DOWNTIME w/ Gabriel Islas (a.k.a Endless Revisions)

1) Location? Location? Azusa, California 🇺🇸

2) Years collaging? I first started experimenting with it in 2006 designing album art and flyers for the band I used to be in, Alien Soundtracks. I returned to it and started taking it seriously about a year and a half ago.

3) What do you love and hate about collage? There’s alot to love about collaging. I suppose one of the things I love the most is that it allows me to express my thoughts and opinions without having to explain myself. I get frustrated when a piece doesn’t work, but that’s just part of the creative process. I don’t hate it, I just move on to something else.

4) Biggest influences? Originally, it was the cut and paste look of punk albums and zines that drew me to collaging. Being exposed to Touch & Go magazine, Raymond Pettibons flyers for Black Flag and Throbbing Gristles old newsletters for Industrial Records were all huge catalysts. Of course, I’ve been hugely influenced by a lot of the collagists I’ve met on Instagram. Some of my personal favorites are Nil Ultra, Mr. Babies, Michael Tunk, Mike DeSutter, Michael J. Hentz, Sarah Judge, Drew Milling, Dann Miller, Garrett Saleen, Jesse Treece, Andrew McGranahan, Bryan Danial Joseph, Adrian Velazco, and Chad Yenney. The last two artists I mentioned I’ve actually had the privilege of collaborating with.

5) Analog Vs Digital? It all comes down to personal preference and I’ll always prefer analog. In general, so much digital art just seems so fleeting and temporary. It’s like the difference between a DJ who spins actual records and one who just uses an iPod playlist.

6) How do you spend your downtime? Aside from collaging, I like to watch films at some of L.A’s archival theaters. I’m able to record music every now and then, but it’s something I’d like to take more seriously. Obviously, thrift store shopping plays a big role in finding source material, so that takes up a lot of time.

7) Three tips for someone starting out in collage? One, you can wipe off the glue with a dampened cloth. Never put water directly on the paper. Two, if a piece isn’t working, set it aside and move on. Some of your best work comes as a result of letting things happen more organically. Lastly, do it as often as you can. If you just create without consciously emulating a specific style, your own style will emerge without you even realizing it.

8) Up and coming shows or projects we should know about? One of the other artists I mentioned, Drew Milling, came up with the idea of creating a Los Angeles collage collective. Tentatively, we’re calling it Los Angeles Collage Team. It’ll be a chance for local artists to collaborate and exchange ideas in a fun and pressure free environment. In the meantime, I’ll just keep plugging away.

Links:

Insta: www.instagram.com/endless_revisions/
Tumblr: www.endless-revisions.tumblr.com/

Artworks (top to bottom)
'Electric Baby Blue' Handcut collage
'Falling' Handcut collage
'Family Night' Handcut collage
'Holy Mother of God' Handcut collage
'Urban Explorers' Handcut collage
'This City Will Eat You Alive' Handcut collage
'Project Your Vision' Handcut collage
'The Way Down' Handcut collage