Distil Artist Series: Patch Whisky

Patch Whisky is a street muralist who describes his work as candy-coated monsters and noted buildings are his go-to canvas.

Patch was lured from Princeton, WV to Charleston for the ocean, the tropical beach vibe, the weather, living around alligators and lizards, strolling the same alleys Blackbeard walked, and Bill Murray. He loves this place. The first thing he remembers creating was a drawing on the underbelly of a coffee table with oil pastels. (Also commonly referred to as Crayola Crayons.)

This is Patch.

What's your favorite part of the creative process?

Bringing things to life. Creating monsters and environments for them to live in is something I have become very addicted to. And I enjoy it. Like a lot a lot.

How does your everyday life influence your work?

My wife says I keep painting my Bulldog I hang out with every day in all my work. I don't realize I'm doing it, but maybe there is something to that. Things show up in my work while I'm painting- like lizards or butterflies in my yard. The heat sometimes influences more drips in my work. Lots of things. I watch a lot of Horror movies while I paint. And I would like to think that influences my stuff.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what tunes are you listening to lately?

YES - Le Matos- Chronicles of the Wasteland

Who or what is your greatest source of inspiration?

Horror Movies, Candy, Folklore, Fairy Tales from the Sea, Cereal Box Covers, Video Games, Aliens

What's the inspiration behind your Wally Case design?

The first thing I noticed with the case is the tab you pull to slide your ID, cards, and money out. I wanted to make it interactive, so I turned it into a tongue for one of my monsters, dropped a couple eyes on that bad boy, and BAM! The tongue is now an interactive feature which you pull to get your cards out.

Obviously there's no color option for laser-engraving, but when you do get to work with color, do you have a favorite color to use, and why?

I would say Magenta Pink because it looks like it tastes the best.

What items do you never leave home without? i.e. your “everyday carry”

Pork pie hat, knife, phone, sunglasses, stickers, marker

What are your go-to tools for creativity?

Spray paint, acrylic paint, brushes, water, scary movies, old wrestling promos

Has having a smartphone affected your work, or your life as an artist? If so, how?

The phone connects the world more now than any other thing in the history of mankind. A picture will travel across the planet in seconds and that I think accelerates the evolution of everyone's styles. I can also just google anything for references and instantly have a million options to pick through.

What do you feel is the difference between art and design?

Design is taking things that already exist and placing them in ways that looks balanced...Designing is moving your furniture around. Art is the creation from a blank canvas. The artist makes the things and also designs them how they would like them to be perceived.

Thanks, Patch!

Check out more of Patch's process by following @patchwhisky on Instagram.

For a limited time, special-order your own Patch Whisky Artist Series Case.