Runaway Dinosaur

The best part of doing this Rock Art Wednesday feature is getting to know all these amazing artists and the vast styles and designs. I’ll let this man’s work speak for itself but I’m not sure if I have said this about another artist yet…..if I had a band I’d want him to design for us. This week we have rapper/designer Chuck U.

RD-What are you working on?

CU-On my plate right now is: A poster for Dance band. Album covers for Kruse, Muja Messiah, Bobby Hatfield C-Rayz Walz and Kosha Dillz. At-shirt for Gold Standard, and a new series of art prints. Plus a bunch of stuff still for festi di bella sol.

RD-Favorite project?

CU-That’s tough. I’ve been lucky enough that over the past few years, all my projects have been fun in one way or another. Two that stand out are the Kanser album cover, and the Vicious Vicious “parade” album cover. Also the Madlib poster was a lot of fun.

RD-How did you get started?

CU-Long story short. I was in college for graphic design. I decided I wanted to be a rapper. I would trade design services for studio time and production.
I would also get myself opening slots on bills by doing the poster design for free.
After a few years I realized I had more fun making posters for shows than playing them, and more fun making album covers than albums. By then I had worked with enough people, and enough people liked my stuff, that I could start charging more. Around that time, I was lucky enough to get a job in the art department at Copycats media, where I learned a shitload. After about a year and half, I was getting so much freelance stuff I was able to quit and go solo. I just celebrated my “one year without a real job” anniversary in March. There’s more to it, but that’s the jist.

RD-How long have you been at it?

CU-Drawing stuff: since birth. Posters and design: five? maybe six years?

RD-Any advice for an aspiring poster artist?

CU-Yes. Don’t expect to make money…. Oh, and get a job at Kinkos. It’s the worst job you can have. But you’ll learn a little bit, and the stuff you can steal makes it worth it. Just remember to quit before you get fired.

RD-Next concert you are seeing?

CU-Next big one is festi di bella sol (see bellamusicfest.com for info) with 50 or so bands. it’s gonna rule hard! I’ll more than likely end up at the dinkytowner watching people rap before then though.