Our next solo show will be an installation by artist and designer, Erik Otto. We asked Erik a few questions about his work, inspirations, and favorite things. Read on!
CW: Your scope of work varies in size. Do you prefer to work big or small? Does the size of your pieces reflect anything about where you are or what you are thinking about at the time?
EO: I definitely prefer to work big as I feel the nature of my work lends itself to working on a larger scale. With more size comes more room for expressive qualities, experimentation, and happy accidents. For me, when I am feeling down, my therapy is to paint, and the more intense that feeling is, the larger I need to work. There is nothing like that deep satisfying feeling when you conquer a piece that originally felt impossible to complete.
CW: What is your preferred medium?
EO: I work a lot with house paint, spray paint, screen print, and collage. Between those, it's hard to say which one I like the most when I compose a picture, but generally prefer quick drying mediums do I work in layers fast.
Above: "shelter" by Erik Otto (in collaboration with Donovan Green & Paul Encinas)
CW: What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
EO: Watch it through a window. Listen to it while I work.
CW: Are there any particular artists that inspire you?
EO: Yes. To be specific, other art makers like Robert Raushcenberg, Tom Sachs, Barron Storey, Barry McGee, David Ellis, Ryan McGinness, Dave Kinsey, Swoon, Jeff Soto, David Choe, Blaine Fontana, and so many more...
CW: What is your favorite sea creature?
EO: The blue whale. A living animal that large is phenomenal.
CW: Good answer! Do you have a thinking spot? Where is it?
EO: Rooftops.
Above: "higher ground" by Erik Otto
CW: Do you have any other shows or projects coming up that we should know about?
EO: Next up is my 2-person show in September at The Shooting Gallery with Kevin E Taylor and right after that I begin my 4-month Artist-in-Residency at the SF Recycling & Disposal Center. On the more immediate front, I am working with Infectious, RYZ Shoes, and Om Records to create new products with my artwork and a yogurt shop I designed, Forte Yogurt will finally be opening its doors. My collaborative side project, New Leaf Clothing plans to take some new directions this year and I am about to release my second publication, Paper Fabric Wood V.2.
CW: You design clothing too. Tell us about that!
EO: I picked up the love for screen print during college and decided to start a graphic t-shirt side project that could serve as a vehicle to expose my artwork to more people. Today, the market is more than over saturated with artsy screen printed shirts, and my love for materials and creating things is headed in a new direction; a direction I can't spill the details on just yet.
Please come to a reception for Erik this coming Saturday, May 2nd from 6-8pm. He will be there to answer questions and maybe, if we try hard enough, we can get him to spill the beans on his latest project. Treats and art all here at Charmingwall (191 West 4th Street, NYC).
