Pink Kloud (Canada)

Pink Kloud (Canada)

Hey ! CrewKoos interviews are now fully entering the 21st century as you can now find us on Twitter (I think the adress is https://twitter.com/PostersIntervie , but I am still not very familiar with that) !! And guess what ?! Pink Kloud was my first (and only so far) followe, this is already a good reason to welcome her on the site :) Add to that colorfull designs and a large mix of influences, and here we are ...

What are we listening to when we come to visit you?

Lately I've been obsessively listening to the new Fiona Apple, Lockets, Rival Schools, St. Vincent, and a bit of Blossom Dearie

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

I'm a graphic designer and illustrator based in Vancouver, BC. I'm originally from the prairies and sometimes I miss the big sky. One of my main clients is a children's book publisher and I love the work I do. I also make music and just started a new band called Be KinD.

When did you start drawing?

Like most artists, it started when I was a kid and I guess I never got the memo that I should "grow up" and stop. I draw a lot for work but I'd like to focus on drawing for fun again.

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

I went to art school (Emily Carr University) and spent many hours in life drawing sessions, using up erasers and crumpling up drawings left and right. I love to express myself in all kinds of creative ways: dance, painting, music, photography, printmaking. I'm still learninc.

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

After many years of having every job imaginable, I am finally making a living doing creative work. I feel really grateful. I worked hard to avoid the 9 to 5. I may work more hours than that in the average day but it's what I love to do so it never feels like a grind. And it's on my own terms, which is very important to me - to have flexibility, to choose what I do each day, to make my own schedule.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

Opportunities like that haven't yet come up but I would be open to them.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

I am influenced by so many things: friends, yoga, other creatives, travel, nature, music, colour. Some of my favourites sources: children's books, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Anne Faith Nicholls, Graham Roumieu, Tomi Ungerer. I like really graphic, colourful artwork that has a playful sense of humour.

What are the principal steps in your work?

I think about what I want to do for awhile before I get anywhere near the computer or a sketchbook. Lots of thinking while I'm walking or doing other things. An idea might percolate in my mind for a week or more depending on the timeline. It's always there in the back of my mind. And then I collect reference images and get more specific about how I want something to feel. More thinking, more brainstorming, and then I just go for it. I am impatient to finish so once I sit down to work on it, it gets done pretty quickly.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

Sometimes I draw on paper and scan in; other times I just draw on the computer. It depends on the project. It also depends on how much detail is involved.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

Sometimes it happens very quickly and other times it's more of a production. But it rarely takes me more than a few days from start to finish - I mean, once I sit down to actively produce it. The thinking/researching time is much longer. Once I have an idea, I find it's pretty easy to get it done.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

I like being able to choose and it's important that I don't take on every job because there are a lot of things I can't (and won't) do. If I don't feel like I'm the right artist for a project, I'm up front. That said, I don't mind taking chances and I'll attempt most things at least once. But if I am certain it's not something I can successfully attempt, then I will generally decline.

For which band have you already worked for?

I've done work for Diamond Dancer (my old band), Joel Battle, Young Liars, Tough Lovers, Too High Crew. Vancouver-based bands and promoters mostly.

For which band would you love to work

Wow. I've never really thought about this. Kurt Vile, PJ Harvey, M83, Neil Young, Ryan Adams…all kinds of bands.

Do you choose the artists yourself?

Generally clients approach me.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

Making sure the information is legible and effective. There's no sense in designing a good-looking poster if no one can figure out what it's for.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else?

I don't think I'm part of a scene but there are a lot of great artists and illustrators in my city. I just did a poster show at a local gallery and through that I met a handful of inspiring designers that I didn't even know existed previously. I think it would be great to form more of a community here. There are a lot of people here who are creating events and working towards that.

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

My graphic design work is here: http://www.pinkkloud.com. You can see a selection of my gig posters here: http://www.gigposters.com/designer/144311_Carmen_Leah.html. I'm in the process of creating a portfolio for my illustration and that will be at http://www.carmenleah.com.

The best praise you received lately?

I've been getting a lot of praise from my new clients and it always makes me happy to create work that pleases them and gets them excited about their project and putting that out into the world for others to enjoy.

What can we wish you for the future?

More illustration work, more opportunities to try new things and to show my work. And a children's book is in the works!

Chloe Lum & Yannick Desranleau (Seripop) (CDN)

Seripop (Canada)

It's been a while since last time we met canadian artists on the blog, but if you read the site on regular basis, you may have noticed that Seripop was really often consider as a really important actor of today's poster scene, and, you do not have to look too long at their work to see that they are really unique by their way of drawing and their choice of colors...

What are we listening to when we come to visit you?

Probably Cecil Taylor , Dewey Redman , Morbid Angel , Magma , Ornette Coleman ,Voivod , Satanized or Bill Orcutt.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

 We are Seripop aka Chloe Lum and Yannick Desranleau , from Montreal. We've been collaborating for 10 years under this moniker and what we do seems to constantly shift and change. We have done poster art , design, editorial illustration and contemporary art. Lately our main work is large scale screen printed installation work that we are showing in galleries and institutions.

When did you start drawing?

 Not too long ago. we were both uninterested in drawing until around 2003. Before that we were both more interested in collage and mediums that did not required the direct action of the hand (video, performance, etc). 

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

We both studied Fine Art at Concordia University, in Interdisciplinary Stidies. This was and exploration of art practices through post modernist theory. Not much chance to push our drawing chops. We learned on the job.

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

 Full on , full-time. With the odd printing job .

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

 - We do work pretty regularly with Pilot Literary Magazine out of Toroonto (http://www.thepilotproject.ca/ ) ,  we've been doing stuff for every issue for the past 2 years now. We illustrate short fiction with flu creative control, it's a dream gig.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

 There is a plethora of influences that affected our work. There is a rich history of local postermaking in Montreal and that was a big reason for us to start; but also just the generic concept of maing posters as a sort of intervention in the streets was something we found very motivating--- so the concept in it own was a big push for us to start, and develop our own ideas throughout.

What are the principal steps in your work ? 

 Thinking , talking , sketching ,  then brute labour

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

 Most of our drawing / text / fills are done by hand , then we use photoshop as a paste-up board.

We tend to be very implicated in the printing process as wee, by giving specific directives to printmakers/offset printers or by screenprinting our own work.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

 It varies but it's usually a week from initial sketches to completed print

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

Since we  don't do many commissions these days we are very selective in the jobs we take on and require a certain creative liberty. I think people looking to hire designers/illustrators should hire someone who does the type of work they require , not expect the artist to re-invent her style.

For which band have you already worked for?

 Deerhoof , Fucked Up , EGYPTRIXX , Sightings, Death From Above, MSTRKRFT, and so on.

For which band would you love to work?

 Country Teasers or any free jazz giant would get us excited to do another poster. Discharge and Penderecki. The Metropolitan Opera?

Do you choose the artists yourself?

 Sometimes , and sometimes they choose us.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

 Always trying to challenge ourselves and not stick with a formula.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

Felix Morel , Daniel Ludke (DNML) , Sonnenzimmer , Bongout , Walter Scott , Jesjit Gill , Jacob Horwood , Lisa Czech , Dominique Petrin +++++++++++++

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

http://seripop.com/

for sale here : http://www.etsy.com/shop/Seripop

And in real life at Blackwood gallery at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus http://www.blackwoodgallery.ca/Blackwood_exhibitionscurrent.html

The best praise you received lately?

The best praise we've gotten recently was to receive a production grant . It means that we are able to take on much more ambitious  works  and spend more time on them lately.

What can we wish you for the future?

We we are wanting to continue to do even larger scale works  and be able to take them outside as temporary public art pieces .

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!

Andy MacDougall (Canada)

With Luke Drodz and Jonathan Rebolloso
at FS 29 in Austin.
That's our onsite print rig,
we just finished Luke's print.

Andy MacDougall (Canada)

Unfortunatly for us, Andy is now an old guy with a weak memory and it is probably certain that we will never know the name of the band he was looking for, in which guys like Keith Richards and Ron Wood are supposed to play. Too bad, it was sounding good on the paper but it is hard to beat senility :) More seriously, I would like to thanx a lot Andy for the quality of his answers and his dedication to silkscreens.



my 'art department'. working on
a poster for Tom Pappalardo

 Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?

Silence –I’m at the computer. I don’t really enjoy music when I am typing, too distracting. Earlier I was listening to Cab Calloway (Minnie the Moocher) When I’m printing, I like anything loud and fast, a range of music – the current pile of CDs by the press has on top - Who Live at Leeds, Clash, Ramones, Everybody Slides, (a collection of slide guitarists, with my #1 gittar mang Sonny Landreth in there) Manu Chao, Kinks…..I keep a few stacks of cds beside the press that go in and out of rotation. If I get a long job where I know I will be printing all day for a week or so, I always treat myself to a shopping spree at Bop City Records (local music store here in the wilderness), who maintain a really good rotating stock of music on CD and they have a big vinyl section too. Not really up on ‘new’ music too much, my daughter tries to school me or I pick bands from posters. I like it all - rock, funk, Cuban, old R&B/New Orleans, Rockabilly….

In the studio printing a job. Artist Nigel Fox.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

I live on Vancouver Island, BC Canada, in small town. I grew up in Ontario, hitchhiked to the west coast when I was 16, fell in love with the mountains and ocean, and have been here more or less since then. I learned my trade (screenprinting) working in a series of sign shops and screen shops in bigger Canadian cities, then opened my own. I finished with the commercial work (more or less, sometimes I have to eat) in the mid 90s and built a studio at my house (Squeegeeville) dedicated to art prints, poster work, and fun projects. I wrote a book (Screenprinting Today) and started teaching people screenprinting. For quite a while I was a musician too. Hung the guitars up in 2002, with the occasional benefit gig since. I have a pet motorcycle (’89 BMW RT100). I was elected to the ASPT(Academy of Screen Printing Technology) in 2007 and I remain a Vancouver Canucks hockey fan even though they lost in the final. 2012 is the year the Canucks win the Stanley Cup. And then the world ends according to the Mayans. Co-incidence?

Recent art print by Neil Havers

When did you start drawing?

As a little kid. My dad was a good cartoonist/signwriter and taught my sister and I how to letter with calligraphy pens when we were 7 or 8. I drew comics all the time. I did my first print (a linocut) when I was 6. We used to carve stamps out of old shoe heels. I did my first screenprint in highschool, an image of Jimi Hendrix, we printed that on paper, shirts, desk tops, windows.

I more or less stopped designing and doing my own art and graphics years ago. I’m content to let others design, I like to work with people and be the printer. Being a printer is kind of like being in a band vs. being a solo artist. I like jamming with others.

Flatstock print demo, artist Mirjam Dijkema

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

Ha….I got kicked out of school for the drawings in the margins and writing in the local newspaper. The teachers had saved confiscated drawings from grade 7 until grade 12…weird. I had a big confrontation with the principal and they dragged out this file. They said it was evidence of a sick mind. Everything I learned regarding graphics, screenprinting, or music was from working with others who were better, and always asking questions and learning new things from books and practice.

Flatstock print demo - artist Kunny van der Ploeg

I made a transition from music to graphic design and advertising after my daughter was born, and I had to face the fact that playing guitar in shitty bars and clubs with 3rd rate bands was not going to do it as far as supporting a family. So my lettering skills and cartooning and postermaking in the bands landed me a job running advertising for a chain of 5 retail automotive stores. There I learned graphics on the fly for 2 years – full page newspaper ads every week, along with radio and TV ads. I created sales campaigns, and then had to supply the stores with POP signage. That’s where I started screenprinting. Once I got a taste of the printing, I quit the advertising (graphics) side and went to work for a series of different companies to learn the industry. I started my own company in 1982. From 1984 until 1993 I ran a commercial screenprinting company in Vancouver, but it got too big and stupid. I had started printing art in this time, and so I made a career change and moved and built my studio.

Flatstock print demo - artist Gregg Gordon

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

It’s all focused around screenprinting. I earn from printing, I earn from writing, I earn from teaching/consulting, and I sell equipment.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

Screenprinting magazine in the USA, I have a regular column and do feature articles, also a couple of others in England, Brazil, India. I am involved in publishing a book on the History of Screenprinting by Guido Lengwiler a Swiss professor of screenprinting, it should be out next year.

flatstock print demo - Artist Billy Perkins

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

Ha – I love a lot of work, especially the ‘younger’ artists in the rock poster movement. I am always inspired to see quality screenprinting, and always try to achieve a perfect print – but it never happens. From my friends in the rock poster movement I get lots of inspiration – the design & print artists especially, I really like to see artists that can draw and print as it helps them squeeze new effects and direction in their art. And the printers – any time I see some tight printing, it always kicks my ass to be better. I’m not going to name names, there are too many good ones.

What are the principal steps in your work ?

flatstock print demo - Artist Gary Houston

I usually take the jobs from the artist with seps/film done. In some cases, depending on the art style, I will work with a production artist to create the seps. For instance, a ruby cut for a west coast native artist, or a 20 colour index sep where the original art comes multicolour. But mostly artists just send sepped files.

We touch up the films, then make screens.

Screens on press, inks mixed, print the job, reclaim the screen….pretty straight ahead.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

A mix. I encourage artists I work with or teach to learn a number of techniques, to fit the style of art they do. There is no ‘right way’. Many younger artists have no idea about rubylith, or drawing direct on film. Yet when I look at their art, it would be a perfect technique.

flatstock Print demo - Artist Lil' Tuffy

How long does it take you to do a poster?

A day, a week, a year. Although there are only 8 steps in the process, sometimes the time between them is the biggest part. I am usually OK with 2-3-4 runs a day depending on the amount of prints in the edition. I’m an old guy and essentially lazy.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

I’ll print anything as long as it isn’t racist or real estate and has a 50% deposit. I charge more for jobs that are shit. I charge less if I like the artist or the work.

For which band have you already worked for?

We’ve done prints for many artists that reference a wide range of acts. From Ramones to Johnny Cash, Melvins to Kiss.

Recent print - Artist Neil Havers

For which band would you love to work?

I think it would be fun if Keith Richards or Ronnie Wood came over and we worked up some prints for that band they are in….can’t remember the name…..but they both do screenprints.

Do you choose the artists yourself?

No, they find me.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

Getting the idea to film.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

I hope I can count myself amongst the gigposter art movement – and obviously the screenprinting branch of fine art limited printmaking. I like the GP side because there is an immediacy to it, less emphasis on the ‘fine art’, more on capturing the idea and printing it. I have met very few assholes when I go to the Flastock poster shows. The fine art side is full of them.

Recent print - Artist Jon Erickson -
this image separation was hand cut using rubylith!

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

http://www.squeegeeville.com/ I don’t have a lot up there, maybe check out http://www.facebook.com/squeegeeville lots more pics. I usually attend the Flatstock shows in Seattle and Austin in the USA every year. We do onsite printing demos, that’s fun. Last year we did 8 prints onsite in Austin, including ones by Luke Drozd, Gary Houston, Billy Perkins, Guy Burwell, Gregg Gordon, Jared Connor and Clay Ferguson.

I have a show coming up at the Comox Valley Art Gallery in Sept 2012 called Screenprinting: Ad, Art, or Alchemy? We want to show the interconnect screenprinting brings to the world. It will feature fine art, poster and advertising art, and also a range of products and industrial processes like solar cells, touch screens, electronic panels and controls, ceramics, skateboards, etc.

Austin Flatstock -
artists Jared Connor and Stainboy collab

The best praise you received lately?

My wife said I did a good job cutting the lawn.

What can we wish you for the future?

An interesting life. It’s been pretty good up till now. And to drop a few pounds. I’m getting too fat.

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!

You’re welcome!

Jeremy Wilson (Canada)

Jeremy Wilson (Canada)

If you're searching really seriously on the web, you will probably find that a canadian rabbit is a coin that disappeared around 1967. Do I have to tell you that this has probably nothing to do with the kind of animal you can see on the picture on the left. Especially if, after a close look to the picture, you try to look for "canadian drunk rabbit". No, surely there is no place on the web to find anything about this strange animal... except, if you look around gigposters.com or… here ! ;)

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?

"Never" by the Abandoned Pools.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

I'm Jeremy Wilson, from Toronto, Canada. I'm a poster artist who makes hand-printed posters for bands, and I ran a co-op screenprinting studio called Popfuel for a few years.

When did you start drawing?

From birth, pretty much. I was always doodling.

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

I've never had any formal art training, but I've desperately needed it for many years. This is why I'm a designer and not an illustrator!

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

I have a day job, I work for a social media company. Posters have always been a part-time thing. I greatly envy those who can make a living from their artwork, it's not an easy living. I love posters but they don't make very good shelter material and they taste terrible.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

Hardly ever, I primarily do work directly for bands or promoters.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

My biggest influence are the commercial artists from the first half of the 20th century, who I also liberally steal from in terms of imagery and style. As a designer, for my own walls I prefer illustrators like Jay Ryan, Guy Burwell or Tara McPherson because they're doing work I could only dream of doing.

What are the principal steps in your work ?

The first step - after being contacted by a band or promoter, of course - is figuring out what restrictions I have to work inside. These are usually things like the number of colours available (usually less than four solid colours per design), any themes, or the "tone" of the work itself as dictated by the band. Many artists have a consistent "look" to their work and are sought out for that, while I generally modify the look to match the band as much as possible.

The next step is the idea. The idea has to fit inside the restrictions, and I prefer to do things that are fun or clever. All my best posters are either funny or clever.

Everything after that is purely mechanical - drawing, designing in illustrator, separations, burning screens, etc.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

Some start out on paper, but everything eventually ends up in the computer for final editing, colouring and tweaking. Some never see paper until they're printed. We live in the future.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

A few hours to several days, it's always different. Sometimes the printing takes less time than the design.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

If I had to make a living doing it, I'd give it the old college try, but I am in the position to tell people "no" and only do things that interest me. My artwork really suffers if I don't give a crap about what I'm doing. I want to give a crap.

For which band have you already worked for?

Death Cab For Cutie, Stars, The Hold Steady, Tegan and Sara - many more, big and small. Mostly for shows in Toronto.

For which band would you love to work?

Pearl Jam - not out of any love for the band, but because I would love to sell out of the posters in 32 seconds! Those PJ fans are crazy for posters.

Do you choose the artists yourself?

Not always, I did a lot of work for a local record store - Criminal Records - for shows they had, and it was mostly up-and-coming bands who I knew would never sell a poster, but the store guys were so dedicated to the local music scene it was worth it just because it made them so happy.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

The idea. Always the idea. Once you have that everything else is cake. Or pie. Whichever dessert you prefer.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

Perhaps as part of the larger re-imergence of screenprinted posters in general, thanks to gigposters.com and the API, who run Flatstock. Without them, small time guys like me wouldn't get anywhere.

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

My gallery of work is up at popfuel.com/gallery or at gigposters.com. In real life it's in record store windows around Toronto. I don't have a store but if someone is interested in a poster, they can contact me.

The best praise you received lately?

Someone emailed me about my Rilo Kiley poster and said "thank you producing beautiful work and inspiring amateur printers who produce work for friends and get paid in beer" which is pretty spot on. Beer is good, as long as it costs more than a dollar. That last part is very important.

What can we wish you for the future?

I could really go for a Coke right now.

Dirty Donny G (Canada)

Dirty Donny G (Canada)

What could I add to Donny's profile on Facebook ? "Deemed to be one of the most influential artists to invade the pop culture scenes of the punk, rock n roll and heavy metal underground, Dirty Donny has been spreading his art across all mediums for decades; ranging from skate decks to pinball machines , to hot rods and album covers." Maybe a huge Thanx and congrats for his talent !!!

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?

For me it's always changing. Right now Mastodon's "The Hunter", Gypsy Hawk "Patents and persarvarence" and the Sword "Warp Riders".

I love allot of music. 70's punk rock, metal, garage, classic rock.

Radio Birdman, The Hellacopters, Thin Lizzy etc.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

I'm originally from Ottawa Canada. I have lived In San Francisco California for the past 10 years.

I'm a freelance artist mostly working in the music industry. I also paint cars, bike tanks and helmets. I build allot of thing as well like custom Pinball machines.

When did you start drawing?

As soon as I could hold a pencil I was drawing, as a kid I would draw on anything and everything.

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

I drew all over my schoolbooks. for the whole 5th grade all I drew was Iron Maidens "Eddy" lol.

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

I've been a full time freelance artist for 13 years now.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

I occasionally do art for fanzines and magazines. No job is to big or to small. I love working with new bands as well as zines. My only problem these days is time.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

I have tons of influences and they are always changing.

Frank Frasetta, Monte, Mouse, Bill Campbell Ed Newt Newton, Jack Kerby, Michael Whelan, Dave Christiansen, Gordon Morison, Norman Saunders, the list goes on and on.

What are the principal steps in your work ?

I have set no limits or rules for what I do. I work with many different mediums. I sculpt, illustrate with brush and ink, pinstripe, airbrush and wood work. I can weld and work with metal. I also use the computer when called for. I restored my 1969 Plymouth Satellite with my pals. Every project has a different approach.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

Sometimes a few days to a week depending. I mostly illustrate it with brush and ink, scan that in and build the layout or what ever is left. I used to cut Ruby lithe but now it's all done on the computer.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

Haha, that's funny. For me it's all about motivation. It depends on allot of things.

I mostly get to do what I wasn't, I've very fortunate that way. But that said I take on my share of commissions. It's been a good mix and balance. I get board easy and like to mix it up.

For instance this week I'm finishing up some skateboard designs for Creature that are hand drawn and thenlaid out on the computer. Next week I'm painting/airbrushing a drum set for Brann Daylor of Mastodon. When that's done I'm working on some paintings for my upcoming solo show.

For which band have you already worked for?

I've worked for many bands but to name a few: The Hellacopters, Metallica, Mastodon, The White Wires. I just finished a guitar for Brendon Small of DETHKLOK.



How did you find yourself collaborating with Metallica ? Do you still have news of them ?

A friend of mine is a rodie for them and showed Kirk Hammett my work.

Kirk hired me to do murals at their Head Quarters. Thats when I met the other guys and have been doing artwork for them on and off since 2002.

For which band would you love to work?

You know it's funny, I really want to do a record cover for Personal and The Pizza's.

Do you choose the artists yourself?

I've mostly been approached. One job leads to another, it's true.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

Getting the type to look rad. I just did the San Francisco Budget Rock 10 poster and holy-fok there was a tone of type to battle with, lol.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

In a way I'm part of many scenes. The California hot rod automotive world, Pinball, Skateboarding, Posters, Metal/Garage/punk and independent music scenes.

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

http://www.dirtydonny.com/ I have a blog dirtydonnyart.blogspot.com but thats moving to my website.

The best praise you received lately?

I've been doing allot 1970's sci-fi fantasy inspired paintings for my solo show.

Two artist friends of mine that I have much respect for told me they loved the work and were stoked on my new or next direction. It was very inspiring.

What can we wish you for the future?

More, new and better!

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!

Thanks for having me!










New releases :

Gigposters.com (Clay Hayes) (CDN/ Worldwide)

Gigposters.com (Clay Hayes) (CDN/ Worldwide)

If you visit regulary this blog, I have no doubt you know about gigposters.com, you might arrive directly ftom the site indeed. For those of you wondering what gigposters.com is, first click on the link, and you will see the most impressive collection of rock posters archived by bands, designers, city or venue, a forum, rates tools, etc, etc… You understood, the site is the paradise for any rock art lover. Every artists is welcome to show his talent and the number of designers, as weel as the number of posters online, are growing everyday. It has become huge and completly impossible to miss for the addicts like me. But behind this impressive site is one canadian guy, and his team you will learn to know a little bit more thanx to the interview he agreed to answer for the blog. We manage to have him on the site few days before the releasing of Gigposters volume 2 book, thanx a lot Clay !!!!

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?


I'm stuck in the 90's ;) Jawbreaker, Seaweed, Knapsack, Jealous Sound

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I am the computer-guy behind GigPosters.com

When and how did you enter the poster world ?

I played in a band for about 10 years, and collected the posters (flyers) from my shows. I started the site to share the posters I had, and to see what else was out there.

Today are you living from your passion, or do you do something else for a living ?

Well, I lived the passion for 8 of the last 10 years running GigPosters.com full-time. I recently started a real, full-time job because I needed the steady income. Thanks to many helpers, the site shall continue on.

When did you start gigposter and what was the idea at the beginning ?

The site launched in Jan, 2001 and it was just for fun. Word of mouth traveled fast, and the site exploded into what you see today.

10 years later how would you define gigposters ?

Gig Posters are advertisements for live musical events. They capture the attention of the fan, and bring them to the gigs.

What are you proud about regarding the site ?

I am so proud of the amazing community that has grown over the years and supported me. It really is a dream come true to be behind it.

Are you a collector yourself ?

I now have thousands of these amazing works of art. Addicting, huh?

If so, what is your top 5 artists and top 5 posters ever ?

Sorry, but part of my job is to treat each and every poster and designer equally on the site, so I'm not allowed to have favorites.

Are you, at the moment, working on new features for the site ?

Always - the site grows and changes all the time.

How many people are working with you ? What are they doing ?

Just me, and a few volunteer moderators to help the forums stay in check.

You have the best viewpoint on the international poster scene, how do you see it evolve ?

It is growing more and more every day! The quality and popularity is skyrocketing!

According to you, what can we expect for the future ?

I am super excited to see what is next. The posters just keep getting better and better, and from more and more places around the world. I love to see it grow.

The best praise you received lately?

I am the proud author of 2 books - my newest is coming out on November 1st. The press is just starting to roll in.. and there will be much more soon.
http://www.gigposters.com/book/

Regarding this volume 2, what is new compare to volume 1 ?


101 fantastic new designers! Over 700 amazing posters.

How did you choose the designers presented in this second edition ?

These designers represent 101 more of the amazing, diverse designers from GigPosters.com. There are over 10,000 designers on the site.

Did you choose the posters yourself or did you ask the artist to choose their favorites own ones ?

The designers submitted the posters they wanted to include, and I worked with the publisher to narrow them down to the ones included in the book.

Do you already have an idea for gigposters 3 ?

I would love to continue releasing volumes of books with the same format. There are so many amazing designers on GigPosters.com that deserve recognition.

Calendars, playing cards, can we expect new products around gigposters for...let's say...Chrismas ?

There should be a super-limited-edition GigPosters.com 10th Anniversary Art Print set being released before the end of the year. Keep an eye out for it!

What can we wish you for the future?

I won't be going anywhere - here's to 10 more years of amazing posters!

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!