Blind Shovel

A conjoined Blind Shovel, this one with Porto-based design Studio Sparks, which consists of Cristiana Figueiredo and Lucas Moreira. We discuss how the connection between music and art, collaborating as a couple, working in Portugal, and more. "We like to explore many visual methods to illustrate the work of each artist, and we make everything since the storytelling to the final productio...

A soothing Blind Shovel, this one with sound sculptor and guitarist Mike Haldeman. We discuss how to best flourish within a band, altopalo, the nature of guitar, the openness of Quaker meetings, and more. Mike is a NY-based multi-instrumentalist, member of the band altopalo, and co-conspirator of many other uncategorizable musical projects. Haldeman's links: altopalo Instagram Header image: Mike H...

A vibrating Blind Shovel, this one with artist and teacher Christopher Davison. We discuss how to produce art while being a father, the horror of life, digital exhibitions, Eckhart Tolle, and much more. Christopher is an American artist who spent a combined two decades living in Philadelphia and New York. He now resides in San Francisco. He has shown his work at various locations in the United Sta...

A homegrown Blind Shovel, this one with music producer Derrick Braxton. We discuss his career as a producer, the influence of church on his music, New Brunswick, and much more. Derrick is an American record producer, DJ, and composer best known for working with artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Cassidy, Amerie, Rich Harrison, and Raekwon. He is currently signed with 1st and 15th Entertainment /Atlantic...

A doodly Blind Shovel, this one with illustrator/musician/art-director Vinnie Neuberg. We discuss his fascination with The Beatles, the nature of being an art director, the future of editorial illustration, and more. Vinnie's links: Main Website Instagram Spotify (Check out "Tearjerker") Header image: Vinnie Neuberg, "Paul", 2022

A shimmering Blind Shovel, this one with former-MLB player turner graphic designer James Coffman. We discuss the relationship between art and sports, the aesthetics of athletic logos, Picasso, finding the ideal clients, and more. James' links: https://www.jamescoffman.com https://www.instagram.com/jamescoffmandesign Header image: James Coffman, "Migrations No. 8", 2023

A co-operative Blind Shovel, this one with the familial duo Chris and Tim Lyons. Both brothers live in the great state of New Jersey, where they experiment with film, A.R., photography, and documentation. We discuss the dynamics of collaboration, tinkering, the intersection of technology and art, their upcoming documentary, and more. Tim's links: https://lyonswork.com/Homepage https://www.sneaky.w...

A melted Blind Shovel, this one with master notebook draftsman Matt Lock. We discuss 90's doom, the apocalyptic, Instagram, the influence of music and much more. Matt Lock lives and works in Northern NJ where he continues to stack piles of his idiosyncratic drawings. Matt's links and locks: www.instagram.com/mdlinterface Header image: Matt Lock, "The Pain Salon", 2022

A veteran Blind Shovel, this one with curator and trail-blazer Jonathan LeVine. We discuss his New Jersey origins, the low-brow art explosion, running a gallery, and much more. Jonathan LeVine lives and works in Rutherford, NJ where he continues to be an art-dealer, and is the drummer in the melodic-punk band Cyclone Static. Jonathan's links: www.jonathanlevineprojects.com www.cyclonestatic.bandca...

A Black-and-White Blind Shovel, this one with photographer Jason Rusnock. We discuss the medium of photography, cyanotype, formalism, and much more. Jason Rusnock lives and works in Philly, PA where, besides continuing his practice in photography, he runs Good Buy Supply , a sustainable general store dedicated to low-waste + plastic-free alternatives for everyday life. Jason's links: www.jasonrusn...

A gritty Blind Shovel, this one with clothing-maker and multi-disciplinarian artist Dan Bortz. We discuss musical influences, suburbia, definitions of success, and much more. Dan Isaac Bortz lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio where he runs Time Change Generator , a studio and artist residency specializing in screen-printing repeat patterns on fabric. Dan's links: www.dibortz.com www.instagram.com/...

A resonating Blind Shovel, this one with multi-faceted musician Mingjia Chen. We discuss the relationship between drawing and music, true rest, mark-making as musical inspiration, and much more. Mingja is a Beijing-born and LA-based musician who has lectured at the University of Toronto, and taught private lessons at the Humber College of Music, from where she holds a Bachelor of Music. She is an...

A clanging and clanking Blind Shovel, this one with singer-songwriter James Alan. We discuss his songwriting process, the Apollonian and Dionysian, the nature of Valley Boy, and much more. James is an LA-based musician, who has songwriting credit on tracks by Troye Sivan, DNCE, the Jonas Brothers, and Jeremy Zucker. Check out his latest creations below: James' links: https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wi...

A dusty Blind Shovel, this one with prolific cartoonist Matt Houston. We discuss his work in the animation industry, Mormonism, The New Atheists, burning paintings, building a family, and more. Matt is an Arizona-based cartoonist, who has worked on Summer Camp Island, Krapopolis, as well as Adventure Time. He also produces beautiful oil paintings and woven blankets. Matt's links: https://www.mg-ho...

A steely Blind Shovel, this one with the bold cartoonist Al Gofa. We discuss his upcoming graphic novel Orc Gym, body-sculpting, the influence of film, and being a drawing nerd. Al is a Montreal-based cartoonist, who embraces every facet of the cartooning process, embodying the designer, inker, colorist and letterer. Orc Gym is currently up on Kickstarter and needs your support! https://www.kickst...

An illuminating Blind Shovel, this one with stop-motion animator and studio co-founder David Lauer. We discuss the struggles and rewards of stop-motion, digital vs analog animation, the titans of the industry, and the beauty of a lifelong commitment to one's craft. David is a California-based animator and co-founder of Mystery Meat Media, an animation studio that has worked on Solo: A Star Wars St...

A singing and echoing Blind Shovel, this one with songwriter JE Sunde. We discuss the metrics of success, being square, the role of emotion in songwriting, and the power of beauty. JE is currently based in Minneapolis and is a classically trained musician from the university in Eau Claire, WI. His latest album "9 Songs About Love" can be found on Spotify, alongside his two previous. Keep 'em peele...

A cheeky Blind Shovel, this one with prolific cartoonist and animator Roman Muradov. We discuss Brooklyn, young Stalin, linguistics, suicide, and a pissing snake. Roman is an Armenian artist based in Brooklyn, NY. He has received numerous awards from various institutions like the Art Directors Club and the Society of Illustrators, and his books have been translated into a number of languages. His...

A hidden Blind Shovel stashed behind ordinary tools, this one with intro-creator and musical master Dory Bavarsky. We discuss being a record label, Bach, encountering genius, and Dory tells some jokes. Dory is a musician and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. He writes music for TV shows, feature films, independent projects, and releases albums through his label Full Color Sound Records. His credi...

A glorious and shiny Blind Shovel in the sun, this one with long-time friend and collaborator Jesse Balmer. We discuss cartooning, Adventure Time, slow-paced goblins, and my bias towards bug-people. Jesse is an illustrator and cartoonist based in Los Angeles, CA. He has done storyboards and animation design for Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney & Encyclopedia Pictura. Header image: Jesse Ba...

A willfully Blind Shovel, this one with my dear friend and collaborator Nick Norman. We discuss ceramics, teaching, Portland, and the black-market mummies. Nick is a fine artist and ceramicist based in Portland, PA. His work can be acquired from Picture Room in Brooklyn and Lowell in Portland. Header image: Nick Norman, 4 Jugglers on the Hill, 2021

A beautifully Blind Shovel, this one with my former teacher and aesthetic prankster David Kettner. We discuss a lifetime of art, collage, and the infamous frog joke. David is a fine artist based in Philadelphia, PA. He taught for decades at University of the Arts, and has a retrospective coming up this fall at Arcadia University. Header image: David Kettner, Haiku: Basho's Pond, 2022

Onward with the Blind Shovel, this one with my dear friend and collaborator Niv Bavarsky. We discuss his job at Youtube, our collaboration on the graphic novel Old Growth, and the power of friendship, plus more. Niv is an artist & illustrator based in Los Angeles, whose work can be found in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wired, Facebook, ESPN, Cartoon Network, and HBO. Header image: Ni...

Deep we go with the Blind Shovel, this one with authentic doodler and basketball connoisseur Dang Wayne Olsen. We discuss parenting, his major arcana tarot deck, and the relationship between drugs and art. Born and raised in Ohio, Dang now keeps it groovy as an illustrator living with his wife and daughter in Pasadena, California where he paints pictures inside the closet of their apartment. Heade...

Our first musician picks up the Blind Shovel, this one with my dear friend and prodigious drummer Ian Meltzer. We discuss life on tour, Ian's relationship to the drums, and the project Valley Boy. Ian is a producer and musician based in Los Angeles, to hear him at his finest listen to Valley Boy's "Thursday Friday" album. To see him at his finest check out his cameos on Star Trek Voyager, Dexter a...