ABOUT ERIC GOODMAN by Jason Banh
Who are you? Where from? What do you do?
My name is Eric Goodman I am originally from Oregon but have lived here in wonderful Sacramento for 11 years or so. I mainly paint. That is my craft of choice. I also have a son, a wife and a job.
Where have you shown off your pieces?
I have shown my shit in mostly small boutiques and coffee shops. I have shown in a few little no name galleries as well. I also sold paintings, postcards, hats and other items in Tokyo on the streets. I have done a few little murals too.
Where was your favorite showing?
Probably one back in like 2001 or so at Mountain Surf skate shop downtown. It was like one of the first Second Saturdays ever. It was cool because Mountain Surf was pretty cool.
Any upcoming showings?
I am working on a show for Tokyo at this place called Design Festa Gallery. It is a rad shop. Me and my boy Watson from Penn. are trying to display all of our CA to the PA pieces over there. CA to the PA is a collab between me and Watson. We are working on all the pieces together. We will have 10 pieces or so by November when we go. There will also be a shirt collab and some stickers and maybe buttons too. I also have a show at Cuffs on J st in September.
Who and what inspires you to do what you do?
What I do makes me feel good. That inspires me to do what I do. I love it. I wake up, I think to myself I have 14 hours till I can do what I love, all day every day I count down, until I am in my studio painting it up.
What do you do to prepare yourself to paint?
I like to make sure everything is DONE. Make sure my kid is asleep, my wife is happy, and all chores are done. I like to make peace with my family before I paint. That is probably the first step… then I listen to music, and just start painting. It flows every day. Never do I get bored with it, it keeps my happy endlessly.
What exactly are you painting?
I have been working on a piece for a judge about conquering the ghetto and becoming something. Normally, I have painted characters that I have designed and created over the years. I have sorta studies my own characters over the past 10 years or so, and have created a few that I use on a regular basis. One being Fest.
Which paintings are your favorite?
I have been enjoying painting longer bigger more elaborate painting as of late. I really love to just do what I want though at times and paint whatever I feel like.. that would be characters most of the time.
How does one go about contacting you regarding a customize/personal piece?
It always seems to have been word of mouth. I don’t like to push my shit hard like some do, I am not good at that crap. I think it is like car sells, I would rather hire someone to do it for me then do it myself.
What region/city/country has the most interesting artworks that you’ve seen?
San Francisco, Tokyo, Portland, Philly, LA. Those are the most interesting in terms of graffiti to me. As for art like paintings and shit, I would say Portland.
Are there any artist/painters that you like?
I like Doze Green, MAC, mike giant, some others I can’t think of now.
How do you feel about the direction of art?
Now, I think it is dying off after it got hella big. I am happy with that. I don’t like to see too many people doing the same shit, it kills it. i think ART as a whole has really bubblegummed up like punk did in the late 90’s with green day and shit. It reminds me of the same crap.
**NOW FOR THE GOOD QUESTIONS**
Since I personally know you, I know your answer to this next question. I like the answer so much that I want others to hear it. About your paintings, why are your themes/characters reoccurring? In other words, why do you paint the same theme/characters over-and-over (with major variance of course)?
Cuz that I what I consider fun. I find great pleasure in it. it is me.
Give us some knowledge on CAtothePA.
Watson from PA and I are collaborating on pieces sending the back and forth via USPS.
I know you listen to music while you paint. What music genre do you listen to?
Reggae.Hip Hop.Heavy stoner rock.mathrock..instrumentals.Jazz
I know it’s hard but can you give us your favorite top three musicians and favorite top three songs (doesn’t have to come from the top three musicians)?
MF Doom, Envy, Prefuse 73. I can’t say about songs though…. Too many I like. Don’t know the names.
Give us a good verse from the late Pimp C (of UGK) .
I gotta pocket fulla stones.
How do you feel about current trends such as music, fashion, and ‘celebs’?
Crap.
If you couldn’t paint anymore, what would you be doing instead?
Make beats. Make music on the constant.
What do you expect to accomplish from your paintings?
Liberation from the stark reality that is among us.
What do you expect to accomplish from GoodBanh Magazine?
I want to have fun, interview some folks I a can understand.. and just have fun with it. that is all.
Finish this: In 5 years, I will be….
Chillin. Maybe in Tokyo, probably doing what I am doing now only better.
Using only 4 words, describe CHQ1:
Dingy, smoky, colorful, viberant.
Okay, so picture this. You have 6 bucks burning in your pocket and you find yourself in 7-Eleven. What do you get?
Nachos+ Chilli cheese, tall ice tea, kit kat, and a pepperoni stick.
Do you have anything else you would like people to know?
I want them to know that it is ok to be yourself. In fact, be yourself.
Name drop:
yo, I don’t drop names.