My first Flatstock left me utterly floored. All the great prints? Overwhelming. I could not stop thinking about one specific print

…actually prints.

The Shins
3 color screen-print

THIS. !!! SICK SICK SICK !!! I mean…how ingenious. The head is a poster. The bottom is a poster. And together? Super poster. And OH! The MONSTER! Have you ever seen a more charming monster? I have a button that has the monster’s head, and I wear it all time. Jealous? I hope so.

The Kooks
3 color screen-print

I love the Kooks (thank you Tina), and I love these colors. This poster reminds me of my college bedroom, which was painted in these exact shades. The paint names? “Golden Poppy” and “Heart’s Desire.” Thus, I called the room my “opium love shack.”

Bloc Party
4 color screen-print

…pure eye candy. My favorite is the monster in the tighty whities.

Spoon
3 color screen-print

The knight is so fierce (and cute)!

Tad Carpenter. What a glorious way to begin the series. Based in Kansas City, Tad has been an illustrator for about 7 or 8 years, and a poster designer for about 3 years. His prints are always extremely fun, and pretty much make me feel like I’ve consecutively consumed 20 pixies sticks. Which is a good thing. Besides posters, his work has been featured on everything from clothes to home decor. His long list of bigwig clients includes Hallmark, Lee Jeans, Vera Wang, Sunrise Greetings, and Myspace (on the myspace secret show’s page, you can easily spot one of his prints). Tad also runs Vahalla Studios with Dan Padavic, another wonderful poster designer.

Recently, Tad has been busy preparing for his current show at the Bluebottle Art Gallery in Seattle. Entitled “Mayhem, Mischief, and Monsters” (WHAT A GREAT NAME), the exhibit features 20 limited edition monster screen-prints (ready to be mixed and matched!), screen-prints on wood, ceramic plates, and paintings. I was super star-struck when he agreed to answer a few questions for Stickers and Donuts. THE INTERVIEW (He loves Golden Books! And Robert Rauschenberg! And rainy days!) + MORE PICTURES AFTER THE JUMP!

1. Describe your background. What did you want to do when you were five? What led you to printing?

Well, when I was five I was a lot like I am today. I grew up an only child, so all I ever wanted to do was sit and draw. Both my parents are artist so that is all I have ever known. My days as a child and my days today look oddly similar. I am very happy about that though.

From a printing standpoint I can’t take all the credit there. I have a business partner, Dan Padavic, who is the printing expert. I am a designer and illustrator first and foremost. Our company is called Vahalla Studios. We design posters and packaging for people such as the Shins, My Morning Jacket, The Kooks, Wilco, the Republic Tigers, ChopShop Records and Atlantic records to name a few. We try and work together on all the band posters from a design and printing standpoint.

2. I would describe my style as…

FUN.

I try to have fun when I work, and I want to create art that makes people feel the same way. Of course there are times that you need to create something different, but I feel the best about what I am doing when I create fun, playful, whimsical-based designs.

3. I am inspired by…

Wow. Lots of things.

I love the old Golden Books and Golden Book illustrators of the 1950s. People like J.P. Miller, Mary Blair, Richard Scarry- they created great images that inspire me everyday. My other real passion, other than posters, is children and picture books. Any great story or wonderful picture book gets me every time.

From a non visual standpoint, I love rainy days. It makes me just want to sit in my studio all day and create.

4. Can you describe the creative process that goes into making a print?

When it come to a print it depends on what kid of job we are working on.

If it is an art print, I have the control over it from an approval standpoint so that is a totally different experience than working with a client. When we work with a client I like to send 2-3 concepts for each poster or print. It can sometimes be a little extra work, but I like to make sure the client is happy. Not to mention you then have several ideas sitting in your back pocket after they choose.

When we get down to the nitty gritty of making a print, we first make the separations of the art on the computer and make films to burn onto screens. Say the print is three colors. You will have three films that then make three screens, a different screen for each color. When I consider how a piece of paper has to go through the press three times, then trimmed to size…it really allows me to recognize what pieces of art silk-screen prints can be. A lot hard work can go into each print.

5. My favorite print is…

I LOVE Robert Rauschenberg. I would say some of his prints would be my favorite.

My favorite print of my own band posters would have to be the double Shins posters. It had a great concept. They wanted a poster for the back-to-back shows: Friday and Saturday night shows. I thought doing a poster where people would have to buy both nights would be great. So I broke up this monster at the waist having his head and body on the top, and his feet and “shins” on the bottom.

I also really like these art prints that I have been doing on wood lately as well.

6. What’s on your walls at home?

Here at home I have been collecting vintage movie posters for quite some time. I have lots of those and several old monster movie posters. I also love folk art, so I also collect old trade signs- most of which are hand painted.

7. I am currently listening to…

I have been listening to the new Beck album, the new Emiliana Torrini, The Republic Tigers, Black Kids, Shout Out Louds, Chromeo and I do like upbeat nature of Vampire Weekend.

8. I support…

Obama!

9. I am against…

Beans. I really don’t like beans. Refried bean, black beans, jumping beans….all kinda gross to me.

10. My best recent purchase was…

A 4 foot Buddha head from ancient China. Not a statement really… I just thought it looked so great! It is solid wood and solid cool. Also an engagement ring for my little lady. We are getting married next year so I had to throw that one in there. :)

11. I am currently obsessed with…

The font neutraface, the color combo of gold and navy blue, drawing owls, fox and painting typography.
Not to mention my continued obsessions with monsters and overall character design.

If you are lucky enough to be in Seattle, his current show ends September 29th so GO TO HIS SHOW (I wish I could teleport. Womp womp.) For those less fortunate, pictures of the current show are accessible on Tad’s flickr and the mixy-matchy monster prints (+other pieces) can be purchased on the Blue Bottle website. Finally, be sure to check out his well-designed website: full of lots of treats and additional opportunities to purchase his prints.

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