What’s going on man, go ahead and introduce yourself
What’s up everyone, I go by Lefty out there and I’m a visual artist residing in Chicago.
Let me first ask, where does the name Lefty come from?
Well, it starts with me being Left-handed, that’s the main reason. I also tend to associate myself with left-handed people characteristics. I also look at it like left is the opposite of ‘right’.
How was life growing up?
Growing up was fun. I got into a lot of creative work early on. I was never really into sports, strictly art. A really important component to my creativity was learning professional artistry early on. I realized just how hard it was going to be to become a successful artist and it really benefitted me.
When did you begin to notice you were creative?
Oh I’ve always been creative. Ever since a young kid I knew I was beyond creative and would have no problem creating out-of-the-box ideas.
How did you get involved with Wheatpasting?
It was my interest in showing people my artwork and wheatpasting was the most tangible way to showcase my art on a large impactful scale.
When did you begin to realize you could take your creative talents far past wheat pasting and turn it into a career?
When I started to become more confident in the way my work was looking. Wheatpasting was about exercising my creativity. Eventually the quality and scale of the pieces got too intense, and I was becoming too attached to the pieces I was putting up.
What was your first major project you were able to work on?
The first major project I worked on was a mural for PBR through Chicago Loop Alliance.
What do you look to represent with each line in your artwork?
Like I told Gin&Luce “I make the intricacy of my lines depict an alternate reality or a different perception of what is really there.”
When it comes to your artwork is there a significant purpose behind the black and white?
Black and white is my favorite color combination. Also, this combination gives you the highest contrast you could look for.
How did Subchroma play a major role in the rise of your career?
Subchroma was the first show I began to go by my new name, “Lefty Out There”. At this time I was beginning to brand myself and stopped trying to pursue an anonymous career. This show really helped opened the door for my commercial work to create. Subchroma had been my first solo show and I ended up selling every piece that night.
Why do you look to make your art completely open to interpretation?
I like it being open to interpretation because it gives my artwork a sense of sensory and mystique. I also like making art that could be whatever you perceive it out to be.
How did you link up with the guys at The Annex?
I’m a personal friend with a couple of the guys here at The Annex. After some time, they presented the opportunity to me to have my studio here. With the time being here we have been able to work on a couple projects together as well.
Lets talk about your solo show you have coming up in the next couple of weeks
Yeah, so that’s coming up, we are all really stoked on this one. The show is Saturday Nov 19th at Moonlight Studios. I have 20 pieces in the show ranging from physical work, a digital room that I built filled with graphics, and a multiroom that you could explore with moving walls, sculptures, and canvas work. Dreambait and I will also be hosting live performances all throughout the night.
If you had to describe your artwork in three words to a stranger what would those words be?
The three words would be High Contrast, Intricate, and Consistent.
What are three brands you would like to work with?
I would love to work with Jordan, Off-White, and Google.
When it’s all said and done how do you want to be remembered?
I’m not so much interested in being remembered as much as I want my artwork to live on. As a human being though I would like to be remembered as someone who tried very hard and gave it my all.
Written By: Nicholas Rud
Chicago Creatives 