I caught up with my long-time friend, and the person who got me into street art so many years ago, Tick Tock, to talk about street art in Philly these days.
Painted Philly: What drew you to street art in Philly?
Tick Tock: “In art class, they fill your mind with rules and guidelines and force you to mimic past artists. I’m not saying that the past artists are not incredible, because they were. I’m saying that I could not stand that most art education is trying to teach a proper way to make art. There are no boundaries, the world is literally your canvas. Who says the back of stop signs need to be a blank sheet of metal? Who wants to look at that?
P.P: What made you decide to draw Tick Tock? Why Ticky/Tick Tock?
T.T: “My favorite thing in the world is small, goofy critters. When I started sketching out characters they all had the big bug-eyed look and some rodent teeth. There is definitely a bit of myself in them, considering they appear highly caffeinated, a bit strange, and slightly off mentally. I went with the name ‘Tick Tock’ originally because my brother (Under Water Pirates) and I used to speed-draw random things. Whenever he finished first he would taunt me with ‘tick tock, tick tock’ noises. It was actually friends and supporters in Philly who started referring to them as ‘Tickies’ for multiples, and then it just stuck. People started calling me ‘Ticky’.”
P.P: Where else in the world has Ticky appeared ? I’m proud to say I helped bring Ticky to the United Kingdom a few years ago.
T.T: “Ticky has appeared all across the U.S. Many friends are to be thanked for that; I doubt there is an U.S. state lacking a colored rodent sticker. Ticky art has been displayed in shows in New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, Dublin, London, and various cities in the U.K. There have also been photos of some loose stickers in South America, China, Switzerland, New Guinnea, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, Germany, and France.”
P.P: What else is there to street art besides stickers and newspaper boxes? What else should people look for in Philadelphia?
T.T: “Newspaper bins, signs, poles, doors, the ground, water pipes, subway signs, railings, there is no limit. If you are a fan of the art you see on the street, keep an eye out for fliers and posters. Chances are, those artists are exactly that: artists. Although the illegal form of art seems to be the major form of display, we do frequently have shows in galleries scattered from Old City to South Philly. Keeps your eyes peeled, kids.”
P.P: What types of media do you use for your street art?
T.T: “My paper shall remain secret. Sticky paper is obviously the best; if the back is sticky, I’ll use it. Wood and particle board are always great for a quick install. There is really no limit; you could paint a piece of cardboard and leave it on the sidewalk for someone to find and take home. I’m not big on spray paint in the street, but on canvas I really like Montana Gold. Its very easy to go over with other media, whereas other spray paints become tacky and resistant to ink.”
P.P: Who inspires you?
T.T: “I could rattle off some of the great names of street art that you probably are familiar with if you are reading this, but im going to be honest and hopefully not disappointing. My brother is my biggest inspiration. He got me into art in general. He himself is one of the best street artists in the world in my opinion. He is always encouraging me and inspiring me to do my best and if it werent for him I would not have improved as much as I feel that I have. He is the reason Ticky exists and he is the reason it will always exist.”
P.P: Have you ever gotten caught?
T.T: “No.”
P.P: What does it take to be a good street artist in Philadelphia?
T.T: “You have to go into it knowing the risks, knowing what you are getting into and doing and most importantly, you have to have the right motive. It’s not a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. Success comes with determination and the right motives. If you want to send a message, get your point across, change your surroundings and hopefully spark a sense of creativity in the world, then yeah, kill it! If you are trying for success you are in the wrong feild.”
P.P: Where do you see your work, and Philadelphia street art in general, going in the future?
T.T: “Philly street art has suffered a huge decrease. Either the P.P.D. (Philadelphia Police Department) is doing their job well, or the ones who were hobbying for temporary popularity have finally died off. Philadelphia can add as many new cops on foot as they want, they can buff everything, but street art is never going to stop. It’s a movement, it’s a fixture in creative society. Art is art; it’s in our nature to express ourselves and nobody will take that away. It’s just inhumane. Hopefully Ticky will continue to inspire people and, hopefully, I would like to send ticky in the direction of toys. I think it suits them.”
Wanna see how she does it? Check out this tasty morsel!
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