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Spraygraphic Interview with Douglas Miles
By Spraygraphic | November 19, 2007
Spraygraphic Interview with Douglas Miles
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
DM: I got four kids, one grankid, one wife. I always liked to draw since I was a little kid. Got some music I listen to on the daily, Johnny Guitar Watson, Funkadelic, Bootsy, The Godfather of Soul, Fela, The Blasters, JFA, Velvet Underground, and whatever else my kids uploaded to the computer overnight (?!)
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
DM: Living and working in San Carlos Arizona, an Apache reservation (2 hours East of Phoenix), but traveling and working wherever and whenever I can. Going where the love is.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
DM: Spraypaint, exacto knives, switchblades, box cutters, No.# 2 penicls, Sharpie Markers, paint markers, Arches Paper, old car hoods, refrigerator doors, old bathroom cabinets, kitchen cupboards, posters from Cowtown, album covers, family photos and lots of other junk.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
DM: First I draw everything on paper. No photoshop (yet), then I either cut it out into stencil or leave it to work into a painting. Drawing first. One must learn to draw in order to learn the order of the universe. Select my music, then sit down to go to work. Drawing takes time and thought. Style comes from practice and experience. You can’t really pull stuff out of “thin air” without having done stuff. I usually do 5- 20 sketches first depending on how refined I want the piece(s). Sometimes I hit it the design “first try” but usually not.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
DM: I watch Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Apocalypse Now, The Warriors, Rumble Fish or start flipping through , The Skateboard Mag, Teen Vogue, The National Enquirer, Vinyl, Mad or just watch some classic old B & W movies.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
DM: All over. My lady, my kids, my crew, the native agents Inspiring yourself is the easiest, getting the work out is the true test. There are tons of people (artist-types) who like to talk about artsy ideas, but sitting down when no one is there (to watch/listen) and making them happen, is usually another thing.
SG: Can you tell us more about Apache Skateboards and how it all started.
DM: “Neccesity is the mother of invention” c. Plato Douglas Jr. Needed a board, I couldn’t afford a name brand, so I bought a “blank” and made him one. I also felt a “Native” vibe was missing from the whole scene so I figured ” why the hell not”?!
SG: Can you tell us about the Native Agents show and your involvement with that show? Will there be one again next year?
DM: The Native Agents are part magic, mystery and all heart. Yatika Fields, Rose Simpson, Micah Wesley, Irwin Lewis, Kieth Secola II, Reuben Ringlero, Douglas Miles Jr., Leslie G. Saiz and myself held the first multi-media event to showcase Native artists who work in various non-traditional mediums and called it: “Pop Life” We hold it at least once a year and it is mobile. We have an exhibition showing their art, photography and textiles. They also perform: skate, poetics,live graffiti, and music. I created/curated the show as a way to share what these artists were/are doing. As creative director I work closely with the artists to see that they are free to build the show and work(s) to their own specs. Of course they’re friends of mine as well so Pop Life becomes an awesome opportunity for us all to build and exchange energy and ideas. The Native Agents are selected to participate because they are at the forefront of a movement and are pushing themselves and are innovative as well as influential artists. They are all humble as well. Currently I am looking to add a few other artists to the roster from Los Angeles. We want to keep creating new and fun stuff. Now we are seeing museums, artists and curators trying to re-create their own “multi-media” shows with big budgets and advertising. However we held the first “Pop-Life” at the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum in Santa Fe New Mexico in 2004. Since then we have shown at Princeton, Madison, WI and our next one will be n 2008 probably in a old warehouse in some dark alley, like a Cannibal Flower.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
DM: Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM., Princeton, New Jersey Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, IN. SelfHelp Graphics, East L.A. Peabody Essex Musem, MA Montclair Musuem of Arts, New Jersey Eyejammie Gallery, NYC., Cowtown Skateboards/MVMNT-AZ., Longwood Gallery, South Bronx/NYC. Santa Cruz Museum of Art &History. Vapors Magazine, Concrete Wave Magazine, The Skateboard Mag, Santa Fe Trend Mag, Shade Mag (Various alleys and walls in those cities and beyond) .
SG: Where will it be seen next?
DM: Not sure. I just go where the art takes me and where the love is.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
DM: Japan, Mexico, London, Spain, and letting them fly us there and put us up in a villa off the coast where we can paint, watch cartoons, and eat sandwiches liberally and re-paint the pyramids with the Native Agents, Alpha Monsters, Apache Skateboards Team and Spraygraphic.
SG: What is your favorite color?
DM: Black is the new Blue RED is the new black.
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
DM: Micah Wesley, Yatika Fields, Rose Simpson, All the APLHA MONSTERs/ Alpha Monsters for life! Cannupa Hunska Luger, Hoka, Apache Skateboards Team, Allan Houser, Bob Haozous, Cey Adams, George Clinton, Prince, Matt Price ( killer pics) El Toro, Leslie Saiz, Mictlan Murals, Tats Cru, CR3 Chaz Bojorquez, Black Star, Gangstarr, Pete Rock, JDilla, aww too many to mention!
SG: Who is your favorite Skater? And Why?
DM: Keith Secola, Irwin Lewis, Reuben Ringlero, Tashadawn Hastings, Douglas Miles Jr., Razelle Benally, Tracy P., Jerry Hsu, Daewon Song, Chris Lambert, Donny Barley, Lance Mountain, Levi Brown, Tosh Townend, The Land Of Plenty Skateboards Crew, The Apache Skateboards Crew, IPATH Team, JFA, Bigfoot, Cowtown , Brimley & The AZPX Crew(s), WHY? Because they kill it everyday and support the APACHE Movement.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week? ”
DM: APACHE Nightmare: Battle at Cibecue Creek
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
DM: Yes. Not sure who bought it. I think Jerry and Eleanor Koffler from the Bronx have one.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
DM: My kitchen table with family and friends or Pete’s Fish and Chips in Tempe, when in New Mexico? Blake’s Lottaburger
SG: Any final words of advice?
DM: Stay in School. Listen to your Mom and Dad. Respect your elders. Know your history / be history Support : The ” Apache Skateboards “Movement The Land Of Plenty Skateboards AZPX/Brimley/Cowtown Skateboards Listen to MILES Davis
ART: 1) Peace Maker, 2) Mask, 3) War Shirt
Topics: Artist Interviews, Skateboards and Skater Events |
November 24th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Hey Doug:
Good interview!
Nadeep
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
your one of my favorite artist also Doug, keep inspiring the youth!
peace.