Mizuno and Jack Tesso on the next big Wave
To introduce the new Wave Rider Beta, Mizuno and Calico Club visited Jack Tesso in his studio for a inspirational conversation about his creative process.
Calico Club: What does a normal day at your studio look like?
Jack Tesso: Well, usually I start the day off with some boring morning rituals. Then around late morning/afternoon I try to get some work done, carving linos, making sketches for potential linos or printing. The printing process can easily cost me a whole day. I guess since my studio is also my living space my day consists of a combination of work and household chores. Throughout the day I also enjoy making music, it takes my mind off things.
C: You’ve experimented with a different mediums, what made you stick with lino?
J: That’s true, I've experimented with oil paints and acrylics on canvas, all sorts of inks on paper and even some photography for a while, which I still like to do from time to time. The photos serve as reference material and inspiration for my lino prints. The reason I made the transition to lino and ultimately stuck to it, is because it forces me to focus more on the essence and general expression, whereas with drawing I have the tendency to get lost in the finer details. Also all the labor it requires puts me in an almost Zen like state of mind. I absolutely love how tactile the medium is.
C: Do you critique your own work?
J: At times it feels like I'm my worst critic. It's the perfectionism that can be almost paralyzing, though I have to say with time I'm learning to get over my inner saboteur, or put differently I just try not to listen to him as much.
C: When do you feel most inspired?
J: I wish I knew, haha... I'd get a lot more work done. But in all seriousness inspiration is such an illusive thing, yet extremely demanding. There are times of severe drought and other times it's just there, and when it is you've no option other than to bend to it's will. As I'm getting a bit older I don't try to chase after it as much, I let it come to me and I'm very thankful for the times I experience it.
C: What’s your creative process?
J: It's a pretty straightforward process, I start off with a sketch, then transfer it onto lino using transfer paper and finally start carving, after that I print it on paper. It's mostly the idea part of the process where it get's interesting.
C: So where can people find your work?
J: On my instagram account: jacktesso. I’m also working on a website: jacktesso.com.
C: What’s next for Jack Tesso?
J: For the time being, I'm just focusing on the next lino. And hopefully another exhibition down the line.
C: Thanks for your time and a peak in your working process.
J: Absolutely. I want to thank you guys for giving me a platform and the opportunity.
Erik Morrenhof about the Wave Rider Beta
A style which practically always works is the combining of tradition and innovation. My general rule is that the silhouettes from yesteryear are better than the newly designed. And we all know outsole technology has become infinitely better during the years. So pairing a classic upper with a modern outsole: match made in heaven? That’s what the Mizuno Wave Rider ß is, the outsole of the Wave Rider 26, Mizuno’s latest running shoe and an upper inspired by the Wave Rider 8, 9, 10 and 11. The end result is one of the comfiest sneakers I have ever walked on and a winner in the looks department. I opted for the green and yellow colourway, but the blue and red’s are also bangers.