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Chris Bishop

I met Bishop while shooting promo images for The Drama Club (now, New Divine) in the winter of 2011.  In a crew of 5 like these guys no one stands out in particular; hair and attitude to spare, sleeves of tattooed lefts and rights and a heavy, seething sense of individuality all churn forward to produce a single rockin unit.  It’s precisely this complex mix that makes promo work a lot of fun.  When it comes to stories and adventures, bands bring it!

 

His smooth Tennessee drawl makes bull shitting with him over a beer and burger as easy as it should be.  It’s here that I learn that Chris Bishop lives art 3-fold; through his music, paintings and tattoo work.  And while music always comes first, it’s also the springboard that affords him the time to explore other tangible canvases.  Born and raised in Kingsport, TN,

Bishop picked up the guitar at age 7 after hearing Alan Jackson’s notable axe riff in ‘Chattahoochee’.  By the time he was 10 Chris was deciding his own musical tastes, including The Beatles, Lynard Skynard and AC/DC among others.  As long as the guitars rocked and the music was true, it worked.

 

 

Tattoo’s and painting are yet another outlet for Chris Bishop’s inner song. His self-described ‘lowbrow’ graffiti art balances inspirational spontaneity with a grand design, and his tattoo work is top-notch.  He is, in every sense of the word, an artist.  A guy living life through his passion.  He leans heavily on the idea that life really is what you make it, and his actions mark true his authenticity.

 

In March of 2007 Bishop successfully auditioned for Rise Phoenix Rise, a northeastern Pennsylvania based band helmed by fellow musician Rob Hampton.  Landing the gig meant leaving everything behind…school, work, family and friends.  2+ years of constant touring followed and Bishop really was living life as an art.  Now with his music, his wall art and his tattoo work he continues what he left TN for…chasing his passions.   With a new place to call home and a new group of like minded nocturnes, his song plays on in everything he does.

 

When I asked Chris to funk up my back office shooting space with anything he wanted to create he was all for it.  I needed something more out of the place I spend a good chunk of my life…I needed some inspiration.  Watching him work through the sticky haze of compressed air I was blown away by the fluidity of his work with large pieces.  Stick figures give me trouble, but Bishop’s work on larger than life renderings is truly awesome.  I had to stop myself a number of times from asking what he was making.  Waiting to see the finished product was worth it…

 

I can’t thank Chris enough for being part of this idea, for his work making the studio look amazing and for the inspiration he brings to life.  Make sure you check out his artwork by clicking HERE, and I’m sure he’d love it if you visited New Divine’s page and gave that a listen as well.

 

Rock on Bishop!

 

Thoughts and Whatnots: Chris Bishop

• When I grow up I wanna be – “alive”
• Rainy days make me – “wanna pee”
• To me, success is a – “major record deal, or just happiness – making my family proud”
• The best feeling in the world is – “on stage playing to huge crowds, finishing a piece of art that you are really proud of, writing a new song that you are really proud of, spending time with the people you love”
• When I was 8, my favorite cereal was – “cap’n crunch!”
• Today my favorite cereal is – “oatmeal…I’m 25”
• If I could live anywhere in the world, it would definitely NOT be - “anywhere in the south…other than where my family is from”
• My favorite food is – “corn!!! and burritos!!!!”
• My first car was a – “88 bonneville from my grandfather which I wrecked with my girlfriend at the time, she broke up with me after that haha”
• I would never tell my grandmother – “that she is wrong”
• Number of times in my life I’ve driven over 100mph – “never…that freaks me out”
• The first thing I’d do with a million dollars is – “pay off all my stupid debt from stupid school blah”
• The 2nd thing is – “take my clothes off and rub the money on my genitals.. woooooooooooooooooo! I’m rich bitch!”
• Everyone needs a(n) – “iPod” – in their life.
• The best piece of advise I can give is – “do what makes you happy no matter what! always be considerate of other peoples feelings…enjoy life with love and kindness”

 

 

I’ll say it again:  I have the best job in the world.  Having the chance to not only meet, but to create with and learn from the people that directly inspire you is a great thing.  I’m hoping through these Artist Articles to share with anyone that might be reading this some of the people that I find truly fascinating so close to home.  Thanks and have a great one!