“I was born in ’67. As my eyez opened I saw the bright light of the world. Something happened that would make me follow the guiding light forever. Delivered into this beautiful sick world, a VIRUZ in the ward contaminated my brain. First of all the VIRUZ was weak and solitary, but HE gathered power as I grew. As soon as I was able to speak he introduced himself to me: ‘I am your CRIMINAL VIRUZ running through your veins – chilling comfortably in the director’s chair with a TV, plugging into your brain receptors just like I need. Connecting some and disconnecting others, I’m gonna replicate throughout your body.” That said and done the VIRUZ began to reproduce itself, at first I wasn’t sure for what. More and more he contaminated my thoughts and emotions, but it was good like that. It happened with no pain or rage. I felt fine. My only question was where the CRIMINAL element entered into the scheme. Back then I didn’t understand why he didn’t discuss it, he just commanded me. If I didn’t do it voluntarily HE would alter some of my brain receptors so that I did. That’s how I came to steal cans, tagging and painting trains day and night, smearing outlines on kilos of paper, throwing up color onto anything that caught my eyz. Building up my own cosmos, trying not to be caught up in the system, giving me the right to shit on public property so I could cover the world with a 0.1 millimeter coat of colour. Without question the CRIMINAL VIRUZ commanded me. … Dedicated to all colour kamikazes who without asking contaminate the world with the colour virus. Paint-armed rebelz forever.”
WON ABC
www.wonabc.com
Kevin Born in San Diego in 1980, like all artists Kevin was influenced by his surroundings. The intricate finishing of Spanish architecture, lush California agriculture, Saturday morning cartoons, or eccentric family members, attention to detail, and a healthy cynical attitude has always fueled his work. Early on he amused himself by drawing from situations, positive or negative, to either diffuse or examine. Naturally curious and having a thirst for the abnormal, he began to read Surrealist literature and visit museums. Kevin related to the ideas of revolt through art preached by the Surrealists, and understood that most art movements were rebellions, reactions to social, political and religious ideologies. Along with these ideals, he was very much attracted to the ritualistic and therapeutic side of creativity. After graduating from the Laguna College of Art and Design with a BFA in illustration he began to devote all of his time to oil painting.
“Working in illustration, I realized early on that it forces you to become a problem-solver. After countless awkward positions and disappointments, I began to realize that I had to relax and go with the flow of things to make them work. I hated using sketches and reference. I felt that they ruined the spontaneity of a painting, and provided a crutch that would be detrimental to my process of free association. I guess I kind of felt that it took away from the mystery and importance of my memories and the basic function of painting from my head. I feel that it is very important to exercise the basic function of memory and keep it sharp. The more I paint, the more my focus lies in the process itself and the ripening of an idea through happy accidents and subconscious urges. I never know what a piece will look like until it is completed, which is the most exciting part of painting to me. More importantly, I believe that my job as an artist is to act like an antenna that receives and negates information and provide commentary on my surroundings in my own unique voice.
Kevin Peterson
www.kevinpetersonart.com
Dylan Sisson was raised in Washougal in Washington State. He left Washougal to study typography, printmaking and comic books. He currently resides in San Francisco, where he draws and paints wall-eyed curiosities with big teeth. His projects have ranged from the book arts to animation to painting. His independent animations have been screened in festivals on six of this planet’s seven continents. His forays into painting have led to various gallery showings peppered along the west coast. Invariably, the subjects chosen by Mr. Sisson are those things that are at once compelling and repugnant, things that scribble outside of desire and disgust.
Dylan Sisson
www.dylansisson.com
“I was 14 years old when I first started to paint graffiti. My roots come from hip-hop, from the old school, from seeing films like Beat Street. And from skateboarding, which to me seemed to be all about fun, and being a free spirit. Skateboarding also led to a lot of innovation in graphic art, and encouraged us to play with techniques, to develop effortless flair. The good thing was that we did not have much information, which helped to build our style.
Brazil is a real mix of cultures, and I’m so blessed to have so many kinds of inspiration around me. Sao Paulo unites many people from Brazil and from around the world. With four million cars and 19 million inhabitants, it never stops. Legends and myths are a strong source of stimulation, as are cartoonists like Chico and illustrators like grilo, who have a very strong ironic style. I’ve also been greatly inspired by the Cordel poetry booklets that are sold in craft stalls in the countryside here. Everything I see influences me. I’m always searching for innocence or dignity in simple things and in people too.”
Speto
www.speto.com.br
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