We read that you define yourself as an accidental artist: why?
I just always imagined painting for myself and my enjoyment in the comforts of my home, and now I’m doing an interview with you. lol
How did Diplo get in touch with you and how was it like to work with him?
A collector of my work actually connected us. He’s (the collector) always been really active in trying to find these moving spaces for the work to live and I truly appreciate that. Working with Diplo was refreshing and seamless. Both him and his team really gave me complete creative control and effectively communicated what was needed. To be tasked with executing the visuals for his album I felt a huge responsibility to make it as great as the EP. Sometimes that (implied responsibility) gets in the way of creativity so it was fascinating to have them say, “here’s the music, do what you do” and it ended up working for us.
Is there a portrait you really had fun making?
I actually had a lot of fun making all of them because I looped the music while painting. The portrait of Big Baby Dram ended up being my favorite.
Which parts of the face did you focus mainly on while making the portraits?
I don’t necessarily focus on any part of the face at all. I normally see colors first, then shapes. The face kind of comes together at the end of it all… if I’m lucky.
Do you have a main working method or it changes on the basis of what you have to do?
Yeah, I really enjoy working at night and alone. And there’s a lot of music and film involved as well.
Which are your favorite techniques?
I go where the mood takes me. Watercolor is my first love.
If you chose 5 songs to describe your illustrations so far, what would they be?
This is tough…
Little Dragon – Stormy Weather
Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
Citizen Cope – Sideways
Fiona Apple – Slow like Honey
The Roots – You Got Me ft. Erykah Badu
What is the best compliment you have ever received?
In this moment, this EP that we’re speaking about. It’s easy to work for myself and create pieces for myself that I end up sharing. I love my work, lol. It’s really an interesting dynamic to work with the intention of hoping that someone else accepts its/relates to it. So to have another Artist see something in the work that he felt would visually narrate his work is real compliment. A very different kind of compliment.
