beatlanta.com
ARTIST SHOWCASE + INTERVIEW :: Atlanta’s Squishiepuss – a talk about his Life and Art
by Adam Keen…
By now many of you have probably heard of Squishiepuss (real name Ray Geier), and if not you’ve probably seen his artwork around Atlanta. I was first introduced to Squishiepuss after seeing some art and the word Squishiepuss on a wall (I don’t recall where, unfortunately). I then sought him out online and found Squishiepuss on Instagram. I really dig the art, the unique style and after interviewing Ray about Squishiepuss I like him and all of it even more. He seems laid back, has an interesting story and talks about helping people through his art. Below we talk to Ray about his life, his art, sQuishiepuss and his advice for upcoming artists. We have a Squishiepuss art Showcase featured on this page and links below to where you can purchase some of this amazing, made in the ATL, art – Squishiepuss on FaCEbOoK.
B: Please tell us a bit about yourself (a short life bio if you will) – how long have you been ‘Squish’? What made you decide to start Squishiepuss?
Originally from Cincinnati Ohio. I moved to Atlanta Georgia about 5 years ago. I grew up in the punk / hardcore music scene that was super supportive of DIY ethics. I had always been into some form of art whether that was being in a band, or doing stencils, but it wasn’t until I moved to Atlanta that I ramped things up.
About 7 years ago, after years of working long hours , and not being able to get ahead in the corporate world I decided the move would be to go back to DIY ethics and start investing in myself. Teaching myself photoshop, video editing, painting, working with spray paint, etc.
B: You have a very distinct style. Describe your ‘style’ of art to someone who has never seen it.
I’d like to think my style comes from new school style tattoos, skateboard graphics and comic books. All of these things were cultures I surrounded myself in my teen years. The idea was to marry these styles with cartoons and graffiti.
B: What are some of your influences when creating a piece? Its seems you have familiar themes or ideas (or characters as the ‘Toy Break’ folks called it) that run through various different pieces – how does that play a role when you create something new, or add to something old?
My main influence are most obviously my dogs. I have a French Bulldog named Spanky, and a Boston Terrier named Meatball. But more recently I’ve discovered how much influence Ren and Stimpy and the old Snagglepuss cartoons subliminally had on me. Now that i think about it those old Hannah Barbara cartoons probably influenced me a lot more than I realize. If you have never watched Snagglepuss, Captain Caveman or Grape Ape, look them up on Youtube and you will see what I am talking about.
B: You mentioned you make a living through a combination of your art and video editing…how do you feel about being an artist that relies on your art for income? What would you say are some of the more difficult aspects of the ‘art life’ in Atlanta? Some of the major benefits?
Working for yourself is a constant hustle. You work 12-15 hour days a lot of the week and you’re always looking for work. Plus you have to navigate tricky waters with helping people out vs being taken advantage of. The difference being that if someone is in school and needs a video editor, I would probably do it for free because I want to do nice things for people and help people when I can. Unfortunately you can find yourself just doing things for people who have money and just don’t want to pay because “your job seems fun”. You have to be very disciplined and focused to walk that line.
B: I noticed you had some music over your video of the Abandoned hotel – Does music play a role when you’re creating? If so, tell us how.
I wouldn’t say music plays a roll in my art. But growing up in the punk / hardcore scene and having that aggressive influence of music that is placed over the visual of the characters I create is the kind of Juxtapose that makes me happy. I do find that when I get super into a record I get excited to get off my ass. Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Converge, Trash Talk, and Combat Wounded Veteran; that and drinking a large coffee gets you motivated to get to work.
YOU CAN PURCHASE YOUR OWN SQUISHIEPUSS ITEMS HERE AND AT THE LOCAL SPOTS MENTIONED BELOW.
B: Tell us about the Abandoned hotel video – where was that? When did you do it? (see videos here)
That place is called Urban Sprout Farm and the owners name is Nuri. I met him through Lynne that owns Hodgepodge Coffee Shop. Nuri is totally one of the coolest dudes I have met In Atlanta. He invited me down to USF and let me paint wherever I want. I owe a lot to that guy. He let me load up on spray paint and go down there and practice all day. Later that year with Deer Bear Wolf we put on Phoenix Fest 2014 which was a 1200 person event full of live art, food, and music.
B: Would you be interested in an art show concert in which a band plays music inspired by your art?
YES! why? are you going to put something together for me?! I’m not sure if I’d like to live paint to a lot of the hardcore bands I am into though. I’d probably enjoy live painting to hip hop more than anything. So if you can get Hopsin to play then I am totally down!
B: What materials and mediums do use to create and promote your art? Tell us a bit about your process from idea to market.
I learned a lot from the Free Art Friday community in Atlanta. Those are some of the raddest guys and girls I have ever met in my life. But because of Free Art Friday, I have found my comfort level working on wood. I do paint on wood canvas a lot but I prefer to buy large pieces of wood, paint them, and then cut them out. I also prefer to use house paint as a medium. It goes on smooth, dries fast, and when you’re painting on wood it dries flat…oh yeah and its super cheap!
As far as process, I usually don’t do anything until I have an idea that makes me laugh. Once that happens I don’t really put to much thought into it. I just kind of make things up as I go, embrace the mistakes I make and try to fix them along the way. I have learned so much in a short time by doing this.
B: I’ve read in some previous interviews that you have done everything from murals to painted vinyl records to screen printing – what is your favorite? Do you have any near future plans you can share?
I can’t say I have any favorites at the moment. I do a little bit of everything to not get bored. Sometimes I will video edit, sometimes I’ll take on a screen printing gig, sometimes design work, sometimes a mural. I will say I like to do a large variety of things and I try to take on as many new things as possible. I do a lot of video editing for clients, so while I don’t make all of my money off art I can say that even if I made 100% of my money off art I’d still take on video editing projects. I consider it just as much art as I do painting and I’m constantly learning things about the digital world which I spend a lot of time in with my art. Each thing I do compliments the other, and they all work hand in hand to benefit me the future. That is something I always encourage young artists to do. Take on as much as possible and don’t stick with one medium. Diversify and take as much away from each project as possible. If you’re a creative and you’re not constantly learning it just turns in to a downward spiral.
As far as future plans….. I have LOTS. I just started doing sQuishiepuss coloring parties. I have a large 40 artist collaboration art show called the sQuishiepuss Monster Mash. Their are a few mural projects / events I am putting together and I am in the process of teaching myself Adobe After Effects, animation and I’m going to try to use all of these to create 3d paintings. I’m not sure if that makes sense, and I’m not sure if it will even work. I know that project wont even happen until 2017 though, so I know I have a while to figure everything out.
B: Where can folks find your art around Atlanta? Is there a piece you’re more proud of than others that folks can go and check out first?
Right now I’m currently selling things at the restaurant Homegrown in Reynolds town, Grant Central Pizza, Stone Soup Kitchen and Cool Beans Coffee Shop. I also have murals in the East Atlanta Village across from Holy Taco. The big donut I painted is by far my favorite right now. I would REALLY love to work with a donut shop to paint something. Maybe even have a sQuishiepuss donut?
B: Write the question you wish I would have asked and then answer it.
Oh thats easy! “Hello sQuishiepuss, do you collect anything?”
Why yes sQuishiepuss, yes I do! I collect toys! I have well over 400 Ninja Turtle action figures most are still in the box. I love kid robot figures and art toys. Joe Ledbetter, and Brandt Peters figures are my favorites. I also collect a lot of horror movie figures, most of them are Leatherface.
YOU CAN PURCHASE YOUR OWN SQUISHIEPUSS ITEMS HERE AND AT THE LOCAL SPOTS MENTIONED ABOVE.
http://www.squishiepuss.com/
Adam: I love the Ninja Turtles too! Had almost all the toys when I was younger. We’ll try to get that hip hop show together for y’all. In the meantime, be sure to check out and follow Ray and Squishiepuss on the socials and be sure to grab some art and show your support for local artists.
This is our first installment of Artist Showcases on beatlanta.com – If you’d like your art featured on Beatlanta, or know of an artist you think we should reach out to, then please email us at Beatlanta@gmail.com and we’ll get it together. Thanks to everyone for your support. We’re a not for profit organization with the goal of providing a platform for musicians and artists to showcase their work.
