Designed with purpose Featuring ExtraKetchup | The Open Palette Podcast | Episode 12

Episode 12 of The Open Palette Podcast features ExtraKetchup, a multidisciplinary artist, fashion designer, muralist, and educator whose work bridges art, culture, fashion, and community.

In this conversation, we explore the importance of creating with intention, building a brand rooted in authenticity, and navigating multiple creative disciplines without losing sight of your purpose. From his journey as an artist to his work in fashion and education, ExtraKetchup shares valuable insights on staying true to your vision, embracing growth, and using creativity as a tool for impact.

Whether you're an artist, designer, entrepreneur, educator, or creative thinker, this episode offers an inspiring look at what it means to build a life and career designed with purpose.

🎙 Episode 12: Designed with Purpose
🎨 Featuring: ExtraKetchup

The Open Palette Podcast is where art, culture, and community come together through real conversations.

Listen now on all digital streaming platforms and watch the full episode on YouTube.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:04

Life is the canvas we paint. Opening the dialogue, removing the penalty is the restraint. Uh-huh. The open palette, insight, access, and the human story. The palette is open. Open now.

SPEAKER_01 0:21

Welcome back to the Open Palette Podcast where art, culture, and community come together through real conversations. I'm your host, Brian Camacho, and this episode is brought to you in partnership with the Museum of Graffiti's Artist Studios. Now let's get right to it. As today's episode explores the intersection of art, fashion education, and entrepreneurship. We're discussing what it takes to build a brand with purpose, staying authentic to your vision, and using creativity to inspire the next generation. Joining us today is a fashion designer, muralist, artist, art educator whose work continues to impact both creative industries and the community. Please join me today in welcoming Extra Ketchup.

SPEAKER_00 1:01

Peace, man. Peace, man. Thank you for having me, my brother. It's a pleasure having you here today. Of course, man. So proud to see you doing me know big things now, keeping this always moving forward for the culture, man. We definitely appreciate you having us, all artists who've been artists so far. Great artists, man. If you haven't tuned in, tune in, man. It's a pleasure to be here, bro.

SPEAKER_01 1:18

Thank you, thank you. I appreciate that, man. It's always a pleasure building with you and connecting with you. For those who don't know, we definitely go way back. You've definitely been putting on for the scene for a long time. So let's talk to the people. Tell the people who is Extra Ketchup behind the art.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

Well, um Extra Ketchup is the artist's name. Um I'm an old railround artist. I revolve around um telling the story of just New York City culture. Um I have explored both, like you have said, within the fashion and also within the art community, but also just making a stamp within just the foundation of keeping everything solidified to just representing the the real magnetism of New York culture and you know what I was raised on. Telling the story of where I come from. You know, I'm an artist that you know I was lived throughout everywhere in New York City. I was born in Harlem, I was raised in the Bronx. I moved to Queens like right after junior high school, graduated Queens um high school. I did um August morning in um Jamaica, Queens.

SPEAKER_01 2:25

Actually, I actually I went to that school as well for a year there.

SPEAKER_00 2:28

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I've like been all over. I did I had a gallery in Bushwick for about three years. Um got a big community in Brooklyn. Um I still teach. I teach in Queens right now, but um yeah, I've just been a rail-rounded New York-based artist. Uh I'm just telling the story of, you know, what and how I see it, but also just not only on the walls, but also on how you wear it too. That's what's up.

SPEAKER_01 2:51

That's a fact. And it's great to see how you've been rolling out these different products and these different, you know, showcases of work. I want to talk to those different steps that you've been taking as an artist to remain unique, to remain an artist who stays within their own lane and their own vein with the work that you put out. You a lot of your work is one-offs or unique pieces. Yeah, and I want to speak to the purpose for that. You know, a lot of different designers find themselves chasing the idea of building a collection, which is which is what needs to be done. But how you build the collection and what that collection means and represents for your brand is very important. And you're an artist who's taken that understanding and implemented that into your work. Let's speak to the importance of that, please.

SPEAKER_00 3:36

Yeah, so um, like I said, I want to stay, you know, molded to the the culture of New York. And um, whenever I do tell a story, if I ever do drop a collection, I wanted to, you know, uh give a feeling. So even if I, you know, do something that's flipping a brand, like for instance, if I flip Carhartt, you know, or any other brand that I might, you know, want to flip or you know, inspire by, because I like to say a flip, but the artists who created these logos and created the, you know, the palettes and the patterns that, you know, we wear when we wear Gap and we wear, you know, Carhartt and everything like that, those are artists who did that, so I want to still pay homage. I'm just basically borrowing and you know, elevating it to my own taste. You know, it's basically like taking a beat or taking an old song that you heard and just, you know, remixing it and making an ill beat or instrumental now, passing it to a friend to rap over. It's the same thing like streetwear to me. That's how I see it. I could take something, upcycle it, I could either make something from scratch, but I still want to tell the story and I still, you know, want it to be, you know, a feeling like you know, you're wearing Carhart or you're wearing Gap or you're wearing a new era piece. You get what I'm saying? But um it just has to tie into like the definition of what defines the branding. Like with me, um I would say that extra ketchup is a metaphor for like blood. Because if you see um the word crime and some of the clothes, it's not that I'm necessarily promoting, you know, you know, to do crime or anything like that. It's more of telling the story of you know what I was raised around and um what I saw growing up in the Bronx or what I saw growing up in Queens, or just in the era that I grew up in, you know, the defense that we had to go through, you know, like the understanding of you go through the you know the judicial the justice system and you see that is not fair and you know it's ran by crime, and crime actually pays a lot of what goes on, you know, is is a is a whole corrupted system. So I'm kind of like understanding that, but also delivering that message through, you know, a formula with clothes, is you know, telling like a hidden story. You know, you're kind of like if you want to leave a message, some people say you gotta leave it in a book with me, I'm leaving it through my streetwear clothes or whatever art I choose to make.

SPEAKER_01 5:56

That's just that's that's that's the way it should be, man. You know, a lot of people find themselves in these places where they don't know how to express themselves to see that you're finding that outlet through clothing and fashion is is dope. You know what I mean? We all love to look good and feel good, so it's only right that you're able to purchase and you know get a piece of artwork. Piece of artwork, not just a piece of clothing. So that's important.

SPEAKER_00 6:20

And going back to the one-on-one, like you said, um the main reason why I focus on doing a lot of one-of-ones is because I want to implement the style and the detail that I take into making a piece. Um, some pieces to me is like, you know, it's like a piece of art more than just you know, clothes you're gonna wear here and there, but like to obtain it is to understand that you're owning art that I actually took time in, that I actually took time to, you know, think about you know what's going on this garment, whether it's jeans, whether it's a bucket hat, whatever I make is more of like there's an intention to it, just like there is when you're doing a painting. So I'm doing this as like a form of like selling art, but you know, instead of it being on your wall, you can actually wear this and style this. Because that's also an art form.

SPEAKER_01 7:05

That's a fact. That's a fact. And um, and then not only that, like I said before, being able to speak and be heard through the through through your clothing is very important for you. And I see that you are very vocal and stepping up and being present because it's one thing to speak about change, and it's another to actually make change. And you're definitely somebody who is making it a point every day to get up, do things that are making changes in this world, whether it be through fashion, whether it be through art, as well as connecting with these children and teaching them the way. You said you're an educator. I want to elaborate on that. Let's talk to these different programs because I I know that you've facilitated um different children's workshops as well as adult programming. Let's speak to those different programs and how you've put those together.

SPEAKER_00 7:49

So I got introduced to teaching um when one of my graphic designers that I work with, um, my boy was actually doing a calendar for somebody in the school system. And um, this person had a nonprofit that had just come home from serving, you know, um a nine-year bid, and he had completely turned his life around and he started, you know, giving back by, you know, doing this art therapy. Um my boy knew that I wanted to get into teaching because I was already doing, you know, a lot of like workshops and already just kind of like manifesting, like, oh, I kind of want to do this, you know, I kind of want to just feel like I'm in school because when you teach, you kind of are in school too. But um I met that person, and that person had, you know, gave me the opportunity to teach. And from there I was teaching in East New York. I was also teaching in Batch Dye. Um, I did schools in Far Rock actually too. But um it was more of like an art therapy, basically just showcasing my skill and what I could do with, you know, any material that is given to me, and just find a way to connect with the kids. But once I started, you know, working with the kids, I started seeing how influential they actually are because they're so free, and they don't have, you know, so much tension or so much doubt, or you know, no competition with them. Them either, you know, there's more, they're more pure. So when they're creating, it's like it's such a free spirit that I kind of was getting a high from being around them, creating constantly that I was looking forward to actually going. So a lot of the art that, you know, comes from what I'm doing actually was influenced from children that I teach. That's what's up. Yeah. That's what's up.

SPEAKER_01 9:27

And as you see here, you definitely are a very well-rounded artist. Representing your culture, representing your community is very important to you as well. You're a Dominican artist from New York City, and you make it be known through your work. Let's speak to the importance of that.

SPEAKER_00 9:44

Yeah, so I feel like it's important just to, you know, represent the roots, especially like, you know, if you still have your parents and you know you have a connection with your family, like, you know, your parents, you gotta understand that they came from a culture. They was forced to get into adapting to this culture, knowing that they're not from it. So you kind of want to, you know, let them know too that you actually are embracing where they came from and understanding your roots. Because, you know, you are, you know, living in this, in this culture, but there's so much that this culture is influenced by from other cultures. You get what I'm saying, especially yours. Once you start understanding yourself, once you understand your name, where your name comes from, you know, your family name, once you start going back and you know, you start getting connected with your people there and family that you never even knew you had, it's like you start feeling the connection to another place. So I always like to, you know, represent it because it's important to, you know, my spirit to still connect with my ancestors there.

SPEAKER_01 10:41

Yes, that's what's up, man. It's very important, my people's. You know, here on this show, we always bringing up the conversation of community, culture, and representation through your artwork. And this is just another artist right here that is an example, showing the way and the and the how of how it should be done, making sure that you're staying true to yourself, staying true to your people, and representing through and through. What do you as an artist want the people to take away when they're standing in front of your artwork? What is the understanding that you want them to take?

SPEAKER_00 11:11

I would like them to take away is just a sense of freedom because the way I create art is more of like I'm not, you know, creating a box around it or saying, like, if I have, you know, cardboard paper, like, oh, I could only make, you know, fold or I could only draw on this, I'm actually gonna create a piece using this to the most advantaged way that I can. If I have to cut this up into, you know, micro micro pieces just to make something out of it. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna, you know, kind of like, you know, take it to the extreme level. So I want people to see like whenever I make clothes, it's not, you know, just a standard piece of garment. It could be simple, but the message or the way that I laid that, you know, design down is you know, it's the the intention and the focus is very, very intentional. So I will say intention and also freedom. That's what's up, and that's very important for sure.

SPEAKER_01 12:03

I also want to speak to the idea of gatekeeping and not gatekeeping. For those who fail to understand the realization of that, it's simple. Be the one that is there when needed, be the person that's there to help. There's no reason why we should be holding back any opportunities, any ideas, or any handouts. This is a free world, this is a free space, and we can all eat. There's enough money to go around for all of us around this world. And you are definitely somebody who showcases that through the different classes and the showcases that you've put together. I also want to elaborate on the sewing classes that you've put together. As a designer, a lot of designers hoard their ideas, hoard their sources, you know what I mean? Hoard their techniques and try to shun others away from you know that graceful opportunity to live, learn, and grow. And you're not one of those individuals. And that's very important. And I would love to highlight that idea. Let's speak to that programming that you've been putting together as well.

SPEAKER_00 13:03

Yeah, so the sewing, it's um it's a sewing one-on-one course, it's a beginner sewing class. I teach it in the sewing. Right now, I'm at the um sewing institute in the city in Manhattan, that's right across the street from Moods. Um, that building has many floors that provide studio space for, you know, people who would like to sew. They provide, you know, teachings as well. Like you could, you know, sign up for classes, but they also have private time where you could actually, you know, you go there yourself or a person like myself could go and you know teach you and create something with you. But I focus mainly on bringing that student there because that atmosphere and that environment actually, you know, is an influence. It's like imagine you were in a mechanic and you learned your trade at an actual auto shop. You know, you you're around it, you're around the noise, you're around the smell, you're around everything. So like you're kind of like putting yourself within that environment. So I think it's important to like actually bring them to that studio where they're seeing other people work, they're seeing other people have ideas, and they're actually creating like the person next to us in the other room, you could actually see because it's all see-through, but they could be creating a whole wedding dress, and the person next to me is you know being taught how to make a tote bag. So from just that simple lesson, you could create that. You get what I'm saying? So it's just putting them there and allowing them to, you know, surround themselves with that air and also being so close to moods. I allow them, you know, I take them to moods after the workshop, I show them different fabrics, I take them to the trim spot, I got to put them on to where to get these things just so that they don't feel so lost. Because, you know, I didn't have it, I had to do all this research myself, but I get influence off people who are doing things, and I feel like once you are comfortable enough to, you know, let your guard down and have fear of competition with the next person, you could actually it becomes a certain it could becomes a cipher where ideas are not coming to you just because you're next to this person. You know, you can't be selfish because at the same time it's just you know a current, it's an energy, you know, a wave is bigger when there's more water on it. So why limit it? You get what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_01 15:13

That's a fact. That's a fact for sure. That's a bar for sure. Y'all need to write that one down and keep that one locked in. Yeah, definitely. Um, with regards to the work that you've been putting out, what is the legacy you look to lead?

SPEAKER_00 15:27

Uh, leadership, I would say, um, especially leadership and you know, just being you know, true to yourself and understanding that, you know, social media is just one platform. In order for you to connect with people, you have to really be out there. Not everything has to be documented. You get what I'm saying? Like, you could do things for the sake of your heart, you get what I'm saying? You could actually go to places and connect, and you don't have to document everything. You just have to understand that everything you're doing with the right intentions, you're doing for yourself, for your own growth. Um, put yourself in situations that basically, you know, make it uncomfortable so that you know it could actually build that strength of a leadership. You get what I'm saying? Where you no longer are depending on somebody, you're actually understanding that you could provide. So if you can't be used, you're useless. So you have to actually put yourself in alignment where you know what you're actually wanting, what you're doing. So, you know, once you have and you take that step and that lead, I feel like you within this, you're already creating your legacy. It don't even have to be through fashion or art, like just you know, you could be a speaker, you could be anybody who could just, you know, be a nurturer. Just you understanding and being aligned with yourself first, it's more important to your legacy than anything else.

SPEAKER_01 16:41

That's for fact. Take that into consideration, and definitely always keep that in mind when uh stepping into these different spaces as an artist, as you grow, as you create, don't be afraid to ask questions. There's no wrong question. We're only here to learn and live and grow and prosper. Take that chance, take that step, ask those questions, step into those rooms, be a sponge, soak up all the game you can and go out there and implement that and take it to the next level. This is your time, this is your chance, this is your space, this is what it's all about, and this is what we're here. We're living testaments to this. I know this brother since we were young coming up in the scene out here in New York City, and he we every time I would run into him, he was definitely focused, get into it somehow, some way. That path that you cross with that individual, take the time to you know, share some insight, build, and figure out what the connection will be and when that connection can be felt you know made to facilitate that big picture that you're putting together for yourself and for those around you. It is so important, yeah, for sure. Uh, with regards to the work that you've been putting out, you you've been um highlighting a lot of great legendary figures. And um, it is important when taking these steps to touch base with those said individuals or their families. I want to speak to that so that those out there who may find inspiration or or want to you know draw, you know, highlight these individuals that they're taking the right steps and making sure that they're paying their dues. I want to speak to obviously the the project that you did with Dandy, as well as the project that you did with MF Doom. Uh, what were the steps that you took to make sure that you secured not only yourself, the rights for your art, but also the respect for these individuals and their families.

SPEAKER_00 18:31

Yeah. Um I would say the first one I had there to work was Um the Zexor. Um, Matthew, when Matthew passed away, you know, um he was somebody who was supportive. You know, I didn't do it just because of his name, I did it because, you know, he was someone who came up with us since before. So you know, that's like, you know, losing um, you know, losing a piece to the puzzle. So, you know, understanding, you know, what he brought to the culture and you know how much he influenced us, I just felt it was only right to, you know, honor him. And when I did so, I I reached out to the family. And, you know, of course we broke bread. Um, I don't know if his mom is comfortable with saying it, but I know through the collection with those who supported, she was able to license his name and um, you know, get an actual like, you know, copyright and trademark of his name. That's for sure. So um it was good because, you know, you want I know a lot of people who do street art, you know, they just take images and make it, and you know, they want to make money, but you know, plagiarizing is one thing, and uh, and at the same time, taking somebody else's name and making money off of them is a different thing. You get what I'm saying? Like, whenever I do something, even when I did like the Prodigy short, I reached out, you know, to his daughter. I send DMs, you know, I I reached out to when I went and did the big L. I went to his block, I spoke to people there, you know, connected with people on that block, you know. The MF Doom, we also, you know, when I found out that he passed and his family had put up the Cash App, you know, it influenced me to just do a piece, just to, you know, he was one of my favorite artists. So to actually, you know, lose someone that I felt, you know, made music so valuable that, you know, play a significance to my growth. For me to have a platform where I cannot create an idea, sell it, his fans actually support, and money goes to his family. It's, you know, beyond great. But with the Don Di, it was the same thing. You know, Dony's one of my favorite writers. Um, when I wanted to do his collection, I wanted to do it, you know, very meaningful and also, you know, showcase something that was, you know, elegant at the same time. It was not, you know, just a picture on the shirt. I wanted that style and that, you know, or whatever. If he bought the hoodie, if he bought the t-shirt, you know, or the bucket hat, like I wanted it to feel like if Don D actually wore it, you know. So I actually reached out to his, you know, the estate that is owned by his nephew and I believe his niece. Um and they were very nice people that allowed me to use it, you know. I gave them merch. You know, they reached out and wanted to keep some of his stuff in their museum that they have for him, so that was kind of dope. But you know, they was very dope about it, and you know, they was very respectful. But once you have that and you establish that relationship, I guess it makes the you know collection way more powerful because you have, you know, somebody who's actually supporting it now. So I think that's very important that you at least secure yourself with that family member so that they at least know what your intention is and you're not just trying to make money off this person's name. You get what I'm saying? Oh, for sure. Yeah definitely.

SPEAKER_01 21:42

Definitely gotta go out there and do your due diligence, do the work, do what it takes to make sure that you're securing everything across the board. This is your intellectual property as long as you are securing it and doing the work the right way. Protect yourself, protect your art, protect your work, and everything will be fair game. We said it before, we'll say it again. Get your lawyer, get your paperwork straight, get to the money.

SPEAKER_00 22:06

I got a cease from Hove. You want to talk about that? Let's talk about that. I believe it was 2019. No, no. I think it was 2021, like right after COVID. I gotta go back to the emails, but yeah, I got a cease and desist from Rock Nation. Um, it was actually by Hove's um lawyer that he had on retra on retrain on retainer. Yeah, and and I I thought it was you know a bogus scam thing, you know what I'm saying? Like, you know, it was that time a lot of scams was going out. But when we looked into it, you know, once they sent that third email, I was like, oh shit, like this is I was like, like I had to ask a you know, a lawyer friend, like, yo, what is this, bro? He's just like, you just got ceased, bro. You gotta take that down. So I was like, oh shit. And I was like, all right, but at the same time, in my defense, you know, I was able to defend myself and explain what the you know reason for that was, and also like you said, get a lawyer, you know how to actually tell them not to use that either. You get what I'm saying? Like at the end of the day, yeah, I I flipped the logo, but I designed that logo so they could turn around and use it later. But I uh I you know I stay there, you know you can't use it either. That's enough. I won't use it, so neither can you, but yeah, it's it's you gotta be careful with the you just really never know who's watching.

SPEAKER_01 23:21

That's that's that's a major key right there, man. Major key right there. Hope y'all writing these things down for sure. Because like you said, you you know, you took this and no pun intended, you was playing with fire, taking their work, flipping they lowered.

SPEAKER_00 23:35

It was a time, you know. And they could have, yeah. Yeah, but I I understand, you know, what it could have caused confusion and they would have took it, you know, very different, but it was just you know what the brand represented and what was going on in the time with you know why I dropped it. And like I said, you know, you want it you want to highlight, you know, reality, what's going on outside, but you can't, you know, it's so much that you know a tag on a wall or a mural could say, you know, you gotta actually wear this. You gotta, you know, put this on something where you know it's it's meaningful. But um, yeah, they took it, you know, the wrong way. It's all right. It's all right at the end of the day. Um when you go on my Instagram, the first thing that says is artists, so it's nothing personal. You get what I mean? That's a fact.

SPEAKER_01 24:20

Yeah, but definitely protect yourself, people, because at any moment, you could he could have just lost his whole brand. He could have lost his whole business behind that. Because when you're playing with these lawyers, when you're playing with these people's business, when you're playing with their intellectual property, the same way you don't want nobody playing with your intellectual property, you're gonna go to the furthest extent to protect that and put a stop to anything and anybody in your way. Yeah, so always keep that in mind and take that into consideration.

SPEAKER_00 24:45

Facts. Stop sending out ideas without NDAs, man.

SPEAKER_01 24:48

That's a fact.

SPEAKER_00 24:50

That guy's gotta do your paperwork.

SPEAKER_01 24:52

Yeah, man. Listen, words matter.

SPEAKER_00 24:54

Free go logos and free game, it's crazy.

SPEAKER_01 24:56

Yeah, yeah. You could, you know, it's cool when you wanna come up, when you start now, you wanna you wanna get your name out there, you want to build your portfolio. But listen, man, we're not here to be hobbyists, we're here to be professionals.

SPEAKER_00 25:06

Like you just don't pay the bills, bro.

SPEAKER_01 25:08

That's a fact. When it's time to step up and and get into the real game, you gotta play like a professional. You gotta understand the business of art and uh the steps that need to be taken to protect yourself. It's very important, man. EK, extra catch up. We appreciate your time here today. It's a pleasure having you on the show here. Where can the people tap in with you? Where can they be able to get your merch, your art, and even be able to connect with you on these classes and these programs that you've been facilitating?

SPEAKER_00 25:36

Um, so you can hit me up on Instagram. I only have one Instagram. I do still run the ketchup gallery, but I'm not really on it as much. Um, the Instagram is extra ketchup, the website is extraketchup.store. My email is on the bio. You could just hit me up. I do classes all year round. It's a three hour course. Just hit me up and um weekdays or weekends, whenever you want to do.

SPEAKER_01 26:02

That's what's up, man. You heard it first right here on the open palette podcast. Stay tuned for the next episode, and thank you once again for joining us.

SPEAKER_00 26:10

Peace.