Art insights from XStacy
An interview with @XStacy_88 Curated By @Sonderplant
Who are you?
Most people now know me as Xstacy, but I do have a real name (which is Landon) currently I am 16 years old, and I’m from Kentucky, where nothing much really goes on.
What brought you into the art field? What moment/person sparked this interest for you?
What really brought me into the design scene is wanting to have a clothing brand. I specifically remember being on vacation in Florida and I was just now really getting into making designs, and doing more digital art. Around that time Ken Carson was going on tour and I seen this as an opportunity to make some tour posters, which I did. While they were never used, it showed me that I like doing digital art, making stuff for artists. And from there I just started making more and more until eventually I got a chance to make a cover for artist “Biggaveli”
In your opinion, what stands as the main inspiration for your style? And if you could, how would you define it?
My style is still expanding, everyday I try to find something new to make that no one has seen, which at times is very difficult. In my own words the inspiration for my style would really come from the things I took interest in at a young age, things like the rap scene, the punk scene, and the skate culture. Originally my idea was to have a skate brand, but I wanted to do something that wasn’t so exclusive, and more so that everyone could enjoy it. But to simple it down my style comes from the early 2000s and late 90s skate, rap, and punk cultures.
How did you navigate collaborating with prominent artists, and what key considerations should creatives prioritize in such partnerships?
When looking for collaborations, at least in my opinion you have to sorta find someone that you could share a similar aesthetic with, not saying you shouldn’t collab with someone who has a completely different style, but that in my opinion is what should be done 50 out of 50 times. And for getting with these artist, reach out. If it’s not to them directly, because sometimes that’s not gonna work, reach out to the managers or someone who works with that person such as a fellow designer, or even a producer if it is a artist.
How was the concept for your brand conceived?
The whole idea for my brand has been a thing ever since I was young, now I never knew what I would call it or how I would start it, but I worked to get to that point. The name amoeba came after a few name changes, but the name comes from the song “Amoeba” by the adolescents. This song I really grew up on, coming back to the skate culture. I remember it being in a few skating games, and I loved it. So I always had just been listening to it since I heard it.
How do you deal with burnout?
Generally, not gonna lie I sleep. After I get some rest I just feel better, like I’m reset. I would either do this or take a shower, something that calms me down.
The experience of lacking ideas for posts and concepts in general, has that ever been a problem for you?
How did you go over it? Yes, most definitely. I feel like this is a problem for everyone at some point, something just clicks and you run out of ideas. I personally just work, make things, do something until I find the thing I need. This really helps, and i mean there are times where you can’t even think of something to make, so i really just chill. Give my self time to think of something, because it will always happen, it just might need time.
How did the idea of the brand come about?
The idea really just came from things I like, I tried to make it all into one thing, hence the brand. And to me it’s more than a brand, if there was a word I could put on what it is, I’d say it but I can’t place it. With amoeba I’m also working on making side projects under it, such as documenting artists, the whole idea for this is to really have something to look back on, see what these artist did to get where they are. This takes inspiration from smack dvd, just videos of the art, and what takes place behind it; and I wanna be the one to bring that back.
Should an artist switch his work up from time to time and try new things?
Yes, secluding your self to one style gives you no room to grow as an artist, you have to branch out and find your own thing. Even if it’s just trying a new editing style you will see change, rather it’s good or bad you learn and move forward from it.
Favorite piece of media of all time? (games, movie, anime)
Personally, I love Scarface. While the whole movie may be about becoming the best drug dealer, there is more to it. Tony who is the main character in this movie came from nothing, he literally came from nothing, but he worked to get successful. And that’s what I feel should be looked at, while there might be better examples for this message I had to use Scarface as it’s like the best film of all time in my opinion.
What should a beginner creative know when starting out? Can you give them a piece of advice?
When starting out, just find your style of art. Don’t try to be another creative, I found this out personally. There’s already 1 of that person, why should there be 2? Just do you.
Anything you want to shout out?
I’d like to shout out new gen, getting added to that gc was like the best thing for me, I met so many people and it gave me so many opportunities, such as this opportunity right here to do this.
A @Thevisualpharmacy & @Sonderplant collaboration