Today, for your Friday procrastinating, I bring you an interview with a street artist that goes by Johnny Large for anonymity's sake. A lot of you seemed ot really dig the interview with Thomas Carlson, which was awesome to hear. In the future, if you can spare a moment or two, please add any comments on what you think of the individual. I know Thomas was really excited to get feedback and I'm sure that will be the case for Mr. Large as well. For this interview, I tried things a bit differently. Generally, these things come together via email. While an in-person interview is ideal, I'm also honest with myself in knowing that such a process owuld result in an unearthly amount of procrastination on my part. However, email doesn't really allow for exploration of a topic via follow-up questions and conversation. With this one, Johnny and I went back and forth over IM and then I edited the format it so it flowed a bit better. Hopefully this resulted in a better interview. Please let me know what you think.
Draw & Quarter: Well, i don't have so much of a set agenda of questions or anything like that. Figure i can just start with the basics and see where shit goes. Sound good?
Johnny Large: Yup
D&Q: And feel free to jump in with your own thoughts as you have em, obviously.
JL: okD&Q: How about we start with the origins. Of what brought you to art in general and then what brought you to JC. Let’s start with art, so we can focus the conversation towards one topic.
JL: Alright. I enjoy art because of its mysterious power. D&Q: What do you see as the power and in what ways do you find it mysterious?
JL: Its mysterious because no one knows where its going. It can alter moods, which gives it power. I am also a graphic designer which makes me see art as a communication tool. D&Q: What made you consider art as a direction you wanted to seriously explore?
JL: When I was young I tried to impress my dad with Simpsons renderings.
D&Q: How did he react?
JL: He was amazed by them. He would say I was talented. He asked me if I traced them. Which I didn't. Well maybe I experimented with tracing.D&Q: So you think that was a catalyst of sort in encouraging you to explore art further? That encouragement.
JL: I think so. It was my dad so in a way maybe it wasn't an honest opinion. Thats one reason I'm into street art. I am more likely to get an honest opinion from a stranger.D&Q: That's interesting. Given your anonymity, how have you been able to observe the reactions of strangers to your art?
JL: Some people draw directly on the work which I always encourage. I also find photos of my work on the internet taken by strangers. And then people leave commentsD&Q: That's cool, man.
JL: Well, I shouldn't say I encourage others to draw on my work.D&Q: I actually put something up a while ago, encourage people to interact with the "art": check it. Although, in this case, I wouldn't really call a sign art. More-so encouragement, I suppose.
JL: I think I've seen this sign and I like it!D&Q: Cool man! I took it down a while back but glad you ran across it.
JL: This is an interesting group that does street art. They did one called I spy which reminds me of yours: check it. D&Q: So, before we get too deep into the art specific to the streets of Jersey City, what brought you to JC in the first place?
JL: I came to JC to live with my girlfriend. We recently broke up. Yesterday, I moved in with another artist a few blocks away. D&Q: Ah crap, sorry to hear about you and your girl. How long ago did you come into town?
JL: I've been in JC for a yearD&Q: One of the things I really dig about street art is its ability to stop people in their tracks to appreciate art. They're seeing art in an unexpected place. They stop to appreciate something from an artistic viewpoint when they weren't prepared to do so.
JL: Yes, I agree.D&Q: In a way, it causes for them to have a purer reaction to the art compared to going into a setting with a specific approach in mind.
JL: Yeah, but at the same time, if someone doesn't like it then its invading. D&Q: Good point. Speaks to the power you referenced earlier.
JL: Right. People feel rewarded when they find street art too.D&Q: Can you expand upon that thinking?
JL: Yes, I can. Advertising is pushed at you. They want you too see an ad. But a piece of art may not be seen by as many peopleD&Q: Yet people initially engage it in the same way they would advertising.
JL: I spend time looking for art on the streets. So when you put that effort in then its nice to see something. However, I must admit its always more fun when I'm distracted by whatever it is I'm doing and then I see a piece. D&Q: Do you remember your first time adding art to the streets?
JL: I'm starting to believe fashion is a big part of street art and, when I was 5, I used to tuck my pants into my socks. Actual pieces of work in public started about 10 years ago. Spray painting faces under a bridge in rural New Jersey. D&Q: You ever get caught?
JL: No.D&Q: Fantastic.
JL: I try to make things that aren’t as permanent as spray paint. I will actually bring scissors with me to cut down something if I get caught. I've been dragging big pieces of sheet rock around which leaves a good line on sidewalks but washes away. D&Q: So tell the story of what you've done in JC. What spurred you to get started?
JL: I showed work at the Grove Street Path Station every Friday. Didn’t sell much. I wasn’t showing in galleries (hopefully that changes soon.) It just seemed obvious to put up work outside. I've been putting up artwork with wheat paste, zip-tying works on wood to fences. D&Q: How many pieces do you think have gotten out there thus far?
JL: Actual physical pieces? Some are on foam core, cardboard, wood; those types of materials I probably put up 25. Maybe more. I've been told the value of my artwork goes down if someone can get it on the street for free. D&Q: Do you care?
JL: Yes. Art is a business and one can make a living off of it but to me getting work out there is more important. Money is secondary.D&Q: So you see your growth as an artist similarly to that of a musician. Give the art away at first to develop a fan base that will hopefully support you later on?
JL: Yes. I can’t hold onto all my artD&Q: What have been some of your favorite pieces put onto the streets of JC and why?
JL: I like finding balls and jamming them into various places. D&Q: Ha ha ha. Sorry. Couldn't help it. Still have the partial mentality of a 12 y/o. Please, go on.
JL: People have been playing whiffle ball between the embankments. Not too safe, but the pitcher throws the ball across the street and the batter tries to hit a homer over the opposite embankment. Anyway, they left a broken whiffle ball once so I took it and placed it on top of one of the many empty sign posts. Its been there for about three months now. D&Q: Funny how stuff like that can stick around for so long. I built a birdhouse and hung it from a tree at Monmouth and 2nd over a year ago and its still there. [NOTE: As of this morning 92.5) that's no longer true. Someone yanked it. Fuckers.]
JL: Cool!D&Q: There have been a lot of pieces around the city that state "End Envy" with a profile stencil. Is that you? If not, what do you think of using a central theme like that as branding for street artists?
JL: Its not me but I like some of those pieces. I think that branding in street art is interesting.D&Q: Have you considered adopting a similar, repetitive theme to help brand your work or would that be too systematic for your style?
JL: Its weird because If you brand it or sign it or put your website up, then you can get into trouble. End Envy uses text which I plan on doing. I just haven't figured out how yet. I don’t want envy to end. Sometimes it drives me. And they are telling me to change my life. I like it but I don't. D&Q: What would you consider some of your trademarks?
JL: I put self portraits up as a trademark. Some of them look like me some of them don’t. I've been putting up posters of my calligraphy work saying "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Its a sentence that uses every letter in the alphabet. Because I don’t know what to say but it helps me practice. D&Q: I dig it. The sentence itself encourages use of words and language in and of itself.
JL: Thanks. Plus its a nice play on the artist who,s been posting up dogs.D&Q: Ah cool, actually haven't seen those. So what's next? Where would you like to see your art go and how would you like to see it grow as you move forward and develop as an artist?
JL: I would like to explore gallery settings more. Especially, if I want to sell. I feel there is a good community of artists in the area and I look forward to interacting with them. I look forward to including more text in my work. I hate to say it but I also hope my art pays the rent. D&Q: Cool man. Well, I think this gives me enough to work with. Many thanks for affording me so much time.
i'll likely take this and edit it so it flows better
JL: Okay, sounds good. This was fun. Thanks James!
Draw & Quarter: Well, i don't have so much of a set agenda of questions or anything like that. Figure i can just start with the basics and see where shit goes. Sound good?
Johnny Large: Yup
D&Q: And feel free to jump in with your own thoughts as you have em, obviously.
JL: okD&Q: How about we start with the origins. Of what brought you to art in general and then what brought you to JC. Let’s start with art, so we can focus the conversation towards one topic.
JL: Alright. I enjoy art because of its mysterious power. D&Q: What do you see as the power and in what ways do you find it mysterious?
JL: Its mysterious because no one knows where its going. It can alter moods, which gives it power. I am also a graphic designer which makes me see art as a communication tool. D&Q: What made you consider art as a direction you wanted to seriously explore?
JL: When I was young I tried to impress my dad with Simpsons renderings.
D&Q: How did he react?
JL: He was amazed by them. He would say I was talented. He asked me if I traced them. Which I didn't. Well maybe I experimented with tracing.D&Q: So you think that was a catalyst of sort in encouraging you to explore art further? That encouragement.
JL: I think so. It was my dad so in a way maybe it wasn't an honest opinion. Thats one reason I'm into street art. I am more likely to get an honest opinion from a stranger.D&Q: That's interesting. Given your anonymity, how have you been able to observe the reactions of strangers to your art?
JL: Some people draw directly on the work which I always encourage. I also find photos of my work on the internet taken by strangers. And then people leave commentsD&Q: That's cool, man.
JL: Well, I shouldn't say I encourage others to draw on my work.D&Q: I actually put something up a while ago, encourage people to interact with the "art": check it. Although, in this case, I wouldn't really call a sign art. More-so encouragement, I suppose.
JL: I think I've seen this sign and I like it!D&Q: Cool man! I took it down a while back but glad you ran across it.
JL: This is an interesting group that does street art. They did one called I spy which reminds me of yours: check it. D&Q: So, before we get too deep into the art specific to the streets of Jersey City, what brought you to JC in the first place?
JL: I came to JC to live with my girlfriend. We recently broke up. Yesterday, I moved in with another artist a few blocks away. D&Q: Ah crap, sorry to hear about you and your girl. How long ago did you come into town?
JL: I've been in JC for a yearD&Q: One of the things I really dig about street art is its ability to stop people in their tracks to appreciate art. They're seeing art in an unexpected place. They stop to appreciate something from an artistic viewpoint when they weren't prepared to do so.
JL: Yes, I agree.D&Q: In a way, it causes for them to have a purer reaction to the art compared to going into a setting with a specific approach in mind.
JL: Yeah, but at the same time, if someone doesn't like it then its invading. D&Q: Good point. Speaks to the power you referenced earlier.
JL: Right. People feel rewarded when they find street art too.D&Q: Can you expand upon that thinking?
JL: Yes, I can. Advertising is pushed at you. They want you too see an ad. But a piece of art may not be seen by as many peopleD&Q: Yet people initially engage it in the same way they would advertising.
JL: I spend time looking for art on the streets. So when you put that effort in then its nice to see something. However, I must admit its always more fun when I'm distracted by whatever it is I'm doing and then I see a piece. D&Q: Do you remember your first time adding art to the streets?
JL: I'm starting to believe fashion is a big part of street art and, when I was 5, I used to tuck my pants into my socks. Actual pieces of work in public started about 10 years ago. Spray painting faces under a bridge in rural New Jersey. D&Q: You ever get caught?
JL: No.D&Q: Fantastic.
JL: I try to make things that aren’t as permanent as spray paint. I will actually bring scissors with me to cut down something if I get caught. I've been dragging big pieces of sheet rock around which leaves a good line on sidewalks but washes away. D&Q: So tell the story of what you've done in JC. What spurred you to get started?
JL: I showed work at the Grove Street Path Station every Friday. Didn’t sell much. I wasn’t showing in galleries (hopefully that changes soon.) It just seemed obvious to put up work outside. I've been putting up artwork with wheat paste, zip-tying works on wood to fences. D&Q: How many pieces do you think have gotten out there thus far?
JL: Actual physical pieces? Some are on foam core, cardboard, wood; those types of materials I probably put up 25. Maybe more. I've been told the value of my artwork goes down if someone can get it on the street for free. D&Q: Do you care?
JL: Yes. Art is a business and one can make a living off of it but to me getting work out there is more important. Money is secondary.D&Q: So you see your growth as an artist similarly to that of a musician. Give the art away at first to develop a fan base that will hopefully support you later on?
JL: Yes. I can’t hold onto all my artD&Q: What have been some of your favorite pieces put onto the streets of JC and why?
JL: I like finding balls and jamming them into various places. D&Q: Ha ha ha. Sorry. Couldn't help it. Still have the partial mentality of a 12 y/o. Please, go on.
JL: People have been playing whiffle ball between the embankments. Not too safe, but the pitcher throws the ball across the street and the batter tries to hit a homer over the opposite embankment. Anyway, they left a broken whiffle ball once so I took it and placed it on top of one of the many empty sign posts. Its been there for about three months now. D&Q: Funny how stuff like that can stick around for so long. I built a birdhouse and hung it from a tree at Monmouth and 2nd over a year ago and its still there. [NOTE: As of this morning 92.5) that's no longer true. Someone yanked it. Fuckers.]
JL: Cool!D&Q: There have been a lot of pieces around the city that state "End Envy" with a profile stencil. Is that you? If not, what do you think of using a central theme like that as branding for street artists?
JL: Its not me but I like some of those pieces. I think that branding in street art is interesting.D&Q: Have you considered adopting a similar, repetitive theme to help brand your work or would that be too systematic for your style?
JL: Its weird because If you brand it or sign it or put your website up, then you can get into trouble. End Envy uses text which I plan on doing. I just haven't figured out how yet. I don’t want envy to end. Sometimes it drives me. And they are telling me to change my life. I like it but I don't. D&Q: What would you consider some of your trademarks?
JL: I put self portraits up as a trademark. Some of them look like me some of them don’t. I've been putting up posters of my calligraphy work saying "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Its a sentence that uses every letter in the alphabet. Because I don’t know what to say but it helps me practice. D&Q: I dig it. The sentence itself encourages use of words and language in and of itself.
JL: Thanks. Plus its a nice play on the artist who,s been posting up dogs.D&Q: Ah cool, actually haven't seen those. So what's next? Where would you like to see your art go and how would you like to see it grow as you move forward and develop as an artist?
JL: I would like to explore gallery settings more. Especially, if I want to sell. I feel there is a good community of artists in the area and I look forward to interacting with them. I look forward to including more text in my work. I hate to say it but I also hope my art pays the rent. D&Q: Cool man. Well, I think this gives me enough to work with. Many thanks for affording me so much time.
i'll likely take this and edit it so it flows better
JL: Okay, sounds good. This was fun. Thanks James!
