Boyd Braden is a young American artist and designer pushing hard into the design scene, with both his apparel label ‘EPSW’ and recent debut art toy The Minatorg causing major waves.
(Picture below of the just released Minatorg resin – a collab with ole Scott Kinnebrew of ‘FOD’)
With lots on the horizon, and a work ethic to be envied, now is the perfect time to get to know Boyd and his myriad of projects, by reading the Art Talk interview, below…
Basics/Getting to Know
Name + D.O.B?
O1.O2.88
City, State n Country you currently call home?
Brooklyn, New York
City, State n Country your from?
King George, Virginia
Describe a memory from three stages of yr life ….basically trying to piece together Mr. Braden’s pivotal moments.
Concerts, art, action-figures, women, school, politics… ANYTHING man.
* age 5 – beginnings:
First memory ever I was in the car with my mom in the car seat backing out of the driveway and I asked, “Where are we going?” She told me, “The babysitter like everyday during the week.” I always have remembered everything from that point on. It’s like a switch got turned on. No clue how old I was at the time…
* age 10 – continuations:
…broke left arm, fishing hooking stuck in my leg, multiple bee stings and injuries… I called them stunts…
* age 15 – getting serious:
…can I have my drivers license yet… getting my drivers license…
…getting away with a lot of bad stuff because your going through that crazy age and people understand it ahaha… my dad can share some stories if interested…
* age 20 – young adult:
Going to college deciding what I should major in going from political science to business back to political science because I dropped out of economics once and failed twice I was over it at that point I just couldn’t make sense of the graphs going one way and meaning another.
ONLY college advice I have is if you go pick a major and stick to it or you will waste your time and money chasing electives to fill credits needed for intro courses before even diving into the courses that focus on your actual major. $$$$
* age 25 – adult mode:
Moved to Brooklyn, NY in 2012… 3 months out of college… everyone thought I was crazy coming from where I was but I knew what I wanted and I’m still here today and feel amazing in my own skin everyday like I have found the home and place I have always wanted to be.
(A recent picture of Boyd, below)
Personal motto?
Never Say Never
Favorite band(s)?
Rage Against The Machine….
Everything but country music…
Favorite TV show(s)?
Rocko’s Modern Life
Favorite sport(s) + teams?
Uggghhhh
Favorite movie(s)?
Starship Troopers
Favorite books and comics?
Child Hoods End… Hot Zone… I hate listing stuff… I read trust me…
Art Questions
Favorite artist(s)?
Michelangelo, La’mour Supreme, Skinner, The Krizzo, Maurice Blanco, Stanley Kubrick, and many more!
Worst aspect of the contemporary art-hustle?
I wouldn’t know I don’t focus on the negative…
Best aspect of the contemporary art-hustle?
I wouldn’t know I’m a new guy in the field of “art” I guess but I still love when people say “ You can draw…?”
It’s funny because we have all drawn or colored at some point… right?
Any formal art training? Or pivotal moment/influence?
Zero… most of the biggest artists I have looked up to and talked to said, “Don’t waste your time or money going to art school”
Why + when did you decide to go in on the art hustle?
I was always into art from the very beginning of being alive to painting mud symbols on my face in the woods to staying after school to work on clay animation videos.
I went a different route in college and had to do what I had to… to survive I guess and get stable to where I am now where I can go back into exploring and creating new art and ideas I have had for years.
Sometimes we sadly don’t have the time or money to do the things we really want to.
I love interacting with people and to be able to share my take on something is positive to me. Not everything you do is a success. Most of the time we have to have many failures and some of the most beautiful creations come from those “mistakes.”
How do you discover new artists?
The internet and word of mouth or if I see something somewhere anywhere I’m not afraid to ask who made that or where did it come from.
What are some factors that any art you fall in love with has?
I thought I used to know but I have no clue… sometimes I will fall in love with a piece that completely catches me off guard.
I recently posted a picture of a print on my IG of two Cranes perched on a branch and nothing more… that print took me by surprise. It was like a portal overlooking the most peaceful lake or river. I get to see it everyday while having breakfast and it is a very calming peace. Completely different from the art I’m usually drawn to.
Fashion and Apparel Questions
Why the name ‘EPSW’ aka ‘Eat Pussy Smoke Weed’ for your apparel label?
EAT PUSSY SMOKE WEED AKA EPSW
EPSW is not some t-shirt brand… It’s an entity… I have my own idea and vision for what I think is great and I want to find people who can relate with me on that same level.
(Picture below of an EPSW singlet)
Who provided the art for your initial releaes?
Christian Sanchez aka The Krizzo and Maurice Blanco aka Beastwillis
(Picture below of some ‘EPSW’ stickers – with art by The Krizzo and Maurice Blanco)
Please explain your relationship with ole Greg Rivera of ‘MISHKA’ fame – i ask as i know you worked with MISHKA for many years?
I have nothing but respect and love for Greg and everything he has done, shown, and taught me.
I’m very fortunate to have the relationship I do with such a creative that knows what he wants and is never afraid to tell you the straight truth on how he feels. Don’t forget La’mour Supreme both him and Greg Rivera have been a huge influence in my life. They have introduced me to a ton of amazing artists who all have influenced or impacted my life in some way or form.
(Picture below of Bo with Greg and L’amour)
Toy Questions
I know you are about to make your debut in the toy game with the Minatorg resin, a collaborative work with ole ‘F.O.D’ aka Scott Kinnebrew…
* what are the details on your firest relaease?
This first time collaboration was created by me, with the sculpt, cast, and production being handled by Scott Kinnebrew a.k.a. The Forces of Dorkess (Austin, TX).
The Minatorg, who stands 4 1/2” tall, has 2 points of magnetic articulation allowing you to position both his clawed arm and blaster arm in any position you want.
Each figure is cast in transparent red resin, bagged with a custom glossy header card designed by BOObotcher, and assembled using otherworldly red chrome staples.
Limited to 13 pieces, the Minatorg will be available beginning July 24, 2015 at 10 pm EST at http://forcesofdorkness.storenvy.com for $25 each (plus shipping).
(Pictures below of the Minatorg)
* how did you and Scott come to connect, art wise?
We met at DCON I believe the in 2013.
He had a booth and was selling these fucking rad demon hogs that had a hog body with a horned skulled head… he fucking gave me one I was blown away it was such a nice piece. We continued to stay in communication and always has a very honest and open dialogue about toys and nerd stuff in general. He travels for work so we were able to link up when he came to NY. I don’t think it wasn’t until the 3rd time maybe 4th time we hung out that I told him lets make a toy!
(Picture below of Bo and Scott)
* what was the process in producing the figure – from idea, to sculpt, to final production?
The idea was based off what I loved and I grew up on.
The entire project was has and is done via text message and maybe 8 e-mails tops. I sent him description and photos of what I wanted and he sculpted the figure from the ground up. We started this project I believe in November of 2014. Now it’s July 2015 and very happy to debut it to the toy community.
* what is the Minatorg’s back narrative?
For thousands of centuries the Minatorg has been trapped on planet P. A cybernetic organism designed for a war long forgotten. The evils of hell directly injected through carbon nanotubes into the nervous system of this bio-robo.
The Minatorg needs to find a way off planet P.
The planet orbits a black hole and has existed in an anomalous state of time. Time is running out as the planets decaying orbit draws it closer to being sucked into the black hole…
What are your thoughts of the toy forum scene as a way for fans and artists to communicate? Is it a real ‘community’ or just a virtual locker-room shit talk? – I ask as we are both members of Skullbrain…
Skullbrian is awesome and amazing! I love that toyboard… If I could hug it I would if I could take it on a date it would have been done already.
I also love how IG and how it has created this dialogue amongst collectors. Collectors are not as shy anymore to share things they feel are “rare” or if it’s a special piece don’t want to be bothered but now it’s kinda of open people are not afraid to say no or yes or even call people out. Stick to your guns and be you. If you put good things into the toy community you will get good things back. Toy karma is real!
Resin Vs. Vinyl toy who wins and why?
BOTH! Vinyl is crazy! Resin is crazy!
It’s how you use and apply it that matters and makes the difference.
Are art-toys for the kids?
NO…
… my doctor growing up had 5 display cases of old Thundercats toys sealed in the cased untouched… did he really keep those because one day he knew he was going to be a kids doctor???
What are your thoughts on ‘The Sucklord’, and his current role in the art-toy scene?
I love The Sucklord he is a resin god! Everyone in resin needs to look at him and say thank you… thank you Sucklord for letting me make resin to… ungrateful wretches… he is the OG OG resin Godfather…
Each piece he does he puts a lot of time and love into.
Myy favorite release was the Rihanna piece he did for Katz Deli for the Mishka x Katz’s Capsule Collection.
His apprentice Weird Luke is who inspired me to get into resin toys! Weird Luke is fucking amazing!!!!!
Is the rise of ‘art’ toys an indication of the changing nature of ‘art’? OR just a bunch of nerds with too much $$$ and time?
Toys are always going to be relevant money comes and goes the prices change bla bla bla bla
What does your family make of the whole perpetual adolescence/Peter Pan aspect of toy art + toy collecting?
They told me to live my life to the fullest and do whatever makes me happy.
Which is amazing because it took a lot of pressure off of me to have kids family etc etc white fence lol
Please explain your thoughts on the hype beast clusterfuck that is the ‘Nag Nag Nag’ figure by Shig – i ask as i know you are a major fan?
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(Picture below of Bo with Shig of NagNagNag and Ryo from MISHKA Japan)
Odds n Ends
Please describe your experiences growing up in America?
Hopefully I have a book coming out soon that will cover all of this question and more….
Who was your 1st crush and why?
I had a girlfriend in preschool…
Does sex change everything?
Sex is good!
Please describe your latest dream in detail
Action moving drama filled motorcycle chase filled…
Have you ever tried psychedelics of any sort? And what was the experience like?
I licked a girl name Lucy once…
Of everything you have done what would you most like to be remembered for and why?
Most likely after I’m dead…
Drugs – waste of time or gateway to the universe?
BOTH… GET DAT MONEY!
You have mentioned to me being influenced by a set of rigid core values… care to explain them to those at home?
Respect
Loyalty
Being Open Minded
I remember you saying you came to Australia for a visit a while back – what year did you visit and trip highlughts?
Yes!!! I visited Australia in the summer of 2008. It was a two week trip for The National Young Leaders Conference.
I first travelled to Canberra, then Sydney, and finally Cairns.
Placed 3rd in a hula-hoop at the Mooseheads Pub & Nightclub in Canberra.
Lost my heart to an Australian girl in Home Nightclub in Sydney.
Found myself in a beautiful tropical bliss filled with swimming and champaign in Cairns. Also being able to scuba dive the Great Barrier reef was one of the many highlights of my trip.
I wish to return to Australia soon for a visit. The people there are amazing and treated me as if I was from there. I seriously haven’t met a sad Australian they must be rare.
(Pictures below of Bo in Australia back in 2008)
Please describe what you think the American Psyche/Zeitgeist is today?
When can we vacation to Mars?
The Future
Any collaborations on the horizon?
YES
Any major projects you want to hype?
YES
TO BE CONTINUED…
Links
- Bo Braden – Instagram
- Bo Braden – twitter
- ‘EPSW’ – site
- ‘EPSW – Instagram
- ‘Forces of Dorkness’ – online store
