Psychedelic Art: Muertify | Artist of the month JULY

We share many sorts of artwork on our social media and psychedelic (trip) art always gained our interest at the Magic Mushrooms Shop headquarters. Since psychedelic products and serving consciousness to the world is our main line of work, we searched for a way to connect with other and likeminded psychonauts. We stumbled up on some great artists on the web who we wanted to give some extra exposure through our online network. You reading this text is a result of a new and monthly blog post where we put an (psychedelic) artist in the spotlight. You can find their work posted for a month on our social media channels [Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Stumbleupon], so like, share and get in touch!

This month we present the Dutch artist ‘Muertify’ who..well muertifies icons. His work got our attention, so we asked him some questions in an interview (after the photos):

Magic Mushrooms Shop | Artist Interview with Muertify

To start off, who are you?

My nickname and artist name is Strunt which is short for professor Struntköpf but my real name is Jaap Barten-Biemans.
I started out painting war game miniatures at age 13 and studied at art school but never made art my profession. After a 8 year break from painting I picked it up again a few years ago. Now “Muertify” my new painting project is getting bigger and bigger.

How would you like to describe your style of art?

At the moment I’m heavily into painting “el dia de los muertos” style (Mexican day of the dead). I found that vintage holy statues lend themselves very well for this though I started out painting Munny’s (a designer toy). This painting style combines all kind of different styles I like, skulls, tattoo’s bright colors and old school/new school images. Just about everything goes.
I really like the meaning of “el dia de los muertos” honoring deceased friends and family, in western society skulls are often seen as something negative, in mexico on the day of the dead it’s the complete opposite.

You create under the name ‘Muertify’ how did you come up with that name and why?

When I started painting muertos I kind of got obsessed as I usually do when starting a new project, I had the idea of also creating an app for taking a picture of your face and muertifying the picture with a muertos skull. At the time a lot of apps had the –ify names so I came up with muertify. When I found out a similar app already existed I kept the name for my artwork, the Facebook, Twitter and internet domain names we’re all still available so secured them as well.

What is your connection with these icons that you pimp up (as how you call it yourself)?

I have no real connection with the holy icons I muertify, I am not religious at all, I haven’t even been baptized. I would never put one of these statues in my house unpainted but ass muertos they suddenly really fascinate me, I now can get really exited finding a old and ugly statue of Jesus on a flea market.
One of the best compliments I got was “Strunt makes Jesus hip again”

Is there a universal connection/mindset to your work?

I can’t really say there is.

Did psychedelic drugs helped you evolve in life and/or creativity?

Definitely, drugs really open your mind to new ideas and thoughts, they help take away inhibitions, and they can inspire creativity and deepens the bonds with others who are in the same mindset.
I had quite a few occasions when using I just felt the urge to start painting and ended up painting some of my best work.

Which psychedelic substance is your favorite and why?

I don’t know if you call it psychedelic but GHB is my favorite, for me it takes away inhibitions and can really get me into a creative flow.
I like combining it with other substances for different situations, it goes with just about anything.

What is your best psychedelic experience so far?

I’d say using with close friends in general, I’ve had so many wonderful nights and formed deep meaningful friendships with others.

Name three keywords that fit to your profile as a human being:

• Creative (obviously)
• Humorous (can’t help it)
• Practical (in every way)

Is there anything to say to the public?

I hope you enjoy my work, always keep an open mind and don’t take yourself too seriously!

Thanks for liking me on Facebook!