Artist Interview with Dregs One

 

 

1. What do you write and where are you from?

I write Dregs One and I was born and raised in San Francisco, CA.

 

2. How long have you been in the graff game and have you always written the same name?

I caught my first tags in 2001. From then until about 2010 I went through several different names but DREGS is the one that stuck. Even people who didn't write started calling me by that name so I just kept rocking with it and transitioned it to my stage name.

 

3. Does your name have a special significance for you? Or has doing graffiti changed your life in significant ways?

No, the name doesn't have much significance for me. I saw it in the introduction of "Scarface" and just thought it sounded cool. Regretfully I later discovered that the word doesn't have the most flattering definition. I flipped it to mean that the dregs of society is who I represent for, but I don't really run with that much. I wish I would have picked something a little more fly, meaningful or appealing, but like I said the name has stuck and I don't know what I'd change it to at this point. I do still really like the letters, though.

 

4. Who were some of your main influences on your art when you were coming up as a kid?

In the early 90s comics and cartoons were on another level. I was a fiend for Marvel comics like X-Men and Spider-Man. And independent comics like Bone, the Maxx, Spawn, Sam and Max, Zen the Intergalactic Ninja. They used to have Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation in San Francisco and that's where I saw Ren and Stimpy for the first time. Those weird, exaggerated styles went hand-in-hand with the graffiti I was seeing by guys like TWIST, DUG, and GIANT.

 

5. Who are some of your favorite artists that are still running in the Bay Area today in 2024? Do you get as many chances to paint nowadays that you’re growing up and getting more busy with life?

I think Bay Area graffiti has exploded since the Plandemic and I love it. There are writers getting busy on every level, from cutty tags to high-visibility burners. I think CAMEL is on a legendary run right now. FELLS is sick too. I enjoy seeing pieces and throwies by guys like TONE, BMAC, PACE, POST, MACRO. I still see tags by cutty OGs like TRACK and NEWS. And I gotta shout out my man SOBER who's still out there getting up and definitely went all-city a few times. Also shoutout to everyone killing it in Oakland like WIRE and COWER. 

Unfortunately I rarely get up these days. I am a full-time creative with multiple sources of income that all demand my constant attention. It's very difficult to find time for things that don't pay the bills, other than my family and self-care. Fortunately I do get paid to paint or do other art projects, so I still get to practice my craft but it's not the same as painting for the love. If I go out and do something, I like to make it a full production- burner, background, characters, etc. That's usually an all-day thing which I rarely have time for. I think that's just part of getting older, although there are plenty of guys my age or above who still get up on the regular- I hella respect that. One time CRAYONE told me he's been painting since 1983, and some years he rarely gets up, other years he crushes, but either way he still stays in the game. I like that approach, and as long as I get to paint a couple times a year or so, I'm still in it. I'll never quit entirely. 

 

 

 

6. Do you have a favorite graffiti story or epic bombing hype that will always stick in your mind? 

There are so many. Most of them are mainey and not the best endings. But also some that were the most fun times in my life- hanging out with friends all night and exploring the city when no one else was on the street. Other than that I've dealt with just about everything- falls, fights, gangsters, dealers, cops, getaways, arrests, parties, chicks, creeps, fiends. Some nights I would sneak out of the house and walk around all night by myself tagging, then go to school just to catch up on sleep in class. You get so used to seeing crazy shit all the time that after a while it just becomes desensitizing and normal. It's hard to pick a favorite.

 

7. What is your opinion on people who disagree with legal walls and street art as not being “real graffiti?” Do you consider it to be graffiti?

You can put graffiti letters and styles on a legal wall. But technically a legal wall cannot be graffiti, and I don't necessarily think graffiti should be legalized- I do think it should be decriminalized to some extent. Sitting in jail or prison for painting doesn't benefit anyone. I'm really interested in the question of how something can be public property if it doesn't allow space for public art. But if graffiti was completely legal then it would lose its essence. The idea of resisting authority and totalitarian control is important to me, even if it's in the form of a small marker tag. Some guys are into graffiti just for the sake of vandalism, which I understand and respect for what it is. But I think there's something deeper than that in graffiti- even if it's unintentional- that says I have the right to exist in a society that essentially tries to deny my existence. That's just the nerdy, philosophical, existential stuff I'm into now that I'm a grown ass man and not just some kid tagging on busses.  

These days I'm pretty much completely retired from illegal graffiti, which is a struggle for me because I constantly get the itch to catch cutty tags or even go out and bomb. But within the last 5 years or so, I kept getting signs that if I didn't stick to that decision, it would lead to consequences that I just can't afford at this stage in my life. It also came to my attention that because I was publicly known as a musician, local graffiti cops were keeping tabs on me. I'm pretty sure they would make an example of me if they wrapped me up. I've been caught as a juvenile and adult before, and it's wack.

Some haters have criticized me for only doing legal spots, and that's ok. Actually, a lot of the big productions I've had running for the last 8-10 years were done without permission- I just managed to pull them off in broad daylight and make them look like legals. I used to get a big kick out of that. But I got signs  from the universe that even that would catch up to me, so I just fell back. If someone disagrees with that approach, it's cool, that's their opinion. Once you reach a certain level of maturity and self-confidence, you realize you have to walk your own path and it's not necessarily going to look like everyone else's. Some cats get older and are still out there bombing and never stopped, which I certainly respect. A few of those types are able to balance illegal graff with grown-folk responsibilities, but I find that to be very rare. A lot of my graff OGs are teachers, business owners, or professional artists, with families. When you're in that position you have to make choices about what sacrifices you're willing to make. 

 

8. What advice would you give the kids who are just getting started in graffiti, kids in middle and high school right now who want to excel in the game?

Well, first off, as much as my inner-teenager hates to say it, I cannot in good faith encourage any kid to get into graffiti. I won't say that graffiti is bad, but it comes with some pretty fucked-up consequences. So, if you are going to get in it, be prepared for those consequences because it's almost unheard of to get into this lifestyle and come out unscathed. That being said, for me it's the art and culture that connected me to graffiti, and I would prioritize that over everything. Get really good at your craft and learn the styles and techniques. Like any creative pursuit, practice everyday- even if it's just for 15 minutes. Put your ideas on paper and then bring them to the wall. That practice and dedication will build your confidence, which will enhance your abilities. Even if you're beefing and battling, getting wrapped up in the courts, or risking your life, safety, and freedom, if you dedicate the time to become dope, that will take you to places beyond graffiti. 

Also, while the culture celebrates writers who get up the most and who have the best styles, I find the most important writers in the history books are the ones who give back to the culture. You'll make a bigger mark as a writer if you establish the reputation of being a solid individual.  

 

9. Why do you paint? Have there been different reasons over the years?

When I first started tagging it was a cultural rite of passage that most teenagers in San Francisco go through. It was a way to participate in the urban subculture that was very alluring to me as a youth, and it led me to a community where I met some of my greatest friends to this day. I used it as an outlet to deal with the typical teenage stress of family issues, unfulfilling public schools, and social alienation. When I became an adult and got into piecing, I started challenging myself to push past the limits of what I thought I could accomplish - dope letters, complex color schemes, advanced paint techniques, characters, portraits, background scenes, etc. I also felt rewarded by beautifying the neighborhoods and creating art for the community to see. Nowadays I mostly just do it to stay consistent and true to this practice that's been with me for over 20 years. It's a creative outlet to ease my mind and meditate- I love that feeling of concentration when you're outdoors in the busy city and the only thing you're focused on is the paint coming out of the can and hitting the wall. 

 

 

 10. Could you tell the readers a bit about your podcast as well as give any shoutouts to whomever or plug any of your upcoming projects?

 

History of the Bay Podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and all other podcast platforms. The goal is to create a diverse archive of stories from the Bay, mostly focusing on hip hop and graffiti but also touching on skating, fashion, journalism, activism, and pretty much everything else that makes this place so dope.

We got some big events coming up around the podcast plus I'm always working on music and other creative projects. Check out all my releases under Dregs One on all streaming platforms.

 Shoutout to my folks INER, EARSO, DZYER, SPIE, BLURM, SKEW, CEAVER, TOPR, GUS, and all the other writers I ever kicked it with. 

Artist Interview With Ricky Rat Comix Creator

1. Where are you from and when did you start doing graffiti?

 I was born in the city[San Francisco] and moved to the North Bay when I was around 4 where I was raised. I've moved back and forth across the Golden Gate Bridge a decent amount in my life. I don't know when I really started graffiti, I guess in 5th grade when I wrote "ASS" on a fence with orange hair spray. 

2. What inspired the Ricky Rat character?

My dad is a cartoonist / artist, so we used to doodle together a lot. Mostly in restaurants on paper tablecloths waiting for our food. Ricky has been in my life as long as I can remember. First comic book he ever was in was "Mad Mouse and Rad Rabbit" when I was in 2nd grade. 

3. Have you or do you plan to release a Ricky Rat comic book?

Yeah I released one end of last year (2019) called "A City Tail" where Ricky Rat basically saves San Francisco from the corporate takeover of Tech Tower. And a shit ton when I was a kid before I discovered weed and girls. 

4. Who have been some of your main inspirations in graffiti and art?

I could write a lot to answer this question. My father mostly. He's Chicano and exposed me to Chicano culture at an early age and I really enjoyed the art of it. Peter Bagge is a big one. R. Crumb. Rat Fink, Stanley Mouse,  Bill Waterson. Matt Groening. Keith Knight. Looney toons, Cartoon Network / Nickelodeon cartoons in the 90's, Drew Toonz. In terms of Graffiti I just loved it all. I didn't care if it was a tag, piece, throw up whatever. I hate bland blank spaces. A room with white walls is my goddamn nightmare. The more color, the more art, the better. 

5. Do you have a preference between wheat pasting and painting with spray cans?

I don't really. I love them both. I respect anyone who makes a mark in a public space in any form. 

6. What’s your favorite aspect of painting in the streets?

The temporariness. Buddhism is all about how everything is temporary. It's like life. We're all born, and we all die. Just like painting in the streets, your piece could be there for years, or painted over the next day. It doesn't matter.  It's for the high. 

7. How have you seen the graffiti and art scene change and evolve since you have been writing?

I mean I really started hitting the streets in March / April of this year, I was cartooning before mostly. For the most part from what I saw it was like 90% tags and 10% wheat pastes - when I started then. Because a lot of surfaces were available in public spaces with all the shops closing down and putting plywood over their windows. However as time went on I've been seeing a lot more wheat pastes going up and a good amount of tags still too, but the wheat pastes increase has been extremely noticeable. And as I answered in an earlier question I love it all. I hate blank walls. More art the better regardless how they do it. 

8. What advice would you give to artists who are younger than you? Any tips or tricks you’ve learned?

Inspiration wise, don't listen to anyone or anything but yourself. If you think it's dope, it's dope, and if it is dope folks will take notice. Never make anything to please people. Do it because you like it. In terms of street art, learn your city and learn the rules. I mean there really aren't any rules which is the beauty of it. But you know, if you're not trying to start beef with folks don't go over other pieces. Even if you think it looks shitty, or old, or whatever. Doesn't matter. That piece you're thinking about covering might have been up there longer than you've been alive. Maybe it was written by a person who is no longer alive. That's where learning your city is important.. But if you wanna be a dick just to be a dick yeah do it, there's really no rules. You might catch a sucker punch one day so be careful.  Also always be open to collaborating with folks. That's my favorite part. Learning tricks of the trade from other artists. It's like a musical instrument. You can always learn a new song, or something new about it everyday until the day you die and there will be still more you could have learned. And finally, never get attached to any of your pieces. You never want to get high off your own supply AND EVERYTHING IS TEMPORARY. 

9. Are there any upcoming projects or shows you want to plug or anybody that you want to give a shout out?

I got a couple comic books coming out soon. First one is called "Dishwasher: a San Francisco Story." I personally didn't write it, my buddy who runs the @realbayarememes account is an amazing writer and he did. I just illustrated it. It's not even Ricky Rat, but I was down to draw it because the story was sick. The other comic book coming out I did write, and it is a Ricky Rat book. It doesn't have a title yet, but basically Ricky Rat is busting the Albino Alligator at the Academy of Sciences out. 

Shout outs to @calamityfair who is the best wheat-paster in the city in my opinion, shout out to @ribityy who I think is the best graffiti artist in the city. Shout out to @cialuart who I think is the best overall artist in the city, and finally to my older step brother that I never had @seibot who is also a very talented artist in the city. 

Make sure to follow @rickyratcomix on Instagram and follow @derp_taggz to stay updated on new graffiti artist interviews and product reviews.  

Artist Interview With Nite Owl

1. Who are you, where are you from and how long have you been making art? 

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?

I miss my peoples in Paris - Joko, Dink, Wekup Streetrider. NYC - Turtlecaps, Belowkey, CityKitty,  Bay Area - Pengo, Mace, Crayone, Cuba, Bode; My international team of paparazzi - Silver Tuna Studios, Newman, Bmines, Dave, Exkise, Solophoto, John Domine... I miss Kizler Coffee, craft brews from Local Brewery and road trips to nowhere with Eddie Colla. Shouts to the galleries that show my work - IAG in S.F., Ewkuks in LA, 212 Arts and My Plastic Heart in NYC, Le Lavo Matic et Discocaso in Paris, Chopsticks in Oakland, Redefine Gallery in Orlando, and all my friends at the Queens Art Collective

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!!!

Artist Interview with Jeremy Fish

Haight Street Art Center, San Francisco, CA 

1. Firstly, who are you, where are you from and what’s your background?

My name is Jeremy. I draw pictures for a living in the center of the oldest neighborhood, in the most expensive city in the United States.

I moved to San Francisco from Upstate NY when I was 19 years old to attend a prestigious Art School, and to ride my skateboard down these hills.

2. My first memories of your art is in San Francisco in 2007, but how did your art career begin and how has it progressed?

After I graduated from SFAI in 1997, I got a job in the skateboard industry where I oversaw printing, drew graphics, and art directed for about ten years. That was my last full time job over 15 years ago. Since I have exhibited my artwork in museums and galleries around the world, and still spend my days drawing and painting here in North Beach.

3. What has most inspired your creative process over the years? Have any certain artists been an inspiration to you?

I am inspired by something new everyday. Mainly finding the motivation and passion to stay here in the city I love doing what I do for a living. I am inspired by artists like Todd Francis, Mike Giant, Travis Millard, Dr. Suess, Michael Sieben, and shitloads of others.

4. A lot of your work seems to center around a mixture of aspects of nature and aspects of the city life, what can you tell me about this? Does it have a specific meaning behind it?

I try to draw fairly narrative works, that have an underlying theme or story to them. I like to draw things that are a combination of cute and creepy. I like the tension created by drawing the viewer in to look close, and pushing them back from something odd.

5. How has graffiti and the graffiti culture most influenced your art career? Can you tell me about your process when it comes to designing a mural?

I was very influenced by Graffiti when I moved to San Francisco in the mid 90's. The scene here was very cool and progressive, and I learned a lot by studying some of the legends from that time.

Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA 

6. I am a big fan of your work with Upper Playground and your company, Superfishal, what were the beginnings of your company and how did you partner up with Upper Playground?

Upper Playground is celebrating 20 years selling art driven tee shirts on Fillmore and Haight Street here in the city by the Bay. I am very proud to have been involved with this brand, its history, and all of the wonderful artists we were fortunate to work with over the years. 

7. You’re a bit of a veteran in the art scene, What ways have you seen the art/graffiti scene change over the years?

I am a 46 year old artist living in America's most expensive city by almost 1/3 more than Manhattan. I have watched the art scene here change very rapidly and dramatically over the 25 years I have been fortunate enough to live here. Artists come and go very quickly here, and so the "scene" is forever changing. Every time I pay attention the scene is something new and different. The voice of the Bay Area youth, as it should be.

8. What advice would you give to young artists and creatives trying to make a career in the art world?

Right now I would probably tell them to get a back up job. The world is a fucked up place to try and eat off of making art these days.

9. Do you have any upcoming projects that you are currently working on that you could tell me about? Or anything you want to plug for the readers to hear about?

I am moving in to a four story mansion, fully restored to its original late 1800's condition to begin an Artist In Residency project on September 1st. The Haight Ashbury Counter Culture Artist in Residency project sponsored by SF Heritage, The Haight Street Art Center, and Grants for The Arts. Where I live in this huge mansion alone and draw for three months. Also, I am releasing a set of 24 drawings and screen prints that I drew over the last six months called "These Covidian Times". They will be available in October from the Blackbook Gallery in Denver.

These Covidian Times (Art series releases at BlackBook Gallery in Denver, CO beginning of October 2020)

Follow Jeremy Fish on Instagram @mrjeremyfish

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621 Thank You Business Review/ Interview with Owner JSK42

The color paint markers from 621 Thank You are a product many of us have wanted for a long time. I know a lot of writers, myself included who have used the white out markers by Art Primo and Presto over the years. But there hasn't been a version that released color options for said markers until now and I think this is a great innovation for the graff game. The markers themselves come in a nice variety of colors for all surfaces. They still have that sturdy metal valve nib on them that we are all used to and they are also refillable, which I personally enjoy as a feature on any mop, pen or marker. I would say, like with most markers, to give it a good shake every time you use it and make sure to get that vibrant color. I like that each cap is labeled with the color of the marker, which is a helpful little feature. They marker itself is durable and writes on all surfaces. The ink comes out smooth and has a nice drip effect if you choose to squeeze a little bit harder while writing with it. It's pocket sized or fits right in the tip of your sleeve for maximum inconspicuous activity and for stashing away quickly if the occasion calls for it. Here is a video demonstration:

Interview with JSK42 owner of 621 Thank You:

When did you first come to Oakland?

I'm from Lodhi, Central Cal, in the valley.  There's nothing there and I was always this skateboarder artist, into music and all my friends were super weirdos. I was into goth and punk and all those things the most in my town. I think there was less than ten of us of all age groups and I just outgrew it. When I was 18, this was in about 2005-6, I moved to SF and it was like "there's shit going on here." I moved into the shelters when I was 18, I was in and out of shelters for a bit. 

I got into this program for kids who had been in the shelter and saved up some money and within two years of doing that I ended up in Oakland. Most of my friends I had made would always be taking the bus or the BART back to Oakland and I found that San Francisco is real crazy. It almost had a fractured psyche, you never know what's going to be around the next corner, there's people from all around the world. It's such a hardcore mix, it's almost frenetic.  Oakland always had the laid back creative community type of feel and I like that better. Back then there were a lot of punk shows and house shows and a lot of cool stuff like that. So right now I'm 33 years old, so I've been in Oakland probably about thirteen or fourteen years.

How did you get your graffiti name? How did you come up with JSK42?

It was Random...

I lived in Sacramento for about a year, this was 4 or 5 years ago, and I was writing SHITSREAL. I hooked up with one of my friends out there, he writes BURGERS, he has more names now like 666 BURGERS and he does a lot of sticker trades and stuff. I started making a lot more stickers because he had slaps from all over, he was the first one I seen with a book and he kept all of his prototypes and stuff. He was sending packs and getting packs all the time, so I started making stickers and a few years later I was back in Oakland and I had moved into a house where most of the people did graffiti. I started going to 14th Street [Supply] when it was downtown and getting new stuff. I was at Merchant's [Saloon] one night and I was drunk and I had tagged up the bathroom and I decided I needed a new name. SHITSREAL was too long. 

I was tipsy and I said to myself, I should pick like three letters and two numbers. And it just came from the back of my mind, JSK42, I was like "that work's and I'm going to run with it."

Were those letters and numbers that you liked?

I had heard from my friends, 3 other writers who were trying to do a custom piece for me, that those were three terrible letters to go together just because they're hard...

... I like 42 a lot, that's from The Hitchhiker's Guide [To The Galaxy] and they had a machine in the book that knows everything and they ask it 'what's the meaning of life' and the answer is 42. That was a good book series and I liked the humor in that answer, but it was mostly totally random. I like that it was by chance. It reminds me of doing Noise Music or Collage Art where you just start putting stuff down and just see where it goes. You mix it together, chop it up, without listening to it and then see what you got. So I liked it, it was just random and meaningless.

Though I did find out there's a crew in the midwest called JSK, so if you see it up on trains, that's not me...

.

..I don't like graff beef.

Have you had any negative experiences in the graffiti community?

No I've stayed out of the way for the longest time. I have a few friends who do it here and there. And a few friends who have beef a lot and friends who used to have beef a lot. I've just heard so many shitshow stories that are just petty, unnecessary and aggravated stuff. Unfortunately, it's a lowkey defiant kind of art form, so you're definitely going to have all different types of people doing it. Those people might also rob people, they might also kill people, they may do hard drugs and be more cut throat type of people. All different people write, so you never know, you have to be careful. Other people roll how other people roll, but sometimes you got to stay out of the way.

What is you business called and when did you start said business?

We are called 621 Thank You. We do color white outs, it basically began when I started buying Presto's [White Out Markers] at 14th Street [Supply] a couple of years ago and they became my favorite. Then I started dying them and buying them on Amazon for a little bit cheaper. Then I got some of the Press And Go [Markers] for Art Primo and I liked those a lot more for many reasons. And it's pretty much the same thing except you can unscrew the top and they're refillable, so you can put anything you want in them. But I ended up just dying them colors for myself, to see which colors worked and which blends worked. Then a few friends of mine, over and over, said "this is a million dollar product, I want these and I know more than a handful of people who want these." I had people who wanted to go into business with me, but I just kept going. I bought a bunch from Art Primo and now I'm just rocking with it. I put up stickers [on my website] and I also do a lot of Non Sport Trading Cards, like wacky ones or like for movies like Batman and Garbage Pail Kids and all the kind of stuff. Just trying to make it more fun. It seemed like the people who buy graffiti stuff on Instagram would like that kind of stuff and sometimes the orders are for younger kids, so yeah its been fun.

It's my way to keep busy. And also even when I have busy weeks I'm not making a lot of money. So right now its a lot of fun, there is a potential big deal coming soon and I maybe sold out for the next few weeks. (This deal ended up going through a few days after this interview and 621 Thank You will be partnering with Art Primo and putting out color dye Press And Go Markers).

Do you dye the actual white out that is already in the Press And Go [Markers]? 

We have them sent to us filled and we put our sticker on them, pop them open and run it through to test if it works. Then we put a dab of color on the cap, so it's straight dyed...

...I could never find color white out myself and I liked the idea so I just jumped on it.

What advice would you give to young artists coming up in graffiti? 

Paint and dry and tag at home as much as you possibly can. Go get reams of paper and do your style a million times, try other styles a million times. I'd say be careful who you go out [and paint] with. The most important advice would be to take care of yourself, being creative is important and a lot of people don't do it, but take care of yourself. Jump into it, but I think also exercise is important and having a routine. I get up every morning and I count my beads and do a mantra, then I come over here [Town Park, Oakland, CA] and I skate until I'm sweating and then I go home and have some Yerba Mate and breakfast and start the day, which has all helped me. I quit drinking that's been good for me, for younger kids I would say don't do drugs right off the bat. Maybe wait until your twenties if you can (Laughter). Mental health is real and it's important...

...Be fearless and be creative, be experimental.

Do you consider yourself to be an entrepenuer?

This year I've started considering that word because running this little business is floating me, so yes. Yes I do and I think more people should consider themselves entrepreneurs. And if you don't want to consider yourself an entrepreneur, then you should think of money as a game and if you're not playing the game correctly you're going to lose. What the game is and what the rules are is that if your money [spent] is not making you money then you're losing the money game. And it's something I've heard my whole life, but only realized in the last year how many ways there are to make money legally and in an honest way. The stronger  and larger your community is, the more opportunities you are going to have. The more people who can trust you and who can relate to you, the more opportunity you're going to have to make money and I'm learning that.

You already have an online store but do you want to open a physical store one day?

I've thought about it and if I open a store I would like it to be in Oakland and I would want it to be something super cutty. I'd like to sell stuff you can't normally find or even sell things from etch to pre filled fire extinguishers and collapsable ladders. That would be ideal, not that I'm going to do it, but I would love to.

Are there any projects in the mix that you are currently working on or any shout outs?

Shout out to anybody who has sent stickers in to us, I featured everyone who has sent a pack on my instagram in a little video. Shout outs to Thank You Crew, FRITOE, MIXTAPE and all the skaters at Town Park and anyone who's getting up in Oakland right now and to anyone who has supported us.

(621 Thank You's colored white out markers are going to be available on Art Primo. They ended up cutting a deal for the rest of their stock to be sold through Art Primo. JSK42 couldn't speak on the deal at the time of this interview, but now that the deal has gone through he would like buyers to know about it. So make sure and be on the lookout for their markers at Art Primo's stores).

Follow them on Instagram at @621.ty

Follow us on Instagram at @Derp_taggz

Stay tuned to the blog for more interviews and reviews and more graffiti and counter culture! 

Artist Interview with Tony Ross

1. Who are you and where are you from?

Hey Guys! My name is Tony Ross, also known as Guerillustrator on social media, and I hail from Ventura County, California.

2. When did you start creating your art?

I have been creating art as long as I can remember, but I started taking it seriously around the ninth grade. High school was when I realized that the art field was the direction I wanted to take my life, as a result I went to Academy of Art in San Francisco for animation. After college, I pursued more Illustration and Graphic Design jobs rather than animation. I discovered I was getting more offers as a designer, so that's where I gravitated.

3. What is your favorite item to customize?

Baseball caps will always be my first love and focus, but I also love to customize shoes. Vans, Nike, Jordan, I've customized quite a bit of shoes over the past couple of years.

4. What got you into designing hats?

Back when I was four years old, my Dad and his friend coached a baseball team and nominated young me for the role of "bat boy." That's not only when my lifelong infatuation for baseball began, it was also my official introduction to hats. Over time, I began designing uniforms for local softball teams and had a couple hats embroidered and it all spiraled from there. After that, combining two of my favorite things was a no-brainer.

5. How are you associated with The Clinkroom?

The Clink Room and I just started working together. I have a been a fan of their Clink hats for years and I love the work they have done for the Minor League teams as Brandiose, so when the opportunity to make some hats with them arose, I didn't hesitate to get some designs over to them.

6. What advice would you give young artists looking to start their careers?

It may sound cliche, but practice, practice, practice and never give up. There are reasons that piece of advice is so commonly given, because it works! Another little tidbit of advice, and I use this one often, there's an ass for every seat, you just gotta find the right one. I know artists can become emotional about their art because of the creative process and attachment they develop to their work, but you can't let criticism get you down. Art is an individual expression, not everyone is going to like what you create and you can't let that discourage you. The audience for your work is out there, it just may take longer than you want to find your niche.

7. Who are some of your bigger inspirations?

I'm inspired by anyone who takes initiative and doesn't sit back and wait for things to come to them. Since we are talking art, cartoons and comic books have always been an integral part of my life when I was younger. I am a huge fan of Jack Kirby. Honestly, I find inspiration all over the place, horror movies, graffiti, toys, legendary artists like Dali, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Caravaggio, Hieronymus Bosch, Lichtenstein. There are so many great artists today, it's hard to narrow down, but Beastwreck, Alex Pardee, Dave Correia, Wayshak, Sweyda, Hydro74 are artists I check out regularly. As far as hat designers are concerned, I'm inspired by each and every artist, it's not as easy as everyone thinks.

8. Do you have any upcoming projects you want to plug or anyone you want to give a shoutout to?

At the beginning of the year, I co-founded The Capologists with my friend, Leon Chen. We make custom hats and pins, as well as special edition apparel every now and again. There are so many hats and pins currently in our pipeline, I'd recommend staying tuned!

Shout out and thank you to everyone who follows and supports me and my work, I can't express my gratitude enough. I'd also like to shout out all of you out here doing your own thing and creating something for yourselves!

Follow Tony on IG @guerillustrator and catch some of his hat designs on IG @thecapologists & @theclinkroom

Follow us on IG @Derp_taggz for updates on our blog and lots of Graffiti photos