Photo: Still from Documentary

In loving memory of Bojan Rapresent (29.05.1988-11.06.2009) This film was made in Spring 2008 by one of my good friends and sister, Ivana Todorovic. Bojan ended his life on June 11th, 2009 at age 21. Please watch and pass this along to your loved ones, friends and family. It is sure shot of motivation and inspiration.

Courtesy of gregmike.com

GrungeCake: When did you first begin to express yourself as an artist and what triggered it?

Greg Mike: Luckily growing up, I had a family that was very into the arts, everything from scenery to architecture. From as young as I can remember they made sure I was surrounded by creativity, everything from sculpting, painting, drawing. I can remember being 8 or 9 just being taught to think outside the box and to use art as a form of expression. At first, I got really heavy into oil painting but once I hit 12 I started skating all day, everyday. Naturally, the elements of graffiti and street art caught my attention and sucked me in as I started visiting NYC on the weekends. From there art became an addition, I knew at that point I couldn’t live without it and I’d be creating till they put me in the casket.

GrungeCake: We find your artwork very creative and interesting. Do you have any inspiration or theme for your artwork?

Greg Mike: I find inspiration in everything I see, it might be the shape of a pair of scissors sitting on my desk or a dream I had the night before. You can find inspiration in the simplest things in life, it doesn’t even necessarily have to be visual either you just have to keep an open mind. I have always had a strong love for music and feel it really moves me at times. It’s hard for me to draw, paint or create without music on. Music is my speed and definitely motivates my work and keeps my brain fueled and moving. As for a theme, I think recently my newer work has been a bit brighter, bolder and not as serious as it was about 5 years ago. In economic times like this I really feel everyone is so tight, dark and serious, so I try to do my part to add a little bit of life into the mix.

GrungeCake: Do you develop new characters? Or is there just one set that you’ve created to use?

Greg Mike: I am always developing new characters and there are about 100 different characters I will be debuting for the “Popstars and Cokeheads” series. Many have the same signature loudmouth with the snaggle, chipped or missing tooth or tired eyes but all are very different and unique. With art and design I feel it’s all about progression, like a body of water that sits for too long without movement it eventually turns to a nasty swamp so I always attempt to have forward motion and progression to ensure my work doesn’t become stale or stagnant.

GrungeCake: How did the soda can project come about?

Greg Mike: Honestly, I was sketching one day and created these “mad cans” characters which initially were just drawings just getting some emotions out. They weren’t even soda cans at that point. I had been painting 2D surfaces for years and one day after recycling tons of cans it hit me. I worked for about 3 weeks and developed a technique to prime and paint the cans. What started at 1 quickly grew to 20 and I thought to myself I need to do 100 of these guys. It started last February and developed into a rather large project which now includes huge 3D sculptures, cans, teeshirts, posters and collectables and a ton of new items on the horizon. I have always been into word play and one night while tossing and turning trying to get some rest the name “Popstars and Cokeheads” hit me and I ran with it. Here we are today about 1 month out from the show with about 110 pieces finished.

GrungeCake: How long does each can take to completely finish?

Greg Mike: The cans take anywhere from 3-4 hours from start to finish. As for the larger pieces, which will be released at the show take anywhere from 3 days to a week.

GrungeCake: Will they be for sale? If so, where and when?

Greg Mike: Yes, we will be selling them at the shows in San Fran and other cities we are doing the shows at. After the show remaining items will be launched online on www.gregmike.com

GrungeCake: With your array of canvases that we’ve seen you use so far, what other mediums would you like to use that you haven’t yet?

Greg Mike: I’d like to get into building and recycling larger 3D pieces that most people don’t usually think of as art. I really found the project at hand interesting as most people look at cans a something to hold their soda and toss them or crush them. I hope to make people think about what surrounds them is really art and what can be converted or recycled into art. I find it so much more challenging working on 3D surfaces and having to develop a new process to achieve the look you are going for.

GrungeCake: Where can people view your work?

Greg Mike: Gallery shows and on the streets. The best place to stay up to date is at: www.gregmike.com

GrungeCake: Would you be interested in doing some work with GrungeCake?

Greg Mike: I am always open to new projects and ideas, let me know what you have in mind!

GrungeCake: When you first saw/heard the name “GrungeCake Crisis” what were your initial thoughts?

Greg Mike: An old beat up birthday cake but maybe I was thinking a little to literally. (Greg Mike smiles)

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