Blind Shovel

Header image: Sam D'Orazio, "Self-Portrait", 2021

Jon Chao - Less Wind & The Spiritual Stool

Michael Olivo — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:00:00 -0400

A chiseled Blind Shovel, this one with designer and furniture-maker Jon Chao. We discuss the wind, residencies, stools & chairs, designing for your own personal life, and much more.

Jon's Website

Jon's Instagram

Header image: Jon Chao, "Trophies", 2022

John Dull - Dull Music & Virtuous Athletics

Michael Olivo — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 20:00:00 -0400

A sagacious Blind Shovel, this one with folk musician John Dull. We discuss the intersection of athletics and art, Dull Music, fatherhood, Pete Seeger, and much more.

Dull Music's Website

Header image: Dull Music Logo, 1970s

Sam Bosma - Un-flexing & Fantastical Hexing

Michael Olivo — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0400

A glistening Blind Shovel, this one with illustrator and art director Sam Bosma. We discuss editorial illustration, art directing in the animation industry, 80's anime, the challenge of comic-making, and much more.

Sam's Website

Header image: Sam Bosma "Critical Education", 2023

Samuel Hayes - LUCCA MART & Enchanting Embroidery

Michael Olivo — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0400

A stitched and bewitching Blind Shovel, this one with illustrator and designer Samuel Hayes. We discuss LUCCA MART, refining the techniques of embroidery and air-brushing, animation, and much more.

Sam's Website

LUCCA MART

Header image: Samuel Hayes "Horny fiends in your area", 2022

Brian Durr (BD1982) - Diskotopia & Embers Passed

Michael Olivo — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0400

A spinning Blind Shovel, this one with producer and record label co-runner Brian Durr. We discuss life in Japan, the curation of DISKOTOPIA, his creative process, and much more.

Brian's Bandcamp

Brian's Instagram

Diskotopia Website

Header image: Brian Durr, "BD1982", 2023

Alison Dubois - Tuca & Berti & A Horse Named Kirby

Michael Olivo — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0400

A sun-soaked Blind Shovel, this one with illustrator and art director Alison Dubois. We discuss Bojack Horseman, the art direction of Tuca & Berti, her wonderful horse Kirby, and much more.

Alison's Website

Alison's Instagram

Kirby's Instagram

Header image: Alison Dubois, "Tuca & Bertie", 2019

Zach Hazard Vaupen - The Cartoonist Cooperative & TTRPGs

Michael Olivo — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0400

A pixelated Blind Shovel, this one with illustrator and designer Zach Hazard Vaupen. We discuss TTRPGs, the Cartoonist Cooperative, NFTs, Pixel Dog, and much more.

Zach's Website

Zach's Instagram

Cartoonist Cooperative

Header image: Zach Hazard Vaupen, "Illustration", 2023

Matt Caulfield - Peeler & The Mother Of Invention

Michael Olivo — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 20:00:00 -0400

An innovative Blind Shovel, this one with designer and sound engineer Matt Caulfield. We discuss skating, biking, the inspiration for his new wallet, Space Cow, and much more.

Peeler's Instagram

Peeler's Website

Space Cow's Website

Header image: Matt Caulfield, "Peeler", 2023

André Baum - Berlin & Beyondré

Michael Olivo — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A subterranean Blind Shovel, this one with musician André Baum. We discuss Berlin, NYC, People People's "Out of Our Hands", collaboration, THX 1138, and much more.

Andre's Instagram

People People

Beyondré

Header image: André Baum, 2022, photo by Zack London

Jesse Moynihan - The Final Days of Forming & The Early Life of Jesus 2

Michael Olivo — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A prophetic Blind Shovel, this one with artist and animator Jesse Moynihan. We discuss To Make A Rising, double-therapy, spiritual life, Jesus 2, and much more.

Jesse's Instagram

Jesse's Website

Jesus 2

Header image: Jesse Moynihan, "Forming" page, 2021

Alfred Rosenbluth - Slithering Embodiment & The Destroyed Mold

Michael Olivo — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0400

A sticky and fine-grained Blind Shovel, this one with fine-artist Alfred Rosenbluth. We discuss the Philly art scene, the human body, horror, his artistic path, and much more.

Alfred's Instagram

Alfred's Website

Header image: Alfred Rosenbluth, "Kerub", 2021

Michael Olivo - It's Me (interviewed by DIGBEE)

Michael Olivo — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 12:45:00 -0400

A self-reflecting Blind Shovel, this one with me, interviewed by the mysterious DIGBEE. We discuss...

Header image: Michael Olivo, "LIGHTENED CUR", 2023

Jim Jamie James Bradshaw - On Tezuka & Boundless Transformation

Michael Olivo — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A whirling and blurry Blind Shovel, this one with comic connoisseur Jim Jamie James Bradshaw. We discuss Osamu Tezuka, Tezuka's history and finest works, transformation, the history of gekiga, and much more.

Jim's Instagram

Header image: Osamu Tezuka "The Devil Garon", 1960

Sam Keene - KLN Studio & Soulcraft

Michael Olivo — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A whittled and worn Blind Shovel, this one with designer and fabricator Sam Keene. We discuss KLN Studio, how he began his career in fabrication, craft vs. art, Matthew B. Crawford, and much more.

"Sam Keene studied History and Studio Art at Pitzer College while working as a woodworking apprentice for a Los Angeles based furniture company. After moving to NYC in 2012, Sam served as a fabrication supervisor for an architectural design studio. In addition to his role at KLN, Sam also runs his own furniture design company, Sam Keene Studio."

KLN Studio

Sam Keene Studio

Lauren O'Connell's "Horsefly"

Header image: Sam Keene, "Violette console table"

Trevor Baird - Wetted Clay & Wrapped Windows

Michael Olivo — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A Blind Shovel cast in clay, this one with ceramicist and fine-artist Trevor Baird. We discuss Montreal, his latest sculptures, functional art, returning to a more organic process, and much more.

Trevor's Website

Trevor's Instagram

Dear Mother

Header image: Trevor Baird, "Jeremy", 2021

Bhanu Pratap - Indian Indie & A Twisted Poetry

Michael Olivo — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A contorted and glossy Blind Shovel, this one with India-based cartoonist Bhanu Pratap. We discuss making comics in India, manga, the influence of Western comics, writing poetry in English, and much more.

Bhanu's Twitter

Bhanu's Instagram

Dear Mother

Header image: Bhanu Pratap, Panel from "Eye Balls.", 2022

Alex Pfender -Steady Pfred & Humble Harrison

Michael Olivo — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A flowery Blind Shovel, this one with LA-based musician Alex Pfender. We discuss his recent project Pfred, the dynamics of collaboration, music production, Sufjan, and much more.

Listen to some of Alex's solo work and collaborations:

Pfred's "Alice"

Yoya's "Fireworks"

Header image: Laura Kody, "Pfred", 2023

Nick Illuzada - Sprezzatura & The Mascot’s Dream

Michael Olivo — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 20:00:00 -0400

An unflagging Blind Shovel, this one with illustrator and designer Nick Illuzada. We discuss his recent move to Tokyo, living creatively, ALCHEMYST, the importance of communication, and much more.

Nick's Website

Nick's Instagram

Header image: Nick Illuzada, "witness", 2023

Kellan Jett - TMNT & The Future of Animation

Michael Olivo — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A shimmering Blind Shovel, this one with concept artist and art director Kellan Jett. We discuss working on the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated film, imposter syndrome, folktales, Michael Bay, and much more.

"Hi, I'm Kellan Jett. Illustrator, Concept Artist and Art Director living in Los Angeles. My experience covers feature animation, independent games, and VR.

I love overgrown industrial cities, creepy suburbs, immersive sim games, plein-air painting, film and hiphop"

Header image: Kellan Jett, "Untitled", 2017

Michelle Kwon - K-Dramas & Mr. Miyazaki

Michael Olivo — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A radiant Blind Shovel, this one with illustrator and animator, Michelle Kwon. We discuss the animation industry, Pixar, K-dramas, Han, Miyazaki, and more.

"Michelle is a freelance Illustrator/Animator who totes many different hats. Her diverse skillset includes but is not limited to Illustration, Character Design, Environment Design, 3D Modeling, Actual Modeling, Texturing, Animating, Lighting, and playing three songs on the guitar. She has worked for various studios including Cartoon Network, Wieden + Kennedy, The Mill, JibJab, Elastic, and Universal Creative."

Header image: Michelle Kwon, "Comic Cover", 2019

Charlie Looker - The Transgression of Beauty & Medieval Woolgathering

Michael Olivo — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400

An enchanting Blind Shovel, this one with composer, vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist, Charlie Looker. We discuss Beauty, medieval nostalgia, his YouTube channel, Extra Life, and much more.

"Described by Time Out New York as an "art-rock visionary", Charles A. Looker has been active in underground music circles for the past two decades as a composer, vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist. His music brings together diverse influences and styles including classical composition, metal, pop, industrial, and improvised music. Born and based in New York City, he has received commissions from various ensembles, however most of his output has been with his own bands."

Header image: Sam Marble, "Charlie Looker", 2018

Bill McRight - Crystal Skulls & Reiki Lulls

Michael Olivo — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0400

A vibrating and resonating Blind Shovel, this one with printer-maker and sculptor, Bill McRight. We discuss carving skulls, his practice of Reiki, Space 1026, Philly and L.A., and much more.

"Bill lives in Los Angeles with his wife and cat. He makes his work at his home studio, a small backyard shed, his living room and front porch. Recently returning to block printing after an extended break he is amazed to see how far ink has come in that time. Besides making prints, Bill also engraves metal, makes drawings and sculptures, collects crystals and practices Reiki."

Header image: Bill McRight, "Amazonite Skull", 2022

Panayiotis Terzis - New Faces & Old Spaces

Michael Olivo — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A vibrantly whirling Blind Shovel, this one with painter and printer, Panayiotis Terzis. We discuss the contrast between Greece and New York City, the endless appeal of the human face, the future, the past, and much more.

"Panayiotis (Pan) Terzis is an artist, printer and publisher based in NYC.

He has been working with printmaking, drawing, painting, and publishing since 2005, and has been working with Risograph printing since 2010. He is the founder of the Riso press Mega Press.

In 2015 Pan co-founded the RisoLAB, a Risograph studio based at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Since then he has directed the curiculum and identity of the space as manager and faculty member."

Header image: Panayiotis Terzis, "Elsewhere", 2023

Kevin Umaña - Fired Clay & The Nomadic Way

Michael Olivo — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:00:00 -0400

An earth-bound Blind Shovel, this one with ceramicist and fine artist, Kevin Umaña. We discuss artist residencies, Kansas City, Frank Stella and Ellsworth Kelly, his hybrid method of ceramics and painting, and much more.

"Known mostly for his abstract geometric paintings, Umaña recently expanded his practice to include ceramics. He is The Co-founder of the Ekru Project and in 2021, he completed his first solo exhibition, Wax And Wane with David Richard Gallery in New York. He has exhibited nationally and internationally with Sperone Westwater, NY. Dc Moore Gallery, NY. Praise Shadows Gallery, MA. Lvl 3 Gallery, Il. Sim Gallery, Reykjavik. Koppel Project Hive, London. In Live, Taipei. Bass & Reiner, SF. He’s collaborated with Condé Nast, Wired Magazine, London College Of Music, and Slowdown Studio, and in 2017 created a permanent installation at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. His work is in the collections of the United Nations, Fidelity Mutual Funds, Center For Book Arts, and Marin Museum Of Contemporary Art."

Header image: Kevin Umaña, "This Idea of The Wall", 2021

Matthew Forsythe - Pokko & Mina

Michael Olivo — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

A vivid and glinting Blind Shovel, this one with illustrator Matthew Forsythe. We discuss what makes a great kid's book, his books Pokko and Mina, his painting process, and much more.

"My latest book, MINA, about a family of mice that gets a pet cat and it was a 2022 Governor General’s Award finalist.

My first picture book, Pokko and the Drum, was a Publisher’s Weekly and NPR Book of the Year and won a Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor and Charlotte Zolotow Honor.

I was the Lead Designer on the animated show, Adventure Time and also the Oscar-nominated film, Robin Robin."

Header image: Matthew Forsythe, "MINA", 2022

Dave Juskow - Clueless & The Mr. Magoo Joke

Michael Olivo — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A jocose Blind Shovel, this one with comedian and writer, Dave Juskow. We discuss time-travel, The Cars, stand-up comedy, Clueless, and much more.

"Dave Juskow is an American comedian, writer and actor. He is perhaps best known for such televisions shows and films as Men of a Certain Age, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, TV Funhouse, The Sarah Silverman Program, The Wrestler, and HBO's Crashing. Juskow was also a commentator for The Huffington Post, and hosts the podcast, Juskow in the City."

Header image: Dave Juskow, 2016

Zack Fischmann - Tragic Nothing & Something Magic

Michael Olivo — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A rockin' n rollin' Blind Shovel, this one with musician, Zack Fischmann. We discuss free-will, authenticity in music, cancer research, Marmalade Mountain, and much more.

"Marmalade Mountain, aka Zack Fischmann, has tumbled through America’s punk-folk-psych-rock scenes, creating songs that blend the homespun aesthetic of K Records with a playful vulnerability akin to folk hero Michael Hurley."

Header image: Zack Fischmann, 2023

J.F. Martel - Reclaimed Reverie & Weird Studies

Michael Olivo — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A dream-like Blind Shovel, this one with writer and podcast-host, J.F. Martel. We discuss the French-Canadian identity, the value of reverie, exploring a variety of creative impulses, Weird Studies, and much more.

"Jean-François Martel is a writer on art, culture, religion, and philosophy. His essays have appeared in online journals such as Canadian Notes & Queries, Reality Sandwich, The Finch, and Metapsychosis, as well as in print anthologies from Penguin-Tarcher, North Atlantic Books, and Intellect Books. He is the author of Reclaiming Art in the Age of Artifice, published in 2015 by Evolver Editions. Ediciones Atalanta released a Spanish translation of the work in 2017. His long-form essay, “Reality is Analog: Philosophizing with Stranger Things,” is available in e-book format from Untimely Books. With Prof. Phil Ford of Indiana University Bloomington, J.F. co-hosts the Weird Studies podcast, a series of conversations on the intersections of philosophy, the arts, and the weird."

Header image: J.F. Martel

Sam Vanallemeersch - Real Materials & Holy Hergé

Michael Olivo — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A swinging and winging Blind Shovel, this one with cartoonist and illustrator, Sam Vanallemeersch. We discuss the shortcomings of digital processes, Herge & Moebius, and more.

"My name is Sam Vanallemeersch and I like to draw. For you, my girlfriend, my daughter and my cat (†). I illustrate (for) people and things, have been in the odd book here and there, done a couple of shows and am working on a comic which might never get finished. But that's -sort of- okay by me.

For completionists: there’s more on Instagram and Kolchoz."

Header image: Sam Vanallemeersch, "Pianoforte", 2023

Patrick Kyle - A Graceful Process & An Elfish Aspect

Michael Olivo — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A scribbly Blind Shovel, this one with cartoonist, illustrator, musician, and teacher Patrick Kyle. We discuss his many creative outlets, black metal, paintings, comics and more.

"Patrick Kyle is a Visual Artist based in Toronto, Canada. He studied Illustration at The Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, graduating in 2009. He has created illustrations and comics for Adidas, The New York Times, The Nation, Converse, MIT Technology Review, Bloomberg, Cartoon Network, Brasserie Dunham and many others. Patrick worked with Toronto based Koyama Press on eight titles from 2010 to 2019. He is currently published by Frémok in Europe and by Breakdown Press in the UK. Patrick is a sessional instructor in comics and illustration at OCADU in Toronto. He is a co-organizer of Zine Dream, an annual print and publication festival also in Toronto."

Patrick's links:

Header image: Patrick Kyle, "Art School Comic", 2023

David Onri Anderson - Sacred Spirals & Vibrating Visions

Michael Olivo — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A spiraling Blind Shovel, this one with Artist~Gardener David Onri Anderson. We discuss spirals, Messianic Judaism, meditation, gardening, and much more.

"David Onri Anderson is a Tennessee-born French-Algerian Jewish artist, musician, and curator. He graduated from Watkins College of Art in Nashville with the Anny Gowa Purchase Award in 2016. He has had solo exhibitions at Patrick Painter Gallery in Los Angeles, CA, Blaa Galleri Copenhagen, DK (upcoming), Harpy Gallery in Rutherford, NJ, David Lusk Gallery in Nashville, TN, Atlanta Contemporary, amongst others. In 2020 he published a book of drawings with Zürich-based artist book company, Nieves. His work has been reviewed, exhibited and collected internationally with works in permanent collections including the Soho House in Los Angeles, CA and Nashville, TN, The Joseph Hotel, and the Metro Arts Library in Nashville, TN, amongst others. Anderson is founder and curator of an artist-run space called Electric Shed Gallery in Nashville, TN (2018-present). His work has been reviewed in Art in America, Artnet, BURNAWAY, DailyLazy and more."

David's links:

Header image: David Onri Anderson, "Pink Lightnin'", 2022

Jessica Hans - Fire Herding & Clay Shaping

Michael Olivo — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:45:00 -0400

A fiery Blind Shovel, this one with the ceramicist and fire-herder Jessica Hans. We discuss why sometimes art isn't enough, building a career in ceramics, urban vs rural settings, fire-fighting, and more.

"Jessica Hans is a New Mexico-based artist and designer. Jessica specializes in quasi-functional sculpture vessels and specialty vases made from ceramic and assorted other materials. During the summer months Jessica works as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. The work in fire plays a significant role in informing her creative sensibility."

Jessica's links:

Header image: Jessica Hans, "Blue Ice Bucket", 2023

Ron Ewert - Pink Foam & White Walls

Michael Olivo — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 20:00:00 -0400

A Blind Shovel, this one with the sculptor and printmaker Ron Ewert. We discuss the experiments that led to styrofoam, experimentation, black & white and more.

"Ron Ewert lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. He received his MFA from the Painting and Drawing Department of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2012. His work has been shown in a number of solo, two-person and group exhibitions, including solo exhibitions at S1 in Portland and Good Weather in Little Rock; group exhibitions at Johannes Vogt, Monya Rowe and Launch F18 in New York, The New York Art Book Fair and LA Art Book Fair, The Green Gallery and American Fantasy Classics in Milwaukee and most recently with Erin Washington at Roots and Culture in Chicago."

Ron's links:

Header image: Eleanor Michalka, 2020

Brad Hock - Old Boy's Apples & Young Man's Folly

Michael Olivo — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

A dark and dazzling Blind Shovel, this one with the inimitable Brad Hock, we discuss youthful criminality, High-School football excellence, Old Boy's Apples, THE Hock, and more.

"Based in Los Angeles, California, Brad Hock uses stop motion animation to explore the stories and symbols of the past. He views his work as continuation of the constant transformation that these ancient relics have gone through over time and telling."

Brad's links:

Header image: Brad Hock, "becoming a room", 2023

McKay Felt - Visual Hip-Hop & A Cheery Demeanor

Michael Olivo — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

A copacetic Blind Shovel, this one with the illustrious McKay Felt, we discuss how his career got started, Egon Schiele, sketchbooks, hit latest comic, and more.

McKay Felt graduated from London's Camberwell College of Art (UAL) in 2016. Now based in Los Angeles--McKay's illustration career has led him to collaborations with Grammy Award winning artists such as: Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Knxwledge, Anderson .Paak and Gorillaz. Having shown at the Victoria & Albert Museum's landmark exhibition in 2021, his work will continue its international circuit as part of the immersive show, "Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser".

McKay's links:

Tumblr

Header image: McKay Felt, 2023

Studio Sparks - Porto & The Couple's Studio

Michael Olivo — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

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 production, in areas like graphic design, video, illustration, and animation!"

Studio Sparks' links:

Header image: Sonic Boom ‘Tick Tock’, 2023

Mike Haldeman - Quaker Notes & altopalo

Michael Olivo — Tue, 30 May 2023 18:30:00 -0400

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

Header image: Mike Haldeman, 2022

Christopher Davison - The Hour of the Wolf & Tolle's Tutelage

Michael Olivo — Tue, 23 May 2023 15:45:00 -0400

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 States and Europe.

Christopher's links:

Header image: Christopher Davison, "Study (Flower Up Flower Down 01)", 2023

Derrick Braxton - Mother's Tapes & The View From The Blimp

Michael Olivo — Tue, 16 May 2023 16:00:00 -0400

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 Records.

Derrick's links:

Wiki

Header image: Derrick Braxton

Vinnie Neuberg - Paul & Being Multi-Pronged

Michael Olivo — Tue, 09 May 2023 12:00:00 -0400

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