Dmote Debuts With Cosmodor

1xRun Thru Interview
Cosmodor by Dmote

dmotebrooklyn

1xRun: Tell us about this piece, when was it created and how long did it take?
Dmote:  The piece was created in late 2012 and took me about three weeks to complete. It is a psychedelic exploration of my recent drawings, but the piece itself was specifically made for the print edition. The piece that the print is based on was originally painted with acrylic gouache on hot pressed heavyweight paper. The red and baby blue color palette represents one of my favorite graffiti color combo’s for painting simple straight letters.

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1xRUN: Tell us how the idea and idea came about and the materials you used to create these unique screen prints?
Dmote: I have been drawing in a new sketchbook for a while just gathering and exploring ideas. I then took them to a more finished output by re composing and marrying them together organically into one overall image. I hand sprayed the pink layer to give each print an individuality like the original. We screen printed the remaining layers over the top.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Dmote:  My drawings in the piece are definitely unique and each piece has a uniquely hand colored background layer.

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1xRun: Describe this print in one gut reaction word.
Dmote: Optimum-mystic.

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1xRun: When did you first start making art and what was your first piece?
Dmote:  I have drawn all my life, but first remember being somewhat competent around 16. My fist piece of graffiti said “Run-DMC” and was terrible.

"Shank" by Dmote Chicago 2013

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on and who inspires you now?
Dmote: It forever changes, but I remember getting the Basquiat book when I was about 19 and not really getting it, but it became something I’d get energy from later. Julian Schnabel, Albert Oehlen, Peter Doig, Eddie Martinez are all artists I like. They are true “painters” this is what I admire most when looking at art: free, confident marks, moves and decisions. Graff books and photos were my main source of inspiration as a writer. I am more inspired by random acts of art now, art shows, technique etc…

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1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work and if so what?
Dmote:  I listen to a lot of music all day long in the studio and at home. Today I have listened to the new Trinidad James, Juicy J, Stalley, all which pretty much sucked, been enjoying Johny Jewel’s soundclound, Chomatics are a favorite and Pro Era is good for new hip hop. (Stream Dmote’s Sound Advice 180 or download at TheWorldsBestEver)

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? Any deceased artists?
Dmote: I don’t really like to collaborate because it doesn’t really excite me. I probably wouldn’t know what to say to someone I held in such high regard like that, so the experience would most likely be weird.

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it? The last?
Dmote: I bought a piece from a graduation art show in Queensland Australia. It was a falic depiction of a vagina made from stockings. It was a present for a girl, wonder if she still has it? I’m too broke to buy lunch now so the last thing I acquired was a drawing swap with one of my favorites and good friend Eddie Martinez.

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1xRun: What have you been up to the last 2-3 months here as summer winds down?
Dmote: I’ve been continuing to work in the studio and on the street, I have traveled back to Australia for a RVCA tour and to Chicago last week to paint some.

1xRun: Any other big plans coming up you want to mention?
Dmote:  No big plans as such would love to come back to Detroit and paint one of my characters big!

1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Dmote:   WebsiteInstagram @dmoterola – Blog

-1xRUN