This is Nite Owl and i'm based in Oakland, CA.
I started making art as a child when I opened my first box of crayons. I didn't take making art seriously until about 2004 and I started my work as Nite Owl in 2006.
2. How did you decide on an owl as your character? Is there a story behind it?
One of my clients nicknamed me "Nite Owl" since i wouldn't answer emails before 2am. I liked the name and it suited my lifestyle so I ran with it. The owl character didn't happen right away. Initially I avoided painting owls since it would have been the expected thing to do. Back in 2009, while sitting in JFK I came across a picture of an owl online and it just inspired me to draw it out on the spot. I guess I nailed it since I haven't made any major changes to that owl over the years.
3. I’ve seen some cool character collabs from you, what have been some of your favorites over the years?
Thank you. oh man, do I love collabs with talented artists. In no particular order....Chris RWK, Zero Productivity, Stay Bacon and Sidy, Downtimer, Die Slow, Aura always comes correct on our collabs, Beaks, the list could go on and on. Maska, Musk, Ham, Sidy, Uter and I have teamed up on some large scale, maniacal 40 piece collab shows like "The Heist" and "Drift the Bay." Currently I have a themed collab show named "With Friends Like These" on display at Chopsticks Artspace in Oakland. This show was put together entirely during the pandemic and I'm grateful to all the artists for their efforts during these trying times. It features 15 artists and the work truly rises to another level. I invite you to check it out at www.chopsticksartspace.org
4. What is your favorite city to bomb? Have you ever done any international graffiti?
Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Barcelona, um I guess that answers the second question. hahaha. I try to spend 2-3 months overseas each year. It's hard to explain, but the european attitude towards street work is entirely different than it is here. The local culture celebrates it, while back home it can be rather punitive and full of beef and drama.
5. Which writers and artists have been most influential in your work, who are some of your favorites that are getting active right now?
The first artist that truly inspired me was Dr. Seuss. My childhood worlds were fantastic. As a young boy in NYC I remember the crushed train days vividly. Mondays were always something to look forward to. That's when all the new train art debuted. I can't pinpoint any one writer from back in the day, because the whole damn scene blew my mind. As I grew older, I recall seeing Space Monkeys and Robots across the city. Huge fan of Dalek, and basically anyone else who worked under Murakami. Chiho Aoshima's works are incredible. Chris and basically all the other artists in Robots Will Kill collective. As for right now, Easy and Duel have been killing it. Shouts to Savie, Aura, Posh, LORDS, Ceaver, BTM
6. How has the graffiti game changed over the years that you’ve been involved? The people, the places and the things?
It seems so sterile and watered down. It feels like the integrity is gone. It's more about fame and likes. People aren't really experimenting or taking chances. I don't know, I'm probably just old and jaded. Big shouts to anyone who paints merely to paint.
7. What advice would you give to young writers that are just starting to tag?
I have 3 points:
One: Be original. It's tough, but please make the effort to be unique and bring something new to the game. There's enough copycats out there as it is.
Second: And maybe even more important, learn your history and show respect to the gray hairs out there.
Third : RESPECT. Give respect to get respect. Stay humble. Don't act like you're the shit when you've only put 6 months into the game.
8. Do you have any projects coming up or shows in the making? Even if they’re scheduled for after Covid 19.
Yes, I am super excited to announce the release of my first two production skate decks with Bad Apple Skateboards in September (I just caught a sneak peak of the decks and they are looking good). Immediately following that I have a solo show, "Keep a Lid on It" at Forage Space Gallery in NY opening in October. Sometime in between those two happenings, I'll be releasing a t-shirt with No Love City. I'm in two group shows in S.F. at International Art Gallery (currently open for viewing) in the Mission and Palette SF in SOMA once things open up again over here. The "Summer Vacation" show at Chopsticks opens in late September. I'm eagerly looking forward to Carpe Diem 3 in Paris, possibly sometime in 2021.
9. What do you think of this so called “new normal,” do you think it will have an effect on the art we see coming out in the near future?
Kind of a mixed bag. I don't think this really changed much for artists. We typically isolate in the studio all day anyway...and this current landscape is not exactly inspiring. If anything the fact that bars and nightlife are shut down should add some productivity to the art game. lol. I feel like artists were already making "pandemic" themed artworks about dystopian futures and wastelands...so if anything this is life imitating art. Selfishly, I had to put my "birdflu" campaign on hold. Summer of 2019 I began subtly dropping virus themes into my pieces. In January and February 2020 I dropped a few quarantine pieces, but I quickly shelved that effort...i'm going to bring it back at some point in the near future.
Here's a prediction about the future. I think some savvy artists are going to embrace the virtual aspect of online shows and start moving towards "performance" based video clips that will be featured on their websites. Tutorials, progress clips, etc... The artists that adapt to this "content" game are going to do well going forward.
10. Is there anyone or any crews or spots you want to give a shout out to?
Shouts to my guys over at No Love City, TYO Toys, Dumpsty, Urban Robot Podcast, Nuglife Productions, Rocky G, Hella Positive and all the homies.
Shouts to Eto and Swoe - love these young dudes.
Be sure to keep coming back to our blog for more graffiti culture, artist interviews and product reviews! Be sure to check out NITEOWL on Instagram @naito_oru and follow us on Instagram @derp_taggz Thanks!!!
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