Mike Murdock
What kind of maker are you? (please include ALL mediums in which you create your art/craft)
Hi! I make murals, paintings and other weird stuff like skateboards out of garbage for a pretend skateboard company called the Wigglestick. I also do design, illustration, mediocre sculptures and bad drawings of cats.
What inspired you to start making?
Skateboard graphics first got me interested in making things. Like, who gets to sit around and draw all this weird shit that winds up on skateboards? Neon skulls, eyeballs, flames and just crazy art, I was hooked.
Where are you based out of?
Salt Lake City, Utah
What do you do for work currently?
Sometimes I sell paintings, but I'm also considering lucrative careers in some of the following career paths:
Llama grooming, hot dog on a stick model, hermit for hire, spork lift operator and amature street dancing.
What is the most engaging part of building for you? What do you enjoy most? What do you enjoy least?
I enjoy the process of zoning out while painting. I also get a big kick out of seeing someone's reaction to something funny or strange I've made. It's all good...
When do you feel most inspired?
After I start something big or new and it starts coming together somehow. If I have free range to make a mess and let things happen in a natural way, that's when I really start getting stoked.
Where do you want to take your building and designing skills? What do you hope to learn and do with your career?
I don't expect much of a career as an artist. I at this point it's all for me. It's an outlet. I get stoked when people buy paintings and stuff, but the world is such a crazy place right now, I have to take life a day at a time. I'd love to paint lots of big weird and fun murals. That sounds great.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a custom builder and designer?
I'm a pretty busy guy. Sometimes carving out extra time to work on stuff can be tricky.
What are some pieces that you’ve made that you are the most proud of?
I made some bigger paintings this year, I feel like I'm pretty happy with how those turned out. I'm usually proudest of the big outdoor murals that get get to live somewhere outside.
What is your favorite tool/instrument/toy right now?
Acrylics, Solid paint markers, found objects and mixed media. I bring home a lot of trash...
Favorite design style: (This can include interior design, photography, painting, architecture, anything!)
Fun paintings, murals in/on decrepit locations and just kinda everything really.
What skill do you most want to learn?
All of it.
Favorite thing to listen to while you work:
I've been really into the Silver Jews lately.
Favorite outfit/footwear to wear to work:
All my clothes have paint on them...
Favorite post-work activity to unwind:
Have a beer and watch terrible horror movies from the 80's and eat candy corns.
Favorite food:
Indian food
Favorite band:
I have too many favorites. Modest Mouse, Silver Jews/Purple Mountains, Elizabeth Cotten, Built to Spill, John Prine... I like lots of music.
Favorite place you’ve traveled:
It matters more who you're with than where you are, so any camping trip with my family ever.
Place you want to travel to most and why:
Every nook of the west. There's so much to see in our own backyard.
If you could collaborate with one maker/artist (living or dead) who would it be?
I'd like my buddy Trent to call me back so we can go paint that one wall we've been talking about...
Where can people contact you and find out more about you?
send me some emojis
mmmurdock.com