Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Glass.
Hi Dave, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been making art since a bug jar collectin’, snakeskin keepin’, imaginary friend havin’, puffy monster sticker stickin’, wee tot in the 1970’s Carolina landscape. The craft I still play with now began to develop in the 80’s, being part of the skate/punk/thrash scene, scrawling and spray painting slogans, band logos, and designs on my clothes, skate ramps, school property, and such. I defaced and decorated everything, including my and my bandmates’ cars – plus forming a hardcore punk band that needed art. Fast forward to the late 90’s after a stint in the Art Institute of Philadelphia, a band I joined (The Strychnine Babies) were in need of a logo, merch designs, and album covers. One design stuck out (The Droogette) a clockwork orange style triangle design, center placed, a menacing female droog brandishing a dagger and cane. I plastered stickers and flyers all over Philly and NYC before and after playing gigs. It seemed like from the small local scenes’ notoriety that the band was reaping, my art followed suit.
Long story short, this sparked the next decades’ making art and screen printing boundless merch for bands. This all came to pass with the last commissioned gig poster for Soundgarden in 2013 and personal work for the band I was in until 2015 (D.T.O. – Doomed to Obscurity) outta Philly. Since that time, I’ve mostly been painting and illustrating imagery of strong women of gothic punk subculture, urban decay, struggles with addiction, unusual free-styled hand lettering, creatures, and things. In 2018 my partner, photographer Kristen Grundy, and I formed DAWN 11:11 Art Collective while living and working in Philadelphia’s Villain Arts Compound in the Fishtown/Kensington section of town. In May 2021, we pulled anchor, myself after 29 years in Philly and Kristen 10 years off and on, sold most of our stuff and moved to Austin. From San Francisco to Philly and now Austin, DAWN 11:11 has shown in gallery exhibits and various venues – doing the art market scene ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nah, not at all. Ha, Ha. I’ve experienced homelessness a few times in the journey. I’ve lived in my car, a screen printing shop, a cutting room floor, and couched hopped in between living spaces. Meow Mix is disgusting, but a shot of pickle juice for breakfast is awesome, and dumpster diving is not a crime. I’ve dealt with battles from addiction. Self-doubt and ADHD make art life a bit tricky, but I take it all with a grain of salt. I’m still here doing what I do, and that’s what matters. I’ve also had missed opportunities. For example, living in HUD housing (the projects) with only a landline phone, while working a printing gig, I missed a call from Island Records to do an album cover for an Iggy Pop project with another band. Of course, they were on a time crunch so they gave it to someone else that was more easily accessible. Needless to say, I’m a lifelong Iggy and The Stooges fan. I’ve illustrated and hand screen printed rock posters that were banned from using for promotion because of drug-induced subject matter. Going without food for a day on and off here and there can have its benefits, like a fast for a day to reset your body. Downfalls, pitfalls, and rigmarole, I’d say. I’m barely making ends meet as an artist today, but there’s more opportunities here for artists in Austin. Change is good.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an illustrator, printmaker, and occasional drummer. I specialize in imagery of strong women of punk/gothic subcultures and urban decay, with a bit of hand-drawn typography, rock posters, and more recently paintings. I’m also a screen printer of 19 years, but since moving to Austin have been out of practice printing by hand. I’m currently building a small print shop in our garage to get back to making art prints for DAWN 11:11 Collective. I may be most proud of the fact that people have told me my style is very recognizable as mine and stands out from the crowd. What sets me apart is that art and music have remained an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember. This ain’t some fly by night wannabe gig. I’ve crashed and burned and rode the flames out to a cinder. I roll with the anvils dropped on my skull and festering sores that remind me I’m only human.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Always have a plan B. Don’t have high expectations. Don’t let people take advantage of you as an artist, you have a skillset. Continue to do your craft even if you slave away at a meaningless, soul sucking day job to keep a roof over your head. Find gigs that benefit your artistic endeavors. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Contact Info:
- Email: daveglassart@gmail.com
- Website: dawn1111.com
- Instagram: @art.ov.glass
- Facebook: facebook.com/daveglassart
- Other: daveglassart.bigcartel.com
Image Credits:
All original art by Dave Glass Riddick image photos by Dave Glass Riddick and Kristen Grundy
