INTERVIEW: ARTIST OF BLAZERMANIA

Stop by Gallery 135: PDX on Thursday, May 7 from 6-10pm for BLAZERMANIA. Trillblazin and Spikes High have come together for BLAZERMANIA, an art show which brings Rip City's love of art and combines the Portland Trail Blazers. We interviewed four designers & artist who are participating in the event to see where their love for spots, art and design came from. Read on and come out Thursday!First Q&A with shoe whiz/customizer, Liz Miller.

E+E: Quickly tell us about your background. Where does your love for sports and art come from?Liz Miller: Sports have always been a major part of my life. Basketball in particular, as I became a hooper at the tender age of 5. In high school I was a natural runner, but I didn't have the passion. Even my running coach remembers, "Liz always did love basketball more than cross country." Going to Gonzaga, a basketball haven, only amplified it more, as I ran pick up games with the boys almost every day.

Art was a natural interest of mine. I was a big fan of Pokemon as a child, and took the liberty of creating my own characters. From there my art grew. I wouldn't say I have a talent for it, but rather a skill. It never came easy for me. I had to constantly work and grow my skill to achieve the results I wanted.

Once my love of sneakers really developed., I discovered a way to combine both my love of art and footwear. That is how LizMillerCustoms was born. And because sneakers are such a major part of basketball culture, it all circles around perfectly.

E+E: Your customized BLAZERMANIA shoes look amazing! What was a must to include on these special shoes?

LM: For the "Old Love New Love" shoes, including the JK25 patch on the shoes was a must. The theme of the shoes was to represent the old school Trail Blazers with the new school Rip City. However, no matter what era of Blazers you are a part of, everyone pays respect to one of the most well known and loved Blazers of all time.

For the "Ball Don't Lie" pair, the sweatband strap was a must because I mean, come on...you can't do Rasheed Wallace without that all white (and sometimes red) famous accessory.

E+E:  Favorite Blazers' player or moment of last season?LM: My favorite Blazers player is and will always be Rasheed Wallace. I remember watching him as a child, so mesmerized by his charismatic personality. You could always count on him to keep the game alive and exciting to watch. Even during the dark age of the Jail Blazers.

Get your own custom kicks by Liz!

Next up, designer Jesse Weeg..E+E: Tell us about your background. Where does your love for sports and art come from?Jesse Weeg: I'm originally from Southern Oregon and have been living in Portland for about 3 years. I've been interested in basketball since I can remember, I was always drawing uniforms and team logos. As I grew up, these interests grew as I got deeper into basketball and design. I love the blending of the two!

E+E:Favorite Blazers player or moment of last season?JW: My favorite blazers player is definitely Bill Walton! I almost like him as a commentator more than a player, with random anecdotes and philosophical analogies of the game you can't go wrong.

E+E: Art and sports aren't always combined. Where did you find your inspiration for your piece?

JW: This project took a lot of detours although I knew I wanted it focused around Bill Walton. I originally came across a game photo of him that really captured his essence I felt. Gentle, strong, stoic! My style is generally vector-based line work, but I wanted to try something a little different.Check out more work by Jesse & follow him on Instagram!Artist and designer, Harrison Freeman tell us about his piece featuring Chris Kaman.

E+E: Quickly tell us about your background. Where does your love for sports and art come from?Harrison Freeman: I grew up in a sports and art friendly environment.  My mom would draw with me and I would watch Giants games with my Step Dad.  I've always played and watched sports and so it was a natural progression that that would show up in the art that I make.

E+E: Can you give us a sneak peak of the piece you are making for BLAZERMANIA? Or at least tell us a little about it?HF: Kaman Like a Wrecking Ball'  I just think Chris Kaman is a funny character.  He looks like an insane person.  And plus, it's a Miley Cyrus lyric so hopefully that's funny.

E+E: Favorite Blazers' player or moment of last season?

HF: I don't know that I can think of a favorite moment from this past season but I think my favorite Blazer (when he isn't injured) is Wesley Mathews.

Up next, we spoke with Ryan Simpson, the freelance illustrator and designer.

E+E: Quickly tell us about your background. Where does your love for sports and art come from?Ryan Simpson: I would say my interest in art started with doodling in class trying to make my friends laugh. My love of sports started similarly to any kid's, I was involved a lot in sports growing up and I idolized my favorite players.E+E: What is your favorite element of the piece you made for BLAZERMANIA?RS: Bill’s glorious, flowing locks.

E+E:  Favorite Blazers' player or moment of last season?RS: Robin terrorizing mascots around the league.Next, Ryan Berkley, an illustrator out of Portland tells us about his piece..

E+E: Quickly tell us about your background. Where does your love for sports and art come from?

Ryan Berkley: I am a self-taught illustrator who specializes in animal portrait art, but I also tremendously enjoy drawing comic, pop culture, and sports art.

I played thirteen years of baseball, and am an avid WWF (not WWE), NBA, MLB and NHL fan. Sports are an important part of my life. And art is my life.

E+E: What medium are you using for your piece?

RB: The BLAZERMANIA piece I did was done with Prismacolor markers and colored pencils on bristol paper.

E+E:  Art and sports? They aren't always in the same sentences. How did you find your inspiration?

RB: For me, I am a huge classic sports fan. In particular, my childhood era- the 80's. That's a very rich well to draw from. In particular, I am extremely inspired by 80's wrestling. To me, those guys were real life colorful cartoon characters, superheroes and villains. I could draw wrestlers all day, every day.

E+E: Favorite Blazers' player or moment of last season?

RB: I'm a Sabonis fan. I'm really drawn to the powerhouse of a team. Sabas was to the Blazers what Colossus is to the X-Men. I'll always remember Shaq being quoted as saying Arvydas was the strongest athlete he's ever competed against. Pretty badass.

Check out this piece, by the very talented Will Bryant, any many other works of art tomorrow night at #BLAZERMANIA.Gallery One Thirty FiveThursday, May 7, 20156:00pm - 10:00pm