Tuesday 31 July 2012

Off the Wall

Mis Red
A View from the Hills


Female graff artists are a lot less numerous than their male counterparts, so it's always nice to discover a new artist on the scene. After seeing her work on Facebook we soon got in touch and met up for a coffee and a chat...

RDC: Hey, Mis Red could you tell us where you are from and where you live now please?

Currently residing amongst the seven hills of Sheffield, UK away from the coal stained birth land that is Barnsley.....Good market though!


RDC: What is your background, are you self taught?

In terms of graff, pretty much self taught. Although CoLor did try to show me how to do circles and explained what caps were what, but I spat my dummy out after 5 min's because I didn't like being watched...I'm a terrible pupil, but a much better student. I prefer to study and learn by my self, trial and error. It's the best way to learn anything.

In terms of art in general, pretty much all my life in every capacity, so I had a good foundation of skills, knowledge and practice before I started graff.


RDC: Why the spray can and have you had a go at any other media?

I go through manic stages with most things that are new. Someone will put an idea in my head and/or object in my hand and then that's all I can think about and do. Felt tips pretty much from the word go, then I remember my Plasticine obsession. We'll fast forward a bit, or this could get looong. Every night after school I'd draw using a technical pencil, photo's from kerrang and NME, it took president over my school work every time, but it kept me outta trouble.

Screen printing was my first proper adult art obsession, and I still hold both the technicians in high regard today, I think they we're sick of seeing me, but pretty much gave me free reign of their studio's. So I think with that foundation my work has a kind of graphic/graff feel/approach anyway.

My mum bought me a sewing machine at 18, which consumed my life for a good few years. I loved the inside out and back to front process of having to workout making things from the first sketch. I find this with spray work in a way, the way you have to plan a head, figure out the layers working in a kinda backwards way.
 
Paintings a doddle in comparison. I cannot remember not being able to paint to be honest, paintings been very natural, I've never been obsessed with it, but I'll always go for representational painting. Graff has really helped me to start developing a style of my own. Replete described my paintings as having an 'editorial' feel, so looking back, it was only natural that I would eventually turn my hand to the spray can. My spray paint skills are eons behind my painting abilities. I must admit though I love how the concessions I have to make due to lack of skill with the can, from sketch to wall make my work/style naturally evolve into some thing fresh from my original conception.



RDC: When did you start spraying, someone said that some photographs look like you are painting in your back yard?

I started at the end of April this year. I knew a few guys in my teens who liked their spray paint, but it was tagging and I didn't understand it back then. However have now gained an appreciation of hand styles. Having said that I'm more aware of how much crap there is out there (as well as the skill)....although 'piss flaps' made me giggle in the same way seeing a crude cock and balls does....what ever happened to 'piss flaps'?

 I went off the question there, sorry. The point I was getting to, is until April I hadn't met a graff artist. Funnily enough they don't make themselves known in person that often. It was when I first met CoLor. He who put the idea of graff into my head and a can into my hand. Sadly I'd like to tell some story of meeting him on the streets that involved a police chase or somert along those lines but it was as far from cool as you can get. Anyway credit to him. Since then I have met a few more and found out a few existing friends where at it all along. So their tip, advice and encouragement has been priceless.

As for the garden painting, good observation there, I'm guessing that was Fiona Milne's eagle eye. I spent my first order of spray paint on the walls and wheelie bins of my back yard, until I 'manned up', as it was put by a peer. I feel at this point I should give a massive credit to Kaze, who chatted to me when I did my first piece, he's shown me around key spots and its been good to have a co painter around.

RDC: Ha ha, good guess with Fiona!



RDC: Can you tell us what inspires your work - it seems like you were into skeletons at one time, has that changed?

The main inspiration and drive to my graff work is getting better. trying new things, playing with styles. The skellies where just a simple sketch I plucked from many. So Im just playing, visually with that,  seeing what works, what doesn't. Flicking through my sketch book now its seems all so random, but others have spotted themes. I don't really think about it too much. I just soak up idea's and am inspired by the things around me, like any artist I guess. I'd love to hand my sketch books over to a psychologist and see what they say.

There are returning/reoccurring themes in my work, and this includes my non graff work as well (which there is much much more of). Mexican day of the dead - dias los muertos is defiantly a fascination of mine - Sylia Ji's paintings are a beautiful modern take on it. On a personal level I love anything beautifully sinister. I remember my English teacher explaining the word juxtaposition, and that's been a favorite word and the best description of the any thing that catches my eye. Grimms fairy tales, folk lore, religion and mythology have always fascinated me from being a child, and certainly keep me busy on Wiki threads - any kind of morality tale I suppose (you asking me this question has got me thinking). Anyone and anything on that tone strikes a note with me.
I have always been fascinated by human anatomy from being young. I like things that are a little macabre but are presented in a colourful celebratory way. I'm drawn to the garish imagery of Zombie, monster and B-movie's, graphic novels (particularly Mike Mignola's neo film noiresque art work, (I'm sure you can spot the influence in my recent work), and frank quietly (check out We3, its disturbingly beautiful). Calma was introduced to me recently and his work really wets my whistle. Blu's animations blow's my mind, and I love to do some stop frame (when my friend remembers to loan me her camera). I love classic tattoo pinups soft core s&m porn and draw lots of that kind of thing although that hasn't transpired into my spray work yet, but I'm still a wee toy. So early days. I could go on and on.



RDC: Bouldering/climbing - give us an insight into these hobbies of yours Red?

This is a sore point for me as I have done so little. Over winter I really slacked off after becoming completely obsessed with it last year, There are definitely exploitative links between graff and climbing that I love. My slackness was mainly due to laziness and snowboarding. Unfortunately just as the summer climbing season was approaching and I started to get my ass in to gear I developed a pretty mean lung infection and in turn developed in to pleurisy (due to spray paint no less, so get a good mask, learn from my mistake). I'm only just well enough to spray paint now, but will be out for the count all summer on the climbing front which proper sucks big style. 
Thanks for that question RDC.
RDC: This deal that you did with the Devil, can you tell us how that went down?

Ha ha, well the devil makes work for all idle hands. If I wasn't drawing or at least doing something creative with my hands as a child my, hands were generally doing a mischief on behalf of the dark lord it seems. from taking out the putty of my grandmas single glaze windows, pressing stop buttons on escalators in busy shopping centers on Saturday afternoons, taking apart expensive electrical equipment, finding new and unique places to store plasticine, from plug sockets to keys holes, reinacting scenes from Georges marvelous medicine, poking holes into waterproof bags of coal in the pouring rain, experimenting with new pyrotechnical methods of ant nest eradication and barbie doll amalgamation amongst others. You know, the usual childhood past times. Any way the deal, avoid men in suits with contracts, weather it be in phones 4U or on your doorstep asking about your gas/electricity supplier. If their not the devil their probably working for him or just a plain bastard. No cross roads I'm afraid.
Maybe if I have time I'll get back to the graphic novel I started doing and all will be revealed.
RDC: What hopes and ambitions have you got for your future in graffiti art?

I just want to get better at what I do. I'm an illustrator to be honest so it's more about exploring the medium and getting my work out there. My 'real' job pays well and I enjoy the work I do as its still  within the creative sector, but its very restrictive for my personal creativity. However my plan is to drop a day or two and go part time in the next year at the latest now I can afford to, and focus on my art work in general, so I can do more of what I enjoy. Graff has certainly re ignited my passion for art again.
Hope?

Not to get pleurisy again by investing in a descent mask!

RDC: That pleurisy sounds well severe, we are glad you are getting better now... (the things we do for art eh...). All the best Mis Red!


Monday 30 July 2012

App a Week


'The Pirata Boat Race' 
Categories:Games
 
For use on:
⁍ iPad
iPhone
⁍Website
Pirata Boat Race:
Ok, this game lets you create a virtual boat race and row, row, row. 
In order to row you need to use your iPad or iPhone and stoke till your hearts content... we are not being rude it's for real. You can also build on your wins and get 10 of your friends to connect and play as well. 

A truly oarsome game... ha ha, oh stop it!
From the Book


On Screen

Closer look at the App here...
 To purchase the book go here...


Collaboration: Rad Dad Collective have hooked up with Taschen Publishing to bring you an 'App a Week.' The inspiration came when we received a copy of The App & Mobile Case Study Book from Taschen and we were well impressed!
 

Hang Outs... London, UK

 'Eye In The Sky'
 A Show By ATG Collective & Book Launch
In December 2010 a group of artists got together to embark on a project painting London's skyline, with the aim of inspiring people and reminding them of their voice. At a time where communities across the country feel increasingly neglected and let down by the system they decided to use the roofs of the many council blocks scattered across the city as a platform to communicate with people in the form of painted eyes and up-lifting slogans that beamed down on to the streets below. Their work was to serve as a reminder to the public that they still have control over their surroundings and although we live in the most surveyed city on the planet, where peoples liberties are often compromised for financial gain and control,  there is still room to take risks, think outside the box and change the world around you.

This exhibition will see the launch of a limited edition hand bound artist book from ATG. Each book will be signed and numbered with a hand screen printed cover.
The exhibition will also feature limited edition screen prints, originals and photographic work.

For more get... HERE

STOLENSPACE GALLERY
Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London E1 6QL
United Kingdom
 

Sunday 29 July 2012

Flesh Cuts

Scottish Urbexing 


We managed to hook up with a Scottish film crew who are well into their Urbexing.
Abandoned Scotland explore their patch, in some stunning visual textures and colours that keep us goin back for more...

Return to Dererlict St Peter's Seminary
 Edit by: Abandoned Scotland


The Decent into Cult Abandoned Mine
Edit by: Abandoned Scotland

New Movie for Roger Gastman

Fund Raising

Hello RDCer's

I am writing with an update on the WALL WRITERS film and to let you know we have a Kickstarter to raise the funds to get it out to the world.

Why a Kickstarter for the Film you ask?
I have had several distribution offers in the past few weeks. While the distribution is great, the money is not. As I'm sure you all know the stock footage and post production work on this film is not cheap.

So far I have funded the project 100% myself and will be very happy to just break even on it. To be able to make the right decision about the distribution I don’t want money to dictate it. Therefore I have decided to do a kickstarter campaign to raise the funds I had hoped for from a distributor. I can assure you this money is 100% going towards getting the film out there and nothing more.

I would very much appreciate if you post this where ever you can – and pass it on to anyone that you know that is interested in the true history of graffiti. Oh yeah – John Waters did the voice over!


Thank You

Roger



 For more go... HERE

Friday 27 July 2012

Flesh Cut Friday with Luci Westphal


This is one of the most atmospheric places I've been to in Berlin. Schrebergärten aka allotment gardens have been quite popular in German cities. People who live in apartments rent a little garden with a house and spend their summers there.

In Berlin a few of these garden colonies have been abandoned due to development plans.

During my time in Berlin I've had the opportunity to visit a few of these gardens for true random raves and to take pictures. Yet, I can't tell you where any of them are because, you know, Berliners wouldn't want the tourists to show up...

During my explorations it became clear that plenty of people come through to party and to crash for a little while.

This was also one of my favorite shoots. If only it hadn't been so hot I could have stayed there all day. I have too much footage as it is and will make an extended version soon. It certainly was a special thrill to climb through a fence, remain undetected by the people in the neighboring still functioning allotment and explore this place full of forgotten memories. It certainly had a feel of "after the rave is before the rave" and the continuous cycle of nature and man replacing each other.


Thursday 26 July 2012

Street Shots

Good Mornin All

We managed to hit the streets before the sun melted our faces and sprayed this up, just for you. 
By the way, didn't yeh know "Chapped lips are a form of weakness"!



We are Powered by Relentless Energy Drinks...

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Off the Shelf


Art + Culture Magazine
August 2012


We have kept our beady eye out for August's Juxtapoz magazine and it has finally arrived.

Whole load of stuff goin down in this issue, with Evan Hecox rockin the cover.
Yes, The Evan Hecox, the guy that produced some iconic and collectable skateboards for the cool company Chocolate. He is now working with gouache and acrylic on some well old vintage newspapers, using urban building and street scenes to create a montage of work (we particularly like the smashed up VW convertible). Take a look at the interview on page 34.

Let's look at the contents:
Misaki Kawai - Meet the Jackie Chan of art.
Remed - A Moroccan chocolate lover.
Cathie Bleck - Fascinated with Egypt and it's history.
Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell - Near naked bodies and flying fantasy animals.
Kenji Nakayama - Uses 'hand over hand' style of sign painting.
Robert Bowen - Collects bugs skulls and bones.

A multifaceted, multi coloured, multimedia magazine... that enough m's for yeh? Ha!

Take a gander inside...








Big Thanks to Hersoid for being a magazine mannequin.


To get phat on Juxtapoz or to purchase go on Logo

Keepin Up With... Kid Acne

 ZEBRA FACE - Animated Series



Hello Everyone
-
It comes with great pleasure that I'm able to announce the 1st installment of our ZEBRA FACE animated series is finally here.
-
Zebra Face is a bombastic stripey horse with rudimentary rhyme skills and an insulin dependent sidekick, Durable Mouth Organ Diabetic.
-
The un-dynamic duo's nifty sweet adventures have been brought to life in a series of short animations for Channel 4's Random Acts series.
-
Zebra Face first appeared in a series of underground comics and fanzines created by Kid Acne & Supreme Vagabond Craftsman. The earliest incarnation dates back to a one-page comic strip in 1995. This animated version has been brought to screen by Universal Spirits and directed by Paul Reardon.



CLOUD TROUBLE is the first of five episodes to be broadcast and will be aired this Thursday, July 26th at 5 minutes past midnight (so technically that's Friday morning). The second episode RUMBLES IN THE TUMBLES will be shown in the same time slot a week later. Additional episodes will be aired over the coming weeks and months.
-
The characters voices come courtesy of a diverse range of UK talent. Hip-Hop stars Taskforce, Juice Aleem, Lady Chann and Infinite Livez all contribute to the “chilliant brainwaves” and belly-flop dives one time, whilst Rosamund Hanson (This Is England) appears as the egg-stra thoughtful Messy Dinosaur and Jarvis Cocker becomes the omnipotent Sun taking on the role of narrator. Word.

Peace out. Ackers. x


For more get a face full... HERE

Hang Outs... New York

ArtNowNY and The City Firm Presents:
The Art of Rap: Remixed and Mastered


Opening Reception:
Thursday, 26th July 2012 - 6pm till 9pm

Exhibition Runs: 
26th July 2012 till 8th September 2012

 Check out more... HERE

548 W. 28TH STREET,
New York

Urban Arts Festival Tamworth, UK... Aftermath.

N.U.E. 
Urban Arts Festival Tamworth, UK
21st July 2012


Following recommendations from some of Sheffields' finest, we boarded a train that was Tamworth bound for the second Urban Arts Festival featuring the Aerosol Planet Graffiti Jam, with writers and painters coming from all over, djs and street dance from NRG and PMYC and Street Dynamix free runners.

By the time we got there a few of the pieces were finished but many were still in progress, which was good because we do love to watch these guys and girl in action.

A general theme of Myths and Monsters made for some fascinating character works, the standard of the skills throughout were jaw dropping. Some of our favourites were Riot 68 and Mono, Bonzai, Kem Mef Title and Hush, Glimmertwin32, Si2 Hull Graffit and Duse WSK (Sheffield Oi!) and several others whose names I haven't found out - yet.

It was after 6 when we left for our train home, a few pieces were still having the finishing touches applied. The air was aromatic, the atmosphere was chilled. The day had been excellent, stunning pieces and productions, bangin music - the free runners never missed a beat, which made me very happy as I'm old enough to know how much it would hurt if they did! And the little young street dancers were well cute.

Bring on N.U.E. 2013, we'll be there!

Fiona Milne












Check out more... HERE

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Factory Fresh

Sheffield, UK Bound 2


We hooked up with one of the RDC Crew from Sheffield, Fiona Milne and Bob just recently. This intrepid Urbexer was kind enough to show us around her local spots and what a joy they were!
We hit an ace stone building first which has been empty for sometime but by gum it was an nice spot to explore.
On the day we checked in on numerous places and this is the 2nd post of a few, so keep um glued

Take a peak at what we saw...
 Shady One.

 One of Faunagraphics on the peel... Dang!







 Oopsy this isn't Rocket it's Clem Alice's work... sorry folks.



 CoLor's a pigeon fancier.



Thanks to Fiona and Bob for a great day out!

Quote:
Art, that great undogmatized church.
John F. Kennedy