Customs X First Thursdays Artist Interview: Josh Jefferson

Boston-based artist Josh Jefferson's distinct and powerful method of material and tool experimentation, collage, and gestural multi-brush tooled strokes of paint make for a style all his own.

On the occasion of Josh being named the First Thursday's artist for August 2022, CCS' Russ Pope talked with him about the things artists usually talk about: skateboarding, music, art supplies, and cold cuts.

CCS: You live in Boston, tell us about your neighborhood Jamaica Plain and are have you always lived in Boston?

Josh: Jamaica Plain is south west of of downtown Boston. About 7 miles away. I have lived in Jamaica Plain for almost 20 years. It’s a great neighborhood to live in and to raise a family. I moved to Boston for college in 1999. I am originally from Baltimore, MD.

What’s your studio set up like?

My studio is in my basement. A subterranean well-lit built out cube, an art-making machine spot.

You make time to skateboard regularly, have you always or do you ride more now than you used to?

I ride more now than when I was a kid. I try to skate at least three times a week. I like morning sessions - they seem to set the day right.

Photos by Rob Collins

Have you done work in skateboarding before?

No.

Living in Boston, sports are huge. Are you a sports fan?

No. However the past two years I have gotten into watching football. The Patriots are fun to watch.

You have a go-to favorite food spot or kind of food you love?

I love Italian cold cuts J. Pace & Son in the North End is perfect.

How about favorite musician or genre of music?

I love a lot of different music. I will just list my most recent purchases the past week. Technicolor Paradise, this is a comp it is packed with great bands. Alla Rakha -The Wizard of the Tabla. Excellent album and yesterday day I bought A Dwight Sykes self-tilted 2014 LP. Super good.

Favorite artist or artists?

Here are a few in no official order: Ken Price, Tal R, Cecily Brown, Ray Johnson, Jacob Lawrence, and Louise Bourgeois.

Tell us about your process and typical mediums you work with.

This current series required me to make a big brush. I combined three 4 inch brushes to make a 12-inch brush. My process is a secret. However, I will tell you, I mostly use four colors white, yellow, blue and red. And sometimes black.

I love the curated videos you share through Juxtapoz, how did you get started sharing those and are there filters you use when looking for new ones?

I have been curating for Jux for over four years now. I post once a week, every Saturday morning. I was approached by Juxtapoz editor Evan Pricco who saw my Instagram page and liked what I was posting. I have enjoyed finding new videos and researching for new artists.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions and for being part of the Customs X First Thursdays project. Have any parting comments or thoughts? Can you share details on upcoming projects to keep a lookout for?

I found this quote recently that I want to share;
A familiar African Proverb reads, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Now you can go far together wish Josh Jefferson by collaborating on a T-shirt, long sleeve, hoodie, grip, or skate deck with his painterly art elements as you medium. Check out the Customs X tools right here on your phone or computer and get creative. And make sure to tag us @ccs and #CCScustomsX with your creations so we can share 'em with the world. Check out his personal picks shaped decks, too.
And for more of Josh's work and curated videos, give him a follow.