Q9 Which celebrities are wearing your products?
People are always emailing me telling me they saw certain celebrities wearing option-g. They have been on a lot of TV shows like Scrubs, The OC, Always Sunny in Philadelphia etc. Mike D from the Beastie Boys has a bunch of my shirts. Nate Corddry from the Daily show and Studio 60 is a big fan I hear. This guy, SA, from a band called 311 requested the whole line to wear on their tour.
Q10 What do you do on your day off?
I like to travel. I travel a lot, but when I'm in town I take my dogs on long hikes. I might ride my moped to some art shows or a music event. I have a lot of great and creative friends that I like to spend time with too.
Q11 Are there any places or countries you would like to visit?
I recently went to Costa Rica and that was great. I've never been to Italy and that will probably be my next trip abroad.
Q12 Have you been to Japan?
I have not! I'm trying to plan a trip in the next few years, unless you invite me sooner. |
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Q1 What is the concept of your brand?
Option-g apparel was started as an extension of my artwork. I wanted people to be able to afford my work and a t-shirt was a good way of doing that. I enjoy t-shirts and I have always wanted to do a line. The line has evolved from just my art on shirts to concepts specifically made for the line.
Q2 Could you tell us about the projects that you are working on right now?
I'm working on about 5 posters for different bands right now. I just finished an album cover for an Australian band. I'm working on some animation for my reel and I just had an art opening in Atlanta, GA this month. I do a monthly comic in the LA Weekly and I'm working on one of those right now too.
Q3 Why and how did you become designer?
I have always been surrounded by creative people. My father is an interior designer, my grandfather a craftsman. Music has and does play an important part of my life and I've always wanted to be a part of the music industry but I don't play any instruments!
Q4 When do you usually get the inspiration for your works? (For example, when you're walking the street, relaxing at your home etc.) |
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Q13 What do you think about LA?
I have a love/hate relationship with LA. There are good and bad things about LA, but I think the most important part of living anywhere is surrounding yourself with good people. LA is a hub for creative people in every aspect of life. Actors, Musicians, artists and designers, that is really great having all these people around.
Q14 Do you like any other designer? Where do you shop?
My favorite clothing line is called Brown Sound. I shop at random boutiques when I travel. I buy most of my clothes while traveling because it reminds me when I wear them, of where I've been.
Q15 What is your favorite cuisine? Could you tell us your favorite restaurants?
I grew up in the South and I love southern cooking, especially Cajun and Creole. Some local favorite restaurants I like are The Hungry Cat in Hollywood, Malo in Silverlake, but I just had one of the best meals of my life recently at the SXSW music convention in Austin, TX. The place was called Uchi. It's a great Japanese restaurant. Anybody reading this that goes to Austin, go to Uchi! |
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I get inspiration from music and nature mainly. Ideas just come to me naturally at the weirdest moments. I get most of my thinking done while driving. You always have to drive in LA, so its good to brainstorm by yourself.
Q5 Could you tell us the process of working on your pieces?
I come up with my idea and start drawing on paper. I plan out how I want the end piece to look and draw all the parts down on separate pieces of paper. When that is done, I scan all the parts into the computer and arrange them how I envisioned. I touch up and color and that's it!
Q6 What do you feel is important when you are working on your pieces?
I really want the original hand drawn elements to show up. I think that is what might make my work stand out from mainly computer generated art. I do use the computer but the soul of the piece is the original hand drawings. I think the way color is used is very important and I am constantly conscious of what color palates I am working with.
Q7 What do you think about the current fashion trend?
I don't think much about fashion trends. There is a lot of good stuff out there, but mostly crap. I like a lot of indie designers. It's interesting to see how the trends trickle down to the mainstream. |
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Q16 Could you tell us anything what you think its cool at the moment?
There is so much good music going on right now I can even name just one cool band. I like the trend towards design that is "green". Meaning environmentally respectful. There is a lot of good architecture going on too. LA is great to see such a variety of buildings. German Shepherds are cool. Puch mopeds are cool. Internet Radio is cool. Camping is cool.
Q17 Are there any people who inspired you? Who do you respect?
I collect outsider art and art from untrained artists and that is where I get a lot of inspiration. They paint or draw without ever having any formal lessons and sometimes are made fun of because they create art. They are so driven that they continue and a lot of them are so prolific its mind boggling. I respect anyone that does their own thing. People who can do their own thing and make a living at it are brilliant and deserve it.
Q18 What is your goal?
I just want to continue expanding on what I can do with my art and hope that others enjoy it.
Q19 Any message?
I would just tell people to be themselves and do their own thing.
Thanks |
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Q8 Which stores carry your products in US and Japan?
In the states I sell to mainly small boutiques all over the country. One chain store that tends to carry my line is Urban Outfitters. In LA there are some great stores that carry us. Apartment 3 and Dean. In NYC, there is Yellow Rat Bastard. One of the first stores period to order my line was Mitsukoshi in Japan. They bought the whole line but for only one season. There are a few boutiques that carry it. You have to dig for it! |
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