crocodilecowboy

YOU MAY REMEMBER AL FROM OUR 2019 INTERVIEW WITH HIM. THOUGH HE WENT BY A DIFFERENT INSTAGRAM HANDLE, @CROCODILECOWBOY HAS AN ART STYLE THAT SHOULD BE FAMILIAR TO OUR SEASONED READERS. THIS TALENTED TRANSGENDER ARTIST FROM TASSIE’S NORTH HAS DONE A LOT OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS: FACING LIFE WITH A NEW BRAND, A NEW PERSPECTIVE, AND NEW ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES.

He’s joining us for this edition of Red Thread to discuss his passion for drawing genitals and smoking suns, and his personal connection to charity Beyond Blue. Let’s start with the basics. Who are you, Al? What makes you tick? “Other than making art, I love rock climbing, surfing, drinking coffee, and watching old cartoons from my childhood. I think music influences my emotions a lot, so I try to be careful about what I listen to. I jump between hating everything about the world we live in to loving so much about it. I honestly feel like I’m 80 years old some days, and I find peace in knowing I won’t have to be here forever and will one day be up with the stars. Sounds morbid, but I think Mike Myers said it best when he said the years start coming and they don’t stop coming.” He really did! Do you ever look back at old pieces and see them differently now, since coming out as trans? “Yeah, I definitely do! I often drew myself crying and naked and drinking wine. I didn’t think much of it then, but I now see it as deep body shame and discomfort inside. I was so deep in the closet and didn’t even know. I had no idea what a transgender person was.” You are very open about your journey with alcoholism. It’s so common in LGBTQ circles. How did you escape the cycle? “Yeah, sober over a year now. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I feel so fortunate and grateful to be in a position where it was safe for me to come out to my family and friends and to feel so accepted as my true self, as well as to be in the position financially to have regular counselling and to also feel so loved in the art world. I tried antidepressants for the first time, and it changed my life. They saved me from myself.” That’s amazing. Tell me about your recent art show with Moon Shed? “Leigh and Josh (@moonshedmoonah) found my art and reached out to me on Instagram to have an exhibition. They’re both great guys! It was my first public exhibition, and it was a huge confidence boost to have people appreciate my work and give me their interpretations.” I love that for you. And more exhibitions are on the way! Your style is so funky and very you! There’s no one else like you – with your love of smoking suns and dicks and crocodiles. What inspires you most? “All the different experiences I have. Dreams, cartoon characters, or just nature, people and animals I observe on the street.” Finally, your commitment to Beyond Blue. Do tell? “I donate $2 from every purchase of my art and merchandise to Beyond Blue because I have struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life. I know how important it is to talk about your emotions and get support.” Check out Al’s eclectic taste in colours, shapes and words on his Instagram @crocodilecowboy, where you can access his Big Cartel store as well.