What are you ... with artist Aaron Whisner
BY BRAVETTA HASSELL World Scene Writer
Thursday, February 14, 2013
2/14/13 at 5:10 AM
Local artist Aaron Whisner said the concept of Clean Hands, his shop in the Pearl District, is really two-fold.
There's a website, where users can build their own custom, screen-printed T-shirts featuring original artwork. Then there's the storefront, 1315 E. Sixth St., which is connected to the studio where Whisner and his team works. The store sells shirts, art supplies, books, records and other items.
The art that ends up on some of the CH tees you may see around Tulsa either comes from old books or magazines, Whisner says, or it's drawn by someone on CH's team.
The shop only recently opened, but Whisner, whose work can be seen at such places as Dwelling Spaces in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, has been in the work of creating for more than a decade.
That legal graffiti wall Whisner's high school art teacher got for his class to paint back in the day may be part of where it all started.
"(I) always loved painting that thing," Whisner says.
See some of Whisner's more recent wall work on the side of the Clean Hands building at Sixth Street and Peoria Avenue.
Whisner gave the Tulsa World a few minutes to find out more on what he's doing and what he's thinking about Tulsa.
... inspired by?
My friends making stuff, seeing the scene grow.
... excited to see in Tulsa?
A bigger, better public art scene. Too many blank walls out there!
... working on right now project-wise?
Getting the CH website up and running. Block party/Art jam (in its planning stages) next month. Our spring line.
... doing on a random Saturday afternoon?
Working. In the words of Mike Jones, "You don't grind, you don't shine."
... telling people who may be considering a move to Tulsa?
It's cooler than it sounds.
... listening to on heavy rotation? Top five favorite bands/artists right now?
Wu Tang, Action Bronson, Turquoise Jeep, R Kelly, Gucci
... reading?
A book called "Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture" by Ellen Ruppel Shell. It's about our culture's obsession with cheap goods, and the hunt for "a good deal."
... slowing down to really check out in terms of local art?
Dumpster tags, bus stop and bathroom graffiti.
... describing your style as?
Graphic-type experimenter. I'm bad at describing my style.
... wanting to come to the Pearl District?
More shops. No offense to the pals that own one, but we have enough bars and restaurants.
... doing to get those creative juices flowing?
(Taking) a nap.
Original Print Headline: What are you ... ? with Aaron Whisner, owner of Clean Hands
Bravetta Hassell 918-581-8316
bravetta.hassell@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Clean Hands owner Aaron Whisner poses at the shop in the Pearl District in Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World
|
