We've got an exclusive white vinyl edition of Best Coast's The Only Place, which is out today. The album sleeve also features a rad illustration from the very talented Jess Rotter. We're happy to know them both!!
Tin Ojeda is the Argentinian-born founder of Drug Money Art. Here we discuss his love of surfing, what inspires him, and his favorite quotes.
Introduce yourself! My name is Tin Ojeda. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and I have been living in New York for the last 13 years, in NYC and Montauk.
What do you do for a living? I surf as much as I can. I also own a clothing company called D/M Art ("Drug Money Art”). I do everything myself: dye tees, screen print and make all the art. I love shooting film—35mm and large format are my favorite.
Where did the name “Drug Money Art” come from? The name Drug Money came out in 2008 after I spray-painted it on a surfboard.
When did you get started making art? I’ve always done art since I was a little kid. I started doing big 10ft oil paintings back in 2000. I did that for a couple of years then I moved to screen printing in 2008 and I’ve been exploring that ever since. I started with the T-shirts and now I’m taking large format photos and hand screen printing them on paper.
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from street graffiti and late '50s surf style. NYC is a great place for inspiration.
Tell us about one of your favorite prints. “Death to Hipsters” is a 4x5 photo of my friend's grandma wearing a T-shirt with that saying on it. We made the tee just for the shoot. She is very funny and always talking about "those hipsters."
How long have you been surfing for? I’ve been surfing for 16 years. I do it as much as possible and I love it to death. When there are waves, it’s all I do. I ride mostly mid-lengths, hulls and ‘50s long boards—only single fin nothing else. I don't like modern surfboards or tri-fins. What is your favorite quote? My favorite new quote is "Just another asshole." I found that very funny and real. “Beauty is boring” is on of my favorites too. It’s hard to pick just one!
Power friends NYC! My buddy Sandy Kim and I just shot and modeled for the cover for the new issue of Vice Magazine. We also have a full spread called Pretty Kool-A, based off Japanese purikura photobooth pics. They just hit the streets, yoink em' while you can. Thank you! -Maggie Lee
Easily one of the most amazing art shows I've ever seen, Holton Rower's new "Pour Paintings" up now at The Hole Gallery in NY are well worth a plane trip. These pieces are so unreal they beg to be seen in person to be believed. X - Jen
Jake Blanchard's portfolio is filled with crazy colorful psychedelic artwork. Whether he's decorating a window display or drawing up a poster for a music gig, his work is totally eye-catching and meticulous. - Hazel
Launched in 2010 by Canadian artist Patrick Kyle, Mother Books is an independent publishing house that specializes in printing small and affordable zines by artists and comic illustrators. - Hazel
Sparkle and shine, Natasha Ghosn's work is so fine. Her artwork goes by the name of Mondo Mondo. It's also darling, it's so special, and it's oozing with the sweetest of the sweetest.
Where are you from and what are you doing now?
I am from Texas. I live in Los Angeles now. Right now I'm winding down from a long day of hand modeling.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. We didn't have majors so I got to study all sorts of things. I focused mainly on fashion history, fiber arts, and drawing.
What is Mondo Mondo?
Mondo Mondo is my website. It started out as a T-shirt line. The word "mondo" connotes sensationalization. It also means "world" in Italian. I could say its my sensationalized view of the world.
Can you tell me about the mind blowing rave T-shirts you were making a while back?
Haha, cool, thank you. I made them about four years ago. In 2008 I think. At the time I was living in New York and the trend was being spooky; upside down crosses, studs, leather, etc. So I went out on a limb and made something for the marginalized flower power people. They are a mix of digital collages and a lot of hand dyeing and painting on a heavy cotton t-shirt.
Do you feel like your artwork changes according to where you live?
No, I think my artwork changes according to where my heart is.
How would you describe your experiences form each city and what inspired you when you lived in Chicago? NY? L.A.?
I love Chicago for its authenticity, New York for its romance, and L.A. for the peace of mind and the weather. I will say that most of my dreams take place in New York.
What were you wearing as a little baby?
I have a picture somewhere of me wearing a yellow bikini. I just googled "baby bikini", it's really cute.
What was your favorite outfit when you were a child?
I was really inspired by the Olsen twins when they were detectives.
How about when you were a teenager?
I was lucky because my mom had a really cool store. She carried brands like Miss Sixty, Fiorucci, and Fornarina. So I wore a lot of that. I was also pretty into the mod thing back then.
As a young adult?
Like a sixties-nineties thing inspired by Lady Miss Kier from Deee-lite.
And now?
I feel like I'm doing me from the heart. I've moved away from looks that are decade derivative. Less of an idea and more of a feeling. I try to buy things that are high quality that I'll love for a long time.
How do you imagine yourself when you're elderly?
I hope to be healthy with a lot of energy and surrounded by the people I love. I wouldn't mind having suede Gucci loafers in every color.
What is your work ethic when you're making drawings and collages?
I'm lucky to have my studio at home. First I make a coffee or a tea. I usually listen to a comedy or a spiritual podcast while I work. Music usually distracts me. Sometimes I forget to put anything on and then I realize I've been sitting in silence for 6 hours!
Top three scents:
Sunscreen, sweet grass, and the smell of bread baking when you walk by a Subway.
Top three records:
Paris by Malcolm Mclaren, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Music Selector is the Soul Reflector by Deee-lite.
Top three novels:
My Antonia by Willa Cather, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers, Miss Lonelyhearts by Nathaniel West.
If you were a fabric or material, what would you be?
Rayon. Semi-synthetic, semi-natural.
Can you tell me a story about LUV?
Is that an acronym? Is it kind of like SUV? I drive a Nissan Versa. I love it. It has great gas mileage. But for fun sometimes I drive my boyfriend's Volvo station wagon. I pretend like I am driving a boat down the streets of Los Angeles. The end.
HAHA!
What are you looking forward to next in the world of Mondo Mondo?
Maurice Sendak, creator of Where the Wild Things Are, and many other beautifully twisted children's stories, died this morning. Certainly, there's a wild rumpus waiting for him in heaven.
Adam Yauch, better known as 'MCA' of the Beastie Boys, passed away today at age 47. Yauch was an idol in many ways—as an activist, director and member of one of the most ground-breaking hip-hop groups of all time—and he will be missed.
Happy Birthday to Keith Haring! He would have been 54 today. For those living in the big city, make sure to check out the Keith Haring 1978-1982exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway), showcasing the early years of his career.
Jenny Hueston's pictures makes you want to quit your job and head for the coast. Here we talk to her about her love for surfing, the challenges she faces in her field, and where she keeps all those damn photos.
Introduce yourself! My name is Jenny Hueston. I am from Canada. I lived in London for several years before landing in Brooklyn which is where I am now based
What was the first camera you ever had? It was a bright red plastic Vivitar with a red zip up case and a wrist strap. I got it from my parents for my birthday one year when I was probably about 10. It spent a lot of time at summer camp with me and captured a lot of great early '90s preteen looks.
Where do you keep all of your photos? Boxes and boxes and boxes and hard drives and more boxes. I have so many prints, Polaroids and negatives from over the years. There is a big box at my mom and dad's place that I like to go through every now and then.
What is the most challenging thing about working in the field of photography? I think that one of the most difficult things about being a photographer is the freelance aspect of it. Of course this is also one of the most wonderful things about it as you have freedom to do what you want and create what you want. It is a bit of a double edged sword though as you are the only on responsible for how your career goes. You have to make it up a bit as you go along.
Do you surf? What is the connection between your work and surfing? I think I am more of a spectator than a surfer. Several of my good friends are obsessive surfers and I spend a lot of time on beaches with them. I find I spend more time on the beach taking pictures than in the water. This has turned into an on going surf project. I love early morning light by the ocean and there is a freedom in surfing that I am fascinated in capturing. These two elements go together beautifully.
Describe your photos in 5 words, or in one sentence. Nostalgic, muted, free, intimate and eclectic
What is the greatest compliment you've ever received? My mom once relayed to me that my grandfather had told her that I was like a free like a butterfly. I always smile when i think of that.
Where is your favorite place on earth? In the middle of any serene lake in Northern Ontario during summer. Preferably early in the morning when it's misty.
What's your favorite photo you've ever taken? If I had to pick one though I think it would be of my niece. My sister and I were on a long drive between northern Quebec and southern Ontario. Lily had spent several hours of that telling us about her magical fairy world and everything she imagined in it. The picture I took of her is when she is fast asleep in the back of the car. It reminds me being a child and dreaming of fairies.
I'm obsessed with Viviane Sassen'sParasomnia, Sol & Luna, and Various Photographs (and I need to see more). Luckily, Assembly New York and Libraryman will be having a launch for her new book, Die Son Sien Alles. I wonder what this series is about. Her work is so natural and compelling. See you at the book opening to find out! -Maggie Lee
Ryan McGinley has done it again! Today, Wednesday, May 2, get ready 'cause the streets of SoHo are gonna get shut down for this blockbuster show. Simultaneously, Team Gallery will be presenting two new bodies of work by McGinley. Animals is a series of photographs about wild creatures and their interactions with human bodies (located at 83 Grand St.) and Grids, a body of work that studies the faces of fans at concerts (at 47 Wooster St.). -Maggie Lee
Photographer Chana de Moura easily captures the beauty in things that are often overlooked. Old buildings, untouched landscapes, and women's bodies are depicted in a light that makes us appreciate things we see everyday but forget to admire.
We came across Corey Thompson's work when we Google Image-searched "you are awesome" in an attempt to find a photo to send to Hazel. Best Google find ever! Be sure to check out his illustrations and scroll through his fun Daily Doodles.
How fun must it be to cruise in this joyus season of Spring? Jon Bocksel's new short film, Table Scraps, is a collection of various 8mm clips from NY, SF, and Philly. I'll watch this in the morning to get psyched for the day. -Maggie Lee
Crafterall Handmade Works is the creation of Marnie Karger, a former English teacher from Minneapolis. Her appreciation for card stock, coastlines, and topography are blended together to form her amazingly intricate paper-cut art, which let us look at bodies of water in a whole new way. Aside from her Etsy and local shops, Marnie's works can be found in stores in Chicago, at the MoMA in New York, and even as far as Tokyo.
