"BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT."

Jeff Gaither: Art for the criminally insane

1. Give us a little background on yourself, where did you come from and when did you decide to become an artist? I was born and have always lived in Louisville, Kentucky.  I have been practicing my particular blend of horror and rock art for over 25 years. I blame it all on my aunt, who when I was a kid she would buy me copies of Famous Monster Magazine and took me to movies like "The Exorcist" and "Night of the Living Dead". I am a self-taught artist. Painting and drawing (old school way), digital art, photography, sculpture, public art, you name it, I enjoy doing it if it involves art.  Hell, I was even painting with a sock the other day. 2. What inspires your artwork? I'm basically a surrealist, so nothing and everything. 3. Do you prefer one medium over another? No.  I use whatever I have available. 4. What has been your favorite project to date? The one I just finished.lol. 5. Do you have advice for up-and-coming artists? Draw lots of different things and look at lots of different art.  Try to get your art out there however you can, such as local art showcases and flyers for local events and bands.  Do your own thing, you will find an audience somewhere.   6. Tell us about your current and/ or future projects. I'm currently working on paintings for a one man show next month, a old-school 7 inch cover for the band Search and Destroy, CD layout and cover for the band Low Twelve, poster for the annual Forecastle event, painting a Swear-Bear designer toy for the CBGB's show, plus more I can't recall right this minute.  In the near future, I'm talking with the Women's Roller Derby Leagues for branding work, talking with the National Tractor Pull organization about an update in their imaging, multi-deck set with Outlook Skateboards, new snow-ski design for Voile, and commissioned sculpture pieces that I never have time to do! 7. When all is said and done, what 3 things would you like for people to remember about you? 1.  I am a good dad. 2.  My art. 3.  That the story that I buried kittens up to their necks and ran over their heads with a lawnmower was a big fat lie. 8. Here's the part where we give you a word or phase and you tell us the first thought that pops into your head, cool? Hollywood: Streetwalkers Your biggest regret:  No comment. Favorite artist:  XNO/Dali-it's a tie Favorite color:  Black Biggest break-through moment for you:  After a lot of consideration, I'd have to say I am still waiting for a break-through moment.  Biggest influences:  B movies, horror movies, commix, RK Slone, Big Daddy Roth, XNO, everyday life Toxic Shock TV:  A tv set with a big rotting tampon dangling from the side.lol You can only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life. Which 3: 1. Evil Dead series, 2. Pulp Fiction, 3. Texas Chainsaw Massacre(original) You can only listen to 3 music cd's the rest of your life. Which 3: 1. Paraniod-Black Sabbath, 2. The Wall-Pink Floyd, 3. Best of Johnny Cash Pisses you off:  Society in general Makes you happy:  finding 20 bucks in the pocket of my jeans when I'm getting ready to wash them.   FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: Jeff's site: www.JeffGaither.com Jeff's MYSPACE page: http://www.myspace.com/gaither