Artist Survey # 4: Kyle Marmesh

I got to know Kyle through MySpace. That’s right. I said it, MySpace. We grew up in the same town and went to the same elementary school, but he was a few years younger than me and our paths never properly crossed. He has work throughout the Bay Area hardcore scene and select bike shops. Look for his stuff on a west coast near you.

Name: Kyle Marmesh

Location: Bellingham, WA

Medium(s): Design, Printmaking

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Aspiring designer.

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? myspace.com/alivedesign

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? I have been interested in the arts for as long as I can remember. My family is pretty artistic so I was surrounded by it while I was growing up. My Bro is a musician, Pop’s draws a lot, and ma has always had an eye for interior design.

Who/What inspired your interest? I guess the initial inspiration came from album artwork and layouts. I grew up listening to a lot of punk and hardcore. Alan Forbes was a huge influence when I was younger, now I enjoy work by Linas Garsys, Steak Mtn! and You Work For Them.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? I can’t remember the first time I was ‘exposed’ to it. But the first time I was truly intrigued by a single piece I was about 6 and I saw Van Gough’s ‘Starry Night.’ My taste has changed, nearly inverted since, but that was the first.

What is your day job? Teller at BofFuckinA!

Why do you create? Why does anybody create?

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Only that I’m never satisfied with the final piece.

What do you want from your work?I want to find and get inspiration from my own work.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? Be inspired. To think. To enjoy looking at it in any way.

How often do you work on personal projects? Pretty often.

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? Only a few times every couple months.

Does your art support you financially? Nope, not yet. I can only hope to be so lucky!

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? Yes.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Ride bikes mostly. Read books on typography and design. I grew up in the mountains so a day where I don’t touch dirt isn’t a very good one.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? JF Robitaille, Polar Bear Club, Bridge and Tunnel, Austin Lucas, Cursed, Chris Knight, and of course, Hot Water Music.

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? Revival Tour in Seattle on Oct. 26!

How long do you generally take on a piece? It depends, on personal pieces I tend to take quite a long time going back and forth between drafts and different ideas. I’ve never missed a deadline for a client though.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? Haven’t had to yet, and hope to god I won’t ever have to. Not sure which way I’d go.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? Yes, quite often.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? If I know it is going to be printed by a quality shop I usually have a pretty loose grip. However, if it is going into unfamiliar hands, I tend to hold on a little tighter.