Today we’d like to introduce you to Guy Long.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I make art under the name Rose City, CA. Rose City, CA is the place I have escaped to in my head since I was a kid. It’s a cartoon version of life-based on growing up in Pasadena, California.
My creative journey has been an ongoing progression for the last 20 years. It all started with art classes when I was nine with my teacher Rey Bustos. As I grew older I learned film photography, DJ’ing, music production, graphic design, screen printing, stencil pop art, cartoon animation, perspective drawing, acrylic painting and, finally, made the full circle back to music when I started taking guitar lessons a couple of years ago. I have found that one art form leads to another and have always looked to add to my skill set to see how each affects the creative process and my work. I derive a lot of joy in making my art a multi-media experiment. The idea of marrying all of these different styles and techniques into one larger piece of work is what drives me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As the Dude would say, “it’s been strikes and gutters”. Being a creative you get used to hearing the word “no”. Reaching out for opportunities to do murals, set up collaborations, apply for grants and/or looking for places to show can be a really humbling experience.
The hardest part is always pushing through that and keeping on eye on moving forward with my work. On the flip side, I have had some great opportunities with brands like Timeless Thrills in Sacramento. Having a creative relationship with them has shown me how fun and rewarding it can be to be an artist.
Just “doing the work” is the best way to push through any struggle that comes up. Making a new piece can bring new perspectives and ideas on how to tackle an old problem or face a new challenge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My main focus in my illustrations right now are California landscapes. I take California views and put them through my cartoon filter. I hand-draw everything, scan it into my computer and finally digitize it in illustrator. I set out to give the viewer a place to go and let them come up with the story. Whether it’s an interior living room perspective or a balcony overlooking the hills, my goal is to transport the viewer to my California and give them the feeling of living here. If you live in Los Angeles then I hope to give you the feeling of being home. I then turn these illustrations into prints, paintings and murals.
I also have a band called Leisure Affair that provides the soundtrack for the imagery. All these different mediums culminate in a serialized publication called, wait for it… Rose City, CA. I feel what makes Rose City, CA stand out is the true marriage of art and music. Whether it’s the music being made to support the art or the art that is homaging the music through visual Easter eggs in my illustrations.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First I have to shout out my wife Carol. She is undoubtedly the biggest influence in my work. I feel as if I’m trying to capture our life one illustration at a time. She is the sounding board for all of my ideas while being more creative and thoughtful than I am. She makes me a better person and artist every day.
Next is my creative partner in crime, Ryan who I have spent most of this journey with since I was 17. We met in high school and he taught me a lot of what I know about being creative and working on it until you hit the mark. He is also a member of our band Leisure Affair. I don’t think I would be an artist today if not for his friendship.
My teachers Rey Bustos and Guillaume Wolf. Rey was my first art teacher and opened a window to the arts for me that I will be forever grateful for. Guillaume taught me at Art Center and really shaped my views on how to approach creativity with purpose and vision. Thank you both!
The aforementioned Timeless Thrills. It’s been a pleasure exploring new ideas and projects with them. Tyler and Jessica have been my biggest supporters not only with their brand but in their personal lives.
Lastly, but not lastly, my family. Mom, Kenny, Dad, Maria, Matt, Christina, Evan, Ally, Chris, Marissa, Oli, Caitlin, Jonny, Ellie, Abba, Michael, Gabbi, Bernardo, Christin and George. As well as my extended family Eva, ER, O, Seth, Jarrett, Justin, Tim, Brad, Bryan, Anne, Jeannette, Simon & Diane. They all make me feel seen and loved. They all inspire me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rosecityca.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecityca/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/leisure-affair
- Other: https://linktr.ee/rosecityca
Image Credits
Chad Mann, @valleyoftheatrium, Rose City Archive
