 Atlanta's Clarence Emmons, also know as @Gotime became the first guest artist of Slapstik Skateboard Art with the application of Motorboat to a pressing of 50 decks. During the process of coordinating the art show and product release with local artist Chris Hall, I got to know more about Clarence's creative process, and what his plans were for the future.
SSA: Skateboarders see their environments, and the world in general, for its alternate uses. Taking ownership of the object and its use, rather than letting the creator define the object. That approach seems to have infected your view of everything. What goes through your mind when you look at something for the first time? CE: "What can I do here?" When I'm adapting to my environment in skating, and customizing images for the first time, I'm looking for FUN. FREEDOM. I'm just a kid... forever. SSA: Growing up, what was the first thing you made? How do your first creations compare to what you're making today? CE: Since before I can remember, I've been creating. Pencil and marker drawings, Legos, Lincoln Logs, and assembling new toys were the first things I made. Have you ever created new action figure characters with their disassembled parts? Today, I'm still creating with parts but using more varieties of media. It's always new to me, and it's still fun. SSA: Is there a person, place or thing that inspired you to start making art? CE: Inspiration comes from DINOSAURS, MONSTERS, CARTOONS, MOVIES, ART HISTORY, GRAPHIC DESIGN, POP CULTURE, FRIENDS... and definitely the iconic graphics, ENERGY, and adaptive eye of SKATEBOARDING. SSA: You seem to have a ludlite's attitude towards art, cutting and pasting with scissors and glue. How would you describe your creative process and how you reached this point? CE: I'm looking for the most resourceful ways to create, with limited budget and materials. Collecting and reassembling, I'm gluing my ideas together. I believe it all fits in a world of strange economy and short attention spans. SSA: What have been the best sources for material? CE: Books, magazines, and found materials from my neighbors' trash have been great sources. Markers, paint, ink, spray paint, papers, scissors, X-Acto knives, tape, and glue pull it together. Any random, inspiring idea can be a fun project. SSA: What does your work mean to you? CE: (28 emoticon smiley faces)! SSA: You've got a pretty sizable following on Instagram. What are your plans for the future outside of social networking? CE: Thank you, Instagram is fun. The future will see more production with design, photography, video, animation, music, sculpture, apparel and product design... EVERYTHING interests me. My unseen work is now stacking for more art shows. I'm collaborating with others like SLAPSTIK SKATEBOARDS... and I'm HONORED! SSA: I think that covers it. i suppose i should ask if there's anyone you'd like to thank for bringing you into this world, or keeping you alive? CE: EVERYONE in my family, EVERYONE of my friends, EVERYONE reading this, EVERYONE as cool as Shawn Beeks, EVERYONE that rides SLAPSTIK, and EVERYFUN else I may have forgotten... THANK YOU!
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Friday, February 13th marked the first Slapstik Skateboard Art Show featuring the work of Clarence Emmons (@gotime), Chris Hall The Original King of Painting, and Shawn Beeks (Slapstick Skateboard Art) at The Arts Exchange in Atlanta, GA. Months were needed to plan the event in preparation for set backs in printing, venue locations, and various other unexpected expenses. With all the things that could have gone wrong, it ended up being all right. I want to thank everyone who came out to support Clarence and Chris by simply attending the event and showing them your support for the work they've put into making you laugh when you needed it. Some of you bought a piece of art for the first time. Some were avid collectors and patrons, while others enjoyed the new experience of meeting the people behind the work hanging from friend's walls or on Instagram. Whatever your experience was, I'm glad you shared it with us to make the Clarence Emmon's Motorboat release a success. |
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