Jeff Soto: It’s for your peers to see and go “that’s f****** dope”

Part One:

Jeff Soto is an illustrator and fine artist whose futuristic paintings have dazzled and captivated audiences all over the world.

When did your interest in art and illustration begin?

Like most artsy types my interest started when I was a kid. My dad had a few art books that I’d check out, they were all sci-fi and horror illustrators and that went hand in hand with the toys I liked at the time. I didn’t decide to pursue illustration until much later, after high school. I wanted to be either a “pro skater” or an “artist” when I was little.

Did you study art at college?

Yes, I went to community college for like 6 years then transferred to a four year art college when I was 24. All together I was in college for almost 10 years. I was poor the whole time and usually lived off my student loans when I didn’t have a job. It took a long time but I wouldn’t do it any different now.

How would you describe you work?

This is always a hard question. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

During your early years you were a graffiti artist– what attracted you to this form of expression?

I first found it in a street art book from the mid 80’s and thought, wow, it’s so colorful. I remember liking the letters and the fact that they seemed to move and vibrate somehow. I thought it was just mural painting in New York. Then I found out it was illegal and it just sucked me in. I’ve always liked the idea of a wall piece going up while normal people sleep. The first couple of years I painted graffiti were the best. Then tagbanging came into fashion and graffiti was in the news and everyone was doing it and it didn’t feel as special. I haven’t really done much for a few years but it’s like riding a bicycle, you never unlearn can control. I need to call up my old graf buddy Maxx and rock some walls for old time’s sake.

Tell us about the first time you got paid for your art?

It was in the 5th grade, I was hired by my teacher Mr. Gadiano. I did drawings of characters that my teacher would then photocopy for the class to color on rainy days. I think there might have been some violent images and blood and stuff and he was like, “That’s nice but I can’t really use that. Can you draw some Disney characters?” He only paid me $1 for each drawing but that was cool, I could buy 4 packs of Garbage Pail Kids with that.

How does graffiti art compare to canvas painting?

I like them both in different ways I guess. Most graffiti artists in my experience end up developing huge egos, I might have been guilty of that to an extent. When you make graf, it’s for your peers to see and go “that’s f****** dope” or whatever. It’s to get a reaction from your peers, from other crews, from the cops, from the general public. When I paint in my studio, I’m only trying to satisfy myself. I’m working on dealing with my own thoughts and making work that is up to my own expectations. Does that make sense? They are very different frames of mind.

Part two coming soon where Jeff Soto talks about his influences and the design process.

For more information about Jeff Soto
www.jeffsoto.com
www.myspace.com/jeffsoto