Whats your name and where do you currently live?
My name is Bryce Aspinall and I live in Vancouver, BC.
What was the original spark that got you inspired to start making art?
I believe the moment I realized that drawing could become something greater than just doodling on lined paper was when I was around 12. My former step father at the time was covered in tattoos and he wanted me to draw a new tattoo for him that would cover the swastika tattoo on his hand. (I’m not sure what the reasoning of that one was.) So i drew these Flameboy (from World Industries of course) inspired tattoos. He got one on each wrist, but he ignored having the swastika covered. He paid me 30 bucks which was cool. That was the first time I ever saw my art on something other than a piece of paper, which I think blew my mind of what art can be.
How long have you been doing this for?
I’ve been drawing since I popped out of the womb… but around three years making work for clients and friends. It’s been fun, each project expands my horizons.
Do you have any training / schooling or are you completely self taught as an artist?
Well, I went to college for graphic design but in hindsight I think a commercial illustration program or even a general art course would’ve sufficed because I realized I’m not that interested in the corporate side of design. When I was a young lad, the idea of someone telling me what to draw frustrated me. In high school my art teacher would constantly send my sketch book to the counsellor’s office; I guess to evaluate my mental health, haha. I definitely drew some weird things in high school. That’s what i learnt from my high school art education, to draw what the superiors didn’t want me to draw.
Are there any similarities you’ve found with progressing your art in comparison to progressing your skating?
Yes and no. In similar, learning how to flick a kick flip is relatable to learning how to blend paints. It’s muscle memory, after a while you’re not even thinking about flicking your foot, and you’re not thinking about how the paints will blend, you just know it’ll happen. The difference I’ve experienced is that with skateboarding the outcome is somewhat predetermined: learn to kick flip, learn to 50-50, and then you put them together. With drawing, there are no boundaries. You draw a line, then it becomes.
Has Skateboarding effected your craft in any way?
I’m sure it’s infiltrated my sub-conscious, so some of my art could be related back to the 90’s skate graphics that I would be browsing throughout issues of Transworld and Thrasher. Unless I’m drawing something that is directly affiliated with skateboarding, I usually stray away from the skate culture in my art. I like having a balance where skateboarding is skateboarding and art is art.
What are some ways you over come those pesky creative blocks?
a. Go have a cigarette.
b. Go skate.
c. Watch an art documentary.
d. Talk nonsense with the roommates.
e. Stare blankly at the paper hoping for a lightbulb atop my head
Any advice for people wanting to start making art or wanting to be an artist?
Experiment, try everything! Sculpture, acrylic, photography, watercolours, sewing, spray paint, everything! You’ll never know the possibilities of what your hands can create unless you get your feet wet in all mediums.
Goals for the future?
- Quit smoking
- Illustrate a skateboard graphic.
- Illustrate a fingerboard graphic.
- Move cities.
- Surviving financially off my art would be pretty cool
Where can people find more of your work?
My lovely instagram of course: @painintheaspinall. I am also having my first solo show on June 20th! It’s going to be at Slice of Life in Vancouver (1636 Venables St) so ya’ll can watch out for that.
FOLLOW BRYCE ON INSTAGRAM FOR NEW CONTENT AND WHERE TO CATCH HIS WORK @PAININTHEASPINALL
