Hey Go Figure! And welcome to another installment of Behind the Figure. I had a chance to chat with graffiti, vinyl, and visual artist/designer Sket-One. He got his start with Unitee Clothing, a shirt company he created and operated. His career really moved forward after his inclusion in the Series 1 blind-boxed Dunny figures by Kidrobot (circa 2004). His work has been showcased in museums and conventions around the world. Here's what we recently talked about…
Sket-One is quite an interesting name. Where did it come from?
I went through the list of names before I was handed Sket. Lets see: AJ Juice, Saint, Maze, Maz Then Sket, My Boy Jimmy Myers (who is actually a police officer now) use to paint with me when I wrote Saint. He was getting into it also and came up with the Sket tag. He didn't paint that much and one day I decided to do a Sket piece. It flowed for me nice - I liked the name a lot and asked him if it was cool to start writing it, he was like ya go ahead. So I was dubbed Sket since 1988.
I am from NY so I grew up seeing a lot of tags - it was one of the things that inspired me to want to be an artist myself.
You have some really fun and interesting work. I really like the Star Wars statues and the condiment Dunny series. How do you come up with the ideas for your designs?
I have an idea/sketch book, which I sketch and write down concepts, mash-ups, sketches, blueprints and plans and go from there depending on the project.
Sweet! I know you do your own stuff, but are there any companies you have done work for?
I have worked with Huy Fong Sriracha, Universal Music, EMI, DC Comics, Ford, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Zoo York Skateboards, Red Magic, Kidrobot, Kaching Brands and Grind King Trucks.
Do you have a certain style you like to use when you design?
I have what I call art ADD, I don’t stick to one look or feel I have concepts that jump all over the place, from pop art to graffiti to character design, to a comic style depending on the project I might even do something new?
That is an interesting perspective. Do you have a favorite piece(s) you have designed?
A bunch to be honest, once a project is completed I am already thinking of the next 5 it’s nothing I can turn off, just keep it moving forward.
What piece was the hardest for you to design?
I would have to say the Dejembe Drum custom Munny I did for the Kidrobot MUNNY show in NYC. I really wanted the drum to work and resonate and creating the piece I had to take into account the instruments dynamics.
That sounds like that was pretty tough but it was a very nice piece. Crazy and or funny things happen all the time. What is the funniest or craziest experience you have had while creating a design?
Sculpting the “Our Father” piece the original 26” high Darth Vader Jesus, I use an actual Jesus statue.
I have to remove the head, and remove the bottom stand. In doing so when I opened the statue up it was filled with ceramic skulls as weight filler, pretty crazy…pretty crazy.
Being an artist I know you have tons of ideas running through you head all the time. How much of the stuff you design actually gets produced?
I would say maybe 40% of the ideas I write down, but that’s usually due to money and time.
I totally understand time and money can often be an issue when wanting to design things. Is there something you have designed that wasn’t used or put into production that you wish was?
I hate to say this but the truth is this happens a lot in producing toys you design for companies. I think my Jenga dunny design would have been rad, but they couldn’t figure it out or have the budget for it.
So are you a collector, if so what do you collect?
I collect a lot of Star Wars; I collect my piers work like Huck Gee, Mad, Luke Chueh, Andrew Bell Kano and some old school comic toys too. I have begun to collect things from other artists that I think are very talented or that I get inspiration from myself. I think it is a good thing to show support to other artists.
Besides designing and collecting what other hobbies are you into?
Graffiti of course, I also have a 1970 Monte Carlo that I have been working on when I have time and money.
That is a nice model, I love Chevy’s. With so many artists entering the vinyl artist world how do you feel about the vinyl artist scene?
I feel good about, things have taken a really good turn, a lot of artists are producing their own work and visions, which is the way it’s suppose to be. It's good to have and the popularity grow at the same time.
What advice would you give to aspiring artist and designers?
Stay focused, do what you do, don’t try to be something you're not, if you want it, you’ll get it. It takes a lot of hard work, long days and nights, and a lot of networking.
Many of us have a reason for why we do what we do. What inspires you to continue to do what you do?
Pop culture, my children, my passion for fun cool images and pieces.
So what can we expect to see in the future from Sket One? Do you have any upcoming events etc.?
A Bearbrick… that is all I will say. As for events SDCC is the next big event I will be attending and having a release.
A BEARBRICK! That sounds exciting. I can’t wait to see it maybe I will see it and you at SDCC. I don’t want to take up much more of your time so tell the readers and fans of your work where they can find you?
If you are looking for something new try the artist's shop (always recommended to buy direct) as well as some cool Sket-One items can be found right here. Also through galleries such as Black Book, Richard Goodall, and Smash Transit.
Special thanks to Sket for chatting with me. If you haven’t already, take a minute to check out Sket One’s work on his social network pages above. Join me next time on Behind The Figure where I’ll be interviewing the man behind Action Figure Insider - Daniel Pickett! Until next time Go Hard! Go Fast! Go Figure!
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