Giving Up Would Be Too Easy

I'm hoooooommmmeeeee! I've been gone for 5 days...working in North Austin now mon-fri. where I'm staying there is no internet connection and I have yet to find a place with free wifi so until that is solved....weekend updates with moi!

got a six pack...and nothin to do....

Here is some of a recent interview of yours truly conducted via internet from Sam Cleary writer for Visual Guidence zine out of Montreal.

VG- Mr. Walker, how are you?
RW- I'm here, thank you for asking.

VG- First off, where are you from?
RW- I was born in Alabama. The town of Gadsden. Mom packed up her five children and headed for Texas when I was 3 months old. I can't thank her enough.

VG- Was Texas everything she hoped it would be?
RW- I suppose, everything happens for a reason right? She had some family and met my step father (Dad/Reed) shortly after arriving. An angel to her and the best thing to happen to her kids. Couldn't ask for a better man.

VG- That's awesome. Is your family close?
RW- I have some strong ties. I'm really trying to take care of some loose ends.

VG- Was your family supportive of your art while growing up/now?
RW- My mom is hella crafty and was very open to my creativity. She signed me up for art classes when I was 13 or 14 from this dude who thought I was shoplifting in his art store. My brothers and sister are all pretty creative. so yeah.

VG- Were you shoplifting?
RW- Nah man, I was just checking out his shit and he started asking me tons of questions. At first I thought he was just some creep, then he asked me to empty my pockets. I got super scared. I did and he saw I was being honest and I was just extremely introverted. It was a small town art shop...he was just watching over his shit, I can't blame him. who cares.

VG- Some people huh?
RW- I love it when people look for the bad in someone first instead of looking for the good...it gives me a sense of comfort knowing I'm being doubted off the bat. (sarcasm)

VG- It's true.

VG- Have you been showing a lot of work lately?
RW- I have been fortunate to show and some fantastic spots here in San Antonio i.e. FL!GHT gallery, The Long Hall, The Red Room. It's all a basket of good. I am fortunate.

VG- When did you start showing?
RW- 2001 was a great year for me...my good friend DJ Shock got me little show at a goth bar/nightclub. I was stoked and I had like a week to crank out some work. Mr. Brant Bumpers funded my materials. I did all spray paint stencils on foam core. I didn't get to make it to the show due to prior engagement outside of Houston. I called from the road to see how it was going and Shock then tells me everything sold! It wasn't even 11pm yet. That really got the ball rolling. Huge thanks to Brant and Shock for looking out for me. I continued to show there for about 8-9 months occasionally getting involved in group shows up in Austin.

VG- What do you generally work with?
RW- Same story as everyone else man...whatever I can find. Anything with color that will stick to a surface.

VG- What motivates you?
RW- I'm trying really hard to be positive these days...some days it's not so much a struggle. Shit happens and you just got to get over it, thats all. Light at the end of the tunnel or just a pipe dream? Cool weather, fresh fruit, cigarettes/coffee/conversation.

VG- When I think of Texas I think of bulls and cowboys and oil.
RW- We have that here, so you're on the right path.

VG- Is there an artistic community in San Antonio?
RW- Well... there is a definite "art scene" but that ranges from people who paint blue bonnets and battle of the Alamo stuff to the Graf heads bombing the heavens. As far as an underground?

VG- You know, like artist that help each other come up?
RW- Totally! There is people who have "pull" and get others involved. It's the same as anywhere else really. This is a tourist town. We have a river that is 2 ft deep and come from all over the world to drink margaritas and watch the still green water, it goes right through downtown. That and the Alamo. blag! after 28 years of it...i'm done. We have first fridays in the art district and second saturdays. We share crowds.

VG- So do you get much inspiration from your surroundings?
RW- I see more humor than artistic inspiration. I've been told I'm a closet comedian.

VG- Really?
RW- I'm a barrel of laughs Sam, honestly. I'm shocked you can't tell.

VG- In time I'm sure.
RW- Teyots.

VG- What's that? Teyots.
RW- They help with nursing...thats all. Makes me smile these days, say it with a lisp.

VG- Can you give me some influences in your work?
RW- Surely, let me divulge all my secrets.

VG- You don't have to name them all.
RW- word. Aubrey Beardsley, Twist, Rockin' Jelly Bean, Mig Kokinda, Dave Deyoung, Shek, Wendy Kimura, Supher, Robert Pena. Jeremy Fish. The list will go on...

VG- Do you have any pet peeves about artwork?
RW- Like process wise? ummmmm....I can't draw without having freshly clipped fingernails and cleaned. I don't draw on a sheet of paper that I may have drawn on before. My bed has to be made. I need music

VG- What do you listen to while working?
RW- I don't like to think too much, I look for flow and I can't get flow out of slow music. Lately tons of Lightning Bolt and Pink and Brown, Mono, Pelican, Electric Wizard. DOOM metal, Sleep. If I'm a bit more chipper - Gnarls Barkley, Viktor Vaughn, MF DOOM, DANGERMOUSE, Wu. Elephant Beach (thx B.read). Gravy Train, Peaches

VG- Peaches is crazy.
RW- She kicked me in the ear two years ago, I saw her spider. I don't mind.

VG- Big music scene there?
RW- I picked up on music from Skate videos growing up.

VG- Skateboarding?
RW- With a twist of lime. Yeah.


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I'll scan and post the whole thing once printed and I get it in the mail.

Thank you Sam for your interest and all your kind words.
It means a great deal.

i was taught "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything."

i've been doing that a lot lately.

burden.