FRANKE for KORERO Books-Kustom Graphics II

With all new art and plenty of new artists, this is the essential source book for anyone into kustom, lowbrow, tattoos, rock ’n’ roll, and burlesque. Kustom Graphics contributors Jorge Alderete and Sol Rac are back with new work. The vibrant California scene—surfing, hot rods, and much more—is represented by L.A.’s Kalynn Campbell, Jason Cruz, and Max Grundy; Damien Fulton from El Segundo; David Lozeau from Carlsbad; and Marco Almera and Rob Kruse. Cheesecake pin-up artist Andrew Bawidamann represents the Midwest via Columbus, Ohio, and Dan Picasso illustrates in a 1940s pulp style from Marathon, Texas. Canadian artists include Ontario’s Jeff Norwell and Calgary’s Mark Dulmadge. International artists include Europeans Harry Brack, Franke, Thorsten Hasenkamm, Claudia Hek, Angelique Houtkamp, Erik Kriek, Mighty Sam, Alex Patrocinio, and Jeffrey Warlich as well as Simon Watts from Australia.

Art Chantry is a legend of punk poster art and a graphic designer who has had his work exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Museum of Modern Art, Seattle Art Museum, the Smithsonian, and the Louvre. The subject of the book Some People Can’t Surf: The Graphic Design of Art Chantry, he has created designs for such record labels as Estrus, Rhino, Sub-Pop, and Trash City and such bands as the Cramps, Hole, Nirvana, and the Sonics.
256 Seiten Hardcover Text in englisch.

check out the Kustom Graphics Blog on www.kustomgraphicdesign.blogspot.com

The second edition of KUSTOM GRAPHICS will be out soon featuring some of my work. Killer cover made by Franke and introduced by Art Chantry, one of my all time fav graphic designers. Get your copy at Korero books online, hardcover, 256 pages eye-candy!

Book Summary of Kustom Graphics 2: More Hot Rods, Burlesque And Rock ‘n’ Roll
Another blistering collection of eye-popping visual energy to complement the bestselling “Kustom Graphics”
With all new art and plenty of new artists, this is the essential source book for anyone into kustom, lowbrow, tattoos, rock ‘n’ roll, and burlesque. “Kustom Graphics” contributors Jorge Alderete and Sol Rac are back with new work. The vibrant California scene–surfing, hot rods, and much more–is represented by L.A.’s Kalynn Campbell, Jason Cruz, and Max Grundy; Damien Fulton from El Segundo; David Lozeau from Carlsbad; and Marco Almera and Rob Kruse. Cheesecake pin-up artist Andrew Bawidamann represents the Midwest via Columbus, Ohio, and Dan Picasso illustrates in a 1940s pulp style from Marathon, Texas. Canadian artists include Ontario’s Jeff Norwell and Calgary’s Mark Dulmadge. International artists include Europeans Harry Brack, Franke, Thorsten Hasenkamm, Claudia Hek, Angelique Houtkamp, Erik Kriek, Mighty Sam, Alex Patrocinio, and Jeffrey Warlich as well as Simon Watts from Australia.

Kustom Graphics 2: Hot Rods, Burlesque and Rock ‘n’ Roll

Creator(s): Art Chantry
Product Description: Another blistering collection of eye-popping visual energy to complement the bestselling Kustom GraphicsWith all new art and plenty of new artists, this is the essential source book for anyone into kustom, lowbrow, tattoos, rock ’n’ roll, and burlesque. Kustom Graphics contributors Jorge Alderete and Sol Rac are back with new work. The vibrant California scene—surfing, hot rods, and much more—is represented by L.A.’s Kalynn Campbell, Jason Cruz, and Max Grundy; Damien Fulton from El Segundo; David Lozeau from Carlsbad; and Marco Almera and Rob Kruse. Cheesecake pin-up artist Andrew Bawidamann represents the Midwest via Columbus, Ohio, and Dan Picasso illustrates in a 1940s pulp style from Marathon, Texas. Canadian artists include Ontario’s Jeff Norwell and Calgary’s Mark Dulmadge. International artists include Europeans Harry Brack, Franke, Thorsten Hasenkamm, Claudia Hek, Angelique Houtkamp, Erik Kriek, Mighty Sam, Alex Patrocinio, and Jeffrey Warlich as well as Simon Watts from Australia.

Interview with FRANKE by KORERO for Kustom Graphics II

KG:
Where do you work:

FRANKE:
Everywhere, Iam a lot on Tour.
Vienna is the City of my Choice
Highest Life quality in the world (officially) ,surrounded by old Culture,clean Water,Nature and maybe not good to stay too long cause its very slow and heavy,but always the best place to come back to cause it seems to never change and feels like Home.
Vienna loves me. And she tells me every day;)

KG:
Who were your main early influences ?

FRANKE:
Low Brow Art,Classic Record cover Illustrations,Heavy Metal comic Books,Underground comics, Mucha, Deix ,Robt.williams,Corben,Jack Davis, Sorayama,Gottfried Helnwein to give it a few names all through the Field. I hope some day a kid looks at one of my works like I stared at certain classic illustrated covers my dad had in his record collection…

KG:
And your influences now ?

FRANKE:
Johannes Mücke, Robert Mc Ginnes,Ralph Mc Quarrie,Bob Peak, Joel Rea, Lots of Tattoo artists like Claus Fuhrmann, Shige and Philip Leu and Christian Nguyen. I just love every artist where you can feel the honest vibe of passion in their works..you don’t just SEE it,you feel it!

KG:
Tell us something of the creative process that you use

FRANKE:
I work in my head first..i carry around 5 different Projects in my mind and develop them.
Its like having a big screen of my actual present view and 5 split screens in the corner where I put layouts together or think pieces through visually.
Its like being pregnant for a while before I go to the drawing board and give birth to one of the babies finally..its a relief and iam very happy when that happens.
I also gather stuff in folders on the computer you stumble upon or rip out pages in magazines,I photograph a lot just to gather visual segments of something in order
To put together more complex works.
Since I love ornaments I gather pics of moldings in architecture or patterns and motives
I like,sometimes to fit them in a new concept.
I don’t steal,but I allow myself to be influenced and guided in some direction because I saw something that moved me.
Since I get copied a lot (which is an honour) I feel “sampling” to a certain degree and putting it into a new context ok.

KG:
Describe your studio space

FRANKE:
My Current studio Space (Stylefaktor co.) in Vienna is a former sun studio mutated into a Design atelier where I have my peace and all Freedoms with a small park nearby,Blues Rock all day and high valued Guests visiting and inspiring me,Love it.
Other than that I have to say that I did nice Pieces on a Couchtable, with aboard on my knees at the Beach or everywhere I choose to.Since iam not using computer gimmickry and work fully analogue, that’s part of the Freedom I am allowed to live.

KG:
Describe your work

FRANKE:
Hard Fun!

KG:
Are you represented by a/ several gallery/ galleries ?

FRANKE:
Well,Yes..
Iam exclusively represented by “Butterflies and Bunnyrabbits” Multi Media .
Internationally operating with some of the most talented People you can imagine.
Includes also Film,video,Public space,Street art, Animation,Cyberspace and Sound.
Iam just a small Part of it,but I feel iam in good Company.
Butterflies and Bunnyrabbits also gave me the possibility to develop myself as a director,doing not only moods for film,but also direct animation and live action pieces like the upcoming short Film “APART” starring Lina O´Connor.

Guest appearances in Galleries too,but notr exclusively,Live Painting shows and Performances of course and I have a few canvases circling around somewhere too,mostly my big pieces.
I was invited by Shephard Farey (OBEY) to the national democratic convention in Denver to contribute a Campaign Poster “Franke style”to support Obamas Campaign.
Nice to be pushed in Denver,nothing to be proud of after he showed worse politics than Bush.
People who still read know what iam talking about.
That’s the curse of supporting political puppets naively to gain some Press…
Also planning a Exhibition with Paul Landerl,where we collaborate in all ways on canvases,including photwork and new print techniques as well as paint styles.

KG:
Do you know, typically, who buys your work and why ?

FRANKE:
Since I keep all my originals I could sell them,yes..sometimes I do.
But mostly iam the “Illustrator” who solves visual packaging problems for a product.
Can be music,a Campaign or all kinds of stuff,so I sell the rights to use my stuff,not the actual original. I make Things look good and get paid for that.
All kinds of people want that and “buy” my work, but not necessarily the canvas with my work on it;)

KG:
The work you are most proud of:

FRANKE:
I really don’t know.Killer Artists out there I go totally on my knees in front of.
I do what I do cause I have no choice. Nothing to be proud of.

KG:
Who do you think you have influenced in turn ?

FRANKE:
Actually I s and iam surprised that I do.. I began to correspond with Artists who copied parts of my Ornaments or ink my stuff on flesh forever. Iam humbled.

KG:
What tools/ paints do you generally use ?

FRANKE:
Everything old school,nothing digital. I love digital stuff too,but painting analogue gives me a kick. I know oils are the king discipline of painting,but its to slow,I prefer acrylics,love watercolours and pencil. Canavas and paper. If I run out of canvas,I paint walls.

KG:
Anything else you would like to tell us ?

FRANKE:
Don’t believe the Hype.
Know History.
Question Everything.
Dont take Shit.
Think out of the Box
and Love,love ,love!

KG:
Thanks!