Taylor Orman - 6gun

You know, I've never really listened to Bad Company before I met Taylor. It was ironic because a few days after we did this actual interview, Bad Company's self-titled song, "Bad Company," came on the radio while I was in the car driving down to San Diego. I vaguely remember Taylor mentioning something about it, so I turned up the song and began to tune in a little deeper. When I heard the dude drop that line Taylor mentions, the one that says, "something-something-something-6gun sound-something-something," I was like "Oh shit! That's the song he was talking about and got all hyped for some reason.

I've lagged on this interview. The entire month of February I didn't have one real post, or at least one real interview. But now that we're 7 days into March, the streak is broken, and Taylor is now officially a part of the Swamp.

The reason I hit up Taylor for this interview is actually simple as fuck--He's talented, humble, kills it on a skateboard, but destroys it on the canvas. Though this isn't a "skateboarding" interview, the dude behind the amazing art you see is a skateboarder, a ripper at that, and I'm more than happy to show support. You should be too.

Anyways, Taylor's art is unique. It's the work of a true genius, and I seriously wish I had some money to fill my room/office with 6gun gear and graphics. Each canvas that Taylor creates is custom, and each picture has meaning behind it.

I could sit here and flood you all with comments about Taylor, but the rad thing is, his art speaks for itself. I don't even have to sit here and say, "blah blah blah, he's a great artist, blah blah," because honestly... a blind man could notice Taylor's talent.

Well in my opinion, this month-long break I took was well needed, and the anticipation has built. I had a few people hitting me up about this interview actually, so I'm pleased to know that others will tune in to this interview. The photos you see are just a few of the pieces I picked from the 6gun website. Check it out for yourself to see a ton of rad paintings, and other time-passing remedies on www.the6gun.com.

For now though, sit back and enjoy the life and times of the man behind 6gun graphics: Taylor Orman.

(Early stages of the process)

Brian: Alright man, so first off drop the basics: Name, Age, Location, et cetera.
Taylor: My name is Taylor Orman. I’m 23, but look 16 (laughs). And I live in Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego, California.

Brian: What exactly is 6gun?
Taylor: 6Gun or 6Gun Graphics is an art and graphic design company I started around September 2009. It’s pretty much a way for me to promote my art. Along with selling my paintings, I do custom graphics and custom paintings for people.

Brian: How did 6gun come about, and how did you choose the name?
Taylor: I can’t get art off the brain. So one night I had some music playing as I was going to bed, and the song, “Bad Company” came on… such a badass song. When they sang, “All these towns, they all know our name. Six gun sound is our claim to fame,” I pictured a gun in the shape of a 6, so I wrote the idea down and went to bed. The next day, I designed the logo and was stoked on it. At that time I had been helping my dad start his company, SurfMunkey.com, so I thought, why not start my own company.

Brian: Describe to the audience what type of art it is that you do?
Taylor: I’m always experimenting with different art forms, but you could classify most of my work as “urban stencil art.” I use mostly stencils and spray paint.

Brian: Why do you prefer "urban stencil art," over a different style?
Taylor: I’m really detail oriented and like to know exactly how the painting is going to look before I start. So I spend way too much time on the computer, drawing and scanning and editing the design until it looks right. Then all I have to do is cut the stencils and spray ‘em and it turns out just the way I wanted. There is too much try and fail with traditional painting methods.

Brian: Did growing up where you did influence your art at all?
Taylor: Oh definitely. Growing up in Southern California, you see graffiti and street art all over. I was drawn to graffiti ‘cause the artists would make these amazing pieces with a simple can of spray paint, right there for everyone to see. So me and my friends started tagging in the tunnels around our houses and were instantly hooked. Then we started taking it to walls and sketchier places, but you had to be fast. I had been stenciling on shirts and griptape, so it finally clicked to stencil my art on the walls.

Brian: So you clearly have a background in graffiti, have you ever been busted for it?
Taylor: Oh man, there have been some close calls, but nothing yet (knocking on wood). Almost drowned in a sewer tunnel once though. There were 8 of us tagging in the tunnel during a rainy day and it was just like the movies. You could hear the water coming. Then all of a sudden it hits you and knocks you off your feet. Luckily we all made it out alive.

Brian: Do you smoke weed?
Taylor: (Laughing) Everyone always asks me what drugs I’m on once they see my art. But the truth is… I just have a great imagination that I never lost when I got older. I am one of those people that will see shapes in clouds or in the stucco on a wall. I can’t turn it off, which is probably why I am up ‘til 5AM most nights. I do like to drink some Jack, while I’m working though. (laughs)

Brian: (Laughing) Right on, do you feel that helps out the creativity of your work?
Taylor: Sometimes I think it does. Especially when my ADD kicks in and I have a million ideas going through my head, but can’t focus on any single one. It helps me to chill out n take the time to complete an idea. If nothing else, it keeps me sane through the hours of tedious stencil cutting.

[DISobey]
Brian: So besides being an artist, you're an incredibly talented skateboarder as well... who do you ride for?
Taylor: Thanks man. I ride for Factor54 clothing, Willys Workshop, Arnette, and Kontrol wheels. My other sponsorships fell with the economy. So if any of you guys reading this have any hookups, let me know.


Brian: How long have you been skating?
Taylor: Lets see… since freshman year of high school, so… about 10 years now. Damn I feel old.

Brian: Do you agree that the skate world, and art world coincide in a way?
Taylor: Definitely. I mean there has always been that stereotype that skateboarders are also “graffiti vandalizing hoodlums” and that style has definitely made a mark in the skate world. Go to a skatepark and look around at everyone’s griptape. Kids have some really amazing artwork on their boards and those might be the same kids designing the decks your kids skate on in a few years.

Brian: What got you interested in painting in the first place?
Taylor: It always bummed me out to see my street art covered up the day after I sprayed it. I was working at Michaels arts & crafts for a couple years and was able to get some really “cheap” canvases (winking). So I started spraying my stencils on canvas, so I could have a permanent copy of my art. Now I hand-make all my canvases out of wood, so all of my paintings are 100% made by me.

Brian: Are the canvas's I've seen on the6gun.com pieces done by stencils, or hand painted?
Taylor: There are a few older ones that I painted with acrylic paint and other materials, but all of my newer ones are 100% stencils and spray paint. But like I said, I’m always experimenting so I’m sure you’ll see some different art forms soon.

Brian: So what is “The SeeKER Project” all about?
Taylor: It’s something I had wanted to do for a long time, but never had a website to spread the word. Basically every couple of weeks I make a one-of-a-kind painting, hang it in a randomly chosen public location, and leave it there for someone to find. The finder can take the piece for free. All I ask is that they go to the website and report it along with a description of how they came across it. It sort of creates a history for the painting. I post the location on the website as soon as I drop it, so followers can have a chance at grabbing it.

[SeeKER drop]
Brian: Does this just take place around San Diego?
Taylor: Actually the first 3 were dropped in San Fran, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas. I try to spread them out, but most of them will probably be dropped around San Diego. I’m actually dropping the first San Diego one the week of the OVERdose premiere, so keep an eye out.

Brian: How often do you sell your work?
Taylor: Not as often as I’d like to. But I just got the website up 3 months ago, so I just need to spread the word and help it grow.

Brian: What pays the bills?
Taylor: I probably shouldn’t be sayin’ this, but I’m riding the unemployment train right now, since I got laid off from my job a while back. But it’s given me time to get the company up and running, which has been cool. Other than that, I make money doing custom paintings and graphics, and selling 6Gun shirts and flasks.

Brian: Well when you're not skating, or brain-dead off art (if it's possible), what are you usually doing?
Taylor: My brain never stops thinking about art! It keeps me up all night. But if I’m not skating or doing art, I’m usually just hanging with my girl and watching movies. I seriously have a movie addiction. Damn you Blockbuster!

Brian: What's the future got in store for you Taylor Orman?
Taylor: This year I’m hoping to have some exhibits, whether it’s a collaboration or a solo show. It was my New Years resolution. I should have some art up in PB PUB sometime soon. Again if anyone has any connections, let me know.

Brian: Last call: shout outs, what up's and fuck you's:
Taylor: Shout out to my girl, Meagan. Skooter, thanks for the portrait. Rhys and Andy for photos. Thanks to everyone who supported me. And a big fuck you to you, Brian, for doin’ this interview. (laughing) Naw man, thanks a lot.

Brian: (Laughing) Hell yeah Taylor, well I appreciate this a lot dude... I'll talk to you soon brotha!

Everyone check out:
www.the6gun.com.
and
www.soggybones.com

To purchase some art, check out www.the6gun.com. If you don't buy a painting, at least buy a flask or a shirt!

Photo Credit: Andy Ortega (Thanks a lot!)

-B