ART SCHOOL | Jack Graydon (OR) | Vans US Open of Surfing 2017
Our next featured artist and participant in this year’s 2017 Vans US Open of Surfing is out of Portland, OR, artist Jack Graydon aka Tolietsnake. This traveling, skating, and painting talent has been creating his works for some time now–from walls to trucks and hidden places in Thailand. Graydon’s style is never stagnant or stiff, but rather ever-changing, adapting and exploring its boundaries, much like the artist himself. We’re stoked to feature Graydon’s work and find out his approach to large scale murals, how he started painting, and what event he’s looking forward to seeing at this year’s 2017 Vans US Open of Surfing.
Photographs courtesy of the artist | Portrait by Tobias Lee
Introduce yourself
I am 28 years old, from Santa Rosa California, and Ive been living in Portland Oregon for the past 6 years. I enjoy skateboarding, petting dogs, drinking tea, painting on walls, painting in my studio, riding motorcycles, and traveling.
What’s your art background like? Self taught or art schooled?
I’d say both. I didnt start going to art school until I was 24, but before that I had been making work steadily my entire life.
This year you’ll be painting inside the Van Doren bowl for the Vans US Open of Surfing! What are you looking forward to the most? Did you have any favorite art in the bowl from previous years?
Getting to skate it! Im excited to get to hang out with the rest of the artists and get sunburnt. Nathaniel Russell always kills it and is one of my favorite artists. Jay Howell and Travis Millard are cool too.
How do you approach a mural project and painting large scale work? What about this particular part of the process do you enjoy the most?
I like to do some rough sketches and have a concept down before I paint. Once I start painting I have to adapt the design to the wall. When I try to paint a sketch exactly it never works out quite the way I want it to. Sketching is probably the most boring part. The act of painting is my favorite, laying down big blocks of color and using spray paint. Hanging out with the community around where Im painting is always funny too, everyone has something to say.
How did start out painting murals? What was the first mural you can remember doing? What was the last mural?
I started off by painting graffiti as a teenager. That's how I learned how to use spray paint and to paint large scale. The first mural I can remember painting was on a door in a classroom in middle school. I have no idea what it was of, probably birds and alligators. In April I went to Thailand with some friends and painted more in a month than I usually do in a year. It got me really stoked to paint walls and thats pretty much all Ive been doing since I got back. Most recenty I painted a friends box truck in Portland.
What are some of your favorite mediums and materials to work with and why?
Spray paint, bucket paint, enamel, cel-vinyl, streakers. I am really into the opaqueness of all of those mediums. Spray paint is the funnest one for sure.
What are some of your top 5 things you're sure to bring along for the Vans US Open of Surfing?
My skateboard, shorts, sunscreen, water, a big painting hat.
What event at this year’s Vans US Open of Surfing are you most looking forward to checking out?
Men and women’s skateboarding! There should be a less serious contest too, like a relay race or something. I like when Tampa Am makes kids run through that sewer for stickers or whatever, thats fun.
Favorite Vans? And how would you describe your personal style?
Suede Era Pro's! Probably the worst pair of vans I've had were brown and orange Trujillo "Dr. T's." I was in high school and they were too big so I had the laces fully tightened so they look like footballs.
My style? Clothes that are too tight make me anxious. Someone told me I look like I'm from the Bay Area recently. So whatever that means.
Personal words to live by?
I don't have any, my friend Klutch has some good ones. "New Plan F**k It"
For folks who wanna follow in your path, what advice would you give them?
If you want to make art for a living pick what you really want to do, even if its the one that pays the least. Don't get caught up in branding your self or sticking to one specific style. ONLY paint for free for people you like and want to support. Don't call your self a street artist. :(
What do you have planned for the rest of 2017?
Traveling, painting, eating, and skating as much as I possibly can.
Follow Jack Graydon
Instagram | @tolietsnake
Website | www.jackgraydon.com
