David Cook
NøMa: What was the inspiration behind this design?
DC: The design is based on an old traditional tatttoo design. So many people have done their own take on it and I thought maybe it was my turn to try it out. it was super fun to do and sort of lead to me doing a series of tattoo flash sheets.
Your style blends the beautiful and the macabre, the high-brow and the low-brow, however you want to say it—is this a conscious decision on your part or just a reflection of your natural approach?
I think I might just have a defective brain. I just draw in such a tight style that I think it can maybe get to rigid if I didn't throw in a bit of humor. I really only draw things that entertain me. it can sort of be all over the place at times but as long as the idea that care and humor went into it then I feel it was a sucess.
Much of your work is in black and white, but when you do use color, you do so in a very effective and dynamic way. I’m curious what your process is like when color is concerned, and furthermore, how your colorblindness is factored in?
For the longest time I only worked in black and white. I was to afraid to use color because of the color blindness. I made a leap on day with the use of spray paint stencils and have not looked back. For all of the works on paper I had a huge help of an ex-girlfriend named Jody Ung. She is one of my favorite artist and designers and has an amazing sense of color. I would just pick say 2 or 3 colors and ask her to pick 2 or 3 more that would look good with the ones I selected. She likes things super bright and crazy looking so I just ran with it. Through that I just started to trust myself and went out on my own. It always makes me laugh a little when people compliment me on my use of color because I am sure I am not seeing the same things they are.
Where are you located?
i am currently in Brooklyn, NY. i have been here about 8 years now. I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky. I am here because NY and Brooklyn in particular is my favorite place I have ever been. I can blend in so easy here. Just sit back and watch the people and the city around me. I love it, It's home.
Are there any artists that you’re really into right now?
Black Breath, Eric Beltz, Jay Howell, Barry Mcgee, Thomas Hooper, Cleon Peterson, Young Widows, Bon Iver, Jeanne, D'Angelo and Mike Lucina.
How would you describe your style in five words or less?
Weird, provacative, vivid, sexual, clean...(I asked someone else to do this part and this is what cottontail came up with)
What’s your favorite joke?
purple drink........water. sugar. purple.
gotta love chapelle
What are you working on at the moment?
This show in September. Everything I make is for sale. All anyone needs to do is contact me. I swear I don't bite.
dmcook.carbonmade.com
dmcook.tumblr.com
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