Justin Gignac

“Smart. Surprising. Nonsense.” That is artist Justin Gignac’s creative and entrepreneurial self described triad. Everything this hybrid Art Director creates exceeds his description, from his New York City Garbage project, where he sells hand-picked trash in beautifully designed Lucite cubes, to the Internet sensation Elf Yourself for Office Max. Equally clever is Justin’s joint project with his wife Christine, Wants For Sale. They paint things that they want, and then sell the paintings for the price of the real items. So you can buy a “Wii” for $270.92 or a “Slice of Pepperoni” for $3. When the painting sells they go out and buy that object. Following the success of Wants For Sale, the couple started Needs For Sale, which has the same premise except every painting is for a specific charity. To learn more about Justin and his creative ventures, check out his smart and surprising 10 ANSWERS below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Smart. Surprising. Nonsense.

2. Who is your creative role model?
Jasper Johns, Duchamp, Warhol, Partners & Spade, Rob Dyrdek, Dean Kamen, & Tracy Morgan. I admire and am inspired by prolific makers, optimists and those with an effortless ability to play.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Work on getting my DVR under 90%.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
New York City. I walk out the door every day and have absolutely no idea what I’m gonna see and at least once a day I’m truly surprised. Whether it’s an old man dressed in a flowing outfit made out of fluorescent plastic bags or some amazing street art there’s always something to wake you up and inspire you. Makes it impossible for life to become monotonous.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
I’d be a volunteer traffic cop outside of my apartment. I really would love to ticket every idiot that blocks the intersection and causes all of that unnecessary honking. I would only do it if I’d also be allowed to egg their car as part of the penalty.

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
Birthday bananas – On the way to birthday parties I like to grab a banana from a nearby deli and scratch a message into the skin. By the time I get there the type is browned to legible perfection.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
My wife, Christine.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
How you do anything is how you do everything.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
ffffound & (my friends always post amazing stuff)

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
The moment it stops sucking and when I realize if I do any more to it I might screw it up.