Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location,
affiliations, personal stuff).
My name is Chad, I live in Orange County, California. I’ve been screenprinting for 8 years. I make and show fine art and do regular freelance design work for a few larger companies. I really enjoy color, visual humor and awkwardness in any art.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Creating things is pretty much all I do. In the very brief moments that I am not working on art, I watch a ridiculous amount of movies. That’s the only activity that I can do while I’m working. I also skateboard and go to a lot of music and art shows… I really don’t get out much.
What first made you want to become an artist?
I just make things. I’ve been making things my whole life. That’s just what I do.
Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).
I draw a lot… a lot. Anytime an idea pops into my head that’s how I initially get it out. Through pages and pages of sketches, I get a few shirt design ideas and develop them further. Then there’s the drawing and redrawing. A design will usually go through 5 versions or so before I’m satisfied, and I’m always surprised by how different the final product is from the original sketch. Usually I’m tired of a design as soon as it’s printed and ready to move on to new ones.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
I like the blanket my grandma crocheted and the amigurumi ornaments that etsy seller idotjapan made for me, but I have a lot of really creative friends and family who are so generous with their talents. There is no way I could single one out as a favorite.
Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and websites (besides Etsy).
Books: I know I’m supposed to like to read and everything, but all of the books I own are visual art books.
the Amphigorey series by Edward Gorey
100 Posters 134 Squirrels art by Jay Ryan
Kinsey Photographer
Hey Fudge by Travis Millard
Margaret Kilgallen: In the Sweet Bye & Bye
Movies: I watch a lot of movies, these are 5 I like today, but they change all the time.
Groundhog Day
Love Liza
Big Fish
Empire of the Sun
No Country for Old Men
Music:
The Avett Brothers
The Magnetic Fields
Jonathan Richman
Neil Young
Frank Black
Websites
www.timberpreservationsociety.com
www.fecalface.com
www.pitchforkmedia.com
www.imdb.com
What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
I think a quality product is more important than promotion. Work on your craft, people can tell when you love what you’re doing and do it well.
What are your favorite features on Etsy? What new features would you like to see?
I love treasury lists. They are an art of their own. Pounce is cool too.
How do you promote your work?
I rely really heavily on word of mouth. I have a wonderful network of artist friends who spread the word and wear TIMBER! clothes everywhere. All of my different art endeavors support each other. It’s sort of cross-promoting by craft.
In ten years I'd like to be...
… the owner of a warehouse full of supplies.
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