If someone had to guess, they would most likely say Patrick McGregor is more of a dog person than a cat person. They’d be right. His furry dog friends adorn the walls of many Denver buildings, especially his iconic white bulldog, Boug. It’s his unique style and it’s the result of 30 years in the art industry evolving his craft. We talked with the veteran artist for a deeper dive into his own story, growing up with graffiti and the rise of his artist son.
Name/ Nicknames:
Patrick “Kane” McGregor. I’ve used my middle name “Kane” for graffiti in the 90’s and still sign my art with it.
Hometown:
Denver , CO
Favorite color combo:
right now, any 2 fluorescent colors
Words of advice:
Keep your circle small and filled with people that love and inspire you… Or dogs
Last book you read:
“You are a badass” by Jen Sincero
It’s Friday night, where can someone find you:
Napping with my dogs while wifey watches her murderporn…
Strangest thing in your fridge right now:
Some crazy hot sauces that my friend left here and I can’t bring myself to throw them out. They are really hot…
You got into art around the age of 4, when did you realize art would be your life calling?
When I was 16 and got a job as a store artist at Tower records, for $7.50 an hour!
Graffiti art was a big influence on your art career, what is it about the style that is so inspiring to you?
The abstract approach (which is still the only art style that I do spontaneously) and the mentality, comradery and excitement of painting a piece with some friends in the middle of the night in a freight, always working on your style mostly to impress other graff artists, and having this self advertisement travel on a freight train to have someone on the other side of the continent catch your piece.
“Corporate graffiti” is a term you’ve dropped regarding your artwork, can you explain more?
I jokingly use that term for the hand-painted advertising artwork that I did (and still do every once in a while for a few companies) over the last 30 years. It’s a lot like the graff community as far as competitiveness and a lot of graff people do it as their occupation now.
As someone who’s watched the Colorado art scene evolve, what’s been the good and bad?
It’s been good because we have a LOT of great artists in this community and most of them know each other and inspire each other. It’s a good community we have here so I have nothing bad to say about the evolution of art in Colorado, it is what it is!
What is your favorite part about being an artist?
The therapy and satisfaction it provides me and gives my crazy brain a break from reality.
It wouldn’t be a complete interview without asking about the ubiquitous theme in your murals of your bulldog “Boug”. Can you give us the backstory of why he’s a recurring subject in so much of your work?
I think it started when I moved to NYC for my job with him in 2006 and I didn’t really know a lot of people out there. He was literally my best friend that I fell asleep with and woke up to, so I started to photograph him a lot and paint the photos. As my art got more refined and I progressed, I started getting projects mostly of other peoples’ visions and I could paint anything at that point so I would take them, but I got sick of googling references and ideas for other peoples’ murals or art projects, I started to use my own photos and I realized I had to create art that was enjoyable for me to paint and that made me happy. There is also the connection to these animals that I’ve felt firsthand that he made me understand with my time with him and I love to immortalize dogs with paint because of this connection and the short time we have with them.
Murals are your bread and butter. Do you ever get scared being up so high? And furthermore, how do you plan such a large installation?
I like it; it’s very tranquil to be above the world painting—but yeah, I was scared the first time being up really high for sure! It takes a little getting used to. Safety first! I always start with the composition of the wall, where it is and the subject matter. I like to keep it indigenous to the area, as in maybe using a local animal as my muse, or incorporating one of mine into an idea. I like to have a story behind the mural that makes it personable and also uses the space wisely.
How do you spend your time when you’re not making art?
I’m a homebody so usually I’m at my house with my wife and dogs or spending time with my son or family and projects with them.
What artists are you currently following or inspired by?
Wow…There are so many that I admire out there but lately watching my son Tristan McGregor get better and better at painting is super inspiring. Off the top of my head…Chris Haven, Thomas Evans, Delton Demarest, Hoxxoh, Jerry Inscoe, Anthony Garcia, Chelsea Lewinski, Mr. June, Eric Skotnes, Mateus Bailon, insane51, Amuse, Darius Dennis, Jasper Patch, Casey Kawaguchi, Baby168, Birdcap, Scot Lefavor, Jolt, Tuke, Hiero, Nice, Golden, Ian Wilkinson, Jher, Remote, I could keep going… there is a lot more I could list that are all artists that I admire, inspire me and like to watch the evolution.
Final words? Anything coming down the pipeline?
I think I have some commissions and fun collaborations coming this summer with some awesome artists so keep an eye out. I am also looking forward to painting the Raw Project in Miami this winter. Always looking for places to paint some doggos wherever I go.
Want to see more of McGregor’s work? Check him out on Instagram!
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