I can’t begin to tell you how excited we are to bring you an interview by someone who isn’t in the music biz. Dont get me wrong, DJs / Musicians have definately earned a legitmiate spot in the “Artist” world but this time we are switching it up and taking it to the streets

Egor Swis aka Eric Gordon is one of those Artists who you can’t help but respect, he works hard, he puts in work and he is a super nice guy.. but DON’T think about asking him to make 1200 stickers in one day! (he used to make all our fakeRICH stickers)

Back when we first started fakeRICH we wanted to interview as many artists as possible to get their names and art out to the masses, and the first person at the top of the list we Egor Swis. Eventually some time passed and we lost the interview, then a few months ago I was cleaning out the horrendously overinflated hard drive and I stumbled upon a picture folder that EGOR dropped off for me back in march of 2008. As soon as I saw that, I thought “How can I figure out a way to get this guy on the site” and as fate would have it, EGOR has just started a new Magazine and yours truly was featured. So now it’s time we FINALLY returned the favor and let you all know about one of the most UNDERRATED artists in Orange County… EGOR SWIS ~!

> First and foremost how did you get the name EGOR?
It’s a combination of my first and last names and I started painting these Egor looking characters, so it was kind of natural.

> Eric Gordon and Egor Swis are they two completely different people?
Nah, I’m pretty much the same. SWIS is just a reminder of where I am mentally. Still With I Strength.

> Where and when was the first time you picked up a can or a marker and did a piece?
My first piece was done under the bridge in Rancho, the Ghost Yard. I think was 15. I remember my older brother’s friend took me down there and I watched him paint a piece. The next weekend I skated down there by myself and threw one up. It was terrible looking. I wrote Klone and put in captions, “the first of its kind”. Oh shit, that’s embarrassing.

> When you first started writing did you do it because you wanted to be an artist or did you have alternative motives?
I’ve always been an artist. I was drawing T&C Surf stickers and other skate and surf stickers since I was 5. My mom used to take me to Becker just to buy me stickers. I graduated into painting.

>What are some of the pieces you are most proud of?
My first canvas I ever did is still probably my favorite. I made it for my brother for his birthday in 2002. I got some graffiti pieces I’m proud of, but there was one I did in Austria that was probably the coolest experience I’ve ever had painting.

> Who do you usually paint with?
I paint with my crew, Monster At Heart. MAH is Akute Cyfer Kords Des Blare Spider Germs Atone Reap. But when I’m doing a canvas I’m painting by myself.

> If you could put together your dream show at any gallery in the world,where would it be and what would it include?
You know, I’m not that familiar with too many galleries but if I had to describe my perfect show it would go a little something like this: a small but open industrial space with high ceilings and low lighting, featuring canvas paintings, wood works, and installations. Its local so all my friends and family are there, the booze is free, the DJ’s spinning vinyl, everything sells and everyone gets laid.

> Since you have a graffiti background what does the balance look like for you between posting up pieces on the street and doing “commercial” pieces in the studio?
Graffiti is a young mans sport. To stay active illegally takes a lot of time and effort. I was never really into getting up too much so for me, staying active in my sketch books, canvas and collage work is more important. I don’t consider anything I do commercial. Everything I create is done from my own desire. if somebody wants to commission a piece of art, its going to be something similar to a piece or a style that I’ve done in the past. Or hopefully an idea that I want to experiment with. I think that just because something is sold does not make it commercial.

> What brought on the idea to start your own magazine? (http://www.ofourown.com/)
The idea to create a magazine was conjured up while walking aimlessly around the streets of Stutgart, Germany in 2006. I always wanted to do something for artists, by artists, that would keep the community active and function as another expressive outlet. That’s why its called Of Our Own. It’s meant to be run by an artist collective, not a single person. Its hard for some artists to paint and draw or whatever, AND be a business person and try to sell and market yourself at the end of the day. If this magazine helps artists to succeed with whatever they do than I consider Of Our Own a success.

> Where do you see yourself personally and as an artist in 4 years?
Hopefully we continue to do the same type of publication, with more emphasis on themed issues. I’d like to continue to expand on Music, literature, and photography, as well as traditional drawing and painting. But really it depends on the artists. They’re the ones that are going to shape and mold the magazine in years to come.
I would like to continue to take on art projects and stay active in creating new ideas, working with other artists, as well as keeping a positive outlook and enjoying life. I am blessed with beautiful people in my life. It would be nice if my artistic endeavors allowed me financial stability, but other than that, I’m cool.

BABYLON SYSTEM – GET ON UP

KOSHEEN – GUILTY (PLASITICIAN REMIX)