Interview by Rachel Gottesman
Congrats on print number four! This means you're eligible for a Select! Have you thought about what you're going to do yet?
Thanks! A SELECT, Hmmmm...Why yes I have. Something on my list of 10 or so Threadless designs in the works that I hope to finish at some point. There are a few experimental print methods I am toying with as well.
I think it would be fun to create a SELECT tote/reusable shopping bag.
I'm not sure we're breaking into the tote biz, but maybe a shirt with a tote ON it...
Now is a good time to plug your company, Craze One. What does the name mean, for starters, and what's it all about?
Honestly, I can't remember exactly how the name came together. It was thought up while setting with a friend in a small vintage clothing store I worked at back in High School.
I drew a lot, setting there in the shop day after day. We both agreed, what could be better than having a design down on paper... Having friends and strangers walking around wearing them. My thought from the beginning, and it still holds true today, is that I wanted to have designs where a kid would say " Mom, will my Craze One. shirt be clean Monday, I want to wear it the first day of school". One of those high rotation items you are excited to wear again and again.
Craze One. Clothing is something that feels truly mine. I don't have to compromise on ideas or ask for approval from a boss. All of the designs and web junk is just me, and probably will forever be a side project, if not my main focus hopefully someday. I would like to eventually open it up to other designers and branch out quite a bit.
Tell me a bit about that and your super special project with the artist who illustrated the Garbage Pail Kids.
In the late 90's I went down my list of projects I wanted to accomplish in a life time. A Garbage Pail Kids related project was always on my mind. By strange conscience, the same week as making this list, I came across an older publication mentioning John Pound ( John Pound painted over 400 of the approximately 700 'original series' GARBAGE PAIL KIDSŪ. Including the iconic Adam Bomb, and the entire first 2 series. His work includes endless trading cards, comic books, magazines, even toys and skateboards).
After a little research I tracked him down, bought an original color rough painting used in making the original series GPK card #81 ( Split Kit / Mixed-Up Mitch ), and we have been corresponding ever since. He is a really nice guy, and by far one of my favorite artists. Looking over my pencil work I notice how much I was influenced by his work growing up. Truly an original.
For almost a decade now John and I have talked about creating a Garbage Pail Kids parody sticker card for Craze One., and recently this year it came out. A full color vinyl sticker that has a die-cut peel out center just like the originals. The back print is a short comic strip I illustrated, and each of the 1,000 'first print - 1a series' is hand numbered in sequential order. The whole project has been a lot of fun. ( www.crazeone.com )
We have plans to expand things into a multi-card pack/mini series. Beyond other spoof type designs, there are concepts in the works for an original sticker card series brand. My fingers are crossed...
If you were a Garbage Pail Kid, what would your name be?
Oddly, I struggled with that exact question recently. 'ADAM BOMB' is probably the most recognizable Garbage Pail Kid of them all, so the best is taken. When working on the parody sticker, Mr. Pound and I went back and forth on name ideas using Adam, until I was in a panic near deadline. Last minute, my dad mentioned the idea of using my middle initial B, which would open things up. In the end 'Adam B. Good' was born, and became the final printed sticker name.
Some of my favorite GPK names, in no particular order, that I think are clever; Clogged Duane, Shrunken Ed, Haley's Vomit, and the leaser known German card ( Die Total Kaputten Kids ) Walter Ego.
It seems you lean towards a style that's reminiscent of misprinted stickers, candy, goop and gak, etc. You must have watched a lot of Nickelodeon as a kid. What's the draw to that kind of work?
Oh Ya! I'm from the Double-Dare / You Can't Do That on Television, Nickelodeon generation. It's a slime covered corner of my brain I've been trying to find for a while.
Partially inspired by old trading card wax packaging, where each one for some reason seemed misaligned, causing them all to be a one of a kind piece of art. It makes laugh to see something that at one time deemed shocking to so many, but now is tame for a 3 year old. Snot, puke, drool... All the good stuff.
This is just the beginning, including subs for Threadless. I have stacks among stacks of sketches like these I hope to use at some point. Quite a few already started.
Where do you draw inspiration from (outside of You Can't Do That On Television)? Who's your favorite artist?
It all starts with lots of caffeine. Like I replied to a post in the Threadless Blogs asking about my pencil sketches; the secret is, never sleep, drink gallons of soda, worry about everything, don't call anyone back, wear the same jeans for a week, listen to classic rock, and brush your teeth twice a day. Yep, that's all you need.
Being able to converse with fellow Threadless artists and citizens is very inspiring. I think consciously or not, Threadless has improved a lot of designers who may have not been so quick to push themselves around a concept theme, but because of this found another level of what they're capable of. It's been great to get to know everyone, and see into what makes them go.
I've had some inspirational phones calls with Clive Barker over the years, which made me rethink life as an artist. He breathes art, and is set on creating at least one piece every 24 hours. His span of work is impressive, and even with success has stayed genuine and true to himself.
One time he called me at work and we just talked about Spider Man.
Looking back my brother was a big influence growing up. While most little little kids got unconditional praise on their hand turkey drawings, my brother would tell me how everything looked off and wrong. He is 6 years older then me, so I really pushed myself to improve and impress him.
Really, there are a lot of random things, and many artists out there that inspire me.
Do you have any special projects coming up? What's next for you after the cards project?
New Craze One. clothing designs. I have spent over a third of my life playing around with Craze One. and I really want to finally take it to a higher level. I need a team of dedicated people to make it work, as the one man army thing isn't cutting it anymore. Anyone out there???
Hopefully, a music video project with one of my favorite bands....secret, secret.... In the writing process right now, and if it happens, the project will be a highlight of my design life.
I would REALLY like to work on a design/illustration project with/for Devendra Banhart, Leonard Cohen, and/or David Bowie. If anybody has an idea how I can make this happen, Please Contact me!
I have a small clothing store in Lincoln, Nebraska, called EIGHTEEN TIGERS ( www.myspace.com/eighteentigers ) Located right in the center of downtown, on 14th & O street, so if you are in town stop on by and say " Hi".
Maybe quit it all and go back to being a stunt man.
A clown with a trained monkey and a mime with a swordfish get into a fight. Who comes out on top?
Karl Pilkington has a head like a freakin' orange.
Thanks for chatting!
Thanks Threadless, be good!
Interview by Rachel Gottesman
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