Visual Artist Interview Series Vol. 1: Pat Jensen
Interview by: James Adamiak, Writer (@RisingPathMusic)
Edited by: Paul Thorson, Writer/Editor (@paulyt03) & Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Pat Jensen is an awesome human and an acrylic painter and illustrator from Minnesota. His curiosity, sense of humor, and positivity speak loudly in his art. He has created artwork for Sage Francis, Del The Funky Homosapien, Carnage the Executioner, Toy Machine skateboards, Strange Famous Records, Ecid, and countless others.
We share a love of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, skateboards, and power lines. He recently put down his pencil to answer some questions for Melodic Noise.
1. What was the first commission that you can remember? (flyer, album cover, poster, etc. unpaid or paid)
Cowabunga, dude. Thanks for having me! I probably started with flyers for local bands (Saint Cloud area.)
The first art commission that stood out was the album cover for one of those local bands, Seazon of the Fly. Album title: WONDERFLY. A deluxe two-disc CD & DVD release. I drew the cover art, a two-panel spread (when you open the digipak), and designed the physical packaging. That was an exciting project because it was my first time doing all of those things.
2. You have studied and currently work in the advertising field. How has your knowledge of advertising and marketing influenced your art and style?
Interesting. I can see that influencing my art, flyers, and promotional artwork especially. Making sure the most important info is easy to read. Maybe it’s a bonus for some people because I can create the artwork, layout, and design the rest of whatever project we’re working on. Instead of them having to work with various people on it. Now that you mention it, working on early freelance graphic design projects definitely set me up nicely for working on artwork for people. There are a lot of similarities.
3. For the past couple of years, you have painted skateboards for “Skate Unity” Can you explain what Skate Unity is and how long have you been doing this for?
Absolutely. Skate Unity is an art show and fundraiser started in 2009 by The Youth Shelter Supply (a local skateboard and snowboard shop) to help pay for the St Cloud Skate Plaza.
It was such a hit that it kept going after the skate plaza was completed. Local artists get a blank skateboard to work on (I’ve always painted mine). These one-of-a-kind boards sell via silent auction, and the money goes to a good cause (a business, charity, or event picked ahead of time). Complete skateboards have been purchased and donated to the Boys and Girls Club; some have supplied the funds to have skate camps for kids, stuff like that.
It’s a wonderful event and one of my favorite projects to work on every year. I’ve been there since the beginning. The Youth Shelter Supply has since closed its doors, but Skate Unity lives on. TYSS Forever!
4. What is currently your favorite thing to draw/paint or favorite technique to use?
I’d say my favorite things to draw and paint are portraits of people and pets. It’s a fun challenge to try to capture likenesses. People and pets are meaningful to the people I’m drawing or painting portraits for. I’m also tasked with a lot of portrait work for flyers and album artwork. Favorite technique? A tie between digital illustration and traditional acrylic painting.
5. Can you describe your process for any artists out there (including tablet or desktop, materials, medium & programs)
For painting, I use acrylic paint on primed paper or canvas (or skateboards, like we’ve already talked about). I’ll have a reference sketch or photo that I typically transfer over with a grid drawn out of watercolor pencils.
I also sketch in watercolor pencil. I then paint outlines and the darkest shadows in first. I can see very quickly if things are in the right place, make adjustments, and get a good idea of how the painting will turn out early in the process. The watercolor pencil sketch and grid lines can be scrubbed away with water on a paintbrush and whatever remains disappears into the painting much better than graphite. Then it’s just the push and pull of rendering out the painting and working on it to a point where it feels finished.
Knowing when to stop is key. For digital illustration, I use Photoshop and a 22-inch display I can draw directly on. I start with rough sketches (usually on paper), then work on a tighter digital sketch. After that is finished and approved, I’ll switch to digital inking brushes and ink over top of the sketch on a new layer. When that’s finished, I hide the sketch layers and wrap it up by coloring it digitally. My process for drawing on the iPad in Procreate is very similar.
6. I first became aware of your work through art that you have done for artists such as Carnage the Executioner and Ecid. Can you describe what it’s been like collaborating with them throughout the years?
Oh nice! Yes, for sure. Carnage the Executioner and Ecid have both been great to work with. Carnage the Executioner and I have so many projects and ideas in the works right now. He stays busy, and his merch table is next level. So I stay busy too. I’m lucky to be working with him; we’re a true collaborative team.
I’ve created a lot of artwork with Ecid. Album covers, an illustrated lyric booklet, artwork for singles, show flyers, shirt designs, etc. Always fun to work with him. I can’t say enough good things about Carnage the Executioner and Ecid.
7. How do you define success as an artist?
I think if you’re creating artwork, it's a success. As simple as that. It can be difficult to create, can get stuck in a rut, and you can feel uninspired or burnt out. For me, all of those things come and go. So when they go, I can get back to it (usually with a refreshed and renewed drive). That’s all part of the process, but the creation is the success.
8. Thinking back, what was a project that you were very excited to start?
Hmmm, the album cover painting for the original motion picture score for “Vault” (music by B. Dolan). I got to sift through scenes and elements throughout the movie and try distilling it down to one image. It was a great challenge. And I got to paint Chazz Palminteri; I’ve been a fan of his since A Bronx Tale.
9. What is a technique that you want to learn more about or try?
I recently bought supplies to try linoleum cutting to make prints. I’ve always loved that process and end result. I tried it out long ago, and I’m very excited to give it another shot. I also want to try my hand at animation if I ever find the time.
10. How has your style changed over time?
I think my illustration style has cleaned up and solidified over time. When I started ink drawing, I was set on learning how to ink with a pen, nib, and brush. To the point where some early work wasn’t as good as it could’ve been. I had a narrow mindset and thought that was the right way to do it.
When I got the hang of digital illustration, the result was better and cleaner and could be done much faster. As far as painting goes, I hope it has progressed. I spend more time on the initial planning and drawing now, so I think there’s a stronger foundation to build off of. Some people can sit down and wing it and start a painting. Not me.
11. You have frequently collaborated with Strange Famous Records (founded by Sage Francis with artists such as Seez Mics, Sage Francis, B. Dolan, BlackLiq, Mopes, etc.) Can you tell me how your relationship with Strange Famous started and how it has developed throughout the years?
Up to that point, I had only ever made flyers for St Cloud area bands playing in St Cloud area bars. One day, I saw an announcement that Sage Francis would perform in Minneapolis around Valentine’s Day. An idea sparked instantly. I didn’t see any tour artwork, so I reached out and offered to paint an updated version of his Sage “Frenchkiss” 7-inch cover and make it into a flyer. He seemed interested, or at least willing to let me give it a shot.
So I got to work. I was working two jobs at that time. I would come home from both and spend some time on this. It came together pretty quickly, from what I remember. I sent him updates and photos, and he seemed to get a kick out of it. I finished the painting and designed the Minneapolis flyer ASAP. He wanted to use it for all three shows on that run, so I designed those flyers and made a flyer for the Midwest Excursion 2012 listing all three dates, cities, and venues.
Just like that, my art was posted up in Madison, Minneapolis, and Chicago. Incredible. I was standing in the crowd months (later), before the show and saw the flyer projected on the big curtain at First Ave. I’ll never forget that. Pretty quickly, people started getting ahold of me to work on their art. That’s really what jumpstarted everything for me.
My second project with Sage, the first sketch flopped and was canceled. I thought, “Hey, that was amazing while it lasted!” I’m happy to report that another project for a different SFR artist popped up, went well, and that’s how I started working with Strange Famous. I’m forever grateful to Sage Francis for giving me that opportunity and always being so amazing to work with; he is the best. Shout out to Storm Davis. STRANGE FAMOUS!!!
12. You often participate in Inktober (create a piece every day of the month), and you recently did “Create 28” for the whole month of February. Is it challenging to create art every day? What motivates you to do these activities?
Inktober is a great way to practice inking and build your skills up. You determine how detailed and time-consuming your pieces will be: but it’s a big project regardless.
It’s definitely challenging. Some people can create art daily, but I usually create, create, create, then have to take some time away from it. The first time I attempted Inktober, I think I got seven days in. I got through it once, and It was a great feeling. Seeing that pile of finished original ink drawings afterward was very rewarding.
“Create 28” is something my Mom came up with. It's similar to Inktober because it’s a full-month challenge, but it’s not limited to inking artwork. You can create anything. Art, baking, knitting, whatever you create. 28 days, 28 creations. I thought I’d use it to spend some quality time drawing on my iPad. I had an iPad Pro for years at that point and never felt like I was proficient drawing on it. Create 28 did the trick. I put in a lot of hours that month and feel much more comfortable with drawing on the iPad.
13. What would be your dream project?
Honestly, the stuff that I work on is a dream come true. I’m a big fan of so many of the people I get to work with. Painting commissions are in line with what I want to be doing. So much of it is very rewarding. I hope I get to keep dreaming and keep growing.
14. What is your favorite piece of art that you have created?
Oh, James, you know momma can’t pick favorites.
I’m kidding. It is very difficult to pick, but probably the Sage Francis painting from an earlier question.
15. What do you like to do outside of art? (hobbies, activities, etc.)
I like playing board games, disc golf, collecting art books and comics, spending time with family, going to concerts, relaxing and recharging at home, and going on adventures with my wife. And I really need to do more of all of those things. All at once. Is that possible?
16. Is there anything you would like to plug, and how can people find more of your art?
I don’t have anything specific to promote, but I would love it if you checked out more of my artwork. Instagram is the best spot for that (@patjensen). Feel free to reach out if my style clicks with you. Let’s make some art!
17. Any last words?
Always try to be kind; you never know what people are going through.
