Myte

Self-proclaimed behind the scene’str, Myte is a passionate artist and designer, eager to learn and get involved in the creative world. I met Myte at design school. We were in the same class in first year. From early on I realised he was going to be tough competition, a highly talented artist and designer with a great passion for creativity. His intense sense of style stood out and drove everyone green with envy.

And now a few quick questions with the man himself…

M : hello.. im waiting….

FT: please hold the line (momentary pause)

FT: What is your first memory of creating/ designing?

M : Its funny you ask that actually because have recently been having vivid flashbacks of drawing when i was about 4 or 5. Drawing things like letters and words in block style, I remember doing these fantastic sci fi landscapes with jet fighters and spaceships and aliens and i had “jet drawing down pat”. I remember being quite proud of my drawings “”eyes roll” as every kid is especially when they are on the fridge door. I used to draw on every thing. The next art related memory i have is a drawing of a skateboarder i did on A3, this was huge for me at the age of 7 it was like half my size.. it was done in colored pencil and crayon if i remember rightly, and it was of a dude doing a sweet ollie. My mother has told me that i was always drawing and playing with paints and she used to get me to draw stuff.

FT: What prompted you to take up a creative career path as opposed to it just being a hobby?

M : Well, i left school with no idea what i wanted to do (i wanted to do something creative) so i went surfing and snowboarding for 5 years, just living a nice alternative lifestyle and drawing somtimes.. To live this lifestyle i worked quite a few random jobs like chefing, hospitality, construction, retail, and others. I realised that none of these paths really suited me, they just gave me money to do what i wanted to do at the time, which was ride boards. So to answer to your question, I was so over working in jobs that didnt mean any thing at the end of the day, and wanted to do what felt right. I moved into a house and worked with a glass artist Sallie Portnoy who, after seeing what lifestyle she had through art, Inspired me do what i always wanted, “create life through creating”. And here i am studying graphic communication in Sydney. I think if you are creatively inclined then you would be cheating your self by not pursuing it full time. If you do what you love you will never work a day in your life..

FT: Any new techniques you are dying to try your hand at ?

M : I would really like to get a screen printing set up. To print on canvas using photography and typography and some textured layers of paint to create some interesting narratives.

FT: What everyday things/places inspire you?

M : Inspiration for me comes from music, movies, getting out and about looking at old signage and posters and street scenes and going to random places abandoned buildings/warehouses, i see photos every where. Friends, people and the commercial world we live in. Graphic design is every where you look its magazines, books on the street every where. I draw inspiration from whats around me, and am fascinated by pop culture of of 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, and how much influence the early designers had on the world of communication. I enjoy looking at good design and communication on the internet. I always see things and think man i wish i did that. having friendly competition is inspiring as well. Oh did i mention music.

FT: You say music inspires your work, name a favourtite song or artist of the moment

M: Right now this second i am listening to “Plots and Plans” by “Film school”, and “Silversun Pickups” new album “Swoon” is on a high rotation.

FT: What do you do to escape and refresh?

M: If i had the choice i would travel to new places and cities and shoot some film, draw, get some culture and meet fascinating people. Im at design school the moment so funds arnt allowing that. If i need to escape i go surfing, play golf or have a strum. If i need refreshing inspiration or ideas i go to the city. Ill hang out at random cafes, go to art galleries, walk down dark alley ways, visit book shops, hunt 2nd hand stores or just sit and observe the elegant crazyness of people. There is nothing like being still and watching a “humanic” pool of people do their buisness.
Ill sometimes just walk with my camera and try to find a different angle or vision on what i see every day.

FT: First thing you did this morning?

M: rubbed my eyes stretched yawned, looked at the clock shit sleep in in again. Better get moving .. got up put on some chilled beats had some amazing Swiss cereal and read a some pages of Herb Lubilins book, With a coffee of coarse. Then started sketching some ideas down in my note book. and the day begins..

FT: And finally.. any words of wisdom for fellow emerging artists/designers?

M: I would say just do it, push yourself to be creative in every aspect of life. Put your self in prosperous situations and take every opportunity that comes your way. Experiment with styles and mediums. Look at the history of what you are creating to get an understanding of why and how things work or don’t work. Learn to learn, ask for criticism because you don’t learn anything by getting good “feed-back”. Thanks Forth Thread, i wish you the best and cant wait to see the zine.. M