Get To Know: Chris Shaw of Bootleg
I am very proud to announce that we’re being treated to something pretty special. We’ve had a couple of guys as part of a duo featured in a sponsor interview before. However, this is our first where the mister is front and center. I love it!
Meet Chris Shaw of Bootleg:
Name: Chris Shaw
Business Name: Bootleg
Where are you located?
Columbus, Ohio
What is it that you design and create?
Graphic t-shirts, wristbands from recycled materials, and more.
What is your favorite part of the design process?
Probably coming up with new ideas for t-shirts that have not been done.
How did you come up with your business name?
This guy I went to art school with would come to class half awake and his projects would be half done and he would say “man, look at mine it looks all bootleg†and I thought it was a cool term, I started hearing it more often and there are so many meanings to the word and they all seem to fit my asthetic. Sketchy, gritty, guerilla style, something that is not mainstream and is unique.
Where/How did this all begin?
I was a graphic design major in college and after doing my homework which was usually designing an ad for a bank or something, I taught myself how to screen print and would take sketches from my book and blow them up and put them on t-shirts. Basically, similar to what I do now but it is more refined. I always tend to do the opposite of what I am supposed to. Being a Graphic Design major there were all these people that were looking for jobs in advertising and it was frustrating. I just wanted to draw and be creative and I think that is partly what drove me to be inspired by graffiti, and develop a sketchy hand-drawn style.
Who or what inspires you?
Graffiti, humor, text from random old signs, nature, my own imagination, music, animals, Marian Bantjes, Tim Biskup, Juxtapoz magazine, local artists in Columbus like Clint Reno, rock posters, everything!
What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Just go. Start with an idea and make one small thing and just build on it. What happens is people get overwhelmed because it involves a lot but you just start small and build on it, before you know it you have a good thing going. Also, ask people that already do what you are doing, or something similar, more often than not they will be more than willing to help you out. And finally, believe in your self and your product, there are going to be bad times and good times but if you believe in your product and you work hard at making it the best it can be, you will do great, and if you don’t…at least you tried right?
What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
My girlfriend bought me a shirt from Timber on Etsy (Timberps.etsy.com) and I just love it. It is a green shirt with a huge lumberjack looking guy on it that is also a maze.
What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
Actually I am listening to my own band (the Andy Shaw Band..shameless plug…ha) because we are in the process of mixing our brand new recording. I play in the band with my brother and my dad as well as my friend Bobby. Other than that I have been listening to Sia, The Wood Brothers, and Musiq Soulchild among many others.
What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
TrueBlood on HBO and Entourage, I am a TV snob, network TV is so annoying to me.
What was the last movie you watched?
Hot Rod, pretty funny, but pretty stupid.
What’s your favorite food?
Probably Mexican food.
What’s your favorite candy?
Anything Reese’s.
Coffee or Tea?
Water or beer..no pop, no coffee, only rarely tea.
What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
Probably Target…ha!
Any pets?
My girlfriend has a puggle named Lola, and that tornado is enough for me! My roommate has a part pit-bull named Angel as well, but none of my own.
Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
In Ohio it is probably this hippie town called Yellow Springs near Dayton, it’s very peaceful and in fall it is beautiful. I recently have taken a few trips to Nashville and enjoy it down there with all the great music to see.
If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
I would have the power to make people see the good in other people. Name? I will get back to you!
Any celebrity crushes?
Scarlett Johansson.
Favorite Holiday?
Groundhog Day.
If you were a shoe, what shoe would you be?
The left one.
What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
Punch certain politician’s in the face at my leisure.
Favorite piece of clothing?
Right now my new grey and black striped hoodie from Target.
Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
Very little Spanish as well as Sign Language..I need to learn that!
We’re heading into the last few months of 2008 already! Oh yes, so soon. What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Going to Nashville to see Ray Lamontagne, voting for Barack Obama, partying when Barack Obama becomes president, playing lots of gigs with my band, hopefully making some money selling t-shirts so I can get even cooler stuff out later, living life and loving it!
Thanks so much, Chris! I know the shop you’re talking about that your girlfriend got the shirt from. I love it! Ray Lamontagne. Love him, too! Check out some of the great stuff that Chris makes…
Big Eyes Girlie Shirt: $16.00; Cub Scouts are Sweet: $17.00:
Listen to the Birds: $25.00; What a Nice Moustache You Have: $14.00:
Looking at Blue Skies: $10.00; Trick or Treat Bags: $14.00:
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aloha! i’m Liana. this is my site. i am not a professional writer. i pretty much just write the way i talk. it’s fun meeting new online friends and introducing these amazing artists. i’ll do my best to keep you entertained.
I love how we in Honolulu can find out about a business in Ohio. Love the net!
Aloha,
Keahi
I have no other choice other than to say that “I Admit that the post is truly amazing”