Nate Duval Talks 80

Rob Perrin has been in touch with Nate Duval, the artist for The Barracks poster and has kindly sent this interview for us to publish.

Nate did visit us a couple of times around the reveal of the poster, but I'm impressed that in the interview he is quoting comments from one of our regular contributors.

RobPerrin:  Nate Duval, thank you very much for agreeing to this interview with lostargs.com.  The Lost Underground Art Project delivered weekly shots of adrenaline into the hearts of thousands of Lost fans in 2009, and they are eager to learn more about each of the artists who took part.  Let's dive directly into your involvement with LUAP, then talk a little about Lost, and end with a set of more general questions about you and your art.

Lost Underground Art Project

RobPerrin:  Who approached you to participate in this project?  Was it something you had already heard about "on the grapevine", or did it come as a surprise?

Nate Duval:  I was approached, "out of the blue", as they say, by Jensen Karp, owner and Head Hancho of Gallery 1988 (nineteeneightyeight.com).  I was familiar with Jensen, his clothing line (clandestineindustries.com) and his two wonderful galleries in LA and SF, respectfully. He gave me a call on a summer afternoon, told me about the project, asked me if I was interested (of course, I was!) and gave me a quick brief of the project.

RP:  Were you assigned the subject matter (i.e. the Barracks) or were you provided with a list of subjects from which to choose?

ND:  I cannot speak for anyone else, but I personally was assigned a "moment" and it was up to me to depict that moment in any way I deemed fit.   My moment was described to me as "the moment where we all find out that the others lived on the island in their own community and had homes!"

RP:  Aside from the subject matter, did you have carte blanche?  Or were there any restrictions on what you could depict? Or requests to specifically include something?

ND:  The entire process was painless, professional and exciting. From start to finish, artists were given their moment and the rest was left up to us.  The only restrictions were production specs (had to be prepared for 18" x 24" screenprint for consistency and be less than 8 ink colors.)

RP:  At the risk of being a tad open-ended, can you walk us through some of the highlights of creating The Barracks, from its initial conception to the physical production of the 300 prints.  Were there any major hiccups?  Funny anecdotes?

ND:  Unlike most of my other work that I hand-print myself (process pics of which can be seen here) all of these posters were printed by the ultra skilled D&L Screenprinting (dlscreenprinting.com) based in beautiful Ballard, WA.  I have worked with the guys at D&L several times in the past on the printing of some of my own work, and their work, attention to detail and overall skill level are second to none.  Once I knew that D&L would be printing this and that it would print exactly as I envisioned it, I simply had to focus on creating the art and color separations on this print.  All the "fun" of hand-printing art was left to them, so unfortunately, I don't have much to offer in this answer :)

RP:  The hills and sky seems to be depicted in a very naturalistic style, whereas the dwelling and the grass around it are not. Was this intentional, and if so what feeling or message did you intend to convey?  (For me, it speaks to the superficiality of the Dharma Initiative and the futility of its attempts to understand and harness the Island's power.)

ND:  You are very close in your assumption!  I did use a slightly "mixed-media" approach to my illustration, indeed.  To me, in all of the craziness that happens on the show, (physical phenomena's, scientific "impossibilities", human emotion/reaction etc.) the island is the one, constant, "real" character.  It's funny, I was reading through some of the comments on your site and charter321 was shockingly close to describing the thought process behind the print when he/she said "see how 'real' the island is compared to how 'fake' Ben's little world he set up? The Barracks were suppose to be a second home to the Others. The Barracks in fact were a fake little world set up by Ben to try and keep the people he recruited there for good. He lulled them into a sense of false security. That whole world was built upon lies and the DHARMA folk that built the place were killed by Ben. It is suppose to look fake."

RP:  To my eye, the object in the upper left is a cloud, whereas the upper right features smoke from the 815 crash as it drifts above the hilltop.  Have I got that right?

ND:  The long trail of smoke on the left side is supposed to be the subtle, billowing cloud of the recently crashed Flight 815.  Throughout the piece I tried to casually depict things (like the plane crash, to the laundry on the line, etc.) to match the casual, "lazy afternoon" style/ feeling that (to me) the intro of Season 3 was so brilliantly shot in.

RP:  Did you deliberately include any "hidden messages" in your poster (that you are willing to divulge)?

ND:  Aside from the subtle reference to the crash in the distance, I didn't add any "hidden" gems.  Instead, I took a more scholarly approach to this piece, knowing the MASSIVE, detail-oriented following that the show has. I knew it would be important to me (and many others) to make all of my images "official and accurate.”  I used an actual photo of the island for the mountains, as well as referencing various photos of the barracks in my illustration.

RP:  I read that you use house paint for your screen prints.  Was this the case for The Barracks, and if so what brand and colours of paint were used?  (Yes, this is the obligatory obsessive detail question!)

ND:  I did not print this, but all of my work that my friend Journe and I print ourselves is printed with Sherwin Williams Interior House paint.

RP:  Did you have any alternate concepts for the poster?  If so, how were they different from the version that we see today?

ND: To me, there was really only one way to go with this moment (some of the other moments were a bit more "open to interpretation", in my opinion) and I essentially ended up making the image I thought that I would make all along.

RP:  Other than those already covered in the 16 LUAP posters, are there other "water cooler" moment from Lost that you would love to capture in a screen print.

ND:  Great question!  Not really a water-cooler moment at all, but considering my background in band merchandise/gigposter creating, I always thought it would have been fun to make a "faux" tour poster or other merchandise for DriveShaft's spring tour or something like that.  :)   

RP:  Did you have a chance to visit Gallery 1988 and/or see some of the other art online?

ND:  I watched and played along throughout the entire project.  Although it was very hard to keep the "secret" alive behind the entire project and my participation in it, it was very exciting to see many of my poster making friends' prints be revealed and all of the conversation they created online.  I do plan on stopping into the LA shop in May on my West coast "tour" of both LA and SF Renegade shows. (renegadecraft.com)

RP:  How did your experience with this project compare with other commissions you've had in the past, particularly in terms of the scope of fan interest?

ND:  I was honored, pleased beyond belief and still am excited to have been a part of this project.  It was a surreal experience working with this fine folks behind this project for one of my favorite shows ever.  I am especially thankful to the many folks who have connected with me because of this project and our common love of the show, as well as having my work introduced to a new set of folks who may have never discovered me otherwise.  I have done work for a number of very popular music acts and have almost gotten used to that, but when I found out I would be working for LOST, it was a bit intimidating for sure.

LOST

RP:  On a scale of 1 to 10, how big of a Lost fan were you before becoming involved in LUAP?

ND:  7.  I wouldn't feel right giving myself a higher number than that, as I am SURE my LOST knowledge is pretty weak compared to some folks out there, especially since I didn't start watching the show until a little over a year and a half ago. If LOST were a professional baseball team, I would say that I would be the shortstop on its Single A farm team.

RP:  Why do you like Lost?

ND:

• It is visually beautiful & stimulating.


• Fast-paced, well-written, constantly shifting, layered and detail driven storylines


• I also think the sound production is incredible.  Especially how the "sounds of the island/storyline" are a character on the show.


• To me, there isn't really a more exciting and intense 44 minutes on TV, than "the next episode" of LOST while you are watching it.

RP:  Let's play Lost favourites, speed round!

• Favourite character?  ND:  Jin or Ben.  It's a toss up.  Two complete opposites, I know.


• Favourite season?  ND:  Too tough to say, although I guess Season 2 would be my least favorite maybe?  Probably due to the speed of the story telling and number of "big events" that happened in comparison to where the story lies on the eve of the Season 6 premiere.   


• Favourite episode?  ND:  The Constant   


• Favourite scene?  ND:  The opening sequence of the first episode.  IT really set the tone for everything to come and was extremely well shot/directed.  


• Favourite visual image?  ND:  When Juliet detonated the bomb at the end of Season 5, causing the screen to go white and having the LOST logo knocked out in black type.  That subtle change in the way an episode ended, to me was brilliant and said so much while saying so little.


• Favourite Dharma station?  ND:  The Orchid


• Favourite catchphrase?  ND:  Any one of Sawyer's wise-ass comments/"nicknames."  


• Favourite Dharma foodstuff?  ND:  Either the mysterious Apollo Bar, or the mind-boggling shelf-life of the Dharma Ranch Dressing.

RP:  You posted on lostargs.com when The Barracks was released.  Do you frequent any other Lost sites?

ND:  Nope, not really.  I try to stay away from the Lostpedia type sites as well, as I know once I get digging around, I will never stop. :)

RP:  What are you most looking forward to in season 6?

ND:  Seeing how this amazing journey will be tied together and come to a conclusion. So many shows on television have an "obvious" ending that you see from three seasons in advance, with LOST, I just love how I have ABSOLUTELY no idea what will happen and that is very exciting.

General

RP:  Where did you grow up?  Are there geographical aspects of your youth that influence your art?

ND:  I have lived most of my life in Massachusetts.  Seeing the many styles of architecture and homes that this area is home to, has definitely influenced me and my work, especially when drawing buildings/imaginary cityscapes/lands.  (which I often do.)

RP:  When did you create your first screen print?  How were you introduced to this form of art?

ND:  I have been making screen-printed art for 4.5 years.  I have always had a huge interest in art, design and music. Once I figured out a way to combine all three of my loves into a career, the rest was history. My desire combined with my friend Journe's background in apparel printing drive to try new things, we got together, did some research and built the very vacuum table that we print with to this day.  

RP:  Which artists (any media, any time period) do you most admire?

ND:  Klimt, Vaserely, Cuban and Polish poster art,  Jay Ryan, Tyler Stout,  all things letterpress, psychedelic rock art and a slew of other folks and styles.

RP:  Describe your typical work environment.  For example, do you often play music while creating your art?  Do you usually work at night?

ND:  I would say the ideas often come at night, but as far as the production or illustration goes, I find I work more efficiently during the daytime hours.   And yes, Music is a must for all projects.  Sometimes out loud, sometimes through headphones, but always present!

RP:  Many of your works are bright, colourful, whimsical.  Is this a fair statement?  Do you think your art reflects your own personality?

ND:  Very fair, indeed.  I wouldn't say I am a "bright, colorful, whimsical person" per se, but I certainly enjoy surrounding myself with colorful, happy things, as it helps keep me in that type of mood.  You won't find too many skulls, or dark imagery hanging in my home so to some degree, I guess it does match my personality/interests.  

RP:  Out of your entire catalogue of art, is there one which you are most happy with or proud of?  (I particularly like sausalito and birdhouse.)

ND:  I am most proud of my Phish at Fenway Park poster.  It was a high point in my career for sure.  Working with a giant band, who I  have listened to for years, for a historic show at Fenway Park. (especially being a life-long red sox fan.) There have been prints that I have made that I liked the art for, or broke new ground conceptually or technique wise, but the feeling of being hired for that one particular gig (along with the LOST ARG series) were the best "feelings I have gotten from opening an email in my inbox" for sure.

RP:  Do you also collect art?  If so, what kind of art do you collect?

ND:  I do, I have hundreds of prints/pieces that I have collected or traded with talented friends along the way.  Screenprints by Jay Ryan, Tyler Stout, Jesse LeDoux, Dan McCarthy, Eduardo Munoz Bachs  and many others.  An Amy Ruppel original, a bunch of Tiny Showcase Letterpress Prints

RP:  Aside from art & music, what else turns you on?

ND:  I like traveling, cooking, eating at highly rated places I find on Yelp and have never been to before, photography, and getting the chance to work with my fiancé everyday who is also an illustrator and very talented -- JenSkelley.etsy.com. I also SOMETIMES like our cat, Mugatu, who is mostly annoying, but extremely good looking and sweet once in a great while. :)

RP:  What is it about the number 8 that you find appealing?

ND:  It's geometric form, its "infinite" shaping its roundness and the fact it rhymes with my name.

RP:  You have a comprehensive Internet presence (Twitter -- @nateduval, Facebook --, nateduval.com, etc.) and actively promote your work (e.g. your recent deal-of-the-day and free shipping promotions).  Do you also enjoy this commercial aspect of the art biz?

ND:  Very much so.  I am just as much focused on the marketing of and selling of my work/brand as I am the creation of it.  The internet has made the world so much smaller, and I am thankful I live in a time where I market myself all over the world and sell my work to people all over the globe.

The drive behind my "comprehensive Internet Presence" probably leads back to my Advertising Degree that I earned from Syracuse University.  Immediately after graduating , I knew that I was not going to like working at an Advertising or Design firm.  Something about it always felt a bit odd, working so hard to help someone ELSE sell their product.  So it was a natural progression to make and sell my own work/art and the internet (combined with a pretty heavy, summer travel schedule showing and selling works at various shows/events) made all of this possible.  

RP:  What are you most looking forward to in 2010 (other than Lost season 6, natch)?

ND:  To continue to do what I love for a living while constantly pushing to take it to the next level (both artistically and business-wise.)

 

RP:  Once again, thank you for dedicating some of your valuable time to this interview.  Speaking as the proud owner of The Barracks 219/300, thank you for your wonderful contribution to the Lost Underground Art Project.

ND:  Thank YOU!

Entering The Barracks 82

Here is The Barracks, what more can I say ? There has been a fair amount of criticism about this poster saying that it is too simple, and a lot more detail would have made it a better poster. I personally would have liked to have seen more of the houses.

The style of the poster with the almost photographic backdrop and the more cartoon style house seem to jar with one another at first glance, but as the poster is observed the two styles merge again and seem to compliment each other.

This first picture is from Lisa, and I wouldn't recommend using rocks to hold down the corners :


We also have another couple of other pictures from MEL and TheHoJo

Part of the comment that Nate Duval left us, which was posted in full in the poster 13 roundup post, was this :

Looking at this picture of the barracks from the TV show it looks very similar, although interestingly this is almost a mirror image of the poster.

Notice how there is some hatching on the picture, this is very similar to how a newspaper photograph looks, I'm not sure if this is deliberate or a consequence of the printing process used. These closeups were sent to us from Patmc

and finally, as usual some signatures (courtesy of Lisa, Patmc, and Dennis)

The First Purchaser says HI 125

Joe Dale has sent in the first purchaser letter for the 13th poster :



There are lots of potential meanings in the letter, but all seem to be pointing towards Hawaii, especially as the capital letters HI are the abbreviation for Hawaii

The Barracks - Round Up 220

Well, it was the usual mix of chaos and disappointment for some last night. The post mortems into the purchasing system have been going on all night, and have repeated the majority of what has already been said in previous releases. Please remember that this site does not run the events or sell the posters, any upset because of the purchasing system should not be directed at us.

Also regrettably because of the rude and sometimes obnoxious behaviour of some of the anonymous posters the blog administrators have taken the decision to stop anonymous and non registered users from posting in the blog comments. This will not affect the true fans of Lost and the people that already in the majority behave in a very kind, polite and respectful manner, all principles on which this blog was founded)

Anyway back to the plot (or unplot as "There is no alternate reality, just reality")

I missed a lot of the excitement from the reveal, however from reading the comments it looks like the reveal took place as expected at the SPiN NY club firstly through a video and then on the printed table tennis ball. Amy Lynn was there and very kindly sent this video of the video.

***Be warned that the video and the pictures below may in fact contain spoilers for season 6. They are posted here because there is no reason to suspect that they are anything other than easter eggs that will mean something when we see season 6***



Apart from the URL reveal a few screenshots at the end of the video seem to be very interesting (thanks to MrTibbs for sending them in):


Next a group picture of the people that went down to SPiN


And finally a comment from Nate Duval posted last night.

The 13th Poster is Revealed 188

The 13th poster is revealed as -


It is by an artist called Nate Duval and is entitled The Barracks.

The URL is didyouburyit.com and was revealed on a ping pong ball at the SPiN NY club.



Nate Duval's website is http://www.nateduval.com/ (Thanks thorsten)

The quote is from Season 5 Episode 8 - "La Fleur" (Thanks Walkindude125)

Poster 13 As It Happens 681

This post is to detail and discuss today's poster URL reveal, the post will be updated as events unfold. (This post was auto created so hopefully it is 1 hour to go before the reaveal !) If you find out the new URL before it is officially announced then please do not add it to the comments. If you do get the URL first be sure to post the details of where you got the information from otherwise the comment will be deleted.

(all times EST)

Frame 13 - Look Closely to SPiN 354

The reveal time has been set as 6pm - 8pm in SPiN New York


The Flyer has the words "Look Closely" and the only thing that leaps out is that there are twelve players (who are images from the SPiN website) and the one at the 2:00 position is holding a laptop :


Thanks to tim armstrong for letting us know first about the new clue.

Sandman90 in the comments posted this (with apologies to the people in the photos)

I looked into the eye of this clue, and what I saw... was this:

1:00 - Bill Cosby
2:00 - Michael (proud of the upgrade from the Hatch computer)
3:00 - Screech
4:00 - Ed Grimley
5:00 - Christopher Pine
6:00 - Caesar (from season 5)
7:00 - Seal
8:00 - Giovanni Rabisi
9:00 - Tony Horton
10:00 - Sun
11:00 - Some dorky kid that looks alot like me at that age.
12:00 - Beck Hansen

Frame 13 - Clue 3 - E23 38

Just as I thought it was safe to go to sleep Tyson decided to create a new clue.



E23 could stand for East 23rd street where is where the SPiN NY club is located, also the white sphere is very ping pong ball shaped :-)

Thanks to Lottery Ticket for mentioning the clue first, but it nearly got overlooked by the excitement that Terry O'Quinn walked past the workplace of a commenter John-Paul.

John-Paul had the presence of mind to print off a copy of Locke's Secret and ask Mr O'Quinn to sign it :

Frame 13 - Clue 2 NY PLAYA 264

A lot later in the day than the first clue for frame 13, but it is here for us now.


Amy Lynn was the first to notice.

There is a film called Ping Pong Playa, and the title on the film poster looks very like the Playa word on the new clue, which further links the reveal to the SPiN club.

Poster 12 - First Purchaser Letter 89

We have been sent the first purchaser letter for Poster 12, as you can see from its contents it says "We had a ball...."

This fits in with some of the comments that we have had about Susan Sarandon owning SPiN New York which is a Table Tennis / Social club combination. (I think Stew was the first to mention this after the first clue was posted yesterday)


The person that sent the letter wishes to remain anonymous, but is enjoying collecting Lost Prints and may continue to collect other art prints after this current series is finished.

Looking at the SPiN events list, there is something set up for Thursday as the singles night on Tuesday is cancelled -

"This week Singles Pick-Up Night will be cancelled on Tuesday, but don’t worry because it will be even more crazy than you can possibly imagine on Thursday, just to make it up to you."

Also on Friday there is -

"Every Friday Night SPiN challenges a dozen of the best players in North America to battle it out for Number #1 and the grand prize of $500. Come grab a seat to watch The Dirty Dozen in the most thrilling matches you ever seen, up close and personal."