We had the good fortune of connecting with MARTIN HUGO WEILAND and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MARTIN HUGO, why did you pursue a creative career?
For me it wasn’t really a decision. It was sort of a natural progression that started from when I was a little kid drawing. My Mother, Egle is an artist.

Growing up she always bought my siblings and me “nice paper” to draw on and gave us access to all sorts of art supplies to have fun with and experiment with.

From there it was obvious I wanted to study art in college and because of my interest in typography it was natural to want to study graphic design, and from there I ended up working fashion because I was running around with a lot of designers from Abercrombie and Fitch and they sort just put me in the business.

My entire career has been a natural progression from my love of drawing as a child and also my friends thru the years have been a major influence in guiding me from move to move.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work sits somewhere between fine art and design. I love the production process and working with other people. I Leo to produce paintings as well as wearables. I love the printing process. I love out sourcing. I love working with screen printers to develop the perfect technique to archive what a client is looking for or working with oil painters in china to produce large scale one off oil pantings. Like most things the relationships I have developed over the years are key, learning to work with manufacturing partners and building a rapport and understanding skills and limitations and when to push the limitations. This is why I have been able to successfully work with with large corporations like Abercrombie and Fitch, and Marc Jacobs, along with much smaller niche brands.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Downtown Los Angeles. We would kick things off at ilcaffe in front of the eastern continental building on broadway for cigars coffee and pastry. The patio has really good energy and an extremely cool and diverse cast of regulars and is one of the few truly cigar friendly patios in LA. The ECB being the back drop is a bonus as it makes it a visually stunning place to spend an hour or two. After that we’d go for a mince in the arts district I really enjoy taking people to departmeto for a true big city fashion experience. The store in tucked in the back of a coffee shop behind a door with minimal signage. Upon entering you’ll be greeted by pumping techno and a shop that is as much hart install as it is retail. Next would be a pop round Manuela I the Hauser and Wirth complex for a snack and drink. Perfect indoor / outdoor dining experience and an easy way to take in a quick blue chip gallery show or two. Their cocktail named the night shade is perfect. Sticking in downtown for dinner, Shibumi is the only option. Literally the most insane Japanese food I’ve ever had. No way to put it into words. The following day we would drive to palm springs and spend the rest of the week at the ingelside inn. Its the perfect sleepy old school palm springs hotel, that is well appointed and has a beautiful pool with a true deep end. It’s also attached to Melvin’s steak house. A palm spring staple oscine the rat pack days. Get a fillet and buns of martinis and do it nightly. The only reason to leave the property is to pick up more cigars at the tinder box, which his just around the corner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
the black and white photocopiers in Kinkos during the late 90’s and early 00’s. I learned how to to design making punk flyers at Kinkos. I wouldn’t be where I am without the hours I spent enlarging and shrinking and blowing out type. I can still smell the toner today. The effects that could be achieved on those machines can not be recreated.

Website: martinthings.com

Instagram: martnhugo

Image Credits
Courtesy of no place gallery, Courtesy of Lindsey Garland, Courtesy of Cory Piehowicz, Courtesy of Model Citizens Vote

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