: Why should people buy this print?

Tom Bagshaw: It would look great on the wall!

1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.

Tom Bagshaw: Horny.

Run #00241 // All The Devils by Tom Bagshaw// May 30, 2012 - Jun 05, 2012

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

Tom Bagshaw: My earliest memories are of drawing and painting. I’ve been doing it ever since.

1xRun: What was your first piece?

Tom Bagshaw: My first piece that I ever drew and was a picture of a Peregrine Falcon when I was probably 5 or 6?

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

Tom Bagshaw: Ive always been inspired by figurative work and was drawn to artists like Ingres, Courbet and the Pre-Raphaelites.

Millais - Christ In The House of His Parents

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

Tom Bagshaw: I’m still inspired by artists whose work is mainly figurative but i also love character driven works, design, typography. There’s so many amazing artists working with different techniques and subjects, it’s hard not to be inspired!

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

Tom Bagshaw: My workspace is pretty minimal, I work out of a tiny room in our house which is just a little bigger than my desk — but that is an advantage of working digitally, I don’t need much room. Although a large studio would be great and i would probably feel more inclined to pick up a paintbrush again!

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why?

Tom Bagshaw: Collabs really don’t interest me.. don’t know why- I must be the odd one out on this but its never appealed to me.

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?

Tom Bagshaw: The latest addition was a fantastic piece called Hibernation by Jason Edmiston– amazing artist and all round nice chap!

Hibernation by Jason Edmiston

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

Tom Bagshaw: Ive got a few shows coming up throughout the rest of the year and a solo at Corey Helford Gallery next year, I’m also working on a series of pieces inspired by traditional gypsy girl style tattoo art–these will be a bit different as they aren’t for galleries (at least most aren’t) and will be sold direct as either mounted and framed small editions of 3 or as limited edition print runs.

1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?

Tom Bagshaw: Website – Facebook – Twitter – @tombagshaw – Instagram – @tombagshaw

-1xRUN

Detroit Graffiti Writer MALT Splits The Atom

May 22, 2012

Malt aka Brown Bag Detroit is a self taught artist, living and working in the Detroit area. In recent years Malt’s work has focused on what he calls “The Acid Forest.” Blending graffiti techniques and his signature acrylic style, “The Acid Forest” is Malt’s abstract spin on traditional landscapes and the characters that inhabit the psychedelic backdrop. The juxtaposition of trees, human life, death, growth, strength and weakness is what keeps things fresh and constantly changing in Malt’s work. Back for his second RUN, MALT has again brought us a variety of colorways and editions, each individually hand-painted and screened by Malt himself. Read on for the 1xRUN Thru Interview with Malt where he discusses past influences and more.

1xRUN Thru Interview

Splitting Atoms by Malt

1xRUN: What materials was this RUN printed on or drawn with?

Malt: Once the original drawing was inked and the screen was burnt I squeegeed white ink on the white paper to have a faint outline of the image to use as my guideline. From there it was just adding acrylic and spray paint where I thought was necessary. Then run the screen over one more time with black, add a few more tweaks and done.

1xRun: Is the original still for sale?

Malt: Yes it is available here on 1xRUN.

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?

Malt: April 2012

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

Malt: It started as a rough idea for a new painting I wanted to do. At the same time talking with 1xrun about doing a new print. After going through a bunch of different sketches i thought this image would work best as a print.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

Malt: 4 days from the initial idea to sketching to the finished product.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

Malt: The majority of these prints are all hand painted, all except the final screen.

1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?

Malt: Why not?

1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.

Malt: Beamin’

Malt - Splitting Atoms

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

Malt: Early on like most kids, but didn’t taking it seriously until the early/mid 90’s.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

Malt: Andy Howell, Jim Phillips, Pushead. Growing up skateboarding those dude’s board graphics we pretty much my art school.

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

Malt: Mostly friends I paint with, anybody that’s really pushing themselves.

Malt - Cromeo

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

Malt: Most definitely, as for what it depends on the mood I’m in. A few are Bonobo, Led Zepplin, Seaweed, Dj Shadow (minus the tunes with dudes rapping over his beats) Superdrag & Surfer Blood.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?

Malt: How Nosm…I really dig the work they are doing these days and I think I could learn a lot in the process.

How Nosm in Brooklyn

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?

Malt: That’s a tough question.

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?

Malt: It was a trade but not sure the exact piece. Pretty sure I still have it.

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?

Malt: I actually haven’t bought any pieces yet, all the art I own were trades, but I do have my eye on a few Bob Ross originals on Ebay.

You see what we did there...

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

Malt: At the end of May i’m heading to El Paso, Texas to paint a mural during the Neon Desert Festival. A few weeks after that, it’s off to Tennessee with Tead to paint a couple big walls for Ford during Bonnaroo. Along with that I’ve got a couple art shows and hopefully will be painting a few murals here in Detroit. It’s gonna be a busy summer.

1xRun: Where can people find you on the internette?

Malt: Website – Facebook Artist Page

-1xRUN

Peat “Eyez” Wollaeger Mixes Bizness With Pleasure

May 18, 2012

The Eye may be the window to your Soul…or it may be a window in to the mind of international stencil maestro Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger. He is known for his infamous EYE, raw colorful stencil characters and public art. He incorporates his stencils into various viral videos to help his audience understand his process and sometimes his creative humor. Here for his debut RUN Peat “Eyez” Wollaeger has brought us one of his infamous Eyez with Eye on Bizness. Each of these has been hand-stenciled and painted by Peat and comes ready to hang. Read on to see the 1xRUN Thru Interview with Peat where he discusses past influences, how he brought the street inside and shows off tons of video footage.

1xRUN Thru Interview

Eye On Bizness by Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger

1xRun: Is the original still for sale?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: A BIG version of the stencil is available to tag on your building.

1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: When talking with 1xRUN they asked if I possibly could use my stencils instead of making a screen print of my art. I have also been diving in to the world of wood cut-outs, so I decided to mix the two for this RUN. Each individual piece was cut out, sanded, stained, stenciled and is ready to hang with a custom keyhole hanging apparatus on the back.

1xRun: When were these pieces created?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: It was originally painted August of 2011 as a commission for the Nebula CoWorking in the Cherokee Art District. It is a commentary on my new life as a full-time artist. I have worked for the “Man” for the majority of my life, and after my last stint at Art Basel in Miami 2010 I took the leap in to the world of a full-time artist in these modern times. Artist life is feast or famine…but eye love it!

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Since the original stencil piece was going on a shared workspace, eye wanted to create something that would convey the message of bizness with a mix of my stEYEle

1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Most of my time going goes in to cutting and designing the stencil. This one I have about 60 hours in it. But once the stencil is created eye can rip out the piece in about an hour. The video is roughly based on a Charlie Chaplin film, and I decided to film the production a few day prior to application. My cousin’s friend David Wies filmed the piece with a digital SLR Camera giving it a film look. This piece was shot in 100º F weather…and dawn it was hot in that suit!!!

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Each one of the wood cut-outs are unique. That is the nature of a stencil, you are working with paint that runs and over-spray that sneaks under the stencil….no two are the same!

1xRun: Why should people buy this piece?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: It is pretty much an original piece of art and it will help them keep an EYE on the JOB.

1xRun: Describe these pieces in one gut reaction word.
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Biz-ness

Run #00232 //Eye On Bizness by Peat "Eyez" Wolleager// May 23, 2012

1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: I started making art at very early age….maybe two?

1xRun: What was your first piece?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Believe it or not the first real painting I created as a kid was of a giant eye on a canvas.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: The first artist to truly inspired me was Keith Haring. Everything about his work, colors, energy and accessibility to all is what eye strive to accomplish in my work. A few years back eye did a massive tribute to him at Art Basel in Miami/Wynwood.

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Too many to list.

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Eye need hip hop, funk & soul while I am creating my stencils. In particular I mostly listen to Montreal based show WeFunk Radio. They play the modern hip-hop tracks and also the original funk track that the hip-hop samples were taken from.

Eyez On The Studio

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Umm…Haring.

Keith Haring Mural

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: While living in Wicker Park, Chicago in the late 90’s I got a piece from Shepard Fairey that depicts Big Brother…I still have it framed in my studio.

: Shepard Fairey

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: I just got a Jeff Soto piece…love that doods work!

1xRun: What else have you been up to lately?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: EYE recently fulfilled one of my dreams, to reproduce the Street in the Gallery. Which I find is where my art looks best….on the street. And this is almost impossible to translate in a gallery setting. For the past 7 years I have been collecting real street items like parking meters, a phone booth/with a phone, street signs, a fire hydrant, a telephone pole and various other rusty/grimey items reclaimed from the streets. I then assembled the items, including fake doors and tagged up brick paneling a my solo show at this White Walls Gallery Hoffman-LaChance Contemporary in December. Click here to view the 360.

The entire installation fits in to a box truck, so I am planning to travel “Peat Street” to various cities in the future. Please contact me if you are interested in traveling this to your city.

Peat Street

1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?
Peat “EYEZ” Wollaeger: Website – About.me: EYEZ.me – Facebook – Twitter – Vimeo – Instagram @eyez –

-1xRUN.com

LaPrisaMata aka Luis Toledo & His Psychedelic UFO

May 18, 2012

Luis Toledo (aka LaPrisaMata) is an illustrator from Madrid, Spain, whose work gives the audience the feeling of entering into another world. The abstract imagery in most of Luis Toledo’s work is similar to what one would picture in a dream or distant memory. The colorful, free-form shapes in Toledo’s collection are paired up with intricate depictions of people, skulls, nature, and other familiar imagery. For his debut RUN with us Spanish artist Luis Toledo has brought us the intricate Desaparecida. Roughly translated it means missing, or late/deceased, but to avoid cliches the only thing missing here is well…we’ll leave that up to you. Read on for our exclusive 1xRUN Thru Interview with Luis where he discusses past influences and more!

Luis Toledo

1xRUN Thru Interview

Desaparecida by Luis Toledo

1xRun: Is the original still for sale?

Luis Toledo: Yes!

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?

Luis Toledo: 2010

1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?

Luis Toledo: This was to create a new form of alien abduction, not shown in the normal way, but my way. It is the creation of a new religion, a new symbiosis between species, a new way to believe, represent a new form of history.

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

Luis Toledo: The process of creating the images is very slow. My concern about the symbology and the details make the production of the work may take up to a month.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

Luis Toledo: 1 Week, 24/7.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

Luis Toledo: This is Laprisamata 100%.

1xRun: Why should people buy this piece?

Luis Toledo: I think you can interest people who like to dream and experience. That do not follow trends and listen to their heart. This work is aimed at people who like details, spending time looking at an image and discovering new symbols.

1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.

Luis Toledo: UFO.

Run #00230 // Desaparecida by Luis Toledo

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

Luis Toledo: I started very early age, many of my memories are of me with a pencil in my hand. From age 14 I began to draw store posters and drawings for tattoos and so it began. Soon I started doing album covers work for design studios and advertising agencies.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

Luis Toledo: Francisco Goya, Salvador Dalí, renaissance art, pop art, folk art and religious art.

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

Luis Toledo: Toño Camuñas, Julio Cappa, Moebius, Android Jones, primitive art…

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?