ART

1. What was the inspiration for the work in the "Streets" show?

   Gruber: The energy and random interactions of New York. People, movement, art and chaos rushing by. All the unintentional juxtapositions that come out of throwing so many people together and the marks they leave.

   Thedell: My neighborhood (Hillcrest, North Park and Normal Heights)

   Boudreau: Streets! It’s all in the title of the show.

2. Describe your overall artistic philosophy in a single sentence.

   Gruber: "Notice what you notice" -Allen Ginsberg.

   Thedell: Nothing exists until or unless it is observed.

   Boudreau: Always be building

3. What other art has you fired up right now?

   Gruber: Sam Haskin's commercial work. I really dig fashion photography.

   Thedell: The Work of Gottfried Helnwein, The guy is not only controversial but is also an amazing painter.

   Boudreau: I’m really interested in the resurgence of hand craft. SWOON, the street artist from Brooklyn and Dan Webb from Seattle are at the top of my mind. Conceptual, anti-aesthetic art has held sway for a bit too long and formalism is making a “comeback,” but in a new, much better way.

4. Pivotal moment in your development as an artist?

   Gruber: Bringing a camera along on a 5 week surf trip to Mexico and shooting lots of film. Then having all my photos and negatives stolen.

   Thedell: Moving to the city and finishing art school.

   Boudreau: When I was able to become an artist full-time and focus my full day towards my work.

5. Artistic goals yet to be achieved?

   Gruber: Everything. There are a million pictures I want to make and mistakes I haven't made, yet.

   Thedell: I have not been at this for very long, my list of goals is extensive. A big goal of mine, however, is to have a piece bought my a museum some day.

   Boudreau: The only goal is continuous improvement. It’s never fully fulfilled and never goes away.

6. Best thing about being an artist?

   Gruber: Everyone has a unique way of viewing and interpreting the world. Artists strive to convey their visions with a certain confidence and perhaps arrogance that their way is not only valid but worthy of being communicated. That someone might care. Both the means to communicate this and the notion that you should is the best thing,
   the gift.

   Thedell: The Process of making art.

   Boudreau: My favorite moments are always when I am installing big shows. In a few hours or days you see months of work come together before your eyes. It’s the most fulfilling moment, followed just behind by receptions.

7. Worst thing about being an artist?

   Gruber: It's a vulnerable position. It's very easy to be criticized for thinking your vision is unique or that your methods are adequate.

   Thedell: Deadlines, although helpful because they add structure, I could do with out.

   Boudreau: I spend too many long hours in isolation in the studio. I’m a social person not a hermit and it’s been hard to adjust.

8. "Rock star" artistic moment?

   Gruber: So far, this show.

   Thedell: I was the guest artist at a local fashion show.

   Boudreau: Oh, anytime when you’re hitting day three or so of sleeping 1-4 hours a night. It’s an impossible to feeling to replicate.

9. Most influential person on your career as an artist?

   Gruber: Daido Moriyama

   Thedell: My Painting Instructor at SDSU, Gail Roberts, was very influential in my style and perspective.

   Boudreau: Robert Rauschenberg.

10. Number one thing you hope people take away from experiencing the art in Streets and beyond?

    Gruber: Get a sense of energy and a vision of a specific place and time

    Thedell: I would like my work to entice viewers to stop and appreciate all the shades of grey that exist in their lives. I believe that all the small in-between moment are what make life what it is.

    Boudreau: That it actually caused them to stop and look. So much work is scanned and dismissed and all I really want is to stand out from the mediocrity and make people take notice of the work.

LIFE

1. Who would you most want to trade lives with for a day, and why?

   Gruber: Walt Whitman. I'd like to experience the expansiveness of his consciousness and his compassion for humanity.

   Thedell: A Buddhist Monk, I think I could learn a lot form that way of life.

   Boudreau: SWOON. When she’s making her boats and floating them down a river. If you look her up and see the pictures you won’t need any more of an explanation.

2. What books are you reading now?

   Gruber: -1959 The Year Everything Changed- Fred Kaplan; Rage Against the Meshugenah- Danny Evans; 2666 -Roberto Bolerno...but I'm a bit stuck on the lists of murders.

   Thedell: For Whom The Bell Tolls - Hemingway,
   Naked Lunch -Burroughs, and Fool - Moore

   Boudreau: I just finished The Story of Art, an art history classic, and The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I have The Death and Life of Great American Cities and The Fountainhead and I’m debating which to start next. I’m also considering rereading the Malcolm Gladwell books.

3. What music is playing in your vehicle right now?

   Gruber: Vehicle? I live in Brooklyn. I've been listening to Colleen, Pram, Gotan Project, Lali Puna and my favorite- Plej- Music from Sweden's Left Coast. It sounds like music made by very friendly robots.

   Thedell: "Real Gone" - Tom Waits

   Boudreau: I’ve been listening to Gaslight Anthem non-stop for about two months now. Before that it was Bruce Springsteen. I obsess over music and have to listen to things on repeat. For months at a time.

4. Besides art, what are your greatest passion(s)?

   Gruber: Surfing.

   Thedell: I love to cook, in-fact, I almost went to culinary school. And you probably wouldn't know by first impression, but I am an avid surfer.

   Boudreau: Some combination of photography, bicycling, national parks, and driving the open road.

5. Something everyone needs to know about you?

   Gruber: If I'm somewhere and I hear the Beatles playing, I need to leave immediately. It can be annoying to others I imagine.

   Thedell: I truly believe in the meaning of the word "respect."

   Boudreau: That I forgot to answer this question

6. What you'd be doing if you couldn't do art:

   Gruber: Sitting in front of my computer, oh, wait...

   Thedell: I think it would be fun to own a bakery.

   Boudreau: I’d probably been making flyers for people. Or possibly taking photos professionally. Something creative but less glamorous and a little more stable.

7. Death Row last meal?

   Gruber: Steak, medium rare, garlic mashed potatoes, and some fresh brussel sprouts sauteed in butter and a nice italian red wine.

   Thedell: My mothers gumbo

   Boudreau: It would probably be the nachos at Cactus! in Seattle. I’ve only had them once, though. And I don’t know if I’d able to get them sent to Texas (which is probably where I’d be executed. So I could be a traditionalist. and stick with lobster.

8. Guilty pleasure?

   Gruber: Salted carmel sundae from General Greene in Brooklyn.

   Thedell: The Office

   Boudreau: The Killers. They’re my favorite band that I can’t tell people that I like.
   

9. Favorite status symbol?

   Gruber: Louis Vuitton duffle bag. It makes me laugh.

   Thedell: Those pre-ripped designer jeans. I love the irony.

   Boudreau: iPhones?

10. Words of wisdom for today's misguided youth?

    Gruber: Rage against the machine.

    Thedell: "Nocse Te Impsume." Learn to respect yourself and you will go far.

    Boudreau: Get a real job.