Written by: Jo Ann L.B. Duggins
Full Name: Muffinhead
Age:33
Currently Residing: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Listening to: Air, Aphex Twin, Can, Cat Power, Motley Crüe, Squarepusher
satoriSometimes you meet people that are just so lovely. Muffinhead is not only lovely, for he is the epitome of an artistic visionary. I had the honor of being in his fashion extravaganza, Fashionopotamus New York's Zipper Theater, and I really found myself in a whole other world. Muffin's creations are fantastical and he is a living and breathing art installation. He creates a surrealistic world of jesterdom and vibrant collages of characters.
The costumes he creates are indeed fantastical, but his illustrations and paintings encapture the settings of where these creations live. When you see his work, it really screams at you and makes you just smile in the end. There is noone else I would put on a space unicorn outfit for and there is noone I've ever met like that of Muffinhead.
Who is this Muffinhead character and how was he conceived?
Muffinhead is my excuse for outrageous behavior. No one expects Muffinhead to do Calculus, you know? In this sort of enigma, I can say or do anything because he's a surreal cartoon character who knows no limitation for self expression, however weird, irresponsible, or controversial. I'm always giving this Oscar Wilde quote because it sums it up so well: "Man is least himself when he speaks in his own person. Give him a mask and he'll tell you the truth." Honestly, I don't think anybody gives a shit what Brett Kreutzer thinks. People need my ideas delivered with a sense of panache and otherworldliness that a normal person doesn't simply communicate. The whole idea came about when i was in LA about to show some work in a few event galleries and I just kind of dared myself to do it, the costuming, the name etc...I thought it would be a good way to bridge the communication gap between myself and a potential audience.
Your art seems to be shouting, what is it saying?
Wow, that's very true. That's a tough one to answer because they're all going off about something completely different. They're all their own singular manifesto. Some are whimsical narratives on love and fashion and some are just a flat-out call to arms...but they are all saying something and prefer to not be ignored.
Do you consider yourself a performance artist or someone who is living art?
I think the "living art" shoe fits a little better for me. In trying to come through with an embedded psychological concept in a live situation, I can just make it work on a subway train or in line at the bank...I don't need music or a stage to do it. Plus, I don't really have an act, you know?! I just sort of hang out in this massively uncomfortable mega-drag and talk to people.
:native labyrinth digital illustration
What are you working on currently?
I have my "Exclamationist" show up right now at Arena Studios in Soho, so I'm attempting to take a breather for a few weeks. Coming up, I'm thinking of concocting the first ever Muffinhead striptease. Also, Sequinette and I will finally do our "Love Nazis" performance for The Deitch Art Parade...beyond that, more painting, painting, painting, there's always more painting to do.
What are three words that describe you?
Imaginative, focused, diplomatic.
You migrated here from LA, how's the New York art scene receiving your work?
It's taken some time but I feel more a part of New York now than ever before. The city makes you knock until your knuckles are bloody in order to prove how serious you are. Like moving here, it's difficult but eventually holds a humongous reward with a big fat ribbon on it.
Like Charlies Angels on DMT
Photo by our Superfriend
Bluegirl Heidi Calvert.
What's it like being married to someone like Miss Amber Ray and does she influence your creations?
We live in a tiny Brooklyn apartment with a little dog. Beyond that, we both work constantly. There is always something to do, always somewhere to go and always someone quite fabulous to go with. Yes, she factors into my work hugely. There is a severe and complex mix of things that make up an Amber Ray, so there is no way to not be intrigued by her.
What is a day in the life of Muffinhead like?
Wake up early, coffee, pushups, coffee, make art or graphic design or costuming project until 3pm, go to slavery print shop evening job and work thru the remaining day...Rinse and repeat.
Is there a particular piece you've created that you could never part with?
Oh no, I don't think so at this point. I've realized the inherent prostitution of my strange little career long ago and made my peace with it.
What is the most outrageous moment in your art history?
Probably the time Amber and I had live sex in Bluespace Gallery in Hollywood. We were actually behind a lit canvas but it was still pretty crazy.
What was the last dream you had?
I had a dream that Amber and I were hanging out with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and they were arguing because apparently she had had a previous affair with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt was jealous that Tom knew how to play the trumpet. It was completely absurd.
Want to enter the world of Muffinhead? Enter HERE.
Fashionopotamus Fashion Performance
Back to ART
Full Name: Muffinhead
Age:33
Currently Residing: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Listening to: Air, Aphex Twin, Can, Cat Power, Motley Crüe, Squarepusher
satori
The costumes he creates are indeed fantastical, but his illustrations and paintings encapture the settings of where these creations live. When you see his work, it really screams at you and makes you just smile in the end. There is noone else I would put on a space unicorn outfit for and there is noone I've ever met like that of Muffinhead.
Who is this Muffinhead character and how was he conceived?
Muffinhead is my excuse for outrageous behavior. No one expects Muffinhead to do Calculus, you know? In this sort of enigma, I can say or do anything because he's a surreal cartoon character who knows no limitation for self expression, however weird, irresponsible, or controversial. I'm always giving this Oscar Wilde quote because it sums it up so well: "Man is least himself when he speaks in his own person. Give him a mask and he'll tell you the truth." Honestly, I don't think anybody gives a shit what Brett Kreutzer thinks. People need my ideas delivered with a sense of panache and otherworldliness that a normal person doesn't simply communicate. The whole idea came about when i was in LA about to show some work in a few event galleries and I just kind of dared myself to do it, the costuming, the name etc...I thought it would be a good way to bridge the communication gap between myself and a potential audience.
Your art seems to be shouting, what is it saying?
Wow, that's very true. That's a tough one to answer because they're all going off about something completely different. They're all their own singular manifesto. Some are whimsical narratives on love and fashion and some are just a flat-out call to arms...but they are all saying something and prefer to not be ignored.
Do you consider yourself a performance artist or someone who is living art?
I think the "living art" shoe fits a little better for me. In trying to come through with an embedded psychological concept in a live situation, I can just make it work on a subway train or in line at the bank...I don't need music or a stage to do it. Plus, I don't really have an act, you know?! I just sort of hang out in this massively uncomfortable mega-drag and talk to people.
:native labyrinth digital illustration
What are you working on currently?
I have my "Exclamationist" show up right now at Arena Studios in Soho, so I'm attempting to take a breather for a few weeks. Coming up, I'm thinking of concocting the first ever Muffinhead striptease. Also, Sequinette and I will finally do our "Love Nazis" performance for The Deitch Art Parade...beyond that, more painting, painting, painting, there's always more painting to do.
What are three words that describe you?
Imaginative, focused, diplomatic.
You migrated here from LA, how's the New York art scene receiving your work?
It's taken some time but I feel more a part of New York now than ever before. The city makes you knock until your knuckles are bloody in order to prove how serious you are. Like moving here, it's difficult but eventually holds a humongous reward with a big fat ribbon on it.
Like Charlies Angels on DMT
Photo by our Superfriend
Bluegirl Heidi Calvert.
We live in a tiny Brooklyn apartment with a little dog. Beyond that, we both work constantly. There is always something to do, always somewhere to go and always someone quite fabulous to go with. Yes, she factors into my work hugely. There is a severe and complex mix of things that make up an Amber Ray, so there is no way to not be intrigued by her.
What is a day in the life of Muffinhead like?
Wake up early, coffee, pushups, coffee, make art or graphic design or costuming project until 3pm, go to slavery print shop evening job and work thru the remaining day...Rinse and repeat.
Is there a particular piece you've created that you could never part with?
Oh no, I don't think so at this point. I've realized the inherent prostitution of my strange little career long ago and made my peace with it.
What is the most outrageous moment in your art history?
Probably the time Amber and I had live sex in Bluespace Gallery in Hollywood. We were actually behind a lit canvas but it was still pretty crazy.
What was the last dream you had?
I had a dream that Amber and I were hanging out with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and they were arguing because apparently she had had a previous affair with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt was jealous that Tom knew how to play the trumpet. It was completely absurd.
Want to enter the world of Muffinhead? Enter HERE.
Fashionopotamus Fashion Performance
Back to ART