Interview by Forest Stearns:
 |
| ©Dave Bailey, www.davebailey.us |
Fatbol: First off, tell me What to call you, Who you are, WHERE you’re from, and WHAT you do.
DB: My name is Dave Bailey, originally I hail from the land of the Pilgrims, America's Hometown, Plymouth, Massachusetts. I have since migrated to Philadelphia, Home of the Cheesesteak, on temporary assignment for my design degree, which I achieved in 2007 from Drexel University. Although my feet have been firmly planted here since 2003, I am always looking forward to where life will take me next.
Above all, I am a creative. My Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design gave me strong fundamentals in traditional fine art, which I've been involved with since elementary school, as well as the core design principle and the application of those principles in all manners of graphic design. My true passion and reputation come from my obsession with letters. I've been developing my hand drawn lettering under master logo designer and typographer, John Langdon (www.johnlangdon.net) for the past 7 years, ever since I had him as a professor at Drexel University. The application of hand drawn letters ranges from logos to tattoos to ambigrams (more on those here: http://www.johnlangdon.
Fatbol: Where can the world go to see more of your work digitally and gallery?
DB: Currently, I do not have any work in a gallery, but my website is up and always available for viewing: www.davebailey.us
 |
| ©Dave Bailey, www.davebailey.us |
Fatbol: What is specific and unique that you plan to develop for the Fatbol project?
DB: My plan is to just draw some beautiful and successful letter combinations, with hopes that they fit the vision of the creative director. I also have a few personal projects I love that never went anywhere, I'll be examining them and their relevance to this call for submissions.
Fatbol: What is your favorite style and application for your own work?
DB: It may not be my "favorite" but when I'm creating lettering for a tattoo, the whole process just blows my mind. So much design is temporary and impersonal; tattoos are the antithesis of that trend and creating permanent artwork is an emotional process.
Fatbol: Explain your own style and science of art.
DB: Process driven letter ninja art. Obsessive compulsive bezier wranglin' with a focus on beautiful curves. I wouldn't really place my work in a certain style, perhaps it will evolve into a cohesive style, but ultimately I approach all projects as an opportunity to create application appropriate lettering without regard for what I've put in my portfolio up till that point.
Fatbol: What are three words that best describe your artwork?
DB: Drawing a blank. Haha.
Fatbol: What inspires you?
DB: Everything about type, it's creation, use and history inspires me but the subliminal power of type is fascinating, it's such an integral part of our daily lives and society, but the majority of people don't even notice it. The recent explosion of hand lettering and custom type work. The design world has changed drastically in the past few years and with the push to digitize our lives, people seem to appreciate custom work more.
Fatbol: What is your earliest “artistic” memory?
DB: My earliest "artistic" memory was Mrs. DiCarlo's art class in my elementary school. I painted a self portrait in either kindergarten or first grade, my dad still has it hanging in his shop back home in MA.
Fatbol: What is your goal in life?
DB: Living life for today, that's all we have. I've recently quit my day job to pursue my lettering and design work full time. There's nothing better than working for yourself.
Fatbol: Name something you love, and why.
DB: The ocean, it's a beautiful monstrosity, full of mystery, healing and destruction all at the same time. I have lots of family history that revolves around marine life and grew up only a short drive from the beach. I suppose that is a life goal, to end up living as close to the ocean as I was growing up.
Fatbol: What makes you angry?
DB: People that lie and/or make excuses. It's your life, take it by the horns and make sh*t happen.
Fatbol: What was your favorite toy as a kid?
DB: My favorite toy as a kid? That's a tough one, my childhood was steeped in outdoor activities. I would have to say it was my bike, I rode that thing everywhere!
Fatbol: What is your favorite toy now?
DB: My favorite toy currently is probably my pair of Pioneer CDJ 400s, I picked up DJing a few years back and finally have my own setup in my house to practice on.
Fatbol: What is your “dream” art project?
DB: I feel like I'm already living the dream, but I have visions of doing some really large collaborative murals with other talented type people or graffiti artists.
Fatbol: What have you been listening too while you’ve been working on your art[recently]?
DB: Bahwee, Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, Radiohead, Ratatat and all sorts of lengthy DJ mixes.
Fatbol: If you were a cocktail on a drink menu at a bar, what would your name be?
DB: BezierBurb, some kind of delicious home made bourbon on the rocks, the catch being that the rocks are beautiful ice sculpted letters. 1 per glass.
Fatbol: If you could go back in time and talk to “8 year old YOU”, what would you say to her/him?
DB: "Start drawing letters, now!" or more seriously "The only way you get something is to ask for it"
Fatbol: If you could collaborate with any other artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?
DB: This is a hard one, I admire lots of art, but feel like my mentor situation over the past 7 years has been the best possible collaboration/learning situation I could've asked for. The dying art of the apprenticeship is sad, because it's without a doubt the best way to hone a creative skill. Someday I hope to be able provide the same inspiration and education that John has provided me.
Fatbol: What is the best bit of advice that you have ever been given?
DB: In a nutshell "Practice!" (I think that's one of your mantras) It's been 7 years of practice that got me to this point. I'll admit the 2 years that I worked in the Advertising industry, I didn't practice much. I wish I had practiced more during that time period, it's time lost that I'll never be able to make up.
Fatbol: If you had a chance to say one sentence for the whole world to hear, what would you say?
DB: Life is all about making connections to your fellow man, it's all about who you know and not what you know. Society and evolution tell us we're different, but we're really more one in the same.
wow. amazing lettering! And tell everyone at Franks Kitchens - Hi!
ReplyDelete