Interview by Charlie Festa

Hello there, and how are you doing today?

Hey dude, I am actually a bit hungover, poker night last night, but feeling much better now!

So, what up?

Not too much, production time here at work, just paid a fat credit card bill (thanks threadless!) haha

How did you get your start in design?

I was always drawing things for people since i can remember, all through high school and into college, then i dropped out of school and got a job designing for a small t-shirt print shop here in Murfreesboro, TN in 2001. I guess that's where i really got kick started into shirt design. i worked there for about 4 years.


What inspires your work?

I like merging two different ideas. I think if you can do that in just the right way, the new message delivered can be really eye opening, or at least make you go, "holy shit, thats cool. i never thought if it THAT way". My first several submissions to threadless were definately like that. I'm trying to break out of the mold though, haha.

Threadless as a whole inspires me to design stuff now really, I haven't been so excited about designing and getting critiqued on my designs before. It's radical to have so many great artists looking over your shoulder, giving advice or just generally speaking their mind. Good or bad, you learn something about your own art.

What do you plan to spend your winnings on?

I think me and my friend Jeremy (who i finally got to join threadless!) are gonna go into business manufacturing ice rockets to launch into the sun. either that, or just keep paying off my computer (NEVER get a credit card kids.) ;)


Everything going as planned in life?

it is indeed. EXACTLY as planned... muhuhahaha!! ... sorry, um, yep.

You ever eat White Castle? If so what is your favorite menu item?

i ate there once or twice awhile back. probably their krystal®esque little burgers, so cute! ... and DELICIOUS.


Who is someone you would like to give the finger to?

tom cruise, hands down. either him or the poor guy who lost the finger in the first place.

What is your favorite compound curse word, that is if you curse? ex: bitch face or shit storm

fuckstart. i heard it in this movie with ryan philipe and benicio del toro, ryan philipe's character said "tell that bitch to shutup or i'm gonna fuckstart her head" - i laughed my ass off.

Do you ever make it over to the bowling alley? If so what is your best score?

hell yes! i bowled a 175 a couple weeks ago, it's no the jesus, but it's not bad. :)


How does it feel to win on Threadless?

Dude.

When you send me an email that says "Threadless would like to print..." , it makes me wanna go run out into the middle of the street and stop cars!! Seriously, I call my mom and dad immediately like i got an A+ on a report card or something, it makes all your work seem worthwhile! (plus the cash ain't bad!)

Thanks Tom, you just burned our britches.

Interview by Charlie Festa

Read more interviews!