Corridors of my mind (via FFFFound!)

I am not too sure what to write out for this intro, so I’m just going to say that these two are HUGE talent (as if you don’t know that by now!). 2Tone and Peap got a big show, entitled Nightbreed, opening up @ Qubic in Newmarket, Auckland (New Zealand) Friday May 30, 2008. The show runs through June 27th. I hope a gallery in the city (NY) brings their work out here at some point cause I have a feeling that their work is even more impressive in the flesh. Yuppers.

Note: Peap sent a ’sneak peek’ (photos) for you to see cause after all, y’all deserve a treat.

1.) Age? Location? Personal motto or mantra?
2Tone: Mid twenties, Auckland City, Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Spray Cloud), I can’t think of a personal motto, Im an artist not a writer.
PEAP: 32 , Auckland, New Zealand aka AOTEAROA (Maori Name). My Motto is never stop and keep doing what you are doing because you will succeed! Believe in your self and others around you. Always Keep Faith alive. Be Original to its to love and appreciate what influences you but don’t imitate what you are not and just be yourself, stay positive and this is the true key to success.

2.) How long have you lived in Auckland (NZ) and what brought you there?
2Tone: I’ve lived in Auckland my whole life, since age zero. Auckland is cool, though quite small, its the biggest city in New Zealand. I guess it’s somewhat quiet, but just noisey enough if you know what i mean. We have a relaxed way of life here, I think the weather governs a lot. If it’s raining (and it quite often is), people tend to get a bit angst. As far as the graffiti/art scene goes: I reckon there are a number of talented guys both established and coming up. Some real talent in a city of approx. 1 million.
PEAP: I was Born in Auckland, New Zealand its my Motherland but I speak a mix of Australian and New Zealand hahahah.

3.) So how did you first meet each other?
PEAP: I think it was fate, The art Gods of our Land made it all possible May we now Pray.

4.) Is collaborating with each other something you do a lot of?
PEAP: Yes actually we work in the same job so not only we collaborate when we do art but also when we work so I guess that’s why our works just seem to click so well.

5.) Please describe to us your process of creating a piece.
2Tone: I dunno really, any certain idea or mood could spark a flame, but usually start with the good old pencil and paper. This is usually a rough guide, nothings definite at the beginning. I like a lot of what i do to be free flowing and spontaneous, I think it’s a lot more of an honest approach. When painting graffiti it helps to be flexible…
PEAP: I always carry around with me my black sketch book and I always make sure I have a Pencil or marker pen on me, because ideas just start popping in my head even when I’m walking down the street, well you know if I don’t have the sketch book on me I will make sure I have it near by so that I can quickly get the idea down. And just like 2 Tone said I usually just start with Pencil, Eraser and Paper its how the ideas will move from my mind to paper.

6.) How many hours a day/week do you paint?
2Tone: That definitely depends, how I’m feeling that week, if I’m feeling lazy etc. haha. It could vary greatly, but I’m trying to do at least something a week. I think with graffiti, I’ve been doing something every week nearly for the past 10 years. Whether it be tags, throw ups or pieces. With the canvas work it’s definitely less than that, I’m always drawing though.
PEAP: Yep that can depend, But I always spend some good solid time at least once a day/night formulating new ideas and sketches, and when I start working on new works, say for example for a show, I will spend every single minute of the day on it, you just have to keep grinding, just do it don’t think to much about doing it, just get down and dirty and crank that Art out.

7.) Are you highly critical of your own work?
2Tone: For sure, isn’t everybody? I think if you aren’t, you have your head up your own arse. Everyones learning, no-one knows it all.
PEAP: You must be critical of your own work, but not to the point where you hate it and throw the idea in the bin. But Always look and examine your work and if it doesn’t feel right try and make it work to the point where you feel good about it. Another thing is, don’t ask people what they think about your work because most people never give you an honest opinion but at the same time be prepared to take in criticism. Put it this way, if one was not critical about ones own work, it would never evolve, an important factor with creating art work is to not just draw or paint the same thing over and over, which is ok when you find your groove and its good to work that style to the limit but once you feel its time to take the next step, it’s very important as an artist to step it up and take it to the next level, it’s what life is all about.

8.) When did you get interested in art?
2Tone: No idea, at a very young age i guess.
PEAP: As long as I can remember since my Mum Put Pencils in my hand.

9.) What are you trying to express through your work?
2Tone: myself…
PEAP: Who I am , and all the cultures that I represent and to connect with peoples emotions to enlighten to create an understanding of overcoming, through the storm and darkness, the light will eventually shine through.

10.) Who would you say is your biggest artistic influence?
2Tone: If it was one person, I would have to say my good mate, Ratz. He schooled me about painting. To him I’m forever grateful.
PEAP: Wow I always find this type of question so hard to answer because I think so many artist over the years have inspired me in some way or the other but Chaz Bojorquez is my biggest inspiration and influence the man is a legend and his guidance has helped me to become the artist I am today.

11.) What else besides art do you like to do? got hobbies?
2Tone: I like fine dining, lager, listen to hiphop music.
PEAP: I love searching for good music at record shops ,I can spend hours and when I get free time I really love to cook anything from Thai to your traditional Roast I can really cook up a storm.

12.) If you renamed Sweet Station, what would you call it?
2Tone: I’d re-name it ‘Sweat Station’…. I have a friend from Peru, who doesn’t have the best command of the English language. In New Zealand we have a common phrase ’sweet as’, which means basically everythings cool. So basically he’s been texting this girl he fancies ’sweat ass’… I dunno what the fuck she must have been thinking he meant. But yeah, I found this hilarious, just my fucked up sense of humour I guess.
PEAP: HAHahha Sweat Ass , man that sounds like a real dodgey site hahahahahah HMMMmm What Would I rename “Sweet Station”? I actually like the name, but maybe something like “The New Jersey Swap Meet”, you from NJ right? Ok if I got that wrong than it wouldn’t make any sense , but than again maybe it would because it sounds totally random, and you could print up exclusive Tees and Hoodies with T.N.J.S.M ? Yeah Maybe? Hahahha Nah Sweet Station is cool.

13.) Future? Upcoming shows and/or projects, etc..?
PEAP: There are some super cool projects in the works for this year and hopefully everything unfolds the way I’m hoping it will. At the moment 2Tone and Me are just focusing on our big show where we are going to pull some rabbits out of the hat hahaha.It’s called the NIGHTBREED and just like the flyer says it’s a “Visual Exploration Into the Depths of Night” basically to break it down we based the idea on the fact that when we paint, nearly 90% of its done at night so Nightbreed was perfect and also both me and 2Tone, more so 2Tone are both big fans of 80’s and 90s horror flicks and 2Tone has got a massive collection of DVD’s so we also took inspiration from the Clive Barker film and Novel Nightbreed which ties in well with our idea which is a story about crazy misfits of society who are creatures that only come out at night, sort of sounds like us hahahah. We will also have some very limited Tees coming under the Republic Label www.republicapparel.com that will run with the show. Our show is being held at QUBIC in New Zealand Auckland New Market it’s a really cool store and Gallery space and they carry the freshest gears in all of New Zealand so check them out at www.qubicstore.com

14.) What advice can you give to all those young aspiring artists?
2Tone: Don’t listen to your art teacher, he’s probably full of shit.
PEAP: Believe in your self and believe in your dreams never give up and follow your heart ,” be a real go getta ” and create and inspire as much as possible.

15.) Anything you want to say to me?
2Tone: Cheers for the opportunity to have a vent.
PEAP: I really respect what you and Sweet Station is doing and I think you guys are just going to get massive much props for giving us your time. Peace From NZ to NY.

How cute are these knitted lil things.. awww. Link here.

I accidentally stumbled upon Tim Hussey’s website. Some very beautiful abstract paintings. I like.

New Jersey born illustrator and painter Roberto Parada’s work has appeared in major magazines: Time, Rolling Stone, Esquire and many more.

Have a look at the fifty most beautiful subway systems in the world.

Original vintage wallpapers and vinyl wallcoverings from the sixties and seventies. (Thanks for the link Jen!)

What: APAK!’s Worlds of Wonder Art Show Opening
When: May 17 - June 18, 2008
Reception: Saturday, May 17, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Where: Giant Robot Gallery, 437 East 9th Street Between 1st Ave. & Ave. A, in the East Village New York, New York 10009

Giant Robot is proud to present new works by the husband-and-wife team, APAK! Living among the furry conifer giants in a little cabin on the outskirts of Portland, Ayumi and Aaron Piland unite to bring you into their fantasies, as if going on magical journeys and returning with pictures of what transpires in their collective imagination. Their works transplant the bold colors and simplicity of Japanese pop into an expansive mini universe reminiscent of “Gnomes” books from the 80’s.

I might be attending, so if you happen to spot me around, be sure to say hello.

These head-slapping photos belongs to Miles Aldridge.

I don’t know much about illustrator Daniel Cantrell aka “The Horror” but I really like what I see. His Myspace is continually being updated with new drawings so I am lucky to be on his list. Yay! Do yourself a favor and check him out. Link here.