installation 008 — Gary Paintin

NEST HQ was created with the intention of being a platform that could promote and encourage the growth of artists of all genres and mediums. While we’ve mainly worked within music up to this point, we are expanding on an idea that will showcase multi-media artists of non-musical backgrounds such as painters, designers, architects, and others of the sort; this is installation.

For installation 008, we present painter: Gary Paintin.

Can you tell us a bit about how your story as an artist began? At what point did you realize that art was something you’d be doing long term?

My story as an artist began with Graffiti. I spent my teenage years locked into flickr, creeping around under bridges, and taking trips to SF and Oakland to see what was out there. Bay Area graffiti has a really special funk. I have learned more from looking at and doing graffiti than I have from anything else. Style is key to my art, I can not stress that hard enough. I plan on being remembered for my style and concepts more than my technical abilities. Funk over function you know?

I realized art was going to be my life around 2012. I messaged some pretty big artists I look up to, asking them how they got to where they are with their craft. They all said,” hard work, all day every day”. The realization I had was that every one I look up to works super hard all the time, so if I want to get to their level I have to do the same thing.

What is the reason for the medium you chose to become proficient in? What does this medium allow you to do that other mediums may not?

I chose to become proficient in acrylics after they were introduced to me by a really influential teacher I had in high school. They are bold and bright and come in every color imaginable, easy to work and dry fast so they let me work as fast as I think. I definitely don’t limit myself to acrylics. I am branching out in a lot of directions right now getting into making vectors, glass fusion, screen printing shirts, welding and plasma cutting, wax encaustic painting, wire art, pearler bead pendants… My latest thing is Crayola markers; coming back to them for the first time since elementary school I am finding I can really crush with them.

What were the inspirations behind these 3 pieces specifically?

My inspirations for these three pieces come from artists ranging from Egon Schielle to Keith Haring. Over the last year or so I have spent a lot of time learning about old master painters, the birth of modern art, and symbology. I don’t want to paint like those artists but I hope to make an impact on the way people do things in the future.

What are some of the defining moments in your career so far? How have they affected the way you approach your art and your creations?

I don’t feel as though I have had many defining moments in my career yet. I can feel things are starting to gain momentum as I find a solid direction to take my art. Not having reached many defining moments in my career so far keeps me driven and hungry in my creative process.

How do you feel the industry is doing right now? Which trends are really pushing the industry forward, and which are holding it back?

The visual art industry is thriving stronger than ever before. As an artist I have so many options for getting seen….everything from online presence to gallery presence, or from clothing to music, there’s a lot in between. I do my best to pump funky art into all those veins all the time because I know something is going to catch on. The big trend I am seeing and loving is that there are a lot of labels and artists working exclusively with one visual artist for all of their branding. For example, HBK uses Aaron Kai, or Awful Records uses Zack Fox aka Bootymath. I am really down with that and it’s the same thing that I am doing with Bleep Bloop. Having this exciting, steady work is great for growth and opening up a lot of opportunities. I am not going to out any trends as holding back the industry, but I will say that following trends or doing things because they are “in” can be a real black hole. Do you embrace yourself? Be truthful, be open, be confident in your original ideas. That is what will attract people.

What are some other artists that you are currently into?

As far as music goes, I am blessed to be in the presence of two of my favorite producers on the planet, Bleep Bloop and Blap Deli. They have both been killing it for as long as I can remember. They are like family to me and drive me to be a better me every time they drop new projects.

As far as visual art I am really into Luke Pelletier, Kristen Liu-Wong, Jack Graydon, Budsnow, Saiff Azuz, Ryan Taylor, The whole Big Kid Fun/ US/ DRUGS graffiti crew, Optimist, PTV (punks thugs vandals) crew, Benny Gold, Cena Pink Dolphin, and Swamp Donkey… I am leaving out hundreds of artists I am really into, but lately I am all about imaginative grown ups with youthful energy. Nothing too trained, nothing too clean, just fun and funky.

What are some of your goals for 2016?

My goals for 2016 are to launch my all original shirt line that will be called Wrist Ocean. I am really trying to appeal to the Trap culture, Space Goth culture, and vapor wave culture . I am putting a lot of fun energy into the designs and can’t wait to see how people react.

Why did you choose these pieces to represent yourself on this spread?

I chose these pieces because they are my favorite characters .

Bobby Forehead is my erotic ambassador to the world. He has shiny shades and boobs on his forehead. You can’t not look. He is a hot boy.

The Pentocular face and the fifth eye is representative of the fifth dimension which in my life is the invisible energy that drives creative energy. He is really making waves in the bass music scene right now and embodies the essence of the man, myth, and legend known as Bleep Bloop.

The Goldtron swag lord robot is representative of my love for Trap, anime, gold chains, sneakers, and other things I can’t really afford but can express myself and live through. I have a strong connection to robots because I have a really high tech prosthetic leg which is a big part of my swag that is also kind of exclusive. Like, you can go cop some Yeezy’s but you are going to have a lot harder of a time trying to rock a micro processing knee joint in style.