A Painted Picture: Get to know visual artist T.O.N.E. (Interview)

Chi-City Hip Hop welcomes all to the first post where I focus on the painter and graffiti artist who play a role in our local scene. T.O.N.E., a painter who has many other talents as well presented me with some artwork he painted a while ago. We get into what was the focus of this piece, what we can expect and more. Plus there's more art pieces to explore from this artist so stay tune. Check out the convo below.

Who are you, and what type of art is your main focus?

Peace my name is Anthony Williams but my friends call me T.O.N.E., T-1, or Too Often Not Enough. The main focus of my art is to show the hypocrisy in American pop culture, as well as world wide through humorous and sexual images. I poke fun at politics, religion, and anything else that shape our culture and other human experiences. I like to not judge but leave each subject up for debate by the viewer.

How long have you been painting?

I've been drawing pictures since I was a child and I've been painting seriously for 7 years.

What is the title of the this painting (above), what was your state of mind while painting this?

The name of this painting is simply called "Fake American Censorship" or over exposed. I painted this piece as a response to the way the media reacted after the Superbowl halftime show in which Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson performed. The controversy which was caused by Janet's exposed nipple. I felt like sex is all around us. The Super Bowl airs many beer commercials with scantily clad women for all to see. Whats the big deal? Was it all for mass distraction? This was my response to that particular situation..

At the time  the FCC received nearly 540,000 complaints about that incident. Do you feel like Americans can be picky when is comes to what we're outrage about?

I feel that Americans or humans period are fed by media outlets as to what to be outraged about. If an issue is right in front of our face were angry for, ohh about 15 minutes, until the mainstream media runs that story into the ground and they have to find something else to be pissed at. We're fickle as to what we find interesting and cool vs what we find unacceptable and lame or offensive. Sort of like the flavor of the month theory.

You're involved with a team called Feast Is Famine. Tell us a little about them, who's apart of it, what is some of the work you all have done?

The "team" Feastisfamine is actually an inside joke between me n my friends and FAM. I started the crew which is really only comprised by me since I usually work alone, but I get a lot of input on the art work I do since the majority of my friends are involved in the arts in some form or fashion.

What can we expect from Feast Is Famine in the future?

I paint, write, draw, acted, rap, and promoted under the moniker Tone of FeastisFamine sort of a shout out to all my friends on behalf of their awesome support. I like to collaborate with like minded people. I've been working and developing to launch FeastisFamine as a brand/ design company. I'm currently working with local emcee D2G on cover art for a song on his upcoming album coming soon. I'm also working on my first solo showing soon. I've been doing freelance work for a people that appreciate what is I do.

What are some main inspiration. What get the creative juices flowing?

I'm inspired by all types of things whether if its watching cartoons or movies and documentaries on conspiracy theories and such, I'm inspired by the news and just human behavior and sexuality oh and weed.. For real though. I'm still growing as an artist and to me that's where the real work is.

Follow him via Twitter @FeastisFamine