SXH- Where are you from and what can you tell us about your hometown?

AP- I grew up in Antioch, CA, which is about 50 miles northeast of San Francisco. It’s a small suburban town, but it’s actually been in the national news a lot recently since it was discovered that dude Phillip Garrido kidnapped that girl and kept her in his backyard for 18 years. I don’t know if I should do the whole “Antioch REPRESENT” thing, or to be slightly embarrassed.

SXH- As a kid, what did you want to be growing up?

AP- Realistically? Boba Fett. Other than that, shit I don’t know. I think I am still trying to figure that out. I mean, even when I was younger, I wanted to do something creative, like a cartoonist, or fine art or filmmaking or something, but I never could figure out specifically what I wanted to focus on. I think that’s why I STILL don’t know, and why I seem to always bounce around and get my hands in a ton of different projects.

SXH- Who or what do you look at for inspiration?

AP- Recently I think my inspiration has changed drastically. Visually I absorb anything and everything shiny. Movies, shitty TV, the internet, friends, taking walks, people watching, etc. I do get a lot of my inspiration from pop culture, whether it shows in my work or not. Pop culture, just in general, sparks things in me constantly.

But recently I’ve noticed that I have been a lot more trusting in myself and maybe even a lot more self-absorbed. I kind of accepted the fact that, though I can keep trying and trying, I probably won’t ever get to the “level” of the technical quality of artists that I am in love with. I mean, I’m not ever going to stop trying to push myself technically and try to get TO that next level, but I have beat myself up for years about the fact that I don’t really have the technical confidence in my paintings that I would like. I would just compare myself constantly to artists that are far superior, and I think I have cut that back a lot recently. Doing that gave me a little freedom, because I know the one thing I AM confident with is my imagination. So recently, when I have a big looming project or an art show or something that NEEDS a big burst of inspiration to get started, I have just trusted myself and let myself explore my imagination and just start painting or drawing. I think there’s a balance in there somewhere that I am trying to figure out. I think it’s important to study other artists and absorb every piece of art that you love, and to BE influenced by it, but simultaneously, because all art is so personal, you need to be able to let go and trust yourself to do your own thing, no matter how good or shitty it may be, as long as it’s your own. Was that long-winded enough?

SXH- Where’s your studio?

AP- As of a month ago, I just moved into an old house in Walnut Creek, CA that was actually a brothel in like the 1920’s. My studio is set up here, and I think I can actually still smell the syphilis on the walls, which rules.

SXH- Describe a typical work day:

AP- It varies a lot. Actually, that’s a lie. The routine is similar, but the filler is way different every day. I get up about 9-10 and freak out about emails I didn’t respond to the day before, try to get some coffee, then it’s a head-spinning mess of errands, drawing, painting, blogging, scanning, and everything that goes along with that until about 3-4 am. If I’m lucky I let myself take a shower. But that’s mostly for other people’s benefit.

SXH- What materials do you usually work in?

AP- I try to explore different materials all the time, because I’m a firm believer in the discovery process. Like, yah, maybe I will be SUPER GOOD at like, conte crayon drawing on bark? So I’ll play around with that, but most of the time it’s a pretty big fail, so I tend to default to inks, or watercolors, which is what a majority of my work is done with.

SXH- What is your all time favorite painting?

AP- There’s a harsh 3-way tie going on that was only a 2-way tie until last year. The contenders: The original Creepshow Theatrical poster painting. ( http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/25/CreepshowPoster.jpg ) The Theatrical poster painting for SQUIRM ( http://posterwire.com/wp-content/images/squirm.jpg ) and James Jean’s TOYMAKER piece.

SXH- What do you do when you’re not making art?

AP- Feeling guilty that I COULD be creating something productive.

SXH- Is there any Artist or Illustrator you would like to collaborate with?

AP- Yah there are like a billion. You, Skinner, Augor, Horkey, John Pound, Jim Phillips, Graham Ingels (which won’t happen since he is dead which sucks), Todd McFarlane, Gary Larson, The Rock, so many!

SXH- What are you working on now and what’s in the future for you?

AP- I’m putting the finishing touches on my new solo show, “HIDING FROM THE NORMALS” which opens up on Oct 6 at Gallery 1988 in LA. And man, the show is going to be so much fun. In addition to like, every horror VHS that my parents would let me get my hands on, I grew up repeatedly watching and falling in love with Dark Crystal and Labyrinth and Star Wars and I always saw those as basically living and breathing works of art. And, as an adult, artists like Guillermo Del Toro, and Clive Barker, who are telling just as fantastic tales and creating just as amazing and imaginative universes for us adults who never grew out of our love for the old Henson/Lucas/Disney approach. These filmmakers and their teams created so many extra subtle elements that no one would ever notice individually because they were so small, but when piled together they formed this elaborate UNIVERSE that made it so easy to transport you into that world. I mean, take Walt Disney and Disneyland for example. You go to stand in line for Star Toursand there is so much to look at, and signs to read and videos playing that tell you about this world you are about to enter and so much supplemental material that it’s impossible not to enjoy even STANDING IN LINE! And that makes the actual ride even more fun. The Disneyland approach is what I have been trying to do lately with some of my shows. I took that approach with my “Letters For Digested Children” show at Upper Playground earlier in the year, and I am taking that approach to the next level at this new show at G1988. How so? Well, you will have to come to the show to find out. But in short, I’m creating enough material to hopefully transport the viewer into this other world if they feel like letting go.

SXH- Important non related question here: Sabbath or Zepplin?

AP- Sabbath. Unless it’s on a first date, ever since Damone said that putting on Kashmir in the Gremlin is ONLY way to score.

SXH- Coffee or tea?

AP- Both. Iced coffee. Chai tea. And Ice-T’s O.G. Album

SXH- Music, talk radio, books on tape or golden silence?

AP- All of the above. In waves of love and hate. Speaking of, I love you Jeff. In waves.

Try and make it out to see Hiding From The Normal tomorrow night at Gallery 1988

Please visit Alex’s website to see more of his amazing work- www.eyesuckink.com

Alex Pardee Interview is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Celeritas opens today at SURU on Melrose Avenue. The show, hosted by John Hensley and Joe Hahn, features work inspired by motorcycle racing culture. Artists include Barry McGee, Joe Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Mark Dean Veca, Audrey Kawasaki, Stash, Futura, James Jean, Jim Lee, Alex Pardee, Jeff McMillan, Troy Lee, Jesse James, Usugrow, Nathan Cabrera, Dr. Romanelli and Estevan Oriol.

Check out this awesome hand painted Barry McGee Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle, which will be up for auction. All proceeds go to Riders for Health non-profit organization.

SURU is located at 7662 Melrose Avenue. Show runs through August 16th.

Images via Known Gallery and SURU.

Celeritas Exhibition Coverage is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Participating artists include Alex Pardee, Audrey Kawasaki, Barry McGee, Darren Romanelli, Estevan Oriol, Futura, James Jean , Joe Hahn, Jim Lee, Jesse James, Jeff McMillan, Mark Dean Veca, Mike Shinoda, Nathan Cabrera, Stash, Troy Lee and Usugrow.

Here’s a sneak peek of a couple of helmets-

Celeritas opens Sunday July 12th, 12pm-8pm

Celeritas at SURU is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Click here to view the embedded video.

Walrus TV Artist Upper Playground/Juxtapoz Magazine U.S. Tour is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Zero Friends collective leader Alex Pardee has teamed up with Greg “Craola” Simkins on this poster and tee shirt entitled “Scared Friends.” Both items are available now through the Zero Friends site.

Thanks to the Zero Freinds store for the images.

“Scared Friends” by Alex Pardee and Greg “Craola” Simkins is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Alex Pardee for Cage is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Thanks to Glltn for the footage.

Ron English and Alex Pardee at FIFTY24SF Gallery is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Alex Pardee’s unique style is one conceived through watching years of horror movies, writing graffiti and listening to gangster rap.  His pieces are often brought to life by translating random shapes and colors into signs of torment and absurdity.  By juxtaposing these two conflicting moods, Alex makes his works more personal to his viewers, forcing them to project their own feelings and emotions onto each character in his twisted universe. Alex Pardee’s devotion to his art has gained the attention of Warner Bros., Reprise Records, Freeze Management, Hurley International, KidRobot, Twenty Twenty Skateboards, and more. In 2004, he was tapped by the gold-selling rock group The Used to design the artwork for their album, “In Love and Death.”  Alex’s designs were not only applied to record, but also the band’s merchandise, website, marketing campaign, and the music video for the single “All That I’ve Got.”  More recently, Alex has been working with Def Jux recording artist CAGE, as well as STREET DRUM CORPS, TOP-R, EL-P, and high-fashion designer Dr. Romanelli.

Alex Pardee and Upper Playground Walrus Figure Sneak Peek is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

In “Letters From Digested Children,” Alex Pardee pays homage to the children who are eaten by monsters.  Alex states: Each year, thousands of children turn up missing. Some are found. But most, unfortunately, are not. Many of the children are victims of abduction, some are runaways, and a large handful of them . . . have been EATEN by monsters.

For “Mythographic Vicissitudes,” Ron created a series of paintings based on variations on modern mythologies. Applying a sense of reverence to his patented mash of religion, history and art, English gives equal weight to all mythologies, from Jesus to Bigfoot to Expressionism. “Loch Ness Starry Night” depicts the emergence of the monster as seen through the eyes of Vincent Van Gogh.

A must see show for all English and Pardee fans, be sure you are there.

Ron English X Alex Pardee at FIFTY24SF Gallery is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Click here to view the embedded video.

Alex Pardee, Jeremy Fish, Sam Flores, and David Choe Live Painting is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Thanks to Juxtapoz for the information.

Alex Pardee GelaSkins is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Here is a great video of Alex Pardee discussing multiple topics ranging from childhood depression, early inspiration drawn from old Tales From the Crypt comics, to his show on the WB, and his latest work with Hurley. Definitely worth watching.

Alex Pardee Video from Vimby is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Alex Pardee Interview in Blisss Magazine is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Cover Band

Opening Reception October 7, 2008

7 to 10pm

Gallery 1988 Blog

Gallery 1988 Los Angeles and Klipsch Audio Present: Cover Band is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Thanks to Sam Flores, Alex Pardee, and the tallest man in art, N8 Van Dyke, for showing up, painting live, and enjoy themselves. And to Sam for having his shirt off most the tour. That looked like Sam.

The last Sparks x Jux x Upper Playground Event this Saturday in Phoenix is a post from: SLAMXHYPE