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Artist Raymond Pettibon discusses his journey, from early punk rock works to present day artistic themes, technique and rhythms, the Getty archives and more.
Topics Include:
Raymond Pettibon has been drawing constantly since childhood, "always with a pen in hand"
Started with crayons, pastels, pencil - India ink came later as too messy
Early influences included Albrecht Dürer, etchings, and comic book art equally
Self-taught artist who learned through trial and error, never attended art school
Studied economics in college, bringing analytical thinking to his art practice
Approaches work as fine art, not commercial art, values creative freedom
Rarely takes commissions - the more constraints, the less he likes it
Band artwork usually selected from existing drawings rather than commissioned pieces
Black Flag's "Nervous Breakdown" images came from his "Captive Chains" book
Artwork inspired by "Blackboard Jungle" film - students destroying teacher's jazz records
Has experience teaching, can identify with teacher-student conflicts from that period
Left SST Records in 1985-86 due to oppressive environment
Describes certain subjects he returns to repeatedly over the decades
Works on multiple drawings simultaneously, some remaining unfinished for years
Enters a meditative "fugue state" when drawing or writing
Never experiences artist's block - blank paper doesn't intimidate him
Believes he can write about any subject with natural fluency
Doesn't plan series - they develop organically through returning to themes
Sometimes works directly on gallery walls during exhibitions for coherence
Used to work all day and night when deeply engaged
Dislikes deadlines - they make work harder, not easier for him
Sees deadlines as triggering psychological rebellion despite wanting to please collectors
Hates when people suggest ideas - it "breaks the spell"
Admits he's not the greatest draftsman but learned on the job
Recently donated personal archive to Getty Research Institute for scholarly access
Participated in Getty's research scholar program, one artist among academics
Program reconnected him with economics after years away from the discipline
Still has unfinished drawings in studio, some over 30 years old
Currently creating less due to frustrations with art world dynamics
Values complete artistic freedom - no curator has ever asked him to change
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About The Vinyl Guide
If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related.