We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrew “Apse” Horner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrew “Apse” below.
Hi Andrew “Apse”, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
As painful as it is to admit to my younger self, I know the power of hard labor and a good attitude have been foundational in building this life for me.
My mom was certainly hard working as well, but what she brought to the home was art. She sang obscure lullabies, read Shel Silverstein and Calvin & Hobbes, played the piano often, and liked to doodle small flowers. Her side of the family was genuinely and tastefully eclectic, a little tiny spice of absurd and edgy.
Andrew “Apse”, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have done graffiti since I was probably 7 or so; it had nothing to do with art for me, just tagging and leaving my mark. By the time I was a college student (studying economics and mathematics) in Idaho, graffiti was my late night pastime. Climbing towers and painting them is where I found the euphoric feeling of freedom. I felt like the world was mine, and I decided to dedicate to becoming great at it – to start painting above ground, in the daylight, with pro quality spray paint.
I started Color Cartel as a graffiti crew representing my new focus and aspirations. Seeking permission to paint walls got me nowhere, so I started promoting myself as a professional graffiti artist, and walls started popping up. I met my brilliant wife, and lot of our time together was spent sneaking around and painting spots. We moved to Austin in 2014, where I was given a solo show in a museum. Boutique hotels around the country soon had my murals and paintings, I was being featured in international architecture and design magazines, and I was working with world class designers, consultants, and property owners.
Perhaps the greatest part of being an artist is getting to mingle and paint with the artists who for years were anonymous inspirations to me. The clients I get to work with are such wonderful people, too, many of them become my close friends.
Like other artists in my genre, I paint walls and canvases. I use unique canvases that are significant to my story such as sports cars, super bikes, and grand pianos. We opened Color Cartel Studio in 2021 a place where I can create an environment where I love to paint and where people can experience art, inspiration, and my flavor of graffiti culture. We have monthly open studio and often host private events and workshops here in the showroom.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
As a graffiti writer, the trail of markings you leave behind tells your story – an I think . As a teen I dreamed of being an architect, and now my paintings can be seen in Architectural Digest! As an adult I am involved in high performance driving and racing, and now my art can be seen painted on a Formula 1 car, hanging in Ducati HQ and in the homes of Aramco execs, racetrack owners, and professional drivers. Each individual work is an artifact of my journey, and where I leave my mark adds even more clarity. My goal is make an impact in those communities I love and have a vision for how I can add more substance and taste: the graffiti and the urban contemporary art worlds, motorsports, architecture, and I would particularly like to make an impact on the way the grand piano is seen.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Put energy in the hands of intelligent, responsible, motivated artists, and watch the growth. If we put our energy into artists who live like overgrown children, don’t be shocked when the ecosystem is full of local weeds and the fruit bearing plants are choking and struggling to be fruitful.
Embrace great art from around the world, bring it into our neighborhood side by side the local art. It honors us and sends a signal to the artists here that we are world class, that we do not need to be protected from the world, and that we in fact want to be in communication with the world through art.
Expect more of artists, expect more of yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: colorcartel.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/colorcartel
- Facebook: fb.com/colorcartel
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/color-cartel/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq0j9PC5T2qN1cGTE9Xvbnw
- Other: Color Cartel Studio 2515 Brockton Drive, Suite 101 Austin, Texas We host a beautiful open studio event on the third Thursday of every month. Come have a wonderful evening, purchase some clothing or art, and if there is a brand alignment, consider sponsoring it.