#forgirlswhoride: Catching Up W/Spacegoth

Nikita Clothing caught up with devilishly on-point illustrator and artist Spacegoth to learn more about her, her art, and how skateboarding tied them all together.

Tell us about your background. Where are you from and where do you live right now?

I kinda grew up all over the place. I’ve lived in Louisiana, Northern California, Orange County, San Diego and LA for the last 10 years. I'm temporarily caught up in OC at the moment. 

You are one multi-talented lady. Is there any surface you’re not already creating on? Anything you really want to get into with your art?

I’ve always wanted to do my own screen printing. I know how from making my own screens with crude little home made versions from silk scarves and elders glue. I have a real set up for screen printing, but I’ve just been too scared to dive in… Now that I say that, I have NO idea why.

What medium did you start with? Did you go to school for illustration? If not how did you get your start on this path?

I have been drawing and painting since I was a child… I learned anything I know how to do from either teaching myself or watching other methods and taking it on myself to try and make it work.

I used to share a little skate house with 5 dudes. One day at the house, I remember looking at a piece of paper I had been painting on and I figured out I could make SOMETHING out of it. Then I just started drawing more and more- trying to find a character that represented me. I can’t draw people, so I think my reaper came from trying to depict a human form to express myself.

When did you realize that art could be a source of income and how does that affect your use your social media?

I got fired from a job I had for 2 years and, although I’ve always been reliable for work, for whatever reason I panicked. Luckily, I had spent the last two years building an online audience for my work. I posted about being fired and having to sell some art until I could find a job…. I haven’t looked for one yet. Now, I have to keep my eye on my Instagram and Twitter pretty much all day- I’m either getting questions about a piece already on my website or someone is asking about commissions. I never expected it to be like this.

What keeps you inspired to keep working as an artist? How does this channel into your “style”? Do you fans provide this kind of support?

I feel as though all forms of art are simply an extension of ones personal perception of and struggle with the world. When I started creating I did so only to convey the pain and isolation I had experienced in my life as a whole up to this point and every day. I didn't realize that letting the pain go and sharing it with the rest of the world would be the thing that would ultimately alleviate it and bring me out of the isolation I was feeling.

I feel like that is the duty of all creative people- we have a responsibility to create and share in the hopes that it may alleviate someone else's pain and isolation as well. My fans are constantly reinforcing this belief in me- that response is overwhelming.

How has skating influenced your work and is there a connection between skating and your work?

I've been around skateboarding essentially my whole life. By being raised with young parents, I was able to experience the skateboarding community from an early age. I feel like the connection between the two is in my humor. I’ve learned to be extremely frank from hanging around with mostly guys. All of the girls I know who skate seem to have the same kind of weird humor that I do, and that makes me feel better.

When did you start skating and how did you first get into it? 

Well I’ve been pushing around since I was like 13. The last time I skated an actual park I hurt my wrist, and also recently actually hurt my ankle pushing around my old neighborhood. For me, it’s hard because I use my right hand to draw. If I hadn’t found illustration as a career, there’s a good chance I would have been able to focus on skating more. I suppose for me skating is something thats just a normal part of everyone’s life; and especially for my generation, I really think that’s true. Even kids that don’t skate have a best friend or sibling that does- this community is and always has been open to everyone who wants to really be in it.

Do you have a crew that you skate with or that keeps you motivated to keep skating?

I have a bunch of girl friends that skate. I rarely see them because of busy schedule or literally just crazy distance- those girls keep me hyped on it even though I’m not going out and skating anything sick- it makes me wanna go out.

What is your deck set up right now? Trucks/ wheels/ etc...

I most recently was using a tired board with independent trucks, but I really can’t remember what wheels are on it!

What's your favorite piece from the SS17 Nikita collection?

I love the mesh hoodie and i'm obsessed with beanies.

Follow Spacegoth now to see more of her eerily amazing art, and get more familiar with her and her hoard of reapers she keeps close to her heart.