#swollenfinger

Root Carnales.

Alex Suelto. (Swollenfinger)

West by Midwest Photography.

Lucky Alley @ 24th St in San Francisco, Ca

See other art by Alex and follow him on Instagram.

Written by Marcos P.

First off tell the readers a little about yourself, who is Swollenfinger? My real name is Alexander Suelto, Originally born in Germany, raised in Stockton California, currently living in San Francisco. Im finishing up my last year at the Academy of Art University studying illustration and enjoying the Bay Area. 

We know that all forms of art can be considered independent art, and that term is too broad to use to describe just one person so in your words, what is it about your art that defines you. simply put, what makes your style yours.  I think it's important to explore all options, mediums, techniques and styles. I knew if I really wanted to progress I had to learn more about the foundation of art and principles of design. I learned from those who did it before me and those around me and took what I liked and applied it to my own style. So what you see in my work is a mixture of a thousand different artists, you might not see it because a great artist just knows how to conceal their inspirations by constantly practicing. I like to keep this new and refreshing, never tie myself to a particular style but making sure the viewer sees my hand (brushstroke) in every piece.   

What is Artful Cowlicks? Haha... Artful Cowlicks isn't really anything but me making fun of my bad two cowlicks on the back of my head, its a pain in the ass. It looks like two whirlwinds fighting against each other. But I kinda look at it as a way of describing my stylistic approach to art...You don't know what direction Im going to take on. Keep you guessing.

We love the navel mines.  Whats the story behind your use of them and would you say they're somewhat of a staple in your art.  If you see how those water mines are used in real life, they are stagnate, tied down, constraint to the bottom well what happens if the chain was broken and floats off into the air like a ballon? Where will it go, how far will it take itself to til it blows up? Who knows right? I started stenciling the imagery back in the day and has evolved into much more, so the mine is basically me finding a place in this world to put a stamp on it. 

   You have quite the range in terms of your signature style. What would you say is your favorite thing to draw.  i don't necessarily have a favorite which is why I switch things up constantly because I had a ton of things in my head or just by observing our society I always want to experiment and challenge myself my skill but I really like drawing and painting on various locations it's fun and spontaneous and I always like drawing booties over and over again haha 

How long have you been drawing, when did you decide to take it more seriously? I have been drawing since I can remember when I was a lil kid. Highschool is where I picked up graffiti and it evolved from there until years later I decided to pursue art school to turn my hobby into a real career doing.

How long did it take you to achieve the realism a lot of your work has? I tried practicing how to draw realism before I went to school but it wasn't until then I learned the proper techniques how to achieve it and eventually got better at it. I have much to learn though...

Do you sit in silence when you work or do you have to have something going on in the background? I like working in my own lil bubble but I do have a ton of music playing. So if I ever paint live in front of a crowd there has to be music playing so I can get in the mood and paint while giggin.

  Are you reading anything at the moment? I just finished reading Hyena by Jude Angelini. Its an awesome and funny read of sex, drugs and the human condition.    

Lets talk about #Bootypops lol,  where did that idea come from? And When are you gonna re-up?  BootyPops evolved from my Assellation pattern. I wanted to experiment on taking that pattern to a 3 dimensional and tangible form. I created it from the beginning to the finish product; sculpting the master, creating a mold and making chocolate pops that I introduced during Valentines Day. I have big plans for those Bootypops, want to take my product to the next level. Im on my Willy Wonka 2016 shit right now...Who'll see. But right now Ill have them restocked very soon.

 We loved your take on the unfortunate deaths of Erick Garner and Mike Brown both the artwork and the Figures. We Felt like you definitely drove a point home with the wrestlers using choke holds on officers. Definitely a powerful image. What was going through your mind when that idea hit you.  I wanted to address the issue that myself and everyone could relate to without being distasteful and too personal. I grew up watching wrestling when I was a kid and Im sure a bunch of us too. So I thought it was a great way to visually interpret how I felt by drawing some of my favorite wrestlers doing their signature moves on riot cops.  

Where can people buy your work? You can purchase my art on http://alexandersuelto.bigcartel.com you can cop Originals, prints or bootypops. I always change things up in my shop.

 Any big projects you're working on currently? I have a bunch of products coming very soon with InfiniteSF, middle of April actually. The theme is still poking fun at police so it should be a dope project. Keep your eyes peeled when it drops.

  Any last words for the readers? Hope you all like the interview and take something good out of it. You can follow me on IG SwollenFinger or snapchat: AlexanderSuelto to see the behind the scene stuff into making art.