TODD
What activities/art-form did you pick up as a kid that shaped you into the artist you are today ? In what way do YOU think it shaped you ?
“I think crafting.. I watched my mom make costumes and shit for Halloween and it just seemed homemade. I always kinda loved that idea. I like taking materials and just make my own shit. That plays on so many other things that I look at because I always had that feeling like, “oh yeah I can make that if I have enough time and energy”. So with a little motivation I can make that!”
Were you picked on as a child? If so how? How do you think that affected your life today as an artist?
“I moved around a lot throughout school, so I was always kind of the new kid. There were a few times where I felt that I was getting picked on, but I didn’t really think that I was being singled out by a bully necessarily. Anytime i’ve ever felt like somebody was purposely coming at me it made me feel as if they can see my light and wanna dim it. I never knew why, but they see something that I don’t even see, they wanna come at you, and make you miserable like them. I think learning how to be accepted and cool might’ve stagnated my idea of myself as being an artist. I was so worried about being a people pleaser it made me this chameleon who didn’t know what my niche was yet and learn how to pick one thing to double down in and make some shit for other people to consume.”
What daily activity makes you feel most connected to your hands within your Art-form ?
“I think cooking. Learning to cook much later in life and it’s necessity lets you get to express yourself at times and try new shit. I’ve always liked that every day I gotta feed myself but sometimes I just wanna do something different or try some new shit.”
What do you appreciate most about how YOUR art makes you feel ?
“In the moment that I decide to make or draw anything, the process of me pushing myself and getting into that space has always made me feel fulfilled. If there’s something needed to be done I will find a way to make it fun and also cool. For me, I always think about how it’s gonna be received, and that drives me to be a little bit competitive, but I still wanna make something true to myself and then I won’t give a fuck.”
What pushes you to be a better artist today ?
“I wanna show my son if you have something inside you that you feel you need to express then it’s OK to do it. You get to determine what your contribution is even on the smallest scale because you’re not doing it for anybody but yourself. That’s kind of the idea, if you think it’s cool, and it makes you feel better about whatever compelled you in the first place, do it. I want him to know that it’s OK to feel free to do whatever the fuck he’s gonna do later down the road.”
BONUS QUESTIONS.
Favorite quote ? Why ?
“The meaning of life is to find your gift and your purpose in life is to give it away for free”. Everybody has a spark of uniqueness and when you own it, it’s a beautiful thing for yourself as a person. But, then you realize it doesn’t matter if you can’t share it with people you care about. My dad used to tell me that quote from a young age. It always stuck with me. ”
How do you wish others describe you ?
“I wish people will perceive me to be eclectic, pulling from different sources and having a vibe that is easy-going and also well informed and cultured.”
What is your favorite thing about yourself ?
“Without sounding cliché, I like that I know I am open-minded. I still may have opinions that don’t agree with other people‘s way of thinking, but I still feel that I’m open to be swayed even if it’s through conversation, time, and experience. I don’t just dig my heels in for the rest of my life and have this singular point of view. I’m very keen on being malleable and flexible to navigate the world simply because I don’t know where I’m gonna find myself down the road.”
What was your favorite movie growing up ?
“Pee Wee’s Great Adventure. He’s such a fuckin weirdo. Everybody absolutely loves him. It was an epic movie that introduced me to counter culture, macabre thrill, and it still is heros tale. “Large Marge” will forever fuckin terrify me !”
If you were to speak to your younger artist, what would you say?
“Don’t be afraid. Make your crafts, do your doodles, and your drawings. Don’t compare yourself to anybody who you might view is potentially more talented than you. Don’t pigeonhole yourself. You can only go as far as you allow yourself, and the moment you start comparing, you’re gonna rob yourself of any chance of having something that is really earnest and yours. You have what everybody has in them, which is this creative side that wants to come out and the outside world will rob it from you, if you let it.”
