The Movement Electronic Music Festival takes place May 26-28 in Detroit and features: five technologically-rich outdoor stages; more than 100 artists; free Wi-Fi access on the grounds; a posh VIP setting located behind the main stage; dozens of official afterparties; an interactive technology center featuring the hottest gear in the industry; and several art displays to stimulate the senses. Nearly 100,000 people from across the globe attended the 2011 festival.
Back with us again for his 5th RUN Jason Limon has brought us Foliage. You can see Jason’s past Runs in the 1xRun Archives. Read on for the 1xRun Thru Interview with Jason Limon.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Jason Limon: This painting is part of an ongoing story I’ve been working on about how plant life begins to overwhelm the planet, taking over and blending with other species to further the mission of balancing Earth.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Jason Limon: 10 weeks.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Jason Limon: The extra spirally detail in the dress.
1xRun: Why should people buy this RUN?
Jason Limon: Because it’s big, and affordable!
1xRun: Describe this RUN in one gut reaction word.
Jason Limon: Growth
"She became infected at the age of eleven while playing in the field beside her home. She inhaled the pollen from a bed of altered flowers that blew in her direction. Plant life had made a shift – its structure reorganized to balance the population of our planet. Roots grew wildly within her body, devouring her from the inside and planting her to the ground where she stood. Her appearance from the outside remained as it was, beautiful and young. As time passed she grew as she ordinarily would thought her bones became wood and her veins now filled with sweet nectar. A pool of rainwater now amassed below her body concealing her feet, growing deep into the earth. Still her delicate face looked out into the open field. It was a clever disguise, a glaring lure. Countless men, young and old would pass her by. Curious by her glow and motionless position they would approach closely and their feet would become entangled in the net of vines hidden underneath the murky, shallow water. Trapped, their bodies would sink into the mud becoming a source to further grow from." - Jason Limon
1xRUN: When did you first start making art?
Jason Limon:I’ve been drawing since I was a kid, but after high school I had it set in my mind that I would work every day to develop images that might hang on walls to tell a story.
1xRUN: What was your first piece?
Jason Limon: The first piece I ever remember creating was in crayon that I did at about age five. It was me standing up on a hill with a big word bubble above my head that said “help!” in bold color. At the bottom of the hill was a police car with little lines drawn on the lights to represent flashing. Of course, I don’t remember what it all meant though, obviously, there was some rough moments growing up. In high school things were more abstract, then I focused on drawing in college.
1xRUN: What artists inspired you early on?
Jason Limon: When I was a kid I loved cowboy art, Frederic Remington. I guess that’s the Texas in me. Later on it was the surrealist painters.
1xRUN: What artists inspire you now?
Jason Limon:Now it’s mainly a bunch of living artists that I’ve been fortunate to share walls with.
1xRUN: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Jason Limon:I’ve had the chance to collaborate with my good friends, Colin Johnson and Dan May. I’d love to do more with a long list of artists I’ve shown with in the past.
1xRUN: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Jason Limon: Oh that’s a tough one. I wouldn’t want to mess up any masterpieces :)
1xRUN: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Jason Limon:I do listen to music. A big variety of all sorts of stuff (besides country and pop). I also listen to various podcasts, most about paranormal and sci-fi. Other times I have Netflix playing documentaries and movies, mostly about war history.
1xRUN: What was the first and last piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Jason Limon: I’ve done lots of trades growing up. I just recently started working on a wall of small art, some are purchases, some are trades. I think the first one was from the illustrator, Steve Adams. I’ll be looking to add some trades soon.
1xRUN: What else do you have currently in the works?
Jason Limon:I release some art, mostly small stuff every first of each month through my shop, thefirstof.com also I have some other upcoming events:
Here for his debut RUN with us is Clutter Magazine cover artist Jeff Lamm. His latest RUN London Face Punch was designed for the cover of Issue 15 of Clutter Magazine. Read on for our Exclusive Interview with Jeff Lamm and his upcoming RUN.
1xRUN Thru Interview
London Face Punch by Jeff Lamm
1xRun: Is the original still for sale?
Jeff Lamm: No, it’s been promised to a certain magazine editor. Just need to get it shipped! But I do sell pieces of original artat my website, everything from toy production drawings to album cover art.
1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?
Jeff Lamm: Over a period of days in early February 2011.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Jeff Lamm: This illustration was very fun for me to draw. I was excited to be asked to do it. I enjoy icons of mid-century modern architecture, in this case the London Postal Tower. Such a strange phallic symbol piercing the sky, covered in a weird array of antennae. I did the original in pencil first on marker paper, did a light box transfer for the inks and added colors digitally. I’m pretty sure I did not make monster noises out loud whilst drawing it. All three monsters in the illustration are also toys I have in production. Greasebat (on the left) M5 Bravo (hugging the tower) and Stee-Gar (on all fours).
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Jeff Lamm: I like to use my own characters for illustrations, it’s impossible to draw them wrong since I created them! I like to have a lot of action in my drawings, combined with confused/surprised looks. Since it’s original purpose was for a London based magazine cover, I was happy to research and include a local icon, the Postal Tower.
Postal Tower
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Jeff Lamm: From idea to final image, probably about a week working on it when time permitted.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Jeff Lamm: It was made for Clutter Magazine’s Issue 15, which was the first issue printed in the North America with a bigger format.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Jeff Lamm: So you can look at it every day and reflect on how grateful you are that no giant monsters are stepping on your head?
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Jeff Lamm: Fun.
Run #00224 // London Face Punch by Jeff Lamm
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Jeff Lamm: I knew I could draw when I was a little kid. I used to draw these stick figure people in giant battle scenes. Later lots of cartoony stuff, usually poking fun at my friends. Then I went to art school to try to turn it into a career. That was a mistake, I ended up dropping out to spend time with my punk band. After a long break which included three years in the Army Infantry, I started doing gig posters for friend’s bands, and now here I am.
Jeff Lamm: Nobody super obscure or anything, but I love the work of Coop, Frank Kozik, Tim Biskup, Paul Kaiju and several other vintage and modern Kaiju toy designers. I’m a huge fan of the cartoon modern style, I can look at that stuff all day long.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Jeff Lamm: Yeah I usually lean toward classic jazz stuff. I never liked it when I was younger but now it seems to just fit my life perfectly. Right now my in-home studio is in limbo while we do some renovation, so I’ve just been drawing at the dining table. My home is a mid century modern Scholz home, I’m trying to get it looking like Don Draper’s apartment.
Scholz Homes
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Jeff Lamm: Coop, so I could visit his studio and peruse his large collection of Japanese toys. My nine year old daughter is a talented artist, I’m hoping she wants to do some stuff with me someday. She helps me with ideas for the Kaiju toys.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Jeff Lamm:Martin Schongauer , that dude could draw some sick hell spawned beasties! If not him, Richard Scarry or Hergé! Love both of their art.
Martin Schongauer
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Jeff Lamm: When I was a little kid I bought a river rock with Snoopy painted on it. I do indeed still have it!
Snoop
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Jeff Lamm: I consider vinyl toys to be works of art. The last one I bought was a Marmit Jirass figure, which is like Godzilla wearing an Elizabethan collar, like a dog anti-lick device.
Godzilla
1xRun: What else do you have in the works ?
Jeff Lamm: Right now my main focus has been toy production. I currently have four different figures out, produced by Monster Worship and Unbox Industries. Both of these organizations have been great to me, and both of them have allowed me to make pretty much whatever I want. I have several more figures in the planning stages with them now. It’s going to be fun.
As far as more traditional art, I’m still doing gig posters for bands, which is one of my favorite “”jobs”” along with the occasional album cover. I sort of took a break from painting but I’ve been practicing a new style that’s similar to what you would see on old toy header cards or exploitation movie posters.
1xRun: Anything else you’d like to add?
Jeff Lamm: I am truly appreciative of the support I get from people. It has been quite an experience and I am very thankful for it.
1xRun: Where can people find you on the internette?
Melissa has been drawing and painting commissioned portraits since she was 14. She attended the Columbus College of Art and Design and graduated with a BFA in 2002. She now lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio. Her work has been shown in galleries around the world, from New York City to Seattle to Los Angeles to Berlin, Germany to Bristol, England.
Melissa Forman
1xRUN Thru Interview
Whispered Truths and a Long Awaited Ascension by Melissa Forman
1xRun: Is the original still for sale?
Melissa Forman: No, this piece was sold.
1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?
Melissa Forman: April, 2011.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Melissa Forman: This painting is about my journey through difficult moments. The overall outcome and feeling of the painting is triumphant. It’s an attempt to make the best of my own situation and it’s my way of seeing the silver lining. I hope it’s a painting that others can relate to in their own way.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Melissa Forman: I wanted to tell a story about my life and the experiences I’ve had. I used symbols in the painting the represent certain moments, experiences and emotions. I wanted to take experiences I’ve had and turn them into something beautiful. Painting is like therapy for me.
1xRun: How long did this piece take?
Melissa Forman: This piece took about a month and a half to create.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Melissa Forman: This piece is unique to me because it weaves important parts of my life and experiences together to create something unique and beautiful; something that can speak for itself and tell its own story.
1xRun: Why should people buy this RUN?
Melissa Forman: This piece has a lot of meaning and symbolism in it. I created it with the intention of taking moments in my life and important memories and turning them into something beautiful. I hope others can see the beauty in it as well.
1xRun: Describe this RUN in one gut reaction word.
Melissa Forman: Triumphant.
RUN 00233 //Whispered Truths and a Long Awaited Ascension by Melissa Forman
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Melissa Forman: I remember my preschool teacher telling my mom that she thought I had artistic talent. So, I can say, I think I’ve been making art since it was physically possible. I remember decorating a ceramic plate with a portrait of my family in preschool. But I didn’t sell my first piece until I was 14.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Melissa Forman: I did a portrait of my history teacher’s children.
Melissa Forman: I really like Eugenio Recuenco’s work. He’s an amazing photographer. I love Mark Ryden, Martin Wittfooth, and Kris Lewis. I love classic painters like Ingres and Vermeer. I love William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Melissa Forman: I usually listen to audiobooks or watch tv/movies.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Melissa Forman: I would actually love to collaborate with someone who paints completely differently from me in the hopes that it would challenge me in a new way. Maybe an abstract expressionist painter.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Melissa Forman: Leonardo da Vinci, might as well go for the best, huh?
daVinci Self Portrait
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Melissa Forman: I think the first piece I bought was from my friend Paul. Well, it was kind of on loan. So I don’t have it anymore. He took it back for another exhibition.
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Melissa Forman: The last piece of art I bought was from my friend Erik. He had a small gallery show in Cleveland.
1xRun: What else do you have in the works?
Melissa Forman: I have a show coming up at The Corey Helford Gallery in October or November of 2013.
1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?
“Tilt is an internationally recognized traditional graffiti artist, originating from Toulouse in South France. A self declared “graffiti fetishist”, he learned his trade in the streets and on trains as a youngster. In the time since he did his first tags on a skateboard ramp back in ’88, his ensuing career has been nourished and influenced by extensive travel. Inspirational journeys have seen Tilt exhibit and leave his mark as far and wide as the U.S.A, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Laos, Taiwan, China, Canada, Philippines, Indonnesia, Maldivians and in excess of 12 countries throughout Europe.
TILT
Tilt published three books of his art and photography title “Egodrips”, “PhotoGraffiTiltism” and “Fetish Bubble Girls” . He is now working a lot on this project, shooting girls all around the world and painting on them. He is planing heading on more tours and of course painting murals and wallpieces. Enjoy Primitiv Graffi” – TILT
Tilt
1xRUN Thru Interview
Mario Brothers Series by TILT
1xRun: Let’s talk about your upcoming Mario Bros. series we’re releasing here at 1xRUN. What was the first Mario game that you played? Which Mario game was your favorite?
Tilt: I got my first Donkey Kong game and watch when I was a kid. My auntie used to work in a toy shop and stole everything that was cool and small. Today, I have a big collection of games and watches and I still love them.
1xRUN: What materials were these originally drawn with?
Tilt: If you talk about the originals paintings, I did them with an acrylic back ground to have nice drips and a dirty effect, then all the letters and the inside of the characters are spray painted and the outlines are made with Posca markers.
1xRun: Are the original pieces still for sale?
Tilt: Only Wario which is the last piece I did. The 3 others are in Switzerland, where they were bought by the same collector.
1xRun: When was each piece drawn/created?
Tilt: Mario, Luigi and Peach have been done since April 2011 for a show in Hong Kong with Ceet, Mist and Kongo.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Tilt: I love to paint figurative stuff with my letters and I realize my work is talking more and more about my past. Like I said I am a big fan of Nintendo games and watches, and Mario is of course the most important character if you want to talk about the 80’s. He also got my favorite colors, blue, red and yellow, so it was obvious for me to paint him one day. Then the family followed.
1xRun: How long did each piece take?
Tilt: I would say 3 days but I work on several piece at the same time
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Tilt: This is a real series (and except if the Swiss collector decide to buy the Wario piece) there is no way those four workscould be together.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?
Tilt: Because they’re nostalgic, because they like my bubble letters or maybe just because it talks to them in a way.
1xRun: Describe these pieces in one gut reaction word.
Mario Series by Tilt
Tilt: Authentic.
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Tilt: Istarted doing tags on skateboard ramps in 1988 with my crew SSN, Skate Speed Nation.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Tilt: My real first piece was “Til-Ber” for Tilt and Tober, my best friend. It was in the basement of my parent’s project.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Tilt: At that time I was really inspired by the classic New York writers like Dondi, Seen, Skeme, Cap for his throw ups but alsoVaughn Bode.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Tilt: My best friend Tober is also a musician and Benji my other friend I work with in my studio is a sound maker so I listen most of the time to their selection so it goes from the Clash to the Beastie Boys.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Tilt: I did some paintings with OsGemeos but it was always really classic graffiti by day or night but I d love to do a real collaboration with them on a giant wall or maybe an installation. I really appreciate their work but most of all I like their attitude and good vibes.
Os Gemeos
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Tilt: With no hesitation… doing a whole car with Dondi.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Tilt: I bought a picture of a girl walking in high heels, a beautiful black and white photo that I still have.
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Tilt: A Todd James print that I love and that I got in L.A for Art in the streets.
1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?
Simply put John Dunivant is an artist who you need to know about. Read on for the 1xRUN Thru Interview with John Dunivant and his latest RUN The Human Fly.
1xRUN Thru Interview
The Human Fly by John Dunivant
1xRUN: What materials printed on/drawn with?
John Dunivant: The original is a 12″ x 12″ acrylic and oil on board. The prints are giclee’s with several, hand applied layers of varnish.
1xRUN: Is the original still for sale?
John Dunivant: Yes, at 323 East, as part of the Lyric 2012 show curated by Glenn Barr.
The Human Fly Original Painting by John Dunivant - Available for Purchase at 323East.com (Update - The original is sold) - Click To View
1xRUN: When was the piece drawn/created?
John Dunivant: In April of this year.
1xRUN: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
John Dunivant: The piece was created for said show, the lyrics I chose were “I’m an unzipped fly and I don’t know why”, “I got 96 tears in my 96 eyes” from “Human Fly” by The Cramps. These Human Fly’s have been appearing in my work for a while and are little delinquents. The more-human of the two brothers was always jealous of his sister’s ability to fly and all of the attention she received so he enjoyed torturing her. The older brother has his finger hanging out because it’s what Lux (Interior) would do. Or, he’d probably just have his dick out, but I thought this was funnier.
The Fly Boy (in) Run #00115 // Oct 31, 2011 - The Clown by John Dunivant
Run #00115 // Oct 31, 2011- The Clown by John Dunivant
1xRUN: How long did the piece take?
John Dunivant: About a week.
1xRUN: What is unique about this piece?
John Dunivant: It has layered varnishes that bring out the depths of the inks and brings it closer to the original.
1xRUN: Why should people buy this RUN?
John Dunivant: It has a fly pretending his finger is his wiener.
1xRUN: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.
John Dunivant: Regurgitation.
1xRUN: When did you first start making art?
John Dunivant: When I was just a wee lad.
1xRUN: What was your first piece?
John Dunivant: A water color of two dancing clothes pins.
1xRUN: What artists inspired you early on?
John Dunivant: I was fairly sheltered from art early on, the only two artists that I knew were Ralph McQuarrie, one of the main concept artists for Star Wars and Norman Rockwell. I wrote off Rockwell as a teenager until the first time I saw an original in New York in college. It blew me away, that guy can paint your pants off.
Ralph McQuarrie
Normal Rockwell
1xRUN: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
John Dunivant: I listen to all sorts of stuff, depending on what I’m painting, whether I’m drawing or whatever. Sometimes I’ll have documentaries or the commentaries from movies on, it’s like conversations going on in the background. For this piece, I played The Cramps a lot.
1xRUN: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
John Dunivant: A sketch by Kent Williams about 20 years ago. It’s just a few simple lines, but it kills me. Yes, I still have it, it’s hanging in the hallway.
1xRUN: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
John Dunivant: Yanked by the Unknown Comic ” A personal highlight!” by Matt Gordon. He’s amazing.
Matt Gordon
1xRUN: What else do you have currently in the works?
John Dunivant: I have a solo show coming up at 323 East in July.
1xRUN: Where can people find you across the internette?
“I am a self taught artist living in Montreal, with wife, son, Boston Terrier, a cat & a 2nd kid around the corner. I do a lot of t-shirt designs for street wear brands of bands (mostly metal stuff) & my fine art production could be called “pop-surrealism”.” – Johnny Crap
Jonathan Bergeron aka Johnny Crap
1xRUN Thru Interview
Imperial Taco Ship by Jonathan Bergeron
1xRun: Is the original still for sale?
Johnny Crap: Original was sold.
1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?
Johnny Crap: April 2012
Work In Progress - Imperial Taco Ship
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Johnny Crap: It was done for a special event called UNO in Toronto in late April 2012, combining a pop up taco shop (La Carnita) & an art show featuring international & local artists. It was the perfect occasion for me to bring to life an idea I had for a long time to combine my interest for the dark side & my love of tacos.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Johnny Crap: It was done over a period of about 3 weeks but on & off, alternating with other pieces
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Johnny Crap: The Yoda Sauce.
Work In Progress - Imperial Taco Ship
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?
Johnny Crap: Any taco or Dark Side lover should own that print.
1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.
Johnny Crap: Fun.
Run #00226 // May 08, 2012 - Imperial Taco Ship by Jonathan Bergeron
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Johnny Crap: I have always been drawing for as long as I can remember but it took me a long time to realize that it was the only way for me to be fulfilled.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Johnny Crap: I used to do reproductions for my mother & aunts when I was a teenager, they would give me postcards or photos of paintings they wanted tone & I would do those for a bit of money.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Johnny Crap: Back then my favourite artist was Otto Dix, a German painter associated to the New Objectivity movement.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Johnny Crap: I listen to a mix of Black Metal, Hardcore, old blues, old hip-hop & neo-folk music.
Work In Progress - Imperial Taco Ship In Jonathan Bergeron's Studio
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Johnny Crap: I could name a few but if someone mentioned me as an artists they would like to to a collaboration with it might end up being awkward so I will not put anyone in that position. Haha.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Johnny Crap: Warhol so he could do a print series of my calavera dude.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Johnny Crap: I got a piece from Miss Van about 12 years ago. I will always keep it. It’s a redhead nurse, no way I’d get rid of that.
Miss Van
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Johnny Crap: The last one I bought, I think, was the Martin Wittfooth piece & before that a Peter Ferguson painting. The Ferguson painting is my favourite in my small collection.
Jonathan Bergeron's Martin Wittfooth Hanging
Jonathan Bergeron's wall - Piece by Peter Ferguson
1xRun: What else do you have in the works?
Johnny Crap: I just did the Marvel Licensed show at G1988, my version of Iron Man. That was a fun one. I am part of the “”Botanica”” show curated by Scott Scheidly at Genome Gallery as well as “”Wasted””, a show curated by Dave MacDowell at WWA gallery, both in June. I will also be part of a very special group show at SDCC that I can’t talk about, haha, same with a G.I.Joe theme show in L.A. Other than that, I am also working on my Solo show in October, that one will happen at Galerie Yves Laroche, here in Montreal
1xRun: Where can everyone find you across the internette?
D3N!@L: Original 48″ x 48″ is for sale, for $1500.
1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?
D3N!@L: This piece was originally designed Valentine’s Day 2011.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
D3N!@L: I feel there is a fine line between love and hate. This piece explores that idea. The piece was originally just Fuck You, it sat for a few months without the I love on it. Then one day it came to me to try and spin it into something positive. I feel a lot of people could relate with this sentiment, I definitely can being in a relationship myself. HAHA
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
D3N!@L: The original took a week, the run took a little over a week with some help from a fellow street artist “”Deadboy””
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
D3N!@L: It has a balance to it, the ying and the yang.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?
D3N!@L: If it resonates with you and you like the aesthetic you should get it, if it makes you mad then get it, if you hate it you should definitely get it.
1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.
D3N!@L: Balance.
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
D3N!@L: 6 years old.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
D3N!@L: I used to love drawing guns and battle scenes. I also loved tracing old skateboard logos and making up fake skateboard brands and logo. My grandfather was an artist and inspired me to draw and paint young.
Kill Taupe is a geeky Detroit area illustrator of strange rabbits, cannibal cupcakes, forlorn Slurpee chugging bears, robots that bake, angry vegetables and other critters and riff-raff.
Here for his first RUN, we are excited to present 3 original acryilc paintings from Detroit’s Kill Taupe. Read on for much more from Kill Taupe including studio shots, the first piece of art he bought and upcoming shows.
1xRUN Thru Interview
Don’t Fear… by Kill Taupe
1xRun: When were these 3 original pieces drawn/created?
Kill Taupe: Early in April. Each one of the Reaper Rabbits from this series is an original illustration that was sketched, painted and inked just for you.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Kill Taupe: What does Death look like to a rabbit? Something that is equal parts adorable and morbid.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Kill Taupe: Each piece took a good solid day of painting, interlaced with breaks involving too many Doritos and bad daytime tv.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Kill Taupe: Look at that rabbit! Is he here simply to meander through the woods being adorable? Or, is he here to rip out your soul and send you straight to hell for an eternity of painful butt torture? This piece will aid you in your search for answers to questions like that.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?
Kill Taupe: Surely, it will increase the awesomeness of the wall it is hung on by at least 78%
1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.
Kill Taupe: snikt.
Kill Taupe
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Kill Taupe: I may have left some cave drawings on the inside of my mothers uterus.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Kill Taupe: The first piece I ever sold was a small painting of Mel Gibson with the words “Sugar Tits” drawn in behind him. It was like a hand drawn meme.
Kill Taupe: The aforementioned artists along with heavy hitters in the pop genre like Joe Ledbetter, Banksy and Scott C. Their work never lacks energy, or fun, and always amazes me.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Kill Taupe: My studio is pretty cozy and the music’s always on. I listen to a wide variety of stuff. Today’s rotation included Röyksopp’s “Junior”, Graffiti 6, the Black Keys and a few hours of 93.9 the River.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Kill Taupe: I guess Keith Harring, but I saw a documentary about him once, and I’m not sure we’d get along. Before we finished whatever we were working on I’d probably end up getting in a slap fight with his corpse.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Kill Taupe: It was a print of Scott C’s “Igloo Head & Tree Head 2”, and I still have it!
Scott C - Igloo Head & Tree Head 2
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Kill Taupe: It was a sculpture, from Emi Slade, of a tentacled alien emerging from a small sugar pot.
Emi Slade
1xRun: What else do you have in the works?
Kill Taupe: I’ve got “Purveyors of Firewater & Opiates” with Matthew Ryan Sharp coming up on June 16th at LIFT in Royal Oak. Towards the end of June I’ll be part of a group show with Deco23, Malt and other street artists at Rivers Edge Gallery Wyandotte. I’ll also be periodically setting up my mini pop-up shop at the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale.
1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?
