How did I stumble upon Maddy via social media Bickerton @madisonbickerton? Well it was when I first creating my page about 4 years ago (I created the blog in April). I had everything, but a logo. I remember thinking Maddy wasn't a local artist, but it wasn't until a local artist Menez was sharing her work that answered my question whether she was local or not. Maddy at the time was currently the artist behind Noodl. An example of Noodl will be shown below.
Noodl exposed to me on artists creating brands, creating cool t-shirts, what graphic designing can make. Maddy was one of my first interviews when publishing on the blog. Years have passed and Maddy continues to work with me in elevating my branding, working on ideas together, and most importantly having fun in what we cook up. We both have really grown since then. Thank you for everything and for being a part of the team (OINT956 team member announcement coming soon).
Here is the interview as well ----> https://outinthe956.wixsite.com/local/post/noodl-the-embodiment-of-happiness
Fun Fact I met Maddy for the first time at a show and I even got to hold Odie.
Before diving into the interview here's a little on what Maddy has been enjoying as of recently "I’ve really been enjoying Stardew Valley, One Piece, video game songs, and the artist Joan Miro… also cute stationary." I suck ass at Stardew Valley. My crops were plundered and my cows tipped (I refunded the game). I've been seeing a lot of my friends getting into One Piece and it makes me curious to pick up the manga again. I made it a little past the clown? It's like in the beginning or something. Maddy continues by giving out a few shout outs "Shoutout RamJam fr for shining a light on valley artists for FOUR YEARS!! And for always being a great client and homie. Shout-out to my family, friends, and boyfriend for always encouraging me to do what I love."
I begin by asking Maddy about their departure from the Valley to ATX. As Maddy continued their artistic journey graphic designing, creating, screen printing, graphic designing but for websites and just growing. How has their journey been? As they explain "This is such a good question… The journey has been long, I’ve been through a lot, and my skills have developed incredibly since I moved up here. The way I would frame it is: in the valley I discovered what I loved to do and in Austin I honed in the skills I needed to produce work that I love. I learned I loved to screen print from my garage in Port Isabel, and then really learned how to produce great prints working for shops in Austin. I also now know what my style is to a 'T', whereas I was a little lost and young when I was making work in the valley, and that all just comes with time and practice. I’m very content with where I am now, but I’m ready for a change. I’m not sure what that might be yet… but I’ve become restless with where I am right now. Stay tuned! Lol." We were still in contact even with the departure. Maddy involved themselves with @goodyb.ag for awhile from what I remember and I'd always see cool screen printing/designs. While studying Maddy was always posting work, different projects, and their art twisting through experimentation. Maddy's work is distinguishable through their style, vibrant colors, and life brought onto the characters themselves. I'm definitely staying tuned for what's to come.
How would you describe your art style? It has its own charm, character, and it's distinguishable as Maddy says "My style is a mix of the analog and digital world, with a touch of tacky and vintage character. I want to push experimental graphics that would make an old lady call my work 'interesting' because they can’t mask their concern. Color is EVERYTHING… I want the palette to shock the viewer and maybe even strain their eyes. I grew up learning how to draw from stylized character books and garfield comics, so most of my imagery contains drawings of funky, simple characters in a bold outline." While it may be "simple" there's more to it than meets the eye. It's as mentioned the vibrant colors, funky poses, the life brought to the inanimate objects, and I'd say they have a certain charm to them. Almost as if we were looking into a homemade coloring book by Maddy (paper bleed did have a coloring book released for example). Page by page and character by character.
If you could create your own "label", use any word, make your own word outside the norm, what would it be and why? As they exclaim "Ah! I have so many aliases that I use in my work, so this is a really fun question:
'Part-Time Stargirl' is my more feminine, girly 'label', there’s bb tees there’s stars there’s chunky shoes and star-boobed shirts.
'Bimmy Prints' is the chaos and the funny side of the world… it’s minecraft creeper shirts smoking a blunt, 'stinky' tees, it’s the 'I ate the cum cum fruit' One Piece shirts, it’s so unserious and made to make people laugh. This is where I personally have the most fun. 'Bimmy' is my jackbox name lol.
'Sexy Boygirl' is a recent endeavor that I’ve explored… it’s the more androgynous side of my printed work… There hasn’t been much of a development in that yet but I definitely want to produce some work for that soon.
Yes I remember seeing the post about the baby star tees released awhile back and I'd have to agree it was such a "classic cunty slay." When I read the descriptions there is certainly a different energy brought towards each one, but I am curious about the "Sexy Boygirl" I don't think I've seen anything from this, but I'll have my eye out for sure. I'm glad Maddy has these "aliases" that allow for branching out into different themes. I do need a minecraft creeper shirt soon though.
Would you say that your art holds a piece of you? Whether it's your personality, interests, ect? "I’ve always struggled with these kinds of questions because graphic design and printing is extremely dependent on the client and what they want as well. It’s a very collaborative thing that also serves a public purpose. The general audience has to get it, and it also has to look really beautiful. My designs will always hold a piece of me because I strive to be as original as possible and use design elements that I think are really cool, so my designs will always be in my own personal style and taste. I get to dictate the tone of a product and how it might be received to the public, and that’s powerful and personal all in itself." When working with artists I believe in giving creative liberty. While it is a collaborative session between the artist and the client. When given enough information to the artist. You're going to receive (as a client) your final product as if they took it straight from what you imagined. It's absolutely crazy what graphic designers can do especially when all you have to do is COMMUNICATE.
Do you ever think back on Noodl and how you've grown from that? When you think back on Noodl what comes to your mind? "I am very fond of the Noodl days whenever I think back on it… I miss the people I was around during that time and how inspired I was everyday just by being around my group in the valley. I mean, we all did everything ourselves no matter how wild the idea was, it was learning how to screenprint in a week, photoshoots, and throwing shows with the little money and resources we had. It was scrappy but it was good. Anytime I doubt myself I look back to those days and say hey… remember you did this at such a young and vulnerable age, you could do ANYTHING now." I feel the same way. When I look back on my Noodl t-shirts or art piece. I think on how much time has passed and the differences since then. I was also putting together virtual exhibitions, paying for commissions, and paying for my first event with what little I had, but it was all worth it through the memories and experiences had. Everything we've both done years ago to now has certainly molded us.
We've been working together for a long time, huh? Since basically the start of my blog. From the logo design to other projects. Sometimes I think "this blog is just me", but in reality I do have a little team that has amassed. From head graphic designer, videographer, photographer, and copy editors that are friends I made and met along the way. What are your thoughts on that? "You and this blog are one of the biggest connections I have to the valley and I treasure that so much. I am always so thrilled to give back to the culture that raised me even if that’s just making flyers for events or social media posts. I go all out for y’all because y’all go all out for the art scene that’s been so kind to me." Even though Maddy isn't in the Valley I tend to find myself hearing someone bring up Maddy's artwork or when I wear my Noodl t-shirt someone will bring up their art. Maddy has certainly left their mark in the valley as an artist and a friend.
How have you seen your artwork grow? How have you seen yourself grow as an artist? Is there anything that has really caught your attention? "One thing that really caught my attention is that I know exactly what my style is now. I now have a formula that helps cut the work time in half. I have fonts that I stick by, a personal color palette, and I can vectorize and clean up my sketches in illustrator with my eyes closed… jk lol. But! My skill level is where I wanted it to be for so long, I’m comfortable and confident in my work. This is all good for client work but I’ve recognized that I’m at a lull in my personal progress. Right now, I want to leap forward and start learning new things to develop my style more with different mediums." Bro really has the arsenal on DECK! I've see imagery of the self created fonts and that's crazy. I do see the personal color palette, the Maddy Bic color staples now that you mention it. Different mediums aside graphic design and screen printing? Hmmmm I wonder.
What's some feedback on your art that you've received? Is there anything specific that stuck with you as Maddy shares "At a market I recently vended at I had printed a shirt that said 'Sexy Boygirl' on it with a soccer jersey style design. I was overjoyed with how so many people of different genders went crazy over the design and identified with being a 'boygirl'. They were like… omg! Thats ME! I’m a boygirl!
I’ve been a tomboy since I was a child and have always felt comfortable presenting more masculine than feminine, and it’s only been recently that I’ve really realized this and started to identify myself as androgynous. I feel sexy that way! I can be girl… and I can be boy, WOW! And I was so happy to see that other people felt that way too. I definitely want to explore this more with my work, especially because wearable prints are a great way to express parts of ourselves." Ohhh with the "Sexy Boygirl alias" Maddy mentioned earlier. It's great that folks were able to connect with the jersey. Sometimes a simple t shirt is a great way for self-expression! With a message such as "Sexy Boygirl" it isn't just a few words, but a statement put out there in confidence. Readers acknowledging who they just came across. Messaging such as this is important in validation and as mentioned self expression. Oh wait! It's the red t-shirt! Especially in red, yeah that's an attention grabber.
What kind of art projects excite you the most? What gets you on the GO to just JUMP IN! As Maddy exclaims "GOD! I really really want to design websites so bad… I just haven’t really advertised myself as a website designer, partly because… I’m scared lol. I had so much fun designing websites at RGVision until they started underpaying me and being assholes <3 but thats a whole other story." I tried adding a Spanish version to my website and I almost broke it. I tried updating my website so its not just....white. The website is currently the only thing that's off brand lmao and it's been 4 years. I need to upgrade it FRRRRR!
You work on various things. What are some projects YOU want to do? What would you like to tackle as a graphic designer? "Definitely websites and more physical media… I’ve been obsessed with the idea of starting a magazine or doing little zines here and there. I dunno… something different! I’ve been a bit burnt out from the t-shirt designing and flyer projects." Dude, I feel ya. I recently released a little zine with the help a friend @pescadolls and I've had the opportunity to share it with others. Being able to step back from well typing and away from this bright ass white screen is good at times. I've been meaning to do some sort of magazine, but there's a wide variety of things that could be included? I don't know the first step with that haha. Being able to step aside from I guess the "main" and do "side" activities is needed from my experience.
Are you available for commissions? Are folks able to reach out to you?
"YES! I’m always available, just please forgive me if you catch me during a time when I’m exhausted from life, sometimes I need a week to binge watch one piece and do absolutely nothing but rot in my bed. Best way to reach me is through instagram (@madisonbickerton)!"
Is there anything you miss about the valley? Is there anything about the valley that you've seen online that you think is really cool?
"There are soooo many things I miss about the valley. The number one thing will always be my friends and the art community that’s really blossomed over the years. Breaker Breaker @breakerbreakertv (Mudd Club especially) and Cactus Valley Art and Supply Co. @cactusvalleyart are absolutely KILLING IT and creating unique spaces and content for valley artists. Everything they do is gold. I’ll always miss the coffee shops too lol…"
Any final comments?
CONGRATS ON FOUR YEARS!!!
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