BIGFOOT is not just a well-known street artist, but he is a man of nature. His inspiration for art comes from places that many other graffiti artists simply don’t typically draw inspiration from. This makes his art and his character very unique in the graffiti scene. Growing up I remember looking at BIGFOOT’s work on the walls of San Francisco, CA, meaning he has been bombing at least twenty plus years. He is one dedicated artist, but not only art, but also to make people be more aware of their surroundings. Coming up in the New York/ New Jersey graffiti scene, he is now recognized internationally. Speaking with him, the most striking thing about BIGFOOT is how humble he is, that it is a rare quality in a graffiti artist. This is a truly prolific artist who is not full of himself, loves art and truly cares about the well being of nature.
How did you decide on the name BIGFOOT?
I had to represent nature… I felt all writers were reflections of the human city environment and I wanted to bring the forest into the city as a retaliatory act. I was always into Bigfoot since I was a little kid. I saw the Leonard Nimoy 1970’s tv show called “In Search Of” and the Bigfoot episode really got inside my soul. It was years later when I was 18 and listening to the grateful dead song “brown eyed women” when the lyric containing the word Bigfoot sealed the deal for me. The concept of Bigfoot envelopes everything I love about life on this planet. Trying to live life as a primitive and magical being a master of the forest and earth science.
When did you begin writing and where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in the suburbs of New Jersey so I saw Graff in NY when my dad used to take me to yankee games when I was really little in early 80’s. That planted the seed for me to pledge to myself that one day I will try to do some scrawlings myself. I moved to San Francisco in 1992 after high school it was then I started to figure the whole thing out and decided that graffiti should not have any rules so I chose Bigfoot and started to do unconventional graffiti.
What kind of work are you doing out in Japan right now? Is it graffiti or art related?
Japan is where I go to get out of reality, but I’m always putting up stickers and tagging there.. I’m always having a show at a skate shop or meeting with people I’m collaborating with on clothing or products. I sometimes don’t differentiate between art and putting stuff up outside.. It’s all the same, just making my mark on society.
Are you planning any art shows out in Japan?
I’m going in a few weeks and it’s just an inspiration trip.. Mostly going to hot springs in the mountains and a old festival in the city of Karatsu. I’m gonna paint on some snowboards a friend makes by hand. I’ll always have a impromptu art show at a friends skate shop or store… I like the mellowness of having a art show that isn’t in a American gallery… It’s less pressure and I find more connections with people there than in America.
Do you have any art gallery showings you have coming up in the Bay Area soon?
No I don’t have any plans to. I like being independent and selling pieces directly to people through my website. It takes months of devotion to make enough stuff to fill a gallery in America… Sometimes it’s better for me just to explore paintings at home without a plan to sell them.
What’s your main focus nowadays as far as your art and graffiti is concerned?
I’ve been focusing on graphics a lot for Mike Vallely’s streetplant skate company, Making shirts and products to sell on my website, making paintings that are being requested by the people and friends around me in my immediate area, and putting up stickers and tags when I leave my house.
Do you have a favorite surface or type of spot you like to paint on?
I really like pillars and spots under bridges, a quiet trackside place you can take your time at. I like doing big tags and hollows in centers of town on construction wooden facades. They might only last a day… But high visibility… I’m also into rooftop spots.
Do you have any favorite stories about nights you’ve been out bombing, from when you were first starting out?
I used to go out in the 90’s… SF was like a ghost town back then …. There wasn’t a bunch of people walking around everywhere like there is today. It was a playground. I once painted the Florida street wall with TIE one and a separate occasion was painting there and Twist happen to go by and started painting next to me. Those were good days.
A lot of writers in the Bay Area, myself included, grew up admiring and being influenced by your art, do you have any advice for young writers and up and coming artists?
Oh thank you! I would say originality is very important, separating yourself from the herd and having a unique voice is important to me. Art is infinite and possibilities are endless in variation. Get out there and use the art in opposition to the status quo!!!
And last but not least respect Mother Nature!!!
Follow BIGFOOT on IG: @bigfootone
Interview by: Skaz One (@skaz1official)
