BRAD LOAFER

How did you first get into art?

I did a bit of scribbling when i was younger especially with the anime style characters in high school...Just funny bad drawings to make people laugh. I dreamt of being a cartoonist when i was younger along with playing AFL and owning a Ferrari but kind of grew out of art due to things like lack of faith in myself and "Whats the point" kinda thing. Then I became obsessed with graffiti and mindless vandalism... scratching bus stops tagging up Hungry Jacks bathrooms etc stuff like that! Which i thank the lord for because it got me back into art and is the reason I'm doing what I do now and I have no complaints. All thanks to expressing myself especially in the darkest times with the spray can, the pad and the pen being used to find peace and flow in pain. mmmm I love it. If you feel it you just gotta do it without judgement and doubt blocking the way to sunshine and rainbows.



Who's artwork are you hyped on at the moment? 

There's so many perth artists killing it which is so rad to see. Daek, Ayres, Straker (king), Kid Zoom, but I get pretty hyped on anybody picking up a pen or a brush or a can and doing what they feel like doing around me and disregarding the 'quality' of it especially my friends. Expression is beautiful. 
I get hyped on any kind of street art I see but sometimes its a bit rude and un-cool to be vandalising peoples personal property etc.... the idea is to decorate the streets! Malarko is one of my favourites he should be checked out and and Abyss-607. Local artist Smij is a fantastic person and artist. Sneak Smith would blow minds on other planets if he pulled his finger out. Along with Toby Leek but unfortunately he lays super low and never pops his head up so not many people get to see his amazing detailed illustrations.

Any advice for young artists? 

Just do your thang. Have pure intentions. If you feel an artistic block then read a book, write a story, sing a song or anything else just don't stress about art. Pressure can be good but it can also drive you mad. Look at lots of art. Don't bubble your thoughts away and sit in a cloud of smoke. Surround yourself with people you bounce off and whom bring the best out in you. If you want to get UP just do it don't be afraid. Be smart!

How do you feel about Perth's growing creative scene? It seems like the "Jump-Ship-To-Melbourne/Sydney" move for young creatives is now on the decline. 

Its great and it will only get better and I'm super proud and happy to be part of it doing my thing not giving a fuck and feel blessed that I've been able to paint the walls and experience the things that have come my way. I think the art I do is more part of the scene than I am because I like to lay low and probably don't get out to as many exhibitions and things like that as I should but yeah most of the time my ideal time is a night alone with cartoons and art. Nothing beats a trip to Melbourne for a good thrash about though and I do plan to go back there for a much longer time than what I have done. Its where I go to level up.



What do you think social media has done for artists over the last year or two? 

I love being able to just look at my phone and flick through Instagram and get super inspired seeing what other people in the game are doing worldwide. I'm sure it has its negatives along with its positives but the negatives don't really matter as long as the art is done for ones self.