1xRUN Thru Interview
The Party by Jim Mahfood
1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this original piece, what materials was The Party created with? Is it still for sale?
Jim Mahfood: I basically pencil everything out first, very lightly and very simple shapes. Go in with the watercolors, add some tones and splatters. Draw all the line-work and textures with ink. Spray paint, oil sticks, and colored pencils to round it all out. The original is not for sale, I do have some other original art for sale though.. This piece was very recently created in early January of 2013.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about? How long did the piece take?
Jim Mahfood: This is a funk piece, about calmness and destruction, beauty and chaos. I like to often juxtapose images of attractive badass females with ugly and sinister creatures. I generally just sit down and draw things. I don’t pre-plan that much. My best work comes when i am spontaneous and work from my instincts and just go for it. I would say this piece took 3-4 days to finish.1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Jim Mahfood: The girl is wearing awesome skull panties! Plus, penguins and weird creatures having fun.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Jim Mahfood: I think this is a fun and weird psychedelic piece. It would look great hanging in anyone’s home or gallery.
1xRun: Describe this print in one gut reaction word.
Jim Mahfood: Fun.1xRun: When did you first start making art? What was your first piece?
Jim Mahfood: When I was a little kid. I used to make my own Spider-Man comic books when i was a little kid and sell them to people in the neighborhood.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on? What artists inspire you now?
Jim Mahfood: Early on it was Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Shel Silverstein, Richard Scarry, Berke Breathed, Charles Shulz, Eastman & Laird. As of late it has been Basquiat, Keith Haring, Ralph Steadman, Dondi White, Vaughn Bode, Bill Sienkiewicz, Sergio Toppi, and many more.1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work?
Jim Mahfood: Yea, strictly music when i work really loud. All genres. Loud punk, funk, rap type stuff during the day. Jazz, reggae, dub, downtempo stuff at night.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? Any deceased artists?
Jim Mahfood: Dave Choe. We both work fast. For the latter, Basquiat. I’m sure we would have gotten along really well.
1xRun: Is this your first year at Pow Wow? If so, how did you get involved?
Jim Mahfood: Yep, first year. My homie Angry Woebots got me involved. He introduced me to the Pow Wow crew.1xRun: Any particular artists at Pow Wow who’s work you are excited to see in person?
Jim Mahfood: Oh, everyone. Without a doubt. Some serious talent happening here. It’s going to be amazing!
-1xRUN