Angel Pistachio....

Expoze Artz

Issue 22

March/April 2009

Head's up feature: Angel Pistachio

Interviewer: Roadside Gypsy G, freelance photographer-writer

Photos copyright 2009 RGG (aka gh)    

Those who appreciate and support creative graffiti on and off the street,follow the snow/skateboarding circuit,are fixed gear stunt biking enthusiasts and collect Art Toyz are more likely than not to be fans of the iconic Angel Pistachio.  

I recently met with Angel at his small,but art-filled apartment in Seattle's loft studios Belltown district.

RGG: Nice digs!...Thanks for taking time away from your busy schedule to talk with me.  

Angel: No prob...thanks for the expoze-sure...hehe...big fan of Expoze.  

RGG: When did you first begin creating art?  

Angel: As a toddler with my first box of crayons...even then I preferred using plain paper and the sides of boxes rather than regular coloring books. Guess my first serious drawings were around age ten when my mom signed me up for a non-school class called "Make your own comic book" offered by artist,Jim Woodring. You probably know that he went on to become an internationally known artist and Art Toyz designer.  

RGG: What a cool beginning. I have a few of his Art Toyz and love his colorful whimsical designs.  

Angel: I still have my copy of the printed booklet he gave to us the last day of class with selections of our comic strips.  

RGG: Did he encourage you?  

Angel: Very much so...he included a personal letter to each of us in his class and mine said that he found my characters original,imaginative and that I had natural talent....that he hoped I would always create art.  

RGG: Did you stick with art as a teen,or lose interest?  

Angel: I never lost interest because I love all kinds of art and it is all around us...but my own art took a different direction...street graffiti. Not satisfied with simple tagging,I created my own stylized writing and fonts along with tossing up some character pieces...trains,billboards,alleys...you name it,I bombed it.  

RGG: Risky under-the-moon graf,eh?  

Angel: Heck yeah risky!...after one too many of our crew were busted,I took my fat caps inside to paint on 40 oz. Mickeys,wood panels,canvas,windbreakers and old album covers....designed and cut out my own stencils,too....eventually I was invited to do collaborative "live wall" nights and group exhibits sponsored by Giant Robot mag...was great exposure and a few sales....then more exhibits and some solo shows plus a few write-ups in west coast papers.

RGG: Didn't you offer silk-screened tees and tote bags in Seattle and Portland skate shops/boutiques a few years ago?  

Angel: Still do...I also create and hand sew my own "stuffies" which are similar to the line of Ugly Dolls,but waaaaaay less ugly...hehehe...I only do the first proto and then specific designs are manufactured elsewhere in the US of A....no sweat shoppies involved with my creations!   

RGG: Right on!...How did you get your big break to create your own line of Art Toyz?  

Angel: This guy came up to me at a showing and lucky for me he is co-owner of Kid Robot stores. They were in town to peek out new product and asked if I would be interested in having Art Toyz made from some of my characters.  

RGG: Your line is doing well and are always sold out when I have browsed their online store.  

Angel: I was fortunate to hook up with them because Kid Robot has an awesome following world wide....Even Rosie O'Donnell was talking about them on the Craig Ferguson show the other night...she brought a design it yourself with markers Art Toyz for the whole audience donated by Kid Robot which was hella great publicity for them.

RGG: Smart move on their part,eh?...Okay, you know I have to ask...what is the story behind your name?  

Angel: Some people don't know?...hehehe....I was very young when my granny on my mom's side died,but I remember her well. My mom would tell me every night that my granny was an angel who would always watch over me. Each Christmas I got to top our tree with an angel ornament my granny gave to me when I was about three. My drawings and paintings always included something about angels early on...sometimes just the wings,or a halo and such...so it seemed natural to adopt the name.

Pistachio was added in tribute to a friend who was there for me during my lowest lows....she always ate pistachios leaving a trail of the shells behind us on the sidewalks which made me think of breadcrumbs from a childhood story. We lost touch after she moved to Portland and I later learned she was hit by a drunk driver and died.  

RGG: Sad...so sorry your friend's life was cut so short in such a tragic way.  

Angel: Yeah,it bites big time,but at least we shared some happy moments.  

RGG: What do you want to tell up and coming street-style artists?  

Angel: Do what you love...don't bite off others designs...network...promote promote promote...pick a name and stick with it...and ignore the haters! Also, when you do finally earn a steady income from your art, don't forget those still struggling and do what you can to help them.

RGG: What is next for you?...any special projects?  

Angel: The UK!...They are crazy-mad for all things street and I am one of ten chosen to do a "live wall" weekend plus gallery showing in London this coming June. Rumor has it that Banksy will attend...incognito of course...I would love to meet him since he is the main person who inspired my stencil art.  

RGG: What a great opportunity! Congrats,Angel. One last question...who are some of your fave artists?  

Angel: KAWS,Banksy,Futura,OBEY,Jim Woodring,Barry McGee,my mom and Pete Fowler to name a few....  

RGG: Shout out to mom!  I've enjoyed learning more about you,Angel...thanks and much continued success.  

Angel: Back at cha' !      

copyright 2009 gh