Hey everyone - please take a quick second to vote on these two subs. Thanks and have a great day!

This week, GTS sat down with Threadless' Art Director - the one and only Ross Zeitz. We talk about everything from creative mitochondria, Red's (his dog) manhood, crawfish and dream recorders. On with the show...

GTS: Ross, thanks for sitting down with Gettin' The Skinny. Happy Friday!

Ross: Yes... another crazy friday.

GTS: what's happening in the Threadless universe?

Ross: Ahelluvalot! I always imagine skinnycorp as a big industrial stove with like 10 burners... 4 of them are really big and the rest are smaller. It's a balancing act of what's cooking at the moment. Prioritizing is key. Does that make sense? It did in my head...

GTS: Sounded right to me. Everyone knows you crank out awesome tee designs but what's involved in being the Threadless' Art Director?

Ross: My team consists of Craig "Raincloud" Shimala (when he is not doing TV), Crabby Joe, Photo Sean, and a new export coming soon. We all help keeping threadless... threadless. But more specifically our creative production team gets the chosen designs on the cotton (by working closely with the designers and printers), then get those shirts on the site, we brainstorm wacky sale and business ideas, we do various design tasks for the site and alot more i'm forgetting.

GTS: awesome..so you and your team are sort of like threadless' mitochondria

Ross: ...yes... but bigger. I had to google mitochondria just to be sure.

GTS: yeah, definitely bigger. I'm a dog person so I have to ask - how are things with Red?

Ross: Ha... Funny you ask. He just got snipped. So he resembles a lampshade. a furry lampshade that runs into everything. I feel so bad for the little dude. I love him to death though.

GTS: I'm sure he'll be back in full form in no time. I heard somewhere that you're originally from Louisiana. Is there anything you miss about Louisiana living in Chicago?

Ross: Family, friends, and food. Don't get me wrong, the food here is good but nothing compares to good louisiana cooking. gumbos, ettoufee, crawfish, SEAFOOD in general... anything spicy!

GTS: what dish in particular would you recommend to folks traveling to Louisiana?

Ross: It's almost a badge of honor in my book to be able to say you have experienced a crawfish boil.

GTS: what's involved with a crawfish boil?

Ross: 3 things: People(friends or soon to be friends), Beer(nothing fancy), and a pile of hot boiled spicy crawfish. The crawfish are actually boiled alive... it's pretty cruel. At boils when I was little I used to always try and help a few escape.

GTS: Run crawfish, run! Sounds like a blast for seafood lovin' folks.

Ross: Some of my friends and I recently had a boil here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arzie13/2484156014/

GTS: Going back to your own tee designs for a minute - what other artists inspire your work?

Ross: Lots of people think it is gross... almost like eating bugs. Too many to name...First one that popped into my head is Geoff Mcfetridge. I just love his simple aesthetic and his laid back vibe. Others that inspire me are Andy Meuller, the dudes at aesthetic apparatus, tyler stout, Genevieve Gauckler, Michael Perry, Wes Anderson, Gondry... there are so many.

GTS: Any new arzie13 subs in the works?

Ross: I have a couple brewing... but I am on a major drought right now. I really need to snap out of it. I'm going to Europe at the end of this month so i'm hoping the trip will inspire. Just me, my girlfriend... and Olly Moss.

GTS: haha...i was going to ask if you planned on meeting up with Mr. Moss

Ross: ...and hopefully Aled and his girlfriend Abi and really any one else thats up for it around London and or Paris.

GTS: I'll take that as an open call to all eurobloggers for some pub stumping...

Ross: sure... lets have a pint...

GTS: I asked fellow bloggers to submit some questions for you to answer. Ready?

Ross: yes!

GTS: The first question comes from jess4002: If you could invent absolutely anything, what would it be and why?

Ross: First off I would like to say that is a great question... My friends... I would like to invent... this is tough...it would probably involve sleeping...like something that could record my dreams because I have they craziest dreams and no matter how hard I try to remember them I usually forget them by the time I am in the shower. so... yeah...a dream recorder.

GTS: littlem asked: Ross, it's about those eyebrows. You know I love them, though I tease you incessantly. Do you tend to them as if they were a topiary? Or do you just let them run wild and free like the ponies on Chincoteague?

Ross: haha... they are wild and free... I guess i'm kinda lucky I have two of them.

GTS: angelito wants to know: Red, Nola and Moscow are in a fist fight over the last doggie biscuit. Who wins?

Ross: Nola is the sweetest, most well behaved dog in the world... She's amazing. I haven't been around Moscow in a few months but I feel Red would snag it up... He can be a jerk like that.

GTS: Shimala called Red a jerk too.

Ross: Well, I taught him to bites Craig achilles tendon so he could take him down. That might be why.

GTS: Haha! That explains it! Speaking of Shimala, he asked: Which printed design is your favorite? Which unprinted design makes you sad that it's not?

Ross: All of threadless or just me personally?

GTS: I'm assuming he meant all designs but feel free to include your own into the mix.

Ross: The Hills have Eyes is my favorite... I love the style and colors. Unprinted is pretty tough - there are so many!

GTS: pick a card...any card

Ross: ha.. I love almost all of what tesco and eskimokiss do. they should do a sub together under the name teskimokiss.

GTS: Our last questions comes from andyg: Has Threadless ever considered devoting an entire week of new prints to a single artist? "Andyg Week," just as an example, would unleash 6 brand-new andyg tees, 3 reprints of andyg classics along with several, andyg art prints. All on one, unforgettable Monday.

Ross: haha! In production we do our best to spread everything out... We love seeing new artists. Plus if that were to happen I think everyone would hate that person and their almost $14000... Good god that is alot of money.

GTS: when you put it like that, i'm hating andyg already.

Ross: He's a funny dude... It was cool meeting him in person.

GTS: I'm joshing...I dig his style big time. Ross, it's time to play Pick One. You're familiar with this segment?

Ross: I sure am... LETS DO THIS! I won't even think... I'll just let it flow.

GTS: #1 - Prime Time: Morning or Night?

Ross: Night... Def. not a morning person

GTS: #2 - Bad Ass Bears: Polar or Grizzly?

Ross: Grizzly... I lived in Wyoming for a summer.

GTS: #3 - Mean Jeans: Acid washed or stone washed?

Ross: Acid washed, cut short so the pockets hang out.

GTS: WOW! #4 - Movie Munchies: Popcorn or candy?

Ross: Both! Together at the same time.

GTS: #5 - Better Man: Batman or Spiderman?

Ross: The Bat. I hate Tobey.

GTS: #6 - Greatest Gary: Gary Busey or Gary Coleman?

Ross: Busey... I love the insanity and Point Break!

GTS: #7 - Fall Fun: Hayrides or Corn Maze?

Ross: Maize

GTS: #8 - Juiced Up: Pulp or no pulp

Ross: Pulp... Seems more natural.

GTS: #9 - Gnarly Neckwear: Bowties or bolo tie?

Ross: Bowties... So classy.

GTS: #10 - Real Rock: Schoolhouse Rock or Fraggle Rock?

Ross: Schoolhouse even though it was before me. It's style is often imitated never duplicated.

GTS: Right on! Well Ross, that about it does it for this installment of Gettin' The Skinny. Any parting words for the folks at home?

Ross: Awsome thanks... Naps are awesome. Everyone should take more naps.

Haha, of course you do! Well I've got some good news for you - I've gone and started a weekly post on my blog about t-shirts. Like the world needs another blog about t-shirts, right? Darn tootin', fig newton!

Click here to grab the RSS feed. Huzzah!

Would you prefere "shirt" or "tee"? Thank You!



Update: I've subbed this. Thanks for your feedback everyone.

If you have a spare moment, please head over on to the crit section and let me know what you think of this:

What do you think of this. I'm experimenting with color options at this point and am open to suggestions. Let me know if you'd wear it on yer bod.

Click on the image for a larger view.

This week, GTS sat down with Threadless' artist liason, Mimi. We talk about everything from being the new kid on the block, good times in Shanghai and Colorado culture shock. On with the interview...

GTS: Alright party people, welcome back to another tantalizing installment of Gettin' The Skinny. Today's guest is Threadless' new artist liason, Mimi. What's shaking, Mimi?

Mimi: Hey there! It's pretty awesome that you picked me for "Gettin' The Skinny." I am super honored (especially with being the new kid at Threadless)

GTS: Of course - glad to have you on the program! As you just said, you're sort of the new kid on the block. How has the past few months @ Threadless worked out so far?

Mimi: Well, I have to say that it's pretty sick to work at Threadless: Not only do I have a sweet job, but I get to work with the amazing people at Threadless and all the talented artists! You know that your at the right place when 3 months goes by in a flash and you're havin fun! haha

GTS: Word! In your introduction blog, you mentioned that you managed an international art gallery and coordinated special events with leading arts organizations. Can you talk about that in greater detail?

Mimi: Sure! I used to work at a gallery called the Sundaram Tagore Gallery in NYC. I had sooo many jobs there: Assistant to the Director, Gallery Manager, Special Events Coordinator, and I also referred to myself as the Travel Agent (I booked all the flights and hotels for when we would travel). The gallery would exhibit at art fairs all over the world, so I got to visit so many interesting places like Dubai, Hong Kong, London, and Shanghai. The gallery would host 2-3 special events a week like book launches, art auctions for non-profits, film screenings, and benefits for arts organizations, which I was in charge of along with coordinating the normal gallery shows.

GTS: That sounds pretty incredible. Out of your international travels, what was your favorite stop?

Mimi: hmmm, that's a hard question. Each place was so fascinating in its own way. I would have to say Shanghai was probably my favorite. Since it's in mainland China, you either need to speak Mandarin or Shanghainese to get around so I had to have a translator everywhere I went, which was pretty comical. Also, since I'm kinda tall (6'), everyone wanted to take pictures of me...which was hilarious.

GTS: 6'? You are tall! Now that you're out in Colorado, is there anything you miss about NYC?

Mimi: I miss my friends in NYC, but that's about it. I have to admit that the culture shock from moving from NYC to CO was intense. It's insane in NYC most of the time so it was difficult getting used to the quiet. But, it's perfect out here! You can see the Mountains from my apartment and I can go hiking or camping anytime!

GTS: What are some of your recent favorite tees?

Mimi: I really like "When Pandas Attack," "Striped Bird," and of course "The Last F*ckin' Unicorn." And right now I'm wearing "Braaains!"

GTS: Seeing as how you dole out the notification emails, what can we expect from the upcoming tees. Any shockers? Any specialty ink prints? etc.

Mimi: Well I don't want to give away too much, but I think that you're gonna love what is coming out the next few weeks! We've got it all: shockers, specialty inks, and some reprints I'm excited about!

GTS: For the love of green beans, please tell me that the Monster Mash Collaboration of Horror is in the print queue.

Mimi: Ha! Nice try! You'll just have to wait to find out! Although, I do have to admit that it is one of my personal favs.

GTS: Never hurts to have a Monster Mash supporter on the inside.

Mimi: haha, that is true!

GTS: I asked fellow bloggers to submit some questions for you to answer. Ready?

Mimi: Shoot!

GTS: The first question comes from sonmi: What did you go to school for, and how does it translate to your job at threadless?

Mimi: Nice question Sonmi, I have a Bachelors degree in Art History and Archaeology and a Masters in Visual Arts Administration. NERD ALERT! The fancy classes I took for my Masters like exhibition design, marketing in the arts, visual arts markets and corporate art programs really translate well to working here. But the most helpful experiences came from my work at the gallery. Especially since I was working directly with the artists like I do here!

GTS: Chipmnk asked: What one superpower would you want?

Mimi: ooo definitely flying! I don't know what anyone else would pick. It's OBviously the best superpower to have!

GTS: Right on. Johnny Baboon wants to know: What is your favorite sports team?

Mimi: CUBBIES! Although now I'm gonna have to see them kick butt at Coors Field playing the Rockies in Denver. I miss Wrigley.

GTS: Best of luck to the Cubs in the playoffs. sonmi chimed in with another great question: Care to share any good elementary school memories?

Mimi: hahah, OMG i was the "super dork" in elementary school. I have only a part of my depth perception so on several occasions I would be just be walking to class and run in the wall or the tetherball pole on the playground. Oh man, in school you definitely wanted to catch me playing sports -- I never knew where the ball was!!!! (Sadly, this problem has not gone away) hahahahahahahh!

GTS: Mimi, it's time to play Pick One. I'll present you with two choices and you pick one. Ready?

Mimi: Yay! Ready!

GTS: #1 - Better Neil Young Group: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young or Crazy Horse?

Mimi: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young! no doubt

GTS: #2 - Jammin' Jam: Strawberry or Raspberry?

Mimi: Raspberry - it has more kick!

GTS: #3 - Hot Potato: Baked or Mashed?

Mimi: Mashed: it's my favorite food

GTS: #4 - Jive Talk: "Rock on!" or "Kick ass!"?

Mimi: I jive all the time and Rock On is in my day-to-day vocab.

GTS: #5 - Ingenious Inventor: Thomas Edison or Henry Ford?

Mimi: Tommy Ed: I mean you have pick the lightbulb...

GTS: In all fairness to Ford, he is the father of modern mass production. But yeah, lightbulbs are cool too.

GTS: #6 - Color Scheming: Progressive Urban or Aged Naturals?

Mimi: Do I have to pick?

GTS: Yes you do.

Mimi: haha, well, ok. then i pick Aged Naturals. It's only fair that I pick Aged Naturals now that I am a Coloradan.

GTS: #7 - Anchors Away: Brian Williams or Katie Couric?

Mimi: Katie Couric! Nothing can be better than her Palin interview.

GTS: #8 - Outdoor Living: Tree House or Igloo?

Mimi: I hate the cold so tree house it is...and if I had my flying superpower, it'd be easy to take off and land.

GTS: #9 - All Up In Your Grill: Hamburgers or Hot Dogs?

Mimi: Hot Doggies, but sans bun. I don't like buns.

GTS: #10 - King of the Oafs: Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin?

Mimi: Homer Simpson! Peter is cool and all, but Homer is classic and I always choose classic.

GTS: Mimi, thanks so much for your time but our time for this week is up. Any parting words for the folks at home?

Mimi: hey thanks for the interview! hmm, parting words. I'll give the phrase I normally give...keep it real, there's no future in frontin'

Post Interview Note: I've added a new feature to the GTS interview where I ask the interviewee who they'd like me to interview next. Mimi has selected Laura. Stay tuned for Laura's interview!

Dear Threadless,
If you could hide a copy of this and Graphite for Your Right for me (men's large) in a secure, undisclosed location, that would be awesome. I will gladly pick it up when I'm not so broke.

Cheers,
lunchboxbrain

The execution may differ slightly but, IMO, this is a pretty blatant rip-off.

Threadless' Psychedelic Peacock


vs.

Brooklyn Industries' Peacock W

Dear Threadess Staff/Fellow Bloggers/Everyone Else-

Please post more shots in the Threadless Blank Tee Photo flickr group. I'd love to see more hoody shots as fall/winter is knockin on the door. And a big thank you to everyone who has already posted photos in the pool.

Your Pal-
lunchboxbrain

P.S. - While you're over there in Flickrland, let me know what you think of this. Thanks :)