We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Wolk. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I was 18 years old when I started Cranky Yellow in 2005. I didn’t go to college and moved to the nearest city, Saint Louis, to open a store, which was my dream. I’ve always taken big risks, mostly because I’m driven to create and put stuff out there, which is risky. When you create things that are personal, as most artists do, you don’t know how others are going to respond and so it opens this conversation about risk. As Cranky Yellow changed and adapted, and as I changed, I constantly took new and different risks and saw what worked artistically and what did not. Over the years Cranky Yellow has been a handmade store, a vintage shop, art gallery, a punk venue, a book publisher, web developer co-op, music label, theater production, Curator, and most recently a performing pop music act. Taking risks can be uncomfortable and hard but I think doing so allows me to create better work and grow in directions I didn’t see originally.

David, 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?

Much of the artwork, exhibitions, music, and projects I create as Cranky Yellow fit in the alternative genre. I’m interested in unusual and strange things, stuff that is cute or weird. I’m very interested in novelty and fun so that comes up in my music and artwork. Currently I’m writing pop music with different artists, and my new single is called Such a Jerk feat Sloopy Mccoy and the song has a collaborative fashion video with Knitwear Underground. I’m also having a bit of fun selling toys and media online.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being able to connect with other artists and musicians and to see and hear new work. My work with Cranky Yellow centers around collaborations with others creative people in exhibitions, and special projects. I get inspired seeing the things people do. I’m always in awe and I love it.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Artists do a lot with so very little so try to buy from local artists as a practice you get into, and support artists and musicians by showing up, virtually and in person, with comments, likes, and shares. Try to build strong communities through your interactions. Enjoy and talk about art and music.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.CrankyYellow.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/crankyyellow
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/crankyyellow
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crankyyellow

Image Credits
Cranky Yellow, David Wolk 2022 Cranky Yellow’s Single Such a Jerk ft Sloopy Mccoy 2022