Episode 81: MAKE YOUR SH*T - Rohitash Rao

Austin Art Talk

"You know what, all that matters is that you find a way, however you have to do it, to just keep making your shit. Whatever that is. Just don’t stop. Any creative person. It’s so easy not to. Just find a way. Just don’t stop. You have to give yourself that opportunity. It’s a lot easier now than ever. So by whatever means you have please take advantage of it and go make your stuff, because you’re not getting younger."
Rohitash Rao makes cool stuff. Funny stuff. And a lot of it. Lucky for us he recently moved to Austin to take a teaching job as an assistant professor at the Stan Richards School of Advertising. Since childhood Ro has been a prolific creator, drawing and painting on anything he can get his hands on. Studying at Art Center in LA gave him a chance to try all different types of art creation and also learn how to pitch ideas and tell stories. Over the years he has worked as an award winning art director, illustrator, animator, has made a documentary, short films, music videos, stop motion, has co-written seven children's books, has exhibited his art numerous times, and is about to release an album of songs that he will be performing live with his band. Through his art creation he explores his personal experiences and also shares his often humorous commentary on the state of the world, with the belief that comedy and art are therapeutic and can lessen the weight of life. Keep smiling and make your shit.

OF COURSE I'M HAPPY Spray paint and acrylic on found wood 38 x 48 inches
Bio courtesy of Rohitash

Rohitash Rao’s art is a reflection of our culture. His work reflects our over-consuming society, often made on the very things that we throw away. His work is a conceptual (and often funny) take on the way we live.
As a friend put it, “Ro's art puts our society up against a funhouse mirror into which the dog of irony continually dives at its own reflection.”

Rohitash Rao is an award-winning art director, animator and director. He has co-created and illustrated 7 children’s books published by Harper Collins, made an animated TV pilot for 20th Century Fox and has had 12 solo shows as a fine-artist. He currently works as an assistant professor at the Stan Richards School of Advertising at the University of Texas in Austin.

YOUR PROBLEMS ARE NOT CONVENIENT Spray paint and acrylic with cut out eyes from magazines on found fast food cup Roughly 4 x 6 inches
Upcoming group exhibition

I Picked You A Flower
Opening Reception Feb 7th, 7-10pm
February 8th - March 14th

Vault Stone Shop
4361 S. Congress Ave, Suite 103
Austin, TX 78745

FLOWERS WILTING IN GLASS BOWL Acrylic on wood 24 x 24 inches
Some of the subjects we discuss:

Confidence
The 100th painting
Very specific/organized
Calculated spontaneity
Just steeping stones
Found objects
Being intentional
Marlboro box story
Art for beer
Canopy studio
Rancho Cucamonga
Interesting upbringing
Being American
Hobby and Jobby
Art as career?
Chemistry class
Art Center everything
Building a portfolio
Art director job
Move to NYC/filmmaking
Directing/storytelling
Documentary/spec reel
Switch to animation
Battle of the Album Covers
Poison music video
Curious Pictures
Move to L.A.
Book deals/Studio
Commitments
Starting to teach
Advertising at UT
American culture & creativity
Working with students
6th & Lamar assignment
Talking trash on trash
Humor and laughing
Early influences
More serious work
Ro Hit Records
I drive and I eat
Videos for songs
Why stop motion
The books
Social media
Make your shit
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian

Support this podcast.

Links:

• Rohitash Rao paints on trash
• Rohitash Rao Makes Cool Stuff
• Rohitash Rao (@rohit913) • Instagram photos and videos
• Rohit Records (@rohitrecords) • Instagram
• Rohitash Rao | Moody College of Communication | The University of Texas at Austin
• Rohitash Rao - Harper Collins
• Battle of The Album Covers - YouTube
• Current Exhibition | Vault Stone Shop