Eric Jordan blesses Assemble with another new portrait of The Root’s front man Black Thought. E Jordan really blew me away with this latest piece. His use of bright colors to shade areas on the face is just sick. Not much more to say but good work. If you want more info on Eric and his work, email him at eric@ejordanill.com Keep it fresh.
Up and coming artists are constantly on the grind booking shows and events, gaining exposure, travelling, and perfecting their craft, which is why they’re harder to catch than a unicorn. Lucky for us, Los Angeles based artist and graphic designer Leslie Kodama, better known as Whorechata in the art world, took some time out of her busy routine to chat with The Assembled about her art, upcoming projects, and everything in between.
The Assembled: Who are you?
Whorechata: Leslie Kodama, Whorechata, and I’m a designer.
TA: How’d you come up with Whorechata?
W: I like stupid little witty jokes and sayings. One time I wanted to drink some horchata and I asked my coworker to get me some, but I called it whore-chata, so I guess that’s how I came up with that. I can think up more.
TA: How would you describe your art to a blind person?
W: Mostly black and white, seizure-giving, psychedelic, and a lot of pattern usage.
TA: How long have you been doing art?
W: All my life, it was the only thing I was good at. I took all the artistic genes in the family.
TA: Where do you make your art?
W: It depends, sometimes in my room in my apartment. Sometimes at a random spot, random coffee shop, and sometimes in the library. Anywhere that I feel that I can work. Somewhere peace and quiet when I’m not having A.D.D. moments.
TA: Do you have a favorite piece of work that you’ve done?
W: I don’t have a favorite but I like to say I like all my work. It’s what I’m proud of and people can appreciate it so I think I’ve succeeded to some degree. They always tell me it’s something new and different, which is kind of exciting. I like to keep it fresh.
TA: How do you get work out there?
W: Networking. I’ll just start talking to people. When I went to Europe my suitcase was full of my zines and stickers. I stuck my sticker everywhere so that maybe it’ll catch somebody’s eyes. I took my zines to little shops, skate shops, boutiques, bookstores and started talking to people. I really went there without any expectations and I came back with a lot of encouragement and contacts. It was pretty great.
TA: Do you stick to graphic design only?
W: Mainly graphic design. It’s where the money is at. I did want to be an illustrator. I like very cartoony, simple drawings. I still draw, but I haven’t touched painting in a long time.
TA: Anyone you’d like to collaborate or work with?
W: I like this girl from Australia, Deanne Cheuk. She incorporates a lot of patterns. Also, Scott Barry, his illustration is pretty damn legit. I started getting into motion graphics again and I did the visuals for Assembly Line’s Halloween party. It took a lot of work. My DJ friend, Filthy Rich, who’s also a designer is going to do a set to the visuals. We have plans for collab work together.
TA: What other projects do you have planned?
W: Other than collaborating with Filthy Rich, I’m trying to make another zine inspired by cookbooks, working on printing some shirts, and trying to launch a clothing brand. On Friday, Jan 29 I’m having a screen printing royal battle and website launch party.
TA: Do you have a name for your brand?
W: Pluie is my brand of my designs. I was going to try making girl’s stuff, but now I’m thinking about unisex. It’s still in the process.
TA: What’s Pluie? Does that mean something?
W: Rain in French.
TA: What inspires you?
W: Anything really. Recently I’ve been really into travelling. Seeing different things, and how people live their culture. Just anything.
TA: Where have you travelled to?
W: My recent trip was Nicaragua for a week. That was pretty awesome. I’ve gone to Paris a couple times, Amsterdam and Holland a couple times, Italy, Spain, England, Japan, Turkey, Germany, Seattle, Mexico, and Canada. I’ve never been to New York, it’s some place I really want to explore, but I really want to go to Peru first.
TA: Do you have a favorite place?
W: That’s hard to say because I find something special about each country and city, but I would love to live in either Paris or London for a couple of years. I wanted to move to Berlin because the cost of living was cheap. But the cold, I don’t think I can handle the cold.
TA: Can you speak any other languages?
W: No. I wish.
TA: When you’re not designing what do you do?
W: I like to go to bookstores to check out what’s out there. I’m always online looking at clothes. I like music. I’m trying to get into djing, not as a career, but just for fun. And I watch a lot of food network.
TA: Favorite show on food network?
W: It’s a tie between Barefoot Contessa and Everyday Italian. I’m just saying she’s a pretty healthy girl, I know she knows what she’s talking about. And Giada because she’s the most attractive. But hands down, Mario Batalli.
TA: What do you like to eat?
W: Cupcakes, ice cream, a lot of rice and bread. Basically carbs. And my favorite flavor is strawberry.
TA: What kind of music do you listen to?
W: l listen to 90’s hip hop, electro, house, and some 90’s RnB. I listen to underground stuff too. Dubstep, Brazilian baile funk and African music. It doesn’t really matter. My favorite band is Radiohead.
TA: Do you have a guilty pleasure?
W: I do. Kylie Minogue. I don’t know man she’s Australian hot!
TA: Bad habits?
W: Of course, cigarettes. Is drinking considered a bad habit? How ‘bout pot? Oh and I eat really unhealthy. It’s not something I’m proud of, it just happens.
TA: Shout outs?
W: No Moda design duo from LA and to Assembly Line. That’s fam right there.
TA: Any last comments?
W: I’m slowly trying to take over the world. Not slowly, I’m taking over the world. Watch out!
TA: And lastly, pancakes or waffles?
W: Waffles all the way. Except dutch pancakes they’re pretty damn awesome.
A lunch date, and several Thai iced teas later, there you have it. Be sure to show her some love by reading her blog, visiting her site, and/or following her twitter. You won’t be disappointed.
To start the new years off Eric Jordan, a featured artist on Assemble, returns with his first piece of the new year, “The Champ.” Anyone that claims to know sports in general knows that Mike Tyson is one of the greatest professional boxers of all time. In Eric’s most recent interpretation of the heavyweight champion of the world, we see the ferocity in his eyes causing me to remember why he was one of the most feared men in the ring. I’m a fan of Eric’s work and want to see more this year. Hopefully a show in LA some time soon? If you guys need any info on getting prints or questions in general please contact Eric himself at eric@ejordanill.com. Keep it fresh.
Three students from the Supinfocom School in France put together this pretty sick movie short called Sigg Jones. Although you do see some pretty cool kicks in this movie, it’s no commercial. Just the interest of shoes by the three producers. Check it!
I’ve been to a couple of Justin Bua’s showcases. Not only is Bua one of the illest artists around, he is also a very cool and humble person. Bua is the most successful seller of posters, and his latest is bound to sell out with the quickness. He has made a tribute to Michael Jackson, and there are only 2,500 hand signed posters available for $50 each. Visit his website to cop yours! Also, check out all of the other ill prints!
Come out to the First Funk Rumble Block Party. This is going to be a dope event! Chinatown is the place to be right now. There’s always something ill going on at the Grand Star and the Mountain Bar. The Flock Shop is really sick and there’s loads of dope art in the area. During this event, the Chinatown Art Walk will be going down as well. So come on out and dabble in both events!
Peep the press release:
LA’s own Historic Chinatown will be home to the 1st Annual Funk Rumble Block Party this summer.
This incredible grassroots event is brought to you through a collaboration of some of LA’s top underground music and art promoters.
Half music festival – half block party, The Funk Rumble is a blend of live music, djs, vendors, and artists coming together to celebrate urban soul and create the ultimate summer party!
Groove to the sounds of LA’s top funk bands. Performing live – Breakestra, The Lions, Orgone & more! Plus San Francisco’s own – J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science!
The finest djs from LA’s top underground clubs will be laying down a vast mix of music – soul, funk, reggae, hip hop, latin and more – combining past present and future.
Peruse the vendor village and you’ll find apparel, accessories, artwork and one-of-a-kind goods presented by up and coming designers and the most creative individuals from San Diego to San Francisco.
Amazing works of art will be created right before your eyes from start to finish, throughout the event grounds and art walk area, by over 15 LA artists.
A variety of food, including vegetarian, will be available along with cool treats…cold Hawaiian snow cones on a beautiful summer day!
Cold beer and a full bar inside the Grand Star Jazz Club.
Join us for this “economy friendly” groundbreaking event!
The Funk Rumble Block Party
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Noon to 10 p.m.
$5 before 4 p.m., $8 after
Kids under 10 years old are free
All ages, fenced event
947 N. Broadway, LA 90012
Street and lot parking available
For more information e-mail thefunkrumble@gmail.com.
If you’re like me, then you’ve always wanted your own comic strip. If you’re even more like me, you can’t draw a lick! Well, I recently discovered Pixton, through teenage blogger Xavier Liu. Based out of Vancouver, Canada, Pixton is a free service that allows you to create interactive web comic strips without having to draw it yourself.
Pixton offers three options:
There’s a huge variety of images and characters to choose from. The site is also a Web community where users can create profiles, place web strips in categories, and become fans of each others’ work. Pretty soon they will also be offering what they call “World’s First Remixable Animated Comics.” The comic strips will be available to convert into animation. Users and their friends will have the freedom to remix the strips for their own liking. Once you approve of your strip, they can be embedded on websites, shared via e-mail, or printed out. So go sign-up and get your comic fix!
Go here to view the Pixton Tutorial.
On July 3, the Crewest comes to you again with a dope exhibit bringing Texas graffiti art to Los Angeles. Each piece of the exhibit is made from some of the sickest graffiti artists hailing from The Lone Star State. If you’re in LA, come check out what the Texas graffiti scene is all about. For more info, check out the Crewest website.
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