The Source.com

Login

Lamour Supreme

Posted: Feb 19, 2010 by CHOICEROYCE

Royce Bannon breaks bread with the master of fine arts and other elements of street art, like toys.

Interview by: Royce Bannon

 

How did you come up with the name Lamour Supreme?

Lamour Supreme came about me trying to figure out some forum board name many years ago. I was listening to John Coltrane and was always a devout fan of his album Love Supreme. I just put a little French spin on it. That album in particular because Coltrane always professed to having a spiritual awakening while he wrote it. It was intended to be a spiritual album, representing a personal struggle for purity and express the artist's deep gratitude as he admits to his talent and instrument as being owned not by him, but by a spiritual higher power.  

That's exactly how I always felt about my art, but never was able to put in words, let alone music as powerful as his. 


What's your artist background?
I guess you would describe my artist background as the "average Joe" artist. I was influenced from an early age by everything TV, Pop culture, toys and comic books. I also grew up in the Bronx raised by immigrant parents so I didn't have too many play dates, which caused me to sort of create imaginary worlds through art. I developed a portal through art which was my escape. I didn't really need the outside world because I created my own. I also got into Graf at some points in high school, but never stayed for too long. I mean, I love Graf, I just have like A.D.D. or something, but I usually get bored by one particular style of art. It's like going to the museum and seeing the exhibits and paintings, you can never get enough and you're usually not focused on one painting, but viewing everything.   


How did you get into toy design?
Toy design was something that really got me back into art after feeling stagnant in my art for a period. Toys are a powerful instrument for inspiring because they always bring us back to when we were kids. That innocence where all things are possible and creativity isn't stifled by every day monotony. I always collected toys and wanted to a do a toy of my own, so I started designing and that eventually led me to start painting as well. Eventually, Brain Flynn from Super 7 and Hybrid Design asked me to do a toy for the Snakes of Infinity Line where I created the MongoLion. He's a like a Foo Dog/Lion made in small quantities and cast in Japanese vinyl by Super 7.  From there, I've been designing toys with MISHKA, Adfunture, Reckless Toys, Onell Design, Itokin Park and a few other companies.   

What's your favorite medium to work on ?
Seriously, right now it's the computer. Maybe I'm just convincing myself of that because I'm always on it, but I draw, design, color, paint everything on the computer. I still like to paint with the airbrush and brushes just to change things up and escape to the physicality of art.

Who or what inspires you?
Right now, I would have to say toys and life in general. Collaborating with friends who are artists and bouncing ideas and concepts off each other is the best. An artist can only stay progressive through a collective. Old obscure toys to Japanese vintage kaiju, toys are still one of my favorite things to collect so I would have to say weird toys in general. Packaging art that came with vintage or older toys are also a big influence on me right now because you're always trying to recreate that feeling.  

Any shout outs?
Ok, there's a lot so here goes:  MISHKA, Super 7, NIKE, Reckless Toys,  Extra Butter, Secret Base,  Special Sauce, John Prolly, Onell Design, Real X Head,  Itokin Park, Skullbrainers, Mondo T's, Gargamel, Sucklord, DeadPresidents, Low Meato and my family.  




 

Posted In: Art, japan, kaiju, super 7, new york, graffiti, nike, toys, art, lamour supreme

User Comments

  • CentralCityDesign

    CentralCityDesign at 11:38 PM on Jun 24 2010

    Go on You tube and check out The Swag Skool Stay Fitted Video.