March 28, 2024
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OneRule Designs

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What’s up, Family! I’m so sorry it’s been a minute, but we are back with a brand new edition of the Faygoluvers’ Underground Spotlight. This time around we deviate from the path most traveled and take a look at a different type of Underground artist… or should I say artists. That’s right, this time we get a chance to peak inside the world an independent art company that started from the ground up with a love for underground music and a unique artistic style… OneRule Designs.

If you’ve never heard the name before, stay tuned because it’s a name you’ll want to remember.

Johnny O: First off, I’d like to welcome you to the Faygoluvers’ Underground Spotlight and thank you for taking the time out for this interview. Can you start us off with a brief introduction of OneRule for the Fam?

OneRule: Well thank ya..it’s a pleasure and an honor. We are a completely independent art company and we specialize in custom art. From painting to custom illustrations..to graphics, body paint and graffiti.

JO: Now, usually we feature musical artists, so I think it’s a fresh change to have an underground artist here. Can you tell us a bit about how this whole thing started for you?

OR: Well pretty much it started in school way back when we would just doodle and people wanted em..but when myspace was the social media to be we started just reaching out to artists we liked to do fan pics…but it really took off when I was living in Portland, OR. I was doing alot of custom illustrations for west coast underground artist and east coast underground artists. I started doing pics for an artist who performed at the gathering from Jersey named Klepto…and also Tragedy 503 out of Portland but at the same time I was doing fan art for alot of the guys on the old sub noize label. At that time we met up with our current graphic guy Kris Kingsley (hillside). After some time off he wanted to come back in which we were extremely happy for his return. I recently, within the last 5 years, moved to hand brushed paintings on canvas…and the love for it has been amazing.

JO: I know that you actually started doing this with a friend of yours, how did that come about and do you still work together?

OR: Well back in high school in 2002 we lost a mutual friend because of a accident at lake Michigan. So to honor our friend and fellow juggalo James Lee Baker we did a collabo black and white poster.. And once we finished it, it became clear this is what we mutually wanted to do but take it to the next level. Yeah we still work together, eastside yimmy (sketch). We pretty much paint together..bullshit..and make mutual desicions..plus we still go to shows together and network…present my paintings and kick it…we butt heads from time to time but who doesn’t, lol, when you’ve been friends for over a decade.

JO: Being from the Michigan, how was the music scene growing up?

OR: We had the luxery of being in a state where music was key…from hip hop and horrorcore coming from the D..to living in a college town where all indie music has been always huge. But also we would have tons of rock and metal shows coz of tours heading from Detroit to Chicago or vise versa.. Detroit rock city. Its defineately a great place where music comes together.

JO: What has it be like in your own local scene in recent years?

OR: Lately its been very interesting because of the music biz being what it has been with the underground changing and restructuring and experimentation..being in a college town and in Mich, music here has been born in basement shows and out door parties. I loving seeing the evolution of talented people. And the art they create. Also seeing your friends grow in the music yall grew up to is amazing.

JO: There’s no doubt that your love of the underground scene fuels your work, but how would you describe you style?

OR: lol my style…im a college dropout for animation..so i take anime…american cartooning..

Landscaping…and mixing it with the graffiti element..with the bright colors…

JO: You’ve worked in many different mediums through the years, is there a particular one that you prefer to work with?

OR: Lol I love it all…but I love spray paint just haven’t had time to mess with it to much. Lol, ol skool hooligan… But I really enjoy these hand brush paintings… I really enjoy experimenting with different paints and me mad scientist style mixing under a blacklight.

JO: How has the underground responded to your art?

OR: Its been crazy I’ve been doing this for over a decade now but the last 3 years has been nuts. I simply ask artists..some are leary..so I send examples and for the most part they are excited and amped. And their responses are what I live for.. The love has been amazing. And the people who just really enjoy my art and show me love has been wonderful. This love has gotten me through alot of really hard times..it’s where when everything is chaotic.. I feel comfortable.

JO: While this is obviously a labor of love, do you see this being something you could eventually turn into a self-sustaining career?

OR: As a matter of fact yes. Thats what I strive for and lose sleep for, but I don’t just do it for myself because like you said labor of love. From all the very close people I’ve lost this is what fuels me. Their love and belief in what I do. I hope one day I could live nicely off it. But if not I’d be happy just knowing I’m doing something different and my own way.

JO: You’ve done many different types of artwork for various artists, big to small, commissioned and some to show your love of our scene. Is there a particular piece of work that you are proud of?

OR: Honestly..I love them all… But I can tell you that the one I am most proud of is the Lex the Hex one. Coz that one he is really into. Honestly, same with the Gmo Skee one.. I love seeing them excited and proud to show it.

JO: Your art has made it in the hands of some big name artists as well, was there a moment when you were just blown away that an artist was so appreciative or loved the work?

OR: Honestly I love presenting the artwork the experience is sooo damn worth it.. I can tell you that Jaime Maddrox when I met him for the Batman themed painting just the love..the vibe.. And the excitement he gave off was sooo dope..I’ve presented to Tech N9ne twice.. 1st time I started out west then recently with a painting and overtime it’s me fumblin around all fan girl like…but like all of the artists I’ve given artwork, I’m really just geeked they liked. I save all the signed prototyped prints and they are framed and same with any pics of them with my art. That is what I love collecting. To me that is the rarest and freshest thing to have.

JO: What can fans and artists expect from you in the future? Any big (or little) projects in the works that you can let us in on

OR: I can’t say everything lol. But I do have a list that I have built after contacting artists and it’s growing. I’ve only just started working down it. I can tell you that I have reached out to quite a range of underground hip hop artist and they have been extremely awesome about it.

JO: While you’ve worked for and created art for several artists, if you could reach out to one or hope to create something for one musical artist, who would it be? And why?

OR: There are four big names I would love to be able to make contact with for art. Like I said I’m independent and I can only do so much myself. I would like to reach out to Ritz, Yelawolf, Eminem, and Snoop. I think I’d make some great paintings with that. But paintings take time and supplies so I can’t just be like I’ll do it and let it sit. I haven’t kept any art all the artist have the originals.

JO: Where can fans or perspective fans find more of you work or even pick up some of your art?

OR: Well we are in the process of restocking merch for onerule. But they can contact me directly on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. And they can also hit our art page on facebook up. We always respond. OneRule Designs

Facebook.com/oneruledesigns

JO: How can musicians, who may be looking for you to create some artwork, contact you directly?

OR: Thru social media at this point on most of em they can either look me up by name or by oneruledesigns

JO: Over the years, I’m sure you have had some influences in your artistic endeavors. Who would you each say have been the biggest influences in your career?

OR: Actually its all the artists I’ve met. All the memories keep me goin.. But the time we went to Chicago and kicked it with Chucky Chuck..and Cousin Cleetus, man that night was epic..or even when I kicked it with Tragedy 503 and Dirtball at a backyard event coz the venue cancelled..that kind of stuff influences ya. But artwise im a cartoon dork.. I love DBZ… And pretty much anything Tim Burton has done. But I love 80s cartoons. Like Thundercats, Silverhawks, and old skool TMNT.

JO: On the reverse side, we all have those that keep us going in tough times. Who has always been there for you, kept you pushing and believed in you?

OR: My wife, but recently since that lost a lot of artist that I’ve done artwork for or have met me check in on me. Some street teamers also do that. But my team kinda keeps me focused and in line. Lol we all lose our way, but the love and experiences are what keep me going really. I love that look on the faces and that energy. It doesnt get better than that.

JO: Well it’s clear that music plays a major part of your life and passion for artwork, but whom could we find each of you currently listening to?

OR: I’m a big twiztid fan of course..MNE all the way. But I’m also really into Strange Music..really into Mayday. Mursday is the album I start everything with…its just got that vibe..but really digging Gorilla Voltage..Gmo Skee..Lex…ROC and Blaze …lol, I got alot of stuff on spotify.. I’m really diggin that..

JO: Everything else aside, is there anything you’d like to say to the Faygoluvers’ family before we sign off?

OR: Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you cant do anything.. Go against the grain if you have to. Believe in what you do..and always have love for what you produce…don’t ever get to hard on yourself. Take the time to enjoy everything around. Live for the moment. Much love yall.

JO: As always let’s end this thing on a happy note with some shout outs.

OR: I got shout outs, lol, but I’ll keep it to my best friend Eastside Yimmy…lol I know I’m difficult af…Kris Kingsley.. Welcome back homie.. Steveooh..u fat mofuka…lol…Cliff and Monica, thank ya…and it will never be enough…Jame Lee Baker..ur still my dude…and last but not least…my late wife Cassie Lynne…I love u…and nothing has been the same…u are my butterfly…forever with me in everything I do. And to everyone who I forgot u know I got love….and thank you Faygoluvers yall are the shit….

Well, I suppose that will wrap up another Underground Spotlight. I want to thank T-Kay, Jimmy English and the whole OneRule Designs crew. Thank you so much for taking the time out for this interview and keep the amazing artwork coming. I personally can’t wait to see what’s coming next and if you are interested, be sure to check out the links above… or if you’re too lazy, just scroll down and hit the links below this.

Now before I officially sign off, as always if you would like to be featured right here on the Underground Spotlight, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]. Make sure to include a short bio, why you would like to/should be featured, a track or two and a couple of pics. Of course, don’t forget to include UGS or something similar in the subject line. So, until next time…

Peace,

Johnny O.

 

LINKS:

OneRule Designs Facebook

OneRule Designs Instagram

 

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