Untitled Document
Haunted Zoo creator and artist Jeff Denomme answers a few quick questions we at Artsprojekt had about his brand, his life, and his inspirations.
AP: How did the Haunted Zoo come about?
JD: Well, to make a short story long, In design school one day our teacher asked us to do a web-project on a haunted house a candy store or a zoo. So being a sarcastic, I did mine on a Haunted Zoo. At the time I was just starting out and trying to find a style that I could be proud of. The style I used was similar to the one I used today but with a little more detail. When I presented my final project to the class everyone was super stoked on my little dudes and thought the name Haunted Zoo was awesome. So, I tucked it away in the "good idea but not useful yet" section of my brain and forgot about it. I then moved from Windsor, ON to Vancouver, BC to promote my other company Fathom Clothing. Then one foggy Christmas Eve, that wasn't very foggy or around christmas at all, I was asked to go for an interview for a snowboard design contest hosted by TELUS ( a big Canadian cell phone company I think you guys in the US have T-mobile or Verizon ) on Whistler Mountain, British Columbia. So I figured this would be the best time to bring Haunted Zoo off the bench and into the game. They narrowed it down to 20 artists and then asked us to do a digital design of our concept. I branded the deck with my signature style and submitted it. A week or so later I got a call telling me that I came top 5 and my board would be printed and displayed all over the city. The contest was to get people to text message in their vote and they could win the boards. I ended up bringing home the silver medal and still don't know who has my board. After only being in this new city for 3 months and getting the opportunity and exposure I did from that, I decided to hit the ground running with my new bee logo. I then started getting invited to do a bunch of group and solo art shows around Vancouver. After seeing all the interest in my characters from the public I decided to launch it as a brand. That way people that couldn't afford paintings with my little dudes on them were still able to bring home something they loved on a piece of clothing.
AP: Are you cold right now?
JD: Up here in the great white ice earth we call Canada? No, my igloo has heated floors.
AP: What’s the art scene like in your part of the world?
JD: I had a very warm welcome into the Vancouver art scene and I am forever grateful for that. As for low brow, pop art, graph or whatever it’s called these days It’s pretty good. I believe we are all trying to blur the lines and learn from each other, so we can progress and all benefit. I think it’s better that way. Together we can accomplish a lot more than if we are divided. If you want to know about the fruit bowl and landscape art scenes (I don't know if there's a name for those genres?) I'm not to sure. I was just invited to showcase in an art auction with that genre of artists so I’ll let you know in the next interview.
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AP: Who has influenced you to take this path with your life?
JD: I think the city I grew up in did, to a certain extent. I lived in Windsor/Detroit the automotive capital of North America. It was a rad city to grow up in but I worked in dirty factories for a while and I hated it. My mind would race and create while I was working but I couldn't do anything about it because I was on a production line, elbows deep in grease. So I got fed up and need a way to get out. I decided at the age of 19 that I wanted to be a visual artist/graphic designer. Up until then I never really did anything visually artsy but I knew that path would bring out the best in me. I've chosen art and exceeded my goals over and over again and hope to eventually exceed my future goals too. So, I see no need to stop and get a "real" job just yet . [laughs]
Personally:
My parents always supported what I thought was right for me and let me try new things. Friends were always right there to help and support me also. They both definitely helped my entrance on to this path.
Music wise:
Nofx, Suicide Machines and Rancid to name a few
Artist wise:
I didn't know it until I met him and read his book in 2006 but Andy Howell has had a huge impact in the way I grew up thinking. I never knew who was behind the curtain but after reading his book it all came clear. I am truly inspired by all that he has done for himself and others. I also love Kathie Olivas, Joe Ledbetter, Brian Ewing and Andrew Bell
AP: Give us some insight into your studio process...
JD: I was lucky to rent into a house that had a bedroom with a decent sized studio/office off of it. Vancouver is expensive and you don't get much for you dollar. So I lucked out big time. As for process, it depends on the project. If it's a freestyle painting then there is barely any planing, maybe a flip through the ol' sketchbook. If it's a regular planned painting then I will do a couple sketches, pop it onto the computer and screw around with some color variations and final tweaks. Then paint them onto wooden box canvases. Usually while listening to Brand New or Mogwai, they put me into trance mode. If it's a Graphic Design project there is a bunch of planning and whatnot. I won't bore you with that, it's the end product that the viewer appreciates.
AP: Last Words.
JD: I hope to inspire the next generation of artists the same way Andy Howell inspired my generation. The youth should know they have a voice and they should use it. If you stay positive, believe in yourself and unite then anything is possible. Thanks to everyone who has kept my drive alive throughout the years. Lets all make this world a better place!
Untitled Document
Haunted Zoo creator and artist Jeff Denomme answers a few quick questions we at Artsprojekt had about his brand, his life, and his inspirations.
AP: How did the Haunted Zoo come about?
JD: Well, to make a short story long, In design school one day our teacher asked us to do a web-project on a haunted house a candy store or a zoo. So being a sarcastic, I did mine on a Haunted Zoo. At the time I was just starting out and trying to find a style that I could be proud of. The style I used was similar to the one I used today but with a little more detail. When I presented my final project to the class everyone was super stoked on my little dudes and thought the name Haunted Zoo was awesome. So, I tucked it away in the "good idea but not useful yet" section of my brain and forgot about it. I then moved from Windsor, ON to Vancouver, BC to promote my other company Fathom Clothing. Then one foggy Christmas Eve, that wasn't very foggy or around christmas at all, I was asked to go for an interview for a snowboard design contest hosted by TELUS ( a big Canadian cell phone company I think you guys in the US have T-mobile or Verizon ) on Whistler Mountain, British Columbia. So I figured this would be the best time to bring Haunted Zoo off the bench and into the game. They narrowed it down to 20 artists and then asked us to do a digital design of our concept. I branded the deck with my signature style and submitted it. A week or so later I got a call telling me that I came top 5 and my board would be printed and displayed all over the city. The contest was to get people to text message in their vote and they could win the boards. I ended up bringing home the silver medal and still don't know who has my board. After only being in this new city for 3 months and getting the opportunity and exposure I did from that, I decided to hit the ground running with my new bee logo. I then started getting invited to do a bunch of group and solo art shows around Vancouver. After seeing all the interest in my characters from the public I decided to launch it as a brand. That way people that couldn't afford paintings with my little dudes on them were still able to bring home something they loved on a piece of clothing.
AP: Are you cold right now?
JD: Up here in the great white ice earth we call Canada? No, my igloo has heated floors.
AP: What’s the art scene like in your part of the world?
JD: I had a very warm welcome into the Vancouver art scene and I am forever grateful for that. As for low brow, pop art, graph or whatever it’s called these days It’s pretty good. I believe we are all trying to blur the lines and learn from each other, so we can progress and all benefit. I think it’s better that way. Together we can accomplish a lot more than if we are divided. If you want to know about the fruit bowl and landscape art scenes (I don't know if there's a name for those genres?) I'm not to sure. I was just invited to showcase in an art auction with that genre of artists so I’ll let you know in the next interview.
|
|
AP: Who has influenced you to take this path with your life?
JD: I think the city I grew up in did, to a certain extent. I lived in Windsor/Detroit the automotive capital of North America. It was a rad city to grow up in but I worked in dirty factories for a while and I hated it. My mind would race and create while I was working but I couldn't do anything about it because I was on a production line, elbows deep in grease. So I got fed up and need a way to get out. I decided at the age of 19 that I wanted to be a visual artist/graphic designer. Up until then I never really did anything visually artsy but I knew that path would bring out the best in me. I've chosen art and exceeded my goals over and over again and hope to eventually exceed my future goals too. So, I see no need to stop and get a "real" job just yet . [laughs]
Personally:
My parents always supported what I thought was right for me and let me try new things. Friends were always right there to help and support me also. They both definitely helped my entrance on to this path.
Music wise:
Nofx, Suicide Machines and Rancid to name a few
Artist wise:
I didn't know it until I met him and read his book in 2006 but Andy Howell has had a huge impact in the way I grew up thinking. I never knew who was behind the curtain but after reading his book it all came clear. I am truly inspired by all that he has done for himself and others. I also love Kathie Olivas, Joe Ledbetter, Brian Ewing and Andrew Bell
AP: Give us some insight into your studio process...
JD: I was lucky to rent into a house that had a bedroom with a decent sized studio/office off of it. Vancouver is expensive and you don't get much for you dollar. So I lucked out big time. As for process, it depends on the project. If it's a freestyle painting then there is barely any planing, maybe a flip through the ol' sketchbook. If it's a regular planned painting then I will do a couple sketches, pop it onto the computer and screw around with some color variations and final tweaks. Then paint them onto wooden box canvases. Usually while listening to Brand New or Mogwai, they put me into trance mode. If it's a Graphic Design project there is a bunch of planning and whatnot. I won't bore you with that, it's the end product that the viewer appreciates.
AP: Last Words.
JD: I hope to inspire the next generation of artists the same way Andy Howell inspired my generation. The youth should know they have a voice and they should use it. If you stay positive, believe in yourself and unite then anything is possible. Thanks to everyone who has kept my drive alive throughout the years. Lets all make this world a better place!
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