In the year 1970 somethin', the entity known as Dr. Bibble McGillicuddy came into existence. Alright, enough with the abstract introductions and back to business. I've known this man for many years (older cousin..shameless nepotism but who cares) and his talent astonishes me every time I have the opportunity to view one his creations. To all my people out there, this is my interview with Dr. Bibble McGillicuddy.
1. How would you describe your style of art?
Mobile for the most part! I attack the shoes with the mindset that it's design is something that could be worn to cater to all walks of life.
2. How old were you when you first started? Do you remember the first drawing that you made?
Since I was 5. Always doodles and scribbling on my grandmother's composition book she used to keep to write her numbers. When I got into the 3rd grade I realized that it was something I had a knack for. Had the knack ever since.
3. Your line of specially designed Adidas Stan Smiths had to be one the most creative approaches taken toward footwear. How did that come about?
Through frustration and self assertion. Back in high school is where the footwear painting came about. Credit my good friend Joe Church and his bold step to paint a pair of Timms after he scuffed the fronts. Fast forward almost a decade later. Adidas launches the Superstar Anniversary campaign. I wanted a pair of Captain Tsubasas. Called the Adidas store on South St. Only 2 pair in stock in my size. I breakneck to get down there and the guy behind the counter says "sold out". There is one pair left in my size, but the manager is keeping it.
So I said, "Fuck that. I could just paint my own shoe." I did. The Spiderman Stan Smith was the first shoe to get the ball rolling. Once again my good friend Joe saw it as something fun to do again and the Dassler Rebellion was born. Through the use of the internet, we showcased our work on line and it got the attention of Adidas. I got commissioned to do a few pairs for some celebs for the MTV vma's back in 2006 and the ball got rolling form there. Got a solid crew to do the work with me.To make a independent break from Adidas we changed our name to Rebellion customs
4. Who or What is Rebellion Customs?
The philosophy of mobile art is what I always stressed and it's something I and my artists try to put upon our work. Custom painted sneakers, apparel, paintings, mural work, music; all these things are what makes up Rebellion Customs. The roster of artists has changed since I started and we have gained and lost new ones. Skrybe, Elise, Dave Mass, Rival Free, Truth One, Adam Stab, El Toro are among some of the people that are in the Rebellion Customs circle. Dj Express, Dave Allison, Dave Mass; all the music part of the Rebellion family. If I left any other people out forgive me. It's 2 am. I'm up to my elbows in design work and weed has become a factor in this interview. I can say that the roster is expanding.
5. Who are some of your favorite artists?
Comic book/video game artists : Jack Kirby, Todd McFarlane, the duo of Jim Lee/Scott Williams, Joe Quesada, John Romita Sr and Jr. Akiman, Nishimura Kinu... This the list goes on...
Graffitti legends : Philly: Razz, Dane i2i, Agua, (Respect to the Law 1 crew West Philly love)
Pose 2, NYC: Tats Cru.
Maclaim crew Europe.
6. Why is it important for artists to push the envelope?
One must challenge his or herself at every turn. Otherwise you are locked into becoming stale. No progression can be gained and you cannot expand on your potential.
7. How would you define art?
My view on art and artists is this.
Inhale...
We create with the perverted eye of God. As men we assemble a mere fraction of the creators will to bring about the thoughts desires, dreams that very vastly in the hearts of man and within ourselves.
The eye is perverted in the sense that it is not the pure vision of the creator, but we try our best to come close. To bridge the mirror gap of exposing the internal as well as the external in everyday life and expansive imagination.
...Exhale
That quote was sponsored by Kush weed.
Having trouble trying to find the right words to say... Kush weed will help...
Kush weed... 'Cough" yeah... does the job.
8. Do you believe that you mastered your craft?
I am always learning. Always looking to expand my skills. You learn something new til you breathe your last gasp. That is life. I am proud of my skills, but I'm never satisfied. As artists we tourture ourselves in the sense that the majority of us are never satisfied with our work. At the same time that's what strives us to keep pushing to work and create and expand.
9. Couple of years ago, you were able to have your sneakers on celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, Cee-Lo Green and Dangermouse of Gnarls Barkley,T.I, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Just Blaze, and Nas just to name a few. Has the exposure proven to be beneficial for your company?
Is the sky blue and is water wet? It was a big push to say the least. In one move my resume shot through the roof! LOL. Now it's the task of expanding. Turning the hobby into a business.
Headaches all the way through, but if you love something enough you will fight for it. Fight to make the idea a institution... a physical reality that prospers.
10. How do you view the Philadelphia Eagles for this year?
I think we have some serious potential this year. I love my birds, just like I love my city.
Bleed the green til my last day. Our rookie wide out looks to have serious potential. I get excited every year. I love the fall. Change of weather, the leaves turn and Eagles football.
You will find me in University City at Cavanaughs or at Chickie n Petes in SP. Crab Fries and a Lager?? Fuck what ya heard.
11. I know that you are a video game enthusiast. What is your favorite game of all time AND have video games influenced your artwork?
Street Fighter stands out for me, because the artists that Capcom had doing art design were some of the best. I was always a big fan of Anime and Manga, but the Team of Akiman, Bengus (CMYK) and Nishimura Kinu were insane. In the Street Fighter series, I loved the art for Alpha 1 (Bengus), SF2 Champion Edition (Bengus, Akiman, Nishimura Kinu) and Street Figheter 3rd Strike (Nishimura Kinu). Get your hands on the Capcom Design Work Books and you will understand.
12. What color(s) do you prefer to work with and why?
As far as colors go, I work with what is required for the job. But I have to say that blue is my favorite color. I love a nice sky blue and I love a Royal Blue.
13. What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
I have favorites. I don't give a fuck what anybody says, the 80's had some of the most original cartoons to ever come out. Late 90's is when cartoons went to shit.
I would say Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. G.I. Joe was up there too.
But I remember many a day booking ass to my crib from Add B Anderson Elementary so that I would not miss Transformers on WTXF channel 29. Before the shit was FOX. Talking 85' yall. Saturday's chillin in the barbershop getting a fresh shag cut (aka the Theo Huxtable cut round the time Denise made the Gordon Gartrelle shirt) watching Soul Train followed by Adventure Theatre with Shaw Bros Kung fu. Hop the El down to 69th street from 52nd. Looking at the rooftops bombed with some of the best street art of the time. Sears building right before Millborne station yall... Bombed with some sick shit. Sorry took a trip down memory lane there.
14. Do you approach your sketches, graphic designs, and sneaker customizing in the same way?
15. I know that you have an eclectic taste when it comes to music. Who are listening to these days?
I'm all over the place with music. I don't listen to the radio these days. It's shit.
If I have to hear one more Lil' Wayne song I'm gonna go nuts. That's my problem, the lack of variety. I just pulled up my recently added list. Here it is:
Dexter Wansel : My life on Mars
George Benson : White Rabbit
Grimace Federation : Tested By Chemists ( Shout to the homegrown yall')
3582 Fat Jon and J Rawls : Situational Ethics
Flying Lotus : July Heat
Tommy Guerrero : Return of the Bastard
Ocote Soul Sounds : El Niño y El Sol
TRG: Missed Call Ep
Billy Cobham : Crosswinds
Blu and Exile : Below the Heavens
Hollertronix : Never Scared
EL P: We are all going to burn in hell megamix 2
Jazmine Sullivan select tracks.
Pharrell and the Yessirs : Out My Mind ( gotta dig for that one yall lol)
N.E.R.D. : Seeing Sounds
16. What is meant by "Art is Focus"?
I wouldn't say that art is focus. It takes focus, but it is not focus. I say this because the beauty of art is that sometimes the creation comes about by accident. I call art "the beautiful frustration". The task of creating can be the frustration at times or sometimes it can just flow. That's the beauty of creating art. There were times where I had a set gameplan for creation and it game out great or not how I expected. There are times where I have created some of the best shit in fits of anger or aggression. Art is emotion. Emotion holds a higher regard than the focus I think. The love to create holds a higher regard. I like to create for people, but I do it for self gratification first. The act of challenging myself. The act of making the idea a solid reality and the process that goes with it. That's where the focus comes in. Personally, I was never big on painting. I didn't like in highschool, but the desire to challenge myself has made it more enjoyable.
Rebellion Custom's Myspace
Dr. McGillicuddy's Email
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