There are not that many degrees of separation between FUSE Green and myself: we both hail from North Carolina, both relocated to Atlanta, we both reside in New York City and both work in the arts. What are the odds of that? 

But there is something special and unique about Fuse’s brand of work.  Boasting a professional career that dates back to the age of 15, FUSE started as a political cartoonist for local North Carolina newspapers but soon found his calling as an art director creating campaigns while in Atlanta for such clients as Coca Cola, Sprite, Minute Maid and Lugz.  Though Atlanta provided steady work it also provided an underground scene that allowed FUSE to move to New York where Marc Ecko scouted him to combine his street and hip-hop influence into brands such as Ecko and PNB Nation.  This allowed for the creation of WHEATBREAD which combines apparel, skateboards, prints, dj accessories and ‘WheatbreadRadio” into a lifestyle rather than just a product line.  Next came stints with Rocawear, collaborations with Lauryn Hill and Q-Tip, Smirnoff, Nike, Procter & Gamble and many other brand and celebrity clientele. 

Currently serving as New York Ambassador for 9th Wonder  “True School” collective, I talk with FUSE about The South, being a “visual strategist” and why he wishes to resort to an upstate getaway in the mountains. 

I call myself a “visual strategist” because my work usually affects a client or project beyond the obvious.  I am usually creating campaigns for clients and then designing the look to support it.  Also because I create work for a wide range of clients from print to album covers to advertising to clothing to etc.

My favorite artist is Norman Rockwell.  Rockwell had a way of capturing those real life moments that are often missed in today’s art.  He painted life as it was and his perspective always seemed to mirror that of a camera; that style and technique is one in a million.  Rockwell is one of the few artists that can never be duplicated.  Currently, an artist that shares the same perspective is Kehinde Wiley. Wiley is amazing in his own right but his technique originated with Rockwell.

My favorite period of art is that of the 1970s. Most people would say either the Renaissance or some older period but I love the explosiveness and vibrancy of the 1970s. There was a lot more creativity born in the 1970s a sort of “Renaissance” in it. Graffiti was on the rise and album covers allowed artists (music and visual) the opportunities to express themselves visually.  The 1970s provided a turning point in print and film technology so the art being produced was crisper.  There were even more spray paint colors available.

My creative process is like preparing a meal.  I spend a lot of time picking fresh and ripe ingredients, researching, prepping, drawing, scanning and cropping. Then I “slow cook “ to create the perfect meal. Unknown to most, a lot of times I will vibe to music (classic hip hop, beats, jazz, soil, funk and house) for about an hour before I start. It just puts me into another spiritual-creative place.  My soul opens up and the results are perfect every time.

Leaving The South meant a newfound freedom. I was able to find myself more as an individual, which allowed me to find myself more as an artist.  I felt that at an early age High Point, NC could not meet my ambitions.  People there would ask if I was from New York City or Brooklyn because I did not participate in the “normal” Southern way.  Funny there is a song by War called “City-Country-City.” It makes me think of leaving the South on a train and seeing the landscape change into city.  Relocating to Atlanta I was considered a “lame” because I wore a backpack, headphones and was heavily into hip-hop. I have always daydreamed of being able to set up shop there. It’s weird because I was born and raised there as opposed to someone from the Caribbean. That’s my MOTHERLAND and I will always belong to her!

“WHEATBREAD” is more of a lifestyle collective; it was never really just an apparel and product brand. WHEATBREAD is the title for the culture of people of color.  Like saying you are “white bread” does not mean you have no flavor.  WHEATBREAD is the complete opposite.  It doesn’t exclude white people but it’s a statement of pride.  In this new culture there are many races and nationalities united mostly through music and the arts.  WHEATBREAD is reflective of that movement. 

My first published cartoon was of Saddam Hussein driving an oil truck being chased by an over-armed U.S. military vehicle. It provided a youth’s insight into the Gulf War and how it affected everyone in every way.  Before that I only drew cartoons for my high school paper. I remember my science teacher telling me I didn’t know enough to draw political cartoons; I obtained that job the same year and won a Quill and Scroll award for my efforts.  The school and the local paper did a huge story on me.  My acknowledge was great but the dumbfound look on my teacher’s face: PRICELESS!

My influences stem mainly from music and art, primarily, Ralph Bakshi, Romare Bearden, Spike Lee, Dawud Anyabwile, Phase 2, Reid Miles, Overton Loyd, Syd Med and John Coltrane.  Also I would credit experiencing life as a city and country dweller; from the landscape to the food to the music all help to mold me into what I am today.

My favorite medium to date is pen and ink; it just seems so natural for me.  It is the medium I am most comfortable utilizing.  As of late, I have been experimenting with different paints and techniques so that may soon replace the former.

If I could be one hip-hop song, it would be T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You) by Peter Rock and C.L. Smooth.  That is the absolute greatest hip-hop song of all time.  It’s the perfect execution of lyricism and balance of drums, horns and sample.  It takes me back to a greater, more in-depth period of hip-hop. It’s just a feel good record that happened at a feel good time.

I hope to leave an art legacy that inspires the best in people. Art gives you perspective on yourself.  It makes you think and look at your life differently especially in our culture.  People emulate what they see on television. That’s art! Not all of it is good but when it is good it has a powerful effect.

In five years I see myself producing bigger, better and more dynamic products.  I would love to work and live in a remote studio house in the mountains upstate. I look forward to teaching a small group of really talented kids like the X-Men similar to that of Skowhegan.  I would focus on studies that aren’t necessarily indicative of the environment such as urban street art and culture.

My celebrity clients include Jay Z, Spike Lee, Melvin Van Peebles, Lauryn Hill,  Mos Def, Fab 5 Freddy, Roy Ayers and Pete Rock.  Recently, I designed the poster for Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson party in Prospect Park (Brooklyn) a few weeks ago.

If I had to choose between being an artist and choosing another profession I would be a scientist but more specifically an inventor.  I am probably going to evolve that at some point in my life.  I have my eye on more product design; a turntable can opener I think. Look for that in the future. Ha!

One can purchase my art in a few places.  Normally I have a few prints here in the lab and all pieces can be viewed on my website.  A few prestigious museums like the Studio Museum in Harlem carry my work as well.  Currently I am producing artwork for the Broadway show "Fela” which is scheduled to hit theatres this fall and posters will be available at each and every show. 

www.wheatbreadlife.com
www.fusegreen.com