By now, you may have noticed the new mural that has been
put in place on Clinton Street hill and wondered about the guy who did it.
There have been plenty of murals painted on that wall, but this one is something different. The new mural also
contains a piece that is a tribute to the late, great singer of the Tragically
Hip, Gord Downie. The artist who painted the mural is Jeffrey Sidebottom, and
we talked to him about his new Lockport piece of art.
Jeffrey
Sidebottom (JS): Just started them last year.
NW: What, or who, inspired you to get started doing this?
JS: Brian
and Alex Hutchinson. But I've always wanted to give back.
NW: Where are you from and where are you based?
JS: Middleport,
NY
NW: Do you have a company you do this with, or do you do
this under your name?
JS: Just
my name. But I am trying to start a company and name it “Above All Arts.”
NW: How did the Lockport project get started?
JS: Through
Brian Hutchinson and the Lockport not-for-profit group.
NW: Did you design the Lockport mural on your own?
JS: They
gave me a basic design, but I went a little renegade on it, LOL. But I love it,
and I hope the community does as well.
NW: The Gord Downie tribute is a nice touch. What inspired
you to include that on a Lockport mural?
JS: The Hip is my
all-time favorite band. My aunt and uncle took me and my cousin to see them at
the Aud in Buffalo when I was 12, and I was hooked. I’ve seen them so many
times in concert, and saw how Gord Downie gave back so much, even when he was
ill. Man, that's a true man.
NW: Are there any artists that inspire you?
JS: There are many. I
love all pure art in all forms, but what really inspires me is to see my
daughter Hayley Berner’s art work. She is 15 and better than me, and I've
taught her none of it. She is just like
me and she doesn’t even know it. So I do a lot of this just hoping she will see
it.
NW: Is painting your only artistic expression, or do you do
other things?
JS: I've
been painting cars since I was 13. I airbrush a lot, and I love tattooing as
well.
NW: Where else can we see your work?
JS: I'm doing a mural on
the side of Port Side Cafe and Bakery in Middleport.
NW: Any plans on any more murals in Lockport?
JS: I would love to do
more in Lockport and the surrounding communities. I love art and how it makes
people feel.
NW: Thank you for your time and we hope to see more of your
work around the city in the future!
George N Root III is not an art expert, but he knows what he
likes. Follow him on Twitter @georgenroot3, or send him a message at
georgenroot3@gmail.com.