Big Foot is Real: Our Interview With BigfootOne

Big Foot is real and he's a visual artist we're stoked to collaborate with once again!

Not only are we dropping new BigfootOne merch VERY soon, we caught up with the man, the myth, the legend, BigfootOne, and are proud to share with you what makes this man real! From his Japanese roots to his affinity for art, nature, skateboarding, and the Grateful Dead, here's what we know for sure... Scott aka BigfootOne answered the following questions in our Grassroots exclusive interview.

How did the Bigfoot name start and what’s your connection to Big Foot?

It was 30 years ago in the summer of 1994 I decided to embark on an artistic journey using the “Bigfoot” moniker. I was writing the word “PATH” around my block in San Francisco in 1992-1992, but I wanted something more dynamic to portray the ultimate symbol of nature and instinctively felt the urge to draw furry characters around San Francisco. One day after a listen to the Grateful Dead’s “Brown-Eyed Women”, the mention of “Bigfoot” in the lyrics gave me the spark to dedicate my art to the Bigfoots.”

Do you believe in Big Foot? Do you have any stories about Big Foot or other mythical creatures?

Yes, I believe in Bigfoots and an infinite number of nature spirits from past, present, and future spiritual and material realms of this planet. I believe everything in nature is a god and the Bigfoots being the highest order of the gods of nature, so I’m always seeing faces of Bigfoots and humanoids in rocks, plants, and in the sky.

Describe your background as an artist and live painter: what makes your style unique and recognizable? 

I inherited the art spirit from my mom. I knew I was an artist from the beginning and it was when I started skateboarding around 1985 or 1986 that the graphics and the printed objects really awakened something inside me. I related to everything visual and graphic from 80’s skateboarding like it was gospel.

I was exposed to the classical art teachings in schools and then, to break free from that, I started scribbling in order to create and develop my signature line style. Then I started using that to draw in the streets of San Francisco with the Bigfoots in 1994. I set out to do nature art with green and brown as my main colors to represent nature and used bold coded line work in retaliation to modern humanity’s conquest of nature.

What is your favorite medium and what are some of your favorite or most memorable pieces our fans should know about?

Traditionally, I’ve always crafted my own wooden objects and painted them with acrylic house paint since the early 90’s. But in the last 20 years, I’ve slowly learned to create graphics digitally from my original drawings on paper to get items printed and produced. An iconic designed piece I’m proud of is my first vinyl figure that was produced with StrangeCo back in 2004: it’s about to hit its 20th anniversary!

Where are you from? What are some highlights of living there and how has it influenced your art and life?

I’m originally from New Jersey, but mostly have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m out in Arizona right now, posted up way out outside of the nearest town. Since I’ve moved to Arizona a few years ago, I’ve been seeing all types of characters in the rock formations around my house and reading the clouds in the sky. It’s been giving me a different textured perspective on the nature spirits I’ve always been drawing and has given me reassurance to go further. 

My other home is Japan: I just returned from my 40th trip there and  the concept of animated spirits in all inanimate objects, especially nature, is something that’s inherent there and with me. I try to soak up all the art and nature there that I can from ancient to modern and record it into my art world.

We’re a streetwear brand rooted in the cannabis industry: how has cannabis been a part of your life over the years and what does that look like abroad?

I first encountered "Mary" in 1989 and we’ve been friends ever since. For artists and musicians, I feel we utilize cannabis to get in the flow of creation, turn our critical mind off, gain insights and inspirations, and alleviate the stresses of Babylon. 

I feel the whole human world at one time incorporated cannabis into their lives naturally. Back before recorded history, ancient cultures were traveling by boat freely and were trading items and exchanging ancient knowledge and hemp. In modern times, places like Japan, it’s highly illegal but it was part of the culture up until 100 years ago, and most of the traditional clothing everyone wore was made using hemp.

What is your style when it comes to fashion and streetwear? How would you describe your fashion sense and what are some staples you rock on the regular?

I think a lot of people can look at me and know that I have been severely affected by skateboarding, because I mostly wear t-shirts and the same kind of high top sneakers I would wear when I was a kid.

Also, the Grateful Dead is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’m usually seen with some kind of icons, tie dye, and lately been collecting as much Guatemalan fabric items as I can. I also went through a time wearing all black 20 years ago, walking around pretending I was a member of KISS in the 70’s. Right now, I’m in a big turquoise and purple sweatpants era.

Need a deck? Check out our Stanley Mouse x Never Summer Skate deck! It comes in three sizes and totally matches your vibe! Also, if you love the Grateful Dead, you have to check out our Stanley Mouse collection: he's done a lot of poster art and album art for the Grateful Dead and our collaboration merch uses some of that artwork!

How did you start working with Grassroots California? What are some of your favorite items you’ve created with us and what pieces do we have to look forward to?

I was having a show at Black Book Gallery in Denver in 2018 and they arranged with Grassroots to make a collection of items to have at the show!

I think my favorite piece was the button up short sleeve shirt with repeated camo leaf pattern from 2022. I’m excited to see the new hats coming soon! One hat has a large embroidery overlapping onto the hat brim with a Bigfoot holding two, big nug stalks.

What are some other visual artists or musical artists you draw inspiration from?

My favorite visual artists are Mizuki Shigeru, Okamoto Taro, and Rick Griffin. I can at most times feel inspiration from the natural world around me and any ancient art and ornamentation. I definitely get inspiration from the Grateful Dead. I first tuned in in 1989 and it’s been like nothing else. I could spend the rest of my life studying it and listening and still not know all there is to know; it’s really an endless source of material for inspiration and interpretation!

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Shop the the BigfootOne Collection Now! New Merch dropping this week!