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Artist: Dan Stiles | Title: Spot
Q&A
What motivates you?
Well obviously I like to get paid. Who would have thought that anyone could make money drawing pictures. But beyond that I like to make the best designs that I possibly can. The personal need to constantly improve my work drives me to always make more work and better work. I've found deadlines to be quite motivational as well.
Any wise words of advice?
There is no substitute for hard work. It doesn't matter how much talent you have, it doesn't matter how much money your daddy has, if you don't work hard you'll never build anything of value. If you want something go make it happen.
Good topics for party talk?
There's always the latest band that nobody has ever heard of yet that you're already totally over because their Japanese import was so much better than their EP. But if you don't want to be a jerk you can tell amusing stories. Everyone loves amusing stories. You tell one, they tell one, and tada you're friends.
Favorite things to do when not creating?
Catching up on my sleep. Hanging out with my family. Enjoying the city of Portland. Traveling. Reading. Restoring my 100 year old house. Sitting on my porch with a beer. But to be completely honest I can't go long without working on something, it's a compulsion.
What would the ultimate job be?
It isn't so much of an ultimate job as it is an ultimate client who gives you a great project, with a real budget, and then challenges you to do your thing to the very best of your ability. But, if you really must know there are a few specific projects. Skateboards and snowboards, love 'em. Also, if the Sex Pistols or The Misfits could transport me back to the day and have me do posters for them that would be pretty cool too.
What or whom inspires you?
I've drawn influences and inspirations from all over the place over the course of my life. Starting with comic books, graffiti, skateboard decks and punk album covers and eventually expanding out to include almost anything that shows simplicity, style, and concept. Vintage advertising to modern art, Japanese pop culture to Dutch pottery, children's books to art deco wallpaper. Although there does really seem to be a sweet spot for me between the years of about 1930 to 1985.
