Meet the Artist: Cat Dirty

About the Artist Series: 

Death Wish is and has always been defined by those who live boldly. From the start, our identity was formed by the bare knuckles attitude it takes to build something out of nothing. And anytime we get the chance to work with others who embody that energy, we just can’t pass it up. 

Artists, hands down, exemplify to us what Live With A Death Wish means. Turning blank slates into serious works of out-of-this-world art, be they on skin or concrete or screenprint on cotton. SO—consider this us getting back to our roots. We’ll be working more closely with artists, creators and makers to curate killer merch you can be proud to rock. 

About the Artist:

Sometimes your morning cup takes you to otherworldly realms, fueling you to accomplish mythical level feats of f*ckery. And other times it amplifies the wild ideas percolating in your mind. Our next release puts that mental image to paper. Well not paper, but to some very exclusive merch.

Name: Mark Phillips

Location: Toronto, CA

Instagram: @catdirty

Last Meal on Earth: Ribeye, shrimp cocktail, bone marrow and a bottle of red wine 

So exactly how much acid does one need to take for their mind to concept work like yours?

Just enough to be on the brink of insanity.

When did you start making art?

I have one of my first paintings from when I was 4 years old. But I started creating professionally in 2020.

What inspires you to create in the style you do?  
 

I’m inspired by skate culture, psychedelics, classic cartoons, and lots of music. 

We’re big R. Crumb fans around here, were you inspired at all by his work? Or was it hours of Wren and Stimpy as a kid?  

Both, I really love Ren & Stimpy’s “Gross ups” by Bill Wray and Bob Camp. 

Speaking of, who are your biggest influences?

Robert Crumb, Basil Wolverton, Ed Roth. I also dig contemporary artists like Riots1394, HuntSoul and Craig Gleason. 

Do you have a process or ritual you need to go through to get ready to create?

I like to get in a “higher” state of consciousness and create “low” brow art. When they meet in the middle I like to call it “medium brow."

Your designs include such interesting characters, even personifying things like the state of Texas with eyes and a gaping mouth. Do you ever come up with backstories for them as you’re creating? We think “Trippin’ Hobo” in particular must’ve seen some sh*t in his day.

No backstories, this is just what lives in my head 24/7.

What’s your favorite medium?

Pencil and paper. It’s the looseness that I love, I always start my creations with a pencil and paper, then once the sketch is tight I move to the iPad. 

You’ve designed tees, products like drink cans, SKATEBOARDS—do you have a preference of type of project you love working on best or is it more about the idea than what you’re creating the design for?

I love skateboard projects, but its definitely more about the idea and having fun in the process.

When did you know you wanted to make creating your career?

I always wanted to be an artist since I was a kid but didn’t take the leap to doing it full time until 2020. 

What do you do when you feel creatively blocked?

Play guitar, eat mushrooms, go skate and lots of Death Wish Coffee. 

What moment in your career as an artist are you most proud of?

I was really stoked when Elliot Sloan asked me to design his Birdhouse pro model. I’ve always wanted to create a skateboard design since I was a kid. Also Jimbo the Drag Clown asked me to create the background inflatables for their new Jimbo’s Drag Circus tour. That was super fun too and really wild to see them come to life. Last but not least, Collective Arts Brewery has been super rad to create for, their creative team are some of the best peeps I’ve worked with. And the fact that it’s a perfect combo of beer and art is stellar. 

What’s the most played song on your playlist right now?

Dr. John- Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya

What do you do when you need to destress?

Hang with my daughter Georgie and my partner Natalie, we have awesome times together, also go skate, play guitar, beers, draw, paint, day dream, listen to music. 

How did you approach this design in particular?

I started with pencil and paper and sent some ideas to Thomas (creative director). We knew we wanted to have a skeleton ripping out of a weirdo’s head to kind of lock in the “livin’ with a Death Wish vibe.” Once the sketch was locked in I moved to an iPad for the line work then threw in some color and extra details. There’s a timelapse of the piece that people can check out as well. 

We gotta ask—do you drink coffee & if so, how do you take it?

Cappuccinos for the win. 

Last one. If you were a condiment, which one would you be?

Mustard 

We don't know why we asked that last one, but curiosity killed the cat and cut the mustard. Stay tuned this Friday, 4/19, for the exclusive drop of Cat Dirty merch. (including a highly limited and very special addition...)