Featured Artist: Interview Chris Ladwig

“I sell the shoes I paint on for $75, and I include the shoe.” Chris Ladwig

….Now that’s a business man.

I had Driver’s Ed with Chris Ladwig, and don’t think he paid much attention. But I do remember his fabulous drawings during class. A little more fashionable, now I see him passing in the halls occasionally at DBCC, but still the same Chris. He is going far. He’s got talent, goals, and drive.

“If I got to sit down and write out my dream occupation and have it come true, it would be: running a major clothing line of my own, designing in the mass media, having a some kind of reputation in the music industry for either recording or songwriting, and founding a charity or foundation in my brothers name helping kids with cancer and their families.” CL

MM: You have been drawing and painting for a while, what is your favorite medium to work with?

CL: My favorite medium to date would have to be paint. It’s so versatile to me, I can use it obviously on a canvas; I use it on shoes; I use it when I make a stencil for a t-shirt, and really there’s no limit to it; it will go on anything.

MM: Name some of the various art projects you have been involved with…. for instance, music, shoes, tattoo designs?

CL: Art projects would include: sign painting, tattoo design, t-shirt design, web design, my shoe paintings, bass drum heads, band t's, screen-printing, running a home recording studio with my brother. I’m even helping a recording studio in Deland with its interior design and architectural concept.

MM: What else occupies your time?

CL: My day mainly consists of running my lawn business, cutting grass, school, hanging out with my girlfriend, and either painting on a shoe or writing/recording some kind of song.

MM: Art you more passionate about music or art design?

CL: Where I’m at right now in life, art is probably consuming most of my brain. I have a lot of ideas and aspirations toward art and design right now; music is a huge part of who I identify myself with, but currently my focus is school and art.

MM: Ultimately, what would you like to do with your talents?

CL: If I got to sit down and write out my dream occupation and have it come true, it would be: running a major clothing line of my own, designing in the mass media, having a some kind of reputation in the music industry for either recording or songwriting, and founding a charity or foundation in my brothers name helping kids with cancer and their families.

MM: How did you start painting on shoes?

CL: My older brother handed me a pair of slip-ons he bought, when we were playing a concert up in Jacksonville. He told me, "Paint something cool on it.” So, I painted some little tattoo-like picture in 10 minutes, and everyone who saw them, loved them.

MM: How much do you sell them for?

CL: I sell the shoes I paint on for $75, and I include the shoe.

MM: Where can people check out your work and contact you?

CL: My only contact right now is through my Myspace. You can see just about all the shoes I’ve done so far on there, but there’s a few missing. myspace.com/thehotballs

MM: What is your current project or focus right now?

CL: I’m finishing up a project for the band Paramore; I’m painting shoes for each member, and probably by the time this is posted they will be done.

MM: About how long does it take you to finish a shoe? Describe the process.

CL: With the shoes, I would say 98% of the time people will come to me, and tell me what they want on them. If they don’t have any reference pictures, then I will go research the things they want to get an idea of what it looks like, and how to accurately draw it. Next, I draw out a few concept ideas, and when I find one I like, I start painting it on the shoes. Depending on what I paint on the shoe… it can take me anywhere from a day to a month; most of it, is getting the right composition and the right figures. But, the actual paint time usually takes me about 5-6 hours. A lot of the art is original images that I create from listening to what the people want. I think only 2 people have actually handed me a picture and said, “I want that”; the rest of the time, people just describe a concept, and I take it from there.

MM: Do you have a favorite subject, like dragons or trees? …. inspiration?

CL: I don’t think I have a specific image I like to draw best. Mostly what I enjoy is something colorful, and realistic, with a tattoo feel to it.

MM: Have you had any major influences, such as artists, friends, teachers, etc.?

CL: As far as influences go, I would say Van Gogh for sure; I love his color. My friends are a huge influence; I love to hear their ideas and how they would do it. And, I’m really influenced by color schemes.

MM: What’s the hardest part about being a freelance artist?

CL: The hardest thing for me is that I haven’t really had the time to go out and promote myself as a freelance artist. So far, everything I’ve done was because I was approached by someone who heard from a friend; or, just word of mouth, really. So, once I feel I have ample experience and knowledge, and time, I will be able to market and promote myself.

MM: If you had an ideal studio, what would it contain in it?

CL: If I had an ideal art studio, it would contain a huge screen-print press with all the equipment needed to make my own shirts, an awesome space to paint and do my projects, and a huge space in the front to have a gallery.

MM: Oh yeah, how old are you and how long have you been in Daytona Beach?

CL: Also, I’m 23, and have lived in Port Orange (Daytona Beach) my whole life.