UNCONVENTIONAL MEDIUMS

THE STORY OF JOHN BRINEGAR aka KNITBOY

"A cliche is anything you've heard or seen before. So don't do it!" -Shonda Rhimes

Fashion Forward Men tries its best not to highlight looks and designs that has been done and redone time after time. We get it, A designer sees a trend and then goes back to do their interpretation of it. While that may be okay, to simply knockoff an idea is just ridiculous and just plain lazy. This knockoff issue doesn't just happen in fashion, it happens in the art world as well. 

FFM has interviewed a number of talented artist, all with varying mediums. Today we add another name to our list. His name is John Brinegar, but his work is under the name Knitboy. 

Although he uses yarn as his medium, Brinegar doesn't consider himself a designer. He has been commissioned to create pieces that were used for editorial purposes, and he is also a teacher of knitting, but we repeat, he does not consider himself a designer. He isn't even interested. Sure some of the pieces are very much wearable, but that's not his primary focus.

Born in Indiana, Brinegar shares with us that he started knitting at the age of 19. But knitting wasn't  first passion. It was dancing. He went on to open his own dance theater called AS IS. A dancers longevity is never certain. Age and injury are always a factor. Brinegar would leave because of the latter. 

It has been a reinvention of sorts for John. He moved to New York in 2002. And although he would be leaving dance in the past, he would continue moving forward working with yarn and knitting. In fact, he became even more serious about it. Fast forwarding to 2015, Knitboy would go on to curate his first solo exhibit. Because of social media, many people (often times strangers) began to be exposed to his works. And of course they came with a load of opinions.  Some not the greatest, but the artist could car less. He named the exhibit "I Would Never Wear That."

"When people think of yarn and knitting, they instantly think about clothing. There has also been a lack of creativity when it comes to the knitting world. I use yarn like a painter uses paint. The knitting world is so conservative. And when I hear people say things like "I would never wear that," I find it funny. Chances are, I never asked you to wear it in the first place," he says laughing. 

Our conversation continues, but I recognize that John's demeanor has changed. I learn that John who goes by the name Knitboy (the artist), has another alter ego named Muse and The Wool . He is the outspoken mouth piece. He explains everything! He is upfront, and tells it like it is. A tough skin that is needed in a field surrounded by criticism. He assumes the Publicist/PR role.  

The man himself is a mixed bag of talents. All of the work seen on his site he has photographed. He confesses that the shoots can be fun, intimate, and sometimes sexual. Not the act, but nudity is sometimes seen in the images.

"I have particular taste, I am not looking for a set or distinct body type. It's not necessarily all about muscle. I like fatness, anger, most certainly emotion. Dancers tend to make greater subjects. They naturally express emotion," he explains.

Like paints, yarns come in a spectrum of colors. Red as of lately is his favorite color to work with. But not just any red. Artery Blood and Venus Blood to be more specific. He buys his supplies at a number of places- online, craft stores, etc. But he has a particularly good relationship with a dyer in Paris.

Brinegar's knit empire is shaping up very nicely. He is current selling bold colored yarns to the public. He shares with us that he will start infusing latex in his works as well. He also working on a book.  He tells FFM that he is focusing on what he wants the book to look like. Only time will tell if he will produce one that is dark and disturbing and abstract, or cool and quirky. But rest assured, we will certainly keep you informed.

Written by: 

Rudy Reed