For this feature, we bring you a different kind of artist found within the music festival community.
Pin collecting is a huge hobby for many people in the festival sphere.
It is an avenue for expression, artwork, sharing, and trading. Over time, this lifestyle has evolved some people into well-known artists. Pins, prints, and other pieces of art from these artists can be coveted, forming cult followings, and selling for high prices.
A certain part of this is simple supply and demand, but there seems to be a further problem. Many artists feel that the community has become a place where pin owners seek to profit off the work of others. This could mean flipping pins for a much higher price, or reprinting knockoff copies without the artists’ consent, also known as intellectual property theft, which is an actual crime. Despite some of these decisions made by individuals, artists still flourish in their expressive art styles, and garner a following of devoted fans.
In this post we will interview three well-known pin artists, and ask them some tough questions about the state of the pinning community.
The Pin Artists:
Real Name: Joshua Stewart
Artist Name: Kooz
Age: 23
Location: New Hampshire
How long have you been making art?
I have been making art since I was young. I used to make really weird stuff when I was a little kid. I made maps of tunnel cities and made my own mega-man characters and general weird shit kids make. In high school I used to draw in my sketchbook and draw on my friends skate boards. Never really took art seriously as a passion to pursue until my highschool art teacher pushed me to create a portfolio and that a career and education in art was possible if I were to put my mind to it.
What influences you?
Currently I am inspired by nature, mechanic elements, and the feels surrounding everyday life. Recently I like to create these weird magical little scenes using robotic humanoid type characters and plants interacting with each other. I have in a way stepped away from creating music related artwork that sells, and focused on making art that people can connect with on a personal level, and be happy with.
Is this your full time career?
I have just finished getting my BFA in illustration at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. During the end of my sophomore year, and into my junior year I began posting my bassnectar related art online.
People responded well to it and pushed me to start creating work to sell. Overtime I just kept making connections with people and kept creating work that was unique and spoke to people. I really owe being able to support myself to everyone who supported me from the beginning, to currently. Without the people buying my work I wouldn’t be where I am. So I really try to always express my appreciation and gratitude to my supporters and make sure they know I love them.
First pin you produced?
First pin I produced was a Bassnectar 2014 red rocks pin. I held a presale that showed me that it was possible to sell my work online. It was what really started it all.
Favorite pin you’ve produced?
This 2015 red rocks pin is my favorite because it was a hard point in my life. I broke my knee and had surgery a week and a half before the show. Wasn’t supposed to fly or really be out of bed but I decided to fly out anyway and even though I was physically wicked fucked up, everyone from my squad to my supporters made the whole experience amazing. It put into perspective the entire scene and what making connections through my art meant to me.
What, in your opinion, is wrong with the pinning community?
What I see currently wrong with the community are many things. First let me say I love everyone making a living off of art. And the people supporting us who are making art. I have always stuck to making art that isn’t logo slapped or drug references. I have seen many friends and people effected by drugs and never want to glorify them for money. Like I said I have nothing against those who do, but it’s not my jam. I understand for artists coming up that it sells, and starting up is hard as fuck. Mostly because people want art that is valuable. And only will buy up pins from artists that are established to flip or trade.
It is something I see happen everyday. I honestly don’t care about the flippers because I’m just thankful people are buying my art, and understand that everyone needs money. I guess what I am trying to say is that currently we have established artists that know anything they make with their name on the back is going to sell, and can drop pins at high prices and they will sell out no matter what. Months back I made it public that I will never again sell a pin over $15. I love my supporters and never want them to feel like I take advantage of them. So we have this situation right now of established artists that can make anything and sell out, and artists coming up working their asses off making awesome unique art going unnoticed. Like I’ve said I love the scene and artists doing it, but it is still a crazy and constantly changing scene.
How can we hold one another more accountable?
I think people just have to follow what they respond to and support artists they connect with. At the end of the day artists are going to do what they want whether or not it’s for others. It’s hard to say how to hold others accountable because this day in age you can honestly get away with anything and people won’t really care. Its up to the artist whether they care or not about doing what’s morally right and appreciating your supporters.
Where do you see the current state of the community taking it, and you?
I have in a way stepped away from focusing on making pins, and have started to make clothes, and more illustrative work that connects with people. Luckily the community has come along and supported me in this shift and that means so much. It means the world to create my own art with no relation to trends, artists, or what not and people still down to support it.
I’m relieved that I’m able to make art that in the end I’m happy with that also speaks to others. The scene will always be what it is and I love being apart of it, not saying I don’t make pins for events, but the connections with people while selling these are what really keeps me making them. I like making people happy with my work and event pins is one of the things that really brings the gang together.
What is your closing message to your following?
I’d have to close by just saying thank you. Over the last two years everyone I have met and connected with, listened to stories, hung out, housed me, laughed with has been amazing. So many people are genuine and love to support artists. We have this scene and community aspect that is something truly special and I’m so grateful to be apart of it. The memories and connections I have made have really stuck with me and push me to keep creating and wanting to constantly give back.
To always be true to myself and appreciate what has come to be. Never to step on the toes of those who have helped me along the way. My supporters know I genuinely and constantly appreciate them. I can’t wait for all of us to keep this beautiful and special community moving in the right direction. Anyway much love to all and keep it lit fam.
Do you feel that there is anything missing from this that you’d like included?
No.
Real Name: Ryan Michael Baine
Artist Name: Baine
Age: 26
Location: New Jersey
How long have you been making art?
I’ve considered myself an artist since I was old enough to wield a Macaroni and Cheese crayon.
What influences you?
I could give you some answer like music or nature but the truth is everything in life is constantly influencing me, it’s not something that I can really control. However, sometimes I just get hit with this perfect combination of inspiration and motivation and that is when the magic happens.
Is this your full time career?
On some level yes. My actual 9-5 40 hour work week is my role as Marketing Manager for Baine Contracting, my fathers 32 year old construction company. When I’m not doing that I’m running my own drone photography business, Osprey Perspectives LLC. In the Fall, I also coach high school soccer. Through all of that I find time to design, produce, and sell pins. With the help of my supportive girlfriend Jeana, I mange to get up every morning before work, pack up all my orders, and hit the post office every day. It’s a grind of a life but I love all of it.
First pin you produced?
Mudson Project “Never Forget” and I never will. I’ve kept one on my desk ever since to keep me grounded. Honestly, it’s not the best pin but it’s where I started and I think it’s important I’m reminded of that every time I sit at my desk.
Favorite pin you’ve produced?
That’s hard, it really is.. they’re all like my children. Gun to my head? Sublime Sugar Skull.
What, in your opinion, is wrong with the pinning community?
The individuals that stop what they’re doing in life to put someone down. If someone is feeding you hate just block them. That’s what I do. Life’s to short to feed into peoples negativity and I’m far to busy making the world a better place, come join me!
How can we hold one another more accountable?
We can start by holding ourselves accountable.
Where do you see the current state of the community taking it, and you?
Currently we have some great groups on Facebook run by admins that truly love the community. Those groups allow our community to keep growing and evolving, it’s really fun to watch. Interpersonal interactions will determine where we go from here.
When you’re wearing your pins you’re representing us all. So have fun, show them off, trade them, gift one if you can afford it because people see this and they become pinners instantly! It’s in that spirit we’ll continue to grow, Collect and Connect!
What is your closing message to your following?
I’m just a dude from New Jersey that follows his heart and creates things that he enjoys, so to the people that love me for that, I love you.
Do you feel that there is anything missing from this that you’d like included?
Can I just add how cool it is that pinning is so multi-generational. It really hit me this past Electric Forest.
There were people and lines in and out of our “Pin Museum” of a booth all day, but there was one instance where we had 4 children, 5 teens, 4 people in their 20’s-30’s, 3 people in their 40’s-50’s and two couples in their 60’s-70’s. All of them came together showing one another their pins, how cool is that!? That’s the thing about pins, we don’t just collect, we connect.
Real Name: Alexander Newton Thomas Hull
Artist Name: Lex Newtho
Age: 30
Location: Missouri
How long have you been making art?
I have been doing the pin thing since 2012 starting in San Francisco, to Mill Valley, to KCMO, to Denver, now back in KCMO.
What influences you?
Everything I see influences me; as well as historical artists, modern artists, and cultural current events.
Is this your full time career?
Yes. This is my full time career. It’s pretty much all art, all the time. Whether I’m traveling somewhere to make the art or working from home in my studio. Lots of packages to ship and handle and my wife Amanda has been a rock star in that department, taking care of not only that but also adding her own flare to the “business.” It’s hectic and pretty much non-stop…but I couldn’t even think of a better way to spend my time.
First pin you produced?
First pin I produced was a Bassnectar pin – the pink bassophant standing on a spherical bass drop.
Favorite pin you’ve produced?
I don’t have a favorite – but I have a few…one of them would be the rare v3 Dubuasca (limited edition of 10).
What, in your opinion, is wrong with the pinning community?
Hmmmmm…I’d have to say the major thing, in my view, that is “wrong” with the pinning community is the lack of respect people tend to show each other over the internet. I’ve been extremely fortunate and lucky enough to watch a fan base develop and evolve, revolving around my artwork. So, thankfully, over the years and through some rough patches…we’ve managed to arrive at a point where pretty much everybody is respectful to each other and to me.
The respect and love is fully mutual. I would never be where I am today without all the wonderful people who have shown so much of both to me over the years. I’d be lying if I said everything is peachy…there are certainly bad apples in any group of people, and we have to deal with that as they present themselves. Overall though, it’s a caring, respectful, dedicated, cool community of people – inside my own small portion of it, and among the entire pinning circuit.
How can we hold one another more accountable?
I think the only way to go about it is to keep being respectful and behaving like reasonable decent humans. It’s shitty that there are people who exist to seemingly cause strife and problems for others. It’s weird. But luckily, I think most people are held accountable by word of mouth, reputation, and just their general attitude. It’s a small community in the grand scheme of things, and a lot of people have everybody else’s back.
Where do you see the current state of the community taking it, and you?
I’ve been focusing a lot on my own inner circle for a little over the better part of a year now. I’m not super hip to everything going on, outside of that, the way I used to be. For me personally, I can see this continuing to be a fun thing to be a part of and to push onwards through more creativity, involvement, and exploration. I don’t see myself ever doing anything else in my life other than creating artwork…so I can only hope, deeply, that people remain interested.
What is your closing message to your following?
I would have to say simply…Thank you. I love you. I appreciate you. I am fully aware each and every day that I wouldn’t be able to continue
my pursuit of art and live the life that I do, without the support and love I’ve been shown and graciously given. It’s humbling and awesome. II’ll always do my best to keep you guys satisfied as fans and customers and friends…and fammmmmmmmmmmmm bruh.
Do you feel that there is anything missing from this that you’d like included?
My name, “Lex Newtho”, is a conglomeration of my 3 First names : aLEXander NEWton THOmas
Just so people are clear where that comes from.
Kooz’s Facebook
Kooz’s Website
Kooz’s Instagram
Baine’s Facebook
Baine’s Website
Baine’s Instagram
Lex Newtho’s Facebook
Lex Newtho’s Website
Lex Newtho’s Instagram
Something important here is to notice the age range, the variety of location, the difference in music preference and art style. The secondary point of this article, after profiling these artists, is to say: Come on everyone, we can do better together! Our differences make us great together. Be the positive change that you want to see in the world.
Is there a favorite pin artist of yours who you would want to see profiled? Let us know who in the comment section below!
