(The following is a conversation between Asker and The Lost Cause.)
(Photo Credit: PSSA)
The Lost Cause, a.k.a “T-L-C”, started as a graffiti writer and consistently built up a body of work transitioning into characters, stickers and technicolor murals. Noted is his “Winston the Whale” character, who appears in multiple variations on stickers, t-shirts and the naughty list of local street sign scrapers. Recently, TLC’s work has taken an interesting turn as his characters have become more ornate and complex, appearing in cities across continents.
I first met The Lost Cause in a small paint jam in Portland. He had an immediate enthusiasm and an infectious sense of humor. We had been talking for a while about doing an interview and it finally happened when he started working on a project outside the house I was staying at that day. After a surprise wake up call (TLC turning on all the lights to the basement) I stumbled outside into the summer heat of 2014 and hit the record button.
Asker: This is Asker 3 Dots the Third, sitting here with The Lost Cause. I’m looking for something to eat, I’m pretty hungry, TLC woke me up at 11:11.
TLC: Good morning.
Asker: Now we’re sitting here, TLC’s painting a car.
TLC: I hate it, it’s covered with spiders.
Do you have arachnophobia?
Asker: No, actually I like spiders I think their great.
Wait, are you eating something?
TLC: Yeah, I’m eating a tuna sandwich.
(Photo Credit: TLC)
Asker: Can I try some?
TLC: You want this other half?
Asker: I’ll just eat a bite. (chews sandwich, starts coughing)
TLC: (Laughs)… what’s wrong with it?
Asker: This is gross, I want some waffles.
So, how long you been working on this style? I feel like the stuff you’ve been working on now is different than the original work you were doing on the streets. There’s more patterns, there’s more of a resonance.
TLC: What does that mean, resonance?
Asker: Resonance is like…
TLC: I have a limited vocabulary.
Asker: Sometimes I make up words, sometimes I use words and then I’m like “wait, is that the right use of this word…”
TLC: I used to use the phrase “affirmative action” because I thought it just meant to do something.
Asker: That’s like when you’re a minority and they put you into school because they’re trying to fit a quota.
TLC: Right I learned that afterward. But before I just thought affirmative action meant “we need to do this”, so I would be hanging out with friends and I’d say “we need to take affirmative action!”
Asker: (laughs)
I’m gonna start saying that.
TLC: Don’t, it’s risky business
Asker: So what projects are you looking forward to lately?
TLC: Forest For the Trees.
Asker: What’s going on with that?
TLC: A bunch of people coming into town and painting walls. Get to hang out with NoseGo and Curiot. Get to meet all these people, I’m stoked.
Asker: Have you painted for other mural festivals before ?
TLC: Nope, this is the first one.
Asker: Whoah!!!
TLC: Yeah brah. Oh snap!
Asker: I mean it’s not like mural festivals happen all the time in Portland either.
TLC: Yeah, this is the second one for Forest For the Trees.
(Photo Credit: PSSA)
Asker: What would you think if I did this?
(takes spray can and paints line across arm)
TLC: Ahhhh, why’d you do that… you want me to do your whole body? I could do a series of nipples running all the way down.
Asker: How long do you think it would take to wash off?
TLC: Well there’s that solvent downstairs, should only take 30 seconds.
Asker: Solvent!? That stuff’s wicked…
TLC: Yeah, I use it on my hands sometimes. That’s probably why I got teeth falling out of my head.
Asker: Yeah, maybe I shouldn’t have done that.
TLC: I got a wicked gum disease going on and I’m pretty sure it’s from licking my brushes after using mineral spirits.
