photo: Jason Lang

Andy Dixon is a local artist and musician. He will be taking the stage at Pecha Kucha Night this April 26th to talk about his work and what inspires it. Since not every Scout reader could score tickets in time (oh, wait), we’ve asked him 60 questions in an advance effort to get to know him better…

Three things about the Fraser & King Ed area that make you want to live there: 1) Walking distance to Le Marche St. George. 2) Affordable rent. 3) Dosas everywhere.

Name the thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating? Sour Patch Kids.

Default drink/cocktail of choice? Red wine.

The Vancouverite that you admire most and why? My friend, Matt Smith. Why? He least possesses the character trait I describe in my answer to question #30.

Best Vancouver place to be inspired by emerging artistic talent: The Waldorf. You’ve got the Black & Yellow gallery upstairs, local DJs in the Tiki Bar and local performers down in the Cabaret…and, of course, my own studio across the hall from the Black & Yellow gallery. You should see me drink a bottle of red wine in there. Serious talent.

Last art show that really blew you away: No painting has ever effected me quite like seeing Twombly’s The Italians at the MoMA.

The historical personalities, both good and bad, that fascinate you the most? David Koresh & Michelangelo (the Ninja Turtle)

What trend have you followed that you now regret? The early 90s trend of gigantic pants, tight ringer t-shirts and obnoxious wallet chains was pretty embarrassing.

The dumbest thing that you’ve ever done to your hair? For a brief time in the mid 90s I had a shaved head save for my bangs which were bleached white and braided.

What are the three things you’d like to change about Vancouver? 1) If it could have the climate of LA 2) the housing prices of the Maritimes 3) if we didn’t win the award for the worst dressed city.

Favourite breakfast? Fried eggs and toast made by my wife.

Your go to, no-frills place for dinner? Fassil, an Ethiopian joint on Broadway and Fraser.

If you could board a plane this afternoon, where would it be taking you? It’s a particularly grey day here in Vancouver as I type this so I’d choose somewhere warm. Italy, maybe.

The strangest place you’ve ever been to? In Pittsburgh, my old punk band needed a place to crash after the show (a usual occurrence) and ended up in this horror movie style situation with the psychotic bartender of the club who kept stealing our things and then trying to sell them back to us. He also had an attic room with an empty baby crib in it with no sign of a baby or a partner. The guy was so scary that some of us chose to sleep in the creepy abandoned townhouse next door, which had intentionally-torn family photos, children’s shoes, and filth.

The three books that you read that made an impact on you in your formative years? A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by David Eggers, The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, Calvin & Hobbs.

What is the best way to get to know a neighbourhood? Visit its local liquor store.

Where was the last place you traveled to for work or pleasure? In November I went to Jamaica with my family for my father’s wedding.

What is your biggest phobia? Heights. Or flying.

Where did you go to school? I’ve never had any post-secondary education. ‘Self taught’ or ‘outsider’ is the polite way to phrase it.

The cliché that you overuse? …in the eye of the beholder

The strangest talent that you possess? I can answer 60 questions in 2 days.

Shoe of choice? Brown leather oxfords.

The different career path that you could have gone on? Psychologist? Lawyer? Stylist? Tailor?

Your ancestry? Miscellaneous white Canadian. Mutt.

Your three favourite films? 8 1/2, The Royal Tenenbaums, Mulholland Drive

Favourite pizza? Veggie.

Under what circumstances would you join the army? If Mulan Kundera was my drill sergeant.

Your most regrettable purchase ever? My iPhone because it’s turned me into a complete fool.

Your major character flaw? I’m ridiculously forgetful and unorganized.

The character flaw in others that you can’t abide? It’s hard to describe but I have an answer for this. It’s a kind of introspective blindness. Someone’s inability to abstract oneself, objectively see oneself, and change one’s behavior based on what one sees.

How do you know when you can trust someone? If I give you a ride somewhere and you manually lock your door when exiting the car.

What was the luckiest moment in your life? When my future wife moved into the apartment next to mine.

What was the unluckiest moment in your life? When my future wife moved into the apartment next to mine with her boyfriend.

What are you the most proud of? My ability to live forever (so far).

What are you the least proud of? My spelling.

Favourite way to get your hands dirty? Painting.

What is the best thing about your work? I get to spend my time making it.

What is the worst thing about your work? Everything else.

The relatively normal piece of clothing that you believe you’d look the most ridiculous in? A leather motorcycle jacket.

The talent that you wish you possessed? Acting and/or singing.

What are you listening to as you answer these questions? A$AP Rocky .

What musical instrument do you secretly long to play? The Koto.

What sport did you give up and why? Skateboarding. Despite it being a necessary interest of mine to fit the mold of the alternative teenager, I sucked at it.

What is the game that you’re best at? The card game, Hearts. It’s the only thing I’ve ever beat both of my older brothers and my father at.

What is the one animal that scares you the most? Crow.

If you had a motto, what would it be? It’s happening and it’s good. It’s good because it’s happening.

Your favourite word? Brazen

Your least favourite word? Esoteric

Your favourite curse word? Fuck.

Three things of no monetary value that you own and will keep dearly until you die? My late mom’s keychain. An invitation to my wedding. A flyer for my first art show.

The strangest road you’ve ever travelled? The highway in Poland which was completely rural and desolate except for the stands selling garden gnomes every mile, and a prostitute every half-mile.

Your first memory? Screaming for my parents to move a crocheted hanging owl ornament away from my line of sight while I was in bed.

The first album that made you love music? Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses

The song that you could listen to on repeat for an hour? All of Harmony in Ultraviolet by Tim Hecker

The one place that you have the least interest in ever visiting? The Arctic Circle

The first three things that you do every morning? Make coffee. Turn on rap music. Check email.

Describe your favourite photograph: Something with nudity in it as long as it’s not me.

When you can’t sleep: I avoid the temptation to work on something (which will only keep me up even later). Instead I put on Tim Hecker and read a book.

What is beauty? Existence

OTHER INTERESTING VANCOUVERITES