Interview with illustrator Josh Thorsen
Josh Thorsen or Kid9, as he’s also known, is an artist, an illustrator, and a graphic designer based on the Gold Coast. His bold illustrated style lends itself well to skate and surf culture, and he’s been a part of countless art shows and exhibitions.
Speaking of which, Josh is part of, and one of the organisers for tomorrow night’s Kiss Cut Sticker Art Show at Lightspace in Brisbane. Details further down.
Josh has been fortunate enough in his career so far, to have worked with leading clothing brands and their stores for installations—including Mambo, Laced Sneaker Culture, Scribe Outlined, Sneak & Destroy and TRNRS.
Lately, Josh credits his young, growing family for much of his inspiration—as well as the bold 80’s pop culture, anime and cartoons of his childhood.
Not to be limited to his free-hand, street-style creations, Josh is also experienced in corporate design with experience digitally as a graphic designer.
You may have seen his work featured in publications such as the Semi Permanent books, We Are The Image Makers, World Wide Designers (France), Peak Street Magazine, Colorink (USA), Libertine and Out4Fame.
Visit kid9.net for Josh’s personal art, and Teens on Acid for his daily inspiration and limited edition TOA products.
Tell me about the Kiss Cut Sticker Show. How did this come about and what’s your involvement?
Kiss Cut is the first of 2 shows I’m curating this year in collaboration with Benjamin Wright and Comb. I’d approached Ben at an earlier show I was part of at Comb, the One-Offs sneaker custom show curated by Rob and Mark from Sneak and Destroy, with the idea of bringing together a group of artists I thought could contribute in vastly different ways to a sticker based art show.
The key was to keep it on a street level but with artists that did not necessarily work primarily in street art or graffiti but who I knew had respect enough for it. I couldn’t be happier with how this show has come together, it’s going to be special.
Visit the Facebook event for more details.
How have you got to where you are today?
With some fantastic luck, a bit of bluffing, countless all-nighters with either a pencil, paintbrush, spray can, or mouse in hand, and the support and encouragement of my closest friends and peers.
I was immersed in pop culture, cartoons, and comic art from an early age and when I entered my teens I knew I would always create so I knew I had to try and find work that would help me grow as an artist. I was a bit of a restless scumbag I didn’t really do much with my youth, I didn’t study, I skated a bit, and worked in a kitchen.
But I never stopped drawing.
In 1999, I bluffed my way into a startup web company where I taught myself Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. I’ve changed studios a few times since then and every time I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some amazing creatives, who have helped me get to the point where I am today.
In a few words, describe yourself…
Death metal, jerk, hip hop, artist.
What are you spending your time on at the moment?
Our beautiful family, my 9-5 designing for Katarzyna Group, Queensland Rail, the 2012 summer anime season, and preparing for the Teens On Acid show later this year.
Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?
I don’t think so. It’s always ‘go time’.
What or who inspires you?
TeamNigh, anime, death metal, graphic design, hip hop, Team Kitten, alcohol, sneakers, girls, illustration, soft shell crabs, mountains, iYFgang, sharks, and milkshakes.
What are you most proud of?
My knife skills.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I don’t really remember! Whatever it was, it wasn’t as good as what I have/am now.
