Jake Joseph Painting Bright Colors for a Dark World / May 1, 2020 by Sean Andrews

Well, here we are again.

Groundhog day #47. Waking up, it felt the same, but there are a few changes going on. California is getting some stricter stay at home orders while business are trying to open up at the same time. It’s weird. It’s hard. Our doors are still closed, but our lights are still on - for now.

As artists, we are used to things not making much sense, but we don't like being forced into situations. I can’t speak for my partners, but at least I (Peter Pan) really push back against set boundaries in all sorts of ways. No matter what, I like to create and voice things. Whether it is articulating or manifesting my resistance through art, music, essays or just how I choose to live, I always seem to find myself pushing what I believe in, and resisting against what I feel is wrong.

It’s bold and direct, but not violent. It can be dramatic, but not melodramatic. It is not about making a scene, it is about making a statement. A former bandmate of mine, and dear friend, Josh Gonzales said it best about two types of people who voice their opinions, “There are people screaming to be seen, and then there are people screaming to be heard.”

Many people are for show. The want to look the part, and will jump on the bandwagon to be seen and fit in. These are most of the people with a paintbrush, pen or microphone. They are Artists, not artists.

Then there are the others. The people with a message. The ones who care about their cause and will stand by it no matter what. If it is a popular opinion, or wildly provocative, they voice it and stand by it because they care. I’d like to think that when I scream, I am screaming to be heard. I have beliefs. I don't voice them all the time, but I do when I feel like I need to. I want to be heard, and that is why I scream.

Jake Joseph a.k.a. Dead Gringos is a dear friend and artist who has definitely got a message and is “screaming to be heard.” If you are familiar with Shit Art Club, you would certainly be able to pick out his works from a mile away. He paints in a strong graphic style - macabre characters and scenes with narratives illustrated with a bright and bold pallet. Jake describes his style as painting “bright colors for a dark world.” He is incredibly unique, one of the best people I know and one of the most talented artists I get to work with.

You guys know the deal by now. We asked him how he's getting along, and we are glad he let us know:

Alright, Jake, here we go. Strictly business out the gates. How do you foresee the future of the art market post COVID-19?

I think people are gonna keep on buyin' art like they always have been, looking at art makes people happy just like drugs and booze and neither of those have ever had a tough time during tough times. Gettin' drunk or high and looking at art is the instinctive remedy for humans in hard times.

Hell yeah. I suppose that in hard times it can actually have a function as a sort of escape for people, but a sort of healthy one. Art can really put life into perspective sometimes. Can you provide some insight into your studio life and how COVID-19 has made an impact? Any significant changes?

Not being able to do much at the studio in Downtown LA has been a bummer but now I just have a make shift studio at the apartment and paint outside all the time. Pretty fuckin' sweet actually. But I deeply miss being in the grease downtown for sure. Nothing compares to the grease.

Dead Gringos in the Downtown grease factory that is Shit Art Club’s studios

Yeah. I miss it too. Can’t wait ’til we can all rip around again together like a bunch of greased up pigs impossible to catch. Has this pandemic had any direct influence on your work or creative process?

Getting to be able to observe people's behavior in shitty times like these has always interested me, and I pull a lot from observing people everyday anyway and a lot of that goes into my work so yeah to a degree I bet it does but it's not a conscious thing I'd say.

Interesting. Is the town you live in on lockdown? Has the virus affected daily life amongst the locals?

Yep, Venice is pretty locked down but nobody seems to be all that bummed about it. There's still guys on electric skateboards everywhere. The plague isn't being as efficient as it could be.

Loser Angeles, Coulter Jacobs, Nick Lavayen and Dead Gringos throwing paint around after hours.

Hahahahaha. They're probably the cats who invented the thing anyway. Before Snapchat took over Niki’s, I don't remember there being any pandemics. Where’s the first place you’re going when this is all over?

Straight to a bar, probably Hinano. Or South America, but Hinano on the way there.

Hell yeah. Take me with ya. Other than painting or drawing, what is keeping you sane during this madness?

Working on building wood projects, drinking masses of beer, slithering around at the beach like a slug to avoid detection.

So essentially you're like a ninja slug. I may be hitting you up for some help robbing a bank here pretty soon. Do you think anything beneficial can come from this pandemic? What?

I'd like to think people will treat each other better, but we're 0 for 1000 on that one for past plagues. Hopefully a bunch of rad art. Flowers and stuff will keep growing. More lizards in the hills.

Ain’t that the sad sad truth. I do believe we will have some excellent art after all this, and you know I love me some time on Lizard Mountain. Tell us a bit about some of your influences. While developing as an artist was there anyone who you have been influenced or inspired by consistently over the years?

I've always been real into Goya and the other dark masters that analyzed the more fucked side of humanity. Jim Phllips, 90's surf/skate/punk art. Been really into Skinner's stuff lately as well, that guy always rips so hard. Growing up I was always fascinated by watching people and observing them, the weird shit they would say that would stick in my mind like it still does. I could sit in a bar corner for hours and draw people. Well I do sit in bar corners for hours and draw people.

Me encanta Francisco Goya. It seems like everyone is able to share their work today using their almighty iPhone and the internet. We see artists sharing a lot of work all of the time. It is a blessing and a curse. Who are some of the artists active today whose work you are following? What about their work or practice interests you? Is there something that these artists have in common? What are some of the unique things that each of these artists have that piques and maintains your interest in them?

For the innerwebs, I've been really into this group of artists from Ghana that Deadly Prey Gallery Represents, they hand paint these big wild and inaccurate versions of American movie posters that are gory and bootleg and just all over the place. There's a guy named Leonardo, Stoger, Mr, Nana Agyq, I don't know all of their names to be honest but they're really fuckin' rad artists. I always got a kick out of the bootleg movie shit as a kid when I'd take trips to Mexico and guys would be hawking them in the markets up so that mixed with the crazy Ghana monster mash up of Danny Devito beating someone with their own arm or something is awesome. So yeah those guys, a lot of others but this interview took more beers than I expected and I am going to go paint now. Love you.

Love you too, Jake.

SAC Loves all of you.

Take Care.

Click Here to Bid on Dead Gringo's Piece!

Swimming in Circles with The MAC is Starting to Feel Natural / April 24, 2020 by Sean Andrews

As we continue to live and cope with uncertainty during these times, we have each been forced to find ways to keep ourselves engaged. For some of us not much has changed, but for most of us it’s a challenge. Now more than ever, the differences between work that distracts us and work that is productive are becoming easier to distinguish. It feels like we have so many ways to spend our time, but not many of us have ways to invest our time.

The MAC is an artist who’s creativity seems un-phased by the circumstances imposed by this pandemic. If anything, it has just graced him with more time to spend with his prolific brain. Most of us are familiar with his works on canvas and paper, however, he produces work in many other mediums.

We asked him some questions about how he is getting along though these Novel Corona times and got blown away by how he is able to shine off the influence of the art industry, political influence and economic motivations. The MAC is incredibly connected to this earth, like he is bound to it with a golden cord. He shared with us how he spends time working with nature - growing all kinds of plants and making landscape art and garden art all around them.

MAC DADDY! How do you foresee the future of the art market post COVID-19?

I'm not really even sure how it is now, but financially speaking i think a lot of people will be tighter on dough, at least for a little while... But, creatively, I think we are going to see a ton of bitchin' work from all this time spent at home. Artists that regularly work are kicking it into overdrive because there's nothing but time, and others who haven't drawn or painted in years are rediscovering old hobbies. Just like it always has been, creatives will continue to create, so the art market is gunna be just fine.

I’m glad to hear that you still are able to tap into your creative brain at home. Can you provide some insight into your studio life and how COVID-19 has made an impact? Any significant changes?

Well, my studio is locked up and in Downtown LA where the Covid is freely making its way through the street dwellers. So, I've had to makeshift a corner of a garage into my studio for now, but its working out perfect. It's next to a fridge and some speakers so thats all I need. Plus, there I can open the garage and get some daytime vibes in my life which is nice. The studio at the gallery is a (lovely) cave.

The MAC in his Downtown Los Angeles studio pre-isolation.

It is a cave, and lovely indeed! It is one of my favorite places in Los Angeles to be, in fact. I miss it dearly. Has this pandemic had any direct influence on your work or creative process?

Influence on my work - not really. I'm stuck in my brain anyways so my art is very rarely political or socially inspired. I guess its has a little bit in my creative process ‘cause I don't have the room and capabilities I do at the studio. If anything its given me a lot time to work so thats helping me grow as an artist.

Your brain sounds like a utopia. Invite me in there sometime… In my experience, creative time is just as important as creative space. It is hard to find a perfect balance between the two, but seems like you’re making it work. Is the town you live in on lockdown? Has the virus affected daily life amongst the locals?

Yeah. I live in LA, but have been staying down in OC at my folks. Down here people are mostly keeping to themselves I think. I don't really know to be honest I've been chilling at the pad.

That is rad to hear you are able to escape from the heavy LA Lockdown. Where’s the first place you’re going when this is all over?

Fuck I dunno maybe to have beer with Uncle Kevy.

That seems like a very logical place to start. Other than painting or drawing, what is keeping you sane during this madness?

Those have been two big ones for me, but there's actually been a ton of stuff to keep my days busy. I spend lots of time gardening and cooking. I've got a wood fired oven at my disposal [that is actually an artwork by The MAC… See photo below] right now so that's been good fun. Having nowhere to go or be made me realize all the stuff I've been putting off. I've been able to get caught up on updating my site, cleaning out shit at my place thats been piling up, and stuff like that. Boredom is not one of my downfalls and i prolly already lost my sanity a while ago.

Wood fire pizza oven, design and mosaic handmade by The MAC

That is good to hear. In terms of your gardening, I’ve seen your garden in Mar Vista and the work you and your roommates have been putting into it during isolation. I also know that you have been doing landscaping for sometime now. Over time, it eventually that shifted from landscape maintenance to more landscape design and landscape art. Tell us a bit about this. Do you see this as part of your work as an artist?

Yeah I actually made a little personal landscaping "company" so I can get the contractor discounts haha check it out:

Dr. Greenthumb's Professional Gardens & Landscaping. Thinking back, I've been doing landscaping and gardening work since high school. I suppose it’s just part of how I was brought up. And on top of that, my folks have always been patrons of the arts - my mom majored in sculpture. So, at various times they have come up with interesting projects that entangle the worlds of art and landscaping. A lot of these projects I've tackled with my brother and have been centered around the idea of mosaicking. We've mosaicked a pizza oven, built and mosaicked an amorphous pedestal for a sculpture they had, put in stairs, mosaicked those - we've done lots of fun stuff. That's pretty much the foundation for how I got into the landscaping and art landscaping world. Right before this pandemic got bad, I was actually looking into welding classes so I can start making some large scale garden art. Stay tuned…

I am so excited to see what is coming. You clearly have ties to nature and this is where you find inspiration. There is a natural theme that runs through all of your works. I know that Peter Beard, one of the greatest nature photographers and artists, is someone who has influenced you greatly. He just passed away a few days ago. As far I as know, you have no personal connection with the guy other than through his artwork. Have you experienced a change in a relationship with his work since his passing? Or does it all just feel the same?

Yeah pretty crazy. I will always appreciate and love that guys work. His later work where he painted with his blood amongst other things and layered out his photos are insane. Plus, he was the man. I read an article the observatory wrote after he died that said something like... "Peter Beard - gentleman, socialite, artist, prophet, playboy, and fan of recreational drugs." Pretty solid legacy to leave haha, too bad we couldn’t get this dude to Shit Art Show 3..

Damn. That would have been legendary. Do you think anything beneficial can come from this pandemic? What?

Yes, definitely...

Even though everyone is stuck in their homes away from others I think this pandemic is actually somewhat unifying. It's a world wide crisis and an incredible thing to live through. I know I've never lived through anything like it - today I actually spoke to my (nearly) 98 year old grandmother, and she told me that she has never lived through anything like this. That's wild. So, yeah I think in a strange way it creates a worldwide unity ‘cause we're all in this together.

Also, I think its nice for our planet to get a break from all of our byproducts - as long as we can properly recycle all the extra plastic being used right now...

And lastly, I touched on it before, but I think right now creativity and innovation is spiking. Not just artistically speaking either. People have time on their hands and because of that I think we'll see some inventions, solutions, and inspirations.

A glimpse into The MAC’s quarantine creations:

I love your optimism and take on this. Tell us a bit about some of your influences. While developing as an artist was there anyone who you have been influenced or inspired by consistently over the years?

So many. That's a tough one ‘cause throughout my life theres been numerous influences, small and big, that have all played a part.

As a young artist I had a teacher named (can't remember how to spell this one) Ms. Shifranski and her class was essentially the extremely premature birth of SAC. So, naturally that had a massive influence on me creatively and philosophically.

Then, there's inspirational artists and movements I adored growing up like Dr. Seuss, Picasso, Dali, Basquiat, Tim Burton, the whole naive art movement, etc. Those have been people and styles I've strived to emulate and build upon. Impossible of course, but always worth the effort.

In terms of consistent influences I'd say the artists I work with regularly, my girlfriend, and my fam are pretty strong influences. I'm gunna make whatever I want, but I love hearing everyones opinions, even before my pieces are finished.

Listening to opinions while you are working is a unique thing as an artist. You must be super confident in your style and process to be able to share works as you progress on them.

On that note, it seems like everyone is able to share their work today using their almighty iPhone and the internet. We see artists sharing a lot of work all of the time. It is a blessing and a curse. Who are some of the artists active today whose work you are following? What about their work or practice interests you? Is there something that these artists have in common? What are some of the unique things that each of these artists have that piques and maintains your interest in them?

I try to spend as little as possible on that thing, but when I do here's some artists I'm always stoked on:

Coulter Jacobs - His technique and style in my opinion is unprecedented. He's easily one of my favorite contemporary artists. I'm lucky enough to know him personally and he's a huge inspiration. One thing he has stressed to me is studying artists of the past, and you can tell through his work that history lessons pay off.

Todd Francis - this guy has comedy and incredible technique. classic skate artist

Enrique Pichardo - Epic colors, beautiful shapes, cubist-esque.

Atom St. George - Insanely creative and talented. Reminds me of some Tim Burton stuff. Also, has multiple sclerosis and paints with numb hands. What a champion!

Hunter Potter - this is pure joy

Robert Nava - another artist who has perfected entertainment

Faye Moorhouse - just like the last two i mentioned, this is just fun art

I think the main thing they all have in common is they keep making it. A few of their styles are similar, but they each have their own unique touch on things. The main thing I've learned from all these people is to not stop doing it. There's so many rad artists out there, it's a beautiful thing.

While this isolation is suffocating us, The MAC’s take on these wild times combined with his unwavering commitment to making art is the breath of fresh air that we all need. As artists, we at SAC understand how difficult these times are for our peers. We are blown away at all of the beautiful support our community of artists in Los Angeles and all over the world are able to give each other during a time like this. We are also blown away by how people outside of our community recognize the importance and beauty of artwork and support us.

We always try to make a positive impact with our work at Shit Art Club. We designed this auction platform to help support artists at this time, patrons and fans by giving them an opportunity to collect works far below market value, sharing artists’ voices and stories, raising funds for the homeless on Skid Row and keeping the lights on and doors open at SAC. If you haven't yet, take a look at our COVID-69 Auction that features one artist each week. Tomorrow is the last day to place a bid on The MAC’s beautiful original painting, Swimming in Circles - which is completely relatable at times like this.

Click the link below to place a bid on an original by The MAC.

COVID-69 Auction Lot #003
The COVID-69 AUCTION will feature one work by a featured artist per week. We recognize that finances may be tight, and for this reason, we are starting with an especially low reserve and leaving it up to the people to decide what they want to pay.

Lucy Eyears: Painting The Silver Lining on the Corona Cloud / April 14, 2020 by Sean Andrews

After receiving more grim news about our fellow humans suffering and dying around the globe, isolation extensions and conflicting reports that feed our anxieties, we couldn’t think of a better artist to be focused on this week. Each of Eyears’ works serve as a perfect vehicle to deliver her uniquely placid optimism to each and every one of us when we need it most.

Finally, people are starting to see that not much is making sense these days. It’s freaking out the neighborhood, but it’s alright. We promise.

It’s alright because the truth is, nothing really ever makes sense – it’s just that most people are too distracted to realize it. Normally, everyone’s brain is stuck in a massive blender powered by the work week, news flow and internet. Their thoughts get all mixed up into a sort of uniform goo that can’t do anything but go with the flow. What really doesn't make sense to us is surrendering our one shot at life to a routine filled with mundane tasks. It sounds like something only crazy people would do. We are using art as a weapon and waging war against a life filled with minutiae.

Loser Angeles is an artist near and dear to us, and is an integral part of Shit Art Club. His work addresses what he describes as “the oddness of the ordinary” and illustrates how absolutely crazy “normal” life is. We kicked off our COVID-69 auction with one of his pieces, and asked him a few questions about how this quarantine is affecting his artwork, daily life and creative process.

How are you staying relevant during this difficult time?

I am probably not.

I love it. I mean, who really wants to be relevant to a global disaster anyway? How do you foresee the future of the art market post COVID-19?

I think their will be a hike in snickers bars by the end of June with a bidding war on the upper to lower class.

You may not be wrong… Tell us about your studio life and how COVID-19 has made an impact. Any significant changes?

I haven’t been working downtown in my studio because Skid Row is a bit gnarly right now, so I’ve been torturing my girlfriend Lucy in her studio in Santa Monica.

Has this pandemic had any direct influence on your work?

Ya for shoire [sic]. I’ve had a lot of time to study the greats. I’ve been reading a biography about Jacob Lawrence and the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920’s. The work he did during the Jazz Age is insanely relevant during this time. I am also working on a book titled Quilted Northern.

So Quilted Northern. Love the title. I understand that this is a project you’ve been working on long before the international toilet paper shortage. Do you think this book project will resonate differently after all of this?

(Laughing) Ya, its odd. I have been working on this on and off for over a year with the title "Quilted Northern." Now that everyones having trouble wiping their own arse I might get a bit more of a reaction. The hope of this project is remind people that life is temporary and disposable.

Is the town you live in on lockdown? Has the virus affected daily life amongst the locals?

Yup, I live in Venice, CA and it’s pretty greasy down here by the boardwalk. We can’t surf anymore, the skatepark is closed, and we can’t fish off the pier. So everyone Is just staring at their iPhones and plotting indoor yoga routines with realtime live footage.

Have you ever been on lockdown or in quarantine before?

No, but my friend Big Red was on house arrest for a bit and he still managed to get laid and for that we are proud of him.

Damn. Big Red sounds like a good guy to know. Where’s the first place you’re going when this is all over?

In the ocean. Then Hinano Café. Then back to skid row.

Other than painting or drawing, what is keeping you sane during this madness?

I’ve been reading and drinking a bunch and trying to catch stingrays at night.

Do you think anything beneficial can come from this pandemic?

I think a lot of positive will come from this strange time. I believe Mother Earth is the happiest she’s been in a while. The dolphins and palm trees are partying. I think people will have a new appreciation for breathing and walking around on this planet.

**So you titled this work The Joke is on The Sun after a poem by Charles Bukowski. Why did you choose to do this?**

Ya, I’ve been reading a lot of Bukowski the last few weeks. I’ve been listening to his poetry readings too while painting. They’re pretty mental .

Is there a connection between this particular poem and the painting you created in the COVID-69 Auction? If not, is there a relationship between your creative process and Bukowski’s work as a writer and artist?

“The joke is on the sun” was what I was listening to when I began this piece. I find my work employing a lot of words from books or songs I’ve heard, even conversations in the park. The title is a thank you to Bukowski. As far as creative process, Bukowski did most of his writing at with a drink, so I guess we have that in common. I admire the way Bukowski took so many hard times on the head in order to continue doing what he believed in. Smooth seas make a shit sailor.

Bukowski has an illustrious reputation and was completely committed to being an artist. Even this poem discusses how you need to commit completely to what you believe in. During this international crisis, have you noticed a change in your commitment to working as an artist? How have these changes in your social life and professional life affected or influenced your artwork?

Yea, I mean the dude wrote on and on about Lady Death, and he was not scared or running from her. I try to follow his lead on that one. There has also been a loaf in my shorts since last October. I find myself losing hesitation in my work lately. With Lady Death creeping on our heels, we get a clearer view of the present.

Place a bid on a Loser Angeles original in our COVID-69 Benefit Auction

Loser Angeles "The Joke is on The Sun" | eBay

As society sits idling at this crossroad watching the gas gauge steadily drop, most people are afraid that they won’t have enough fuel left in their tank to move forward once we get the green light. It seems like everything has come to a grinding halt. People are so focused on what the television and internet is telling them, they have been convinced that the Earth has stopped spinning. They are thinking too much to the point where they don’t feel anything. Although socially and economically we are at a standstill, we are still alive. We need to connect to the natural world and to our natural tendencies. For us, the desire to make is natural.

The role of the artist is to try and find that point where the heart and head meet, and make something out of that balanced thought and feeling. When this happens, the result is beautiful and diverse.

Everyone thinks and feels differently, so if the artist can be honest with themselves and get in touch with who they are, their individualities and commonalities will reveal themselves through their work. At the end of the day, what we all have in common is that we are a bunch of beautiful weirdos - but are conditioned to think that being weird is bad. Loser Angeles is someone that recognizes these things and has accepted and celebrates his weirdness. He is someone we should use as an example to keep making life and keep living art. He’s not afraid to leave the keys in the ignition, put on some shoes, and move on forward.

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