(((Coming soon)))
New Artwork by J. Otto Seibold
May 2nd (first Friday)
Grass Hut Gallery
811 e. Burnside
Portland, OR
Grasshutcorp.com
J. Otto Seibold is coming to Portland.
He’s going to use the studio at Grass Hut to make an art show in the gallery at Grass Hut. Kind of like an artist in residence.
We asked if he needed any help with the show and he asked for a big bike and a crappy old drum set to thrash around with. The Ace Hotel pitched in and gave him a place to stay.
This is going to be fun.
J.Otto’s well know for his children’s book illustrations: Olive, the other reindeer, Penguin Dreams, Mr. Lunch, Going to the Getty and many more. To celebrate his real life appearance at Grass Hut we’ll have his new book available for signing, Seamore, the Very Forgetful Porpoise.
J.Otto is an folk artist. Sure he uses the computer, he also uses spray paint, brushes, graffiti pens, cameras and anything else.
A tiny interview with J.Otto:
Grass Hut: Are you happy?
J.Otto: Yes! Generally…I have an addiction to global politics…. that always kills the buzz.
GH: What are your favorite things to take photos of?
J: Shitty cars…dogs…I love photography…and I Flickr like a fiend!
GH: A lot of folks give you credit for making vector-art folk-art. Is that even possible?
J: It’s possible for them to credit me. I have never had any art school training…so I might be a digital-outsider artist.
GH: Do you think the computer, as a tool, tends to water down humanity in art?
J: Sure, definitely…. I still make stuff by hand…to retain my human dignity!
GH: What happened to Bubblesoap?
J: It’s still there…. new to anyone who never saw it before…honestly…. 911 happened to bubblesoap. It was fun while doing it…like a band…with my Portland buddies Matt and Susan of FEELGOODANYWAY.com
http://www.jottodotcom.com/bubblesoap/bubblesoap.html
GH: Who makes the art that you love?
J: Tons. You. Fred Tomaselli, Barry McGee, really everything, my list making brain explodes! I swear, I’m totally watching and in to it.
GH: Your art is so dense, like there are hundreds of layers, when is too much too much?
J: When it is too much. I don’t use layers…I’m a grouper and freezer!
GH: Do you have an art studio? What’s it look like?
J: It is an old school lunch table that I bought in NYC for 20 dollar. And I have a laptop and drawscreen…and then just tons of crap all around it…. good crap. Rad crap.
