Blank Canvas: A Conversation with Rattail Studio
"We need a community to bounce ideas off of and get support from"
By day, he is a full time worker. By night, he's totally different. Sort of like batman, but cooler.
Founder of Rattail Studio, Gacoba fuses cultural references, creativity and his bare hands to create iconic action figures and more!
As he joins us for our Blank Canvas event, we had a little conversation:
Gacoba! We're so excited to have you on our passion project :D How’s life been treating ya?
Crazy. Hectic.
My work and my art do not want to cooperate but we are making it happen HAHAHHA
Let's start with this question: What is Rattail Studio?
Rattail Studio is a creative expression of who I am.
It’s a project which focuses on where I’ve come from, where I am and where I will be going - a love letter to my heritage and western Sydney.
One challenge I gave my self during my time at uni was to incorporate my upbringing into my projects.
So, you’ll see a lot of Western Sydney and Lebanese motifs at the event.
I'm jealous of the name haha. Why the name “Rattail”?
Growing up my brothers and I would BEG my parents to let us get rattails at the barber because all the other leb kids at church had them.
I know they look sh*t but they have a special place in my heart.
It reminds me of my childhood and my community.
Who do you look up to in your craft?
My biggest inspiration is the MythBusters and their approach to science and making.
My artistic inspirations are @obviousplant, @deathbytoys and @legbootlegit. These guys were the first boot leg makers I’ve ever seen and provided huuuge inspiration to me.
What is something new you are experimenting with?
3D modeling. Something I've always struggled with but something I’m determined to get better at.
What are your struggles with Rattail?
The action figures. The packaging is the fun part. It’s the figurines that are really hard.
Another struggle I have is burnout. I think most of what I make is sh*t.
It usually results in a lot of unfinished projects.
Ahh I think that's a common feeling felt by many creatives. How do you combat it?
I tend to find that talking and working with other creatives helps and inspires me to keep going.
We need a community to bounce ideas off of and get support from.
What is your dream :)
To keep rattail as a fun passion project. A way to let out my creativity.
What can we expect from you at the Blank Canvas event?
Some cool figurines and stickers hopefully HAHAHAHA
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