Sket One - US based graffiti artist giving a new twist to urban vinyl
Sket One is an artist with an old school graffiti background he is also a successful urban vinyl designer and frequently exhibits his work all over the world, the man has it all!.
Angel: When did your interest in art begin? what influenced you at that time?
Sket One: I, like all kids drew from an early age. I just stuck with it through junior high and high school through Band graphics and skateboarding and once hip hop was around in 82 I had graffiti to help me even more. Good down time, me time, think, chill, relax. And draw.
A: Did you study at a creative subject at college, if so tell me about it?
SO: Yeah School FUN! Did it up in Massachusetts for around 3 years Art was Art at that time. Did a lot of graffiti, Boston at that time was very active a lot of writers.
A: When was the first time you got paid for a piece of your work and tell me what the work was and how much you sold it for? and how did it make you feel?
SO: umm lets see probably was in 1991, I used to do body prints and build them up with spackle so it was in that style. I cant remember what I got for it but I was happy with the price. I felt Great of course!
A: What things inspire your work?
SO: Depends on what kind of work I guess, of course life situations count, but I also like to make people think n laugh. I touch on a lot of pop culture and branding images from current and past years.
A: How can you tell when a piece of work is finished?
SO: I have an image of the finish look and once that’s established I am done!
A: How do you define a successful piece of work?
SO: I don’t define that.
A: You have produced some amazing urban vinyl pieces, how did you get involved in these projects and how established were you at the time?
SO: I met with Tristan Eaton at a Graff show. I was introduced to him by Mark Bodé. He was showing Mark the first prototype of the 10” Cheech Wizard Figure (Kidrobots First Figure). He dropped the first Dunny template on me that night and I designed some concepts for Dunny Series 1. I was doing a lot of Graff and was very involved in producing the Bodé Jam in CT every year.
A: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to get their work made into urban vinyl?
SO: Well Research, get involved with the community that’s who you want supporting your toy, get involved, show pictures of your work, design templates, promote through random design and also pitch companies your ideas.
A: What is the secret of your success?
SO: Don’t tell anyone but it’s peanut butter!
A: Give us three tips on how to achieve global recognition?
SO: Still working on these also, my guess would be. Patience. Perseverance. Learn From the Past.
A: What is the reality of being a designer, talk us through your day?
SO: Rather Mundane, Wake up, Shower, Check email, Ride to work, Do Meetings and designs for various clients at my day job, with lunch at the desk, come home check emails and work till late on my own projects. Work, Work and Some more Work
A: What percentage is hard work and how much is luck and talent?
SO: Whatever they are they are, it would make a dope drink!
For more information about Sket One
www.sket-one.com
www.myspace.com/sket_one
