Michael Sieben (Juxtapoz cover #81) is one of the most down to earth artists we know. Always up for a challenge and down to kick it, Seiben has carved a special place out for himself in the art and graphic design milieu. We’d expect nothing less from a kid who grew up in Seguin, Texas.

Evan Pricco: Does Texas get a bad rap? I think both coats have their stereotype that Texas, besides Austin and Houston, is lacking in anything related to the art world. It’s a damn big state and lots of Friday night lights going on.

Michael Sieben: We’ve got Marfa, Texas, too. I wasn’t talking strictly about the art world’s perception of Texas. When I travel and tell people I’m from Texas, I always get a weird look. Sort of a why-type look. But I hardly ever leave Austin, so maybe I’m romanticizing the situation. I think since I grew up in Texas I just have a soft spot for this place.

How many times did you ride in the back of a pickup truck, and how many times have you been arrested?

Actually, I refuse to travel unless the mode of transportation is the back of a pickup truck. And so far I’ve managed to be arrested no times. Not for lack of trying, though. I’m kidding, Dad.

What have you done to try and get arrested?

Mainly just criminal trespassing to skate places that I shouldn’t have been skating. And once I drove around for almost a week with an expired inspection sticker on my car. I’m pretty dangerous.

Tell everyone who you are and what you do.

My name is Michael Sieben. I live in Austin and I draw pictures, paint paintings, design skateboard graphics, write fro Thrasher Magazine, co-own and operate Okay Mountain Gallery, make little ‘zines, try to do tricks on my skateboard, and do my best to be a good person. I also enjoy going swimming and taking my wife out to dinner.

The Big Payback 15th Anniversary Art Auction artwork will be made available for bidding only online via CharityBuzz.com starting next Wednesday, October 28th and ending Friday, November 20th, 2009.


All Auction info is online at www.juxtapoz.com/auction

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