Introducing the latest GreenJacket LE
Astral is proud to present the 15th GreenJacket LE in collaboration with with Demshitz legend and the King of Purps, Dave Fusilli, and artist and pilot, Meg Smith.
ASTRAL
How did you meet Dave Fusilli?
MEG SMITH
I’ve known Dave for over 20 years. We met on/near the Youghiogheny River as young wildlings.
ASTRAL
Your art has progressed a lot since the last LE! Tell us a little about its progression and what has inspired some of the geometric edges that are present in a lot of your recent work?
MEG SMITH
I like clean lines, as I do in kayaking and skiing. They just feel so good! My geometric edges are all based on feeling. They are kinda edgy and sharp yet can be formed and faded into a familiar feeling. My progression as an artist has been fully fueled by my life experience and the inspiration & lessons I gain from being out there immersed in the world. I strive to put those feelings into an art, typically paint but sometimes illustration. My illustration background comes from being a graphic designer for 15+ years.
EXPLORE THE NEW GREEN JACKET LE
ASTRAL
When did you become a pilot? How do you create time for / balance two such time intensive pursuits?
MEG SMITH
I’ve been a pilot for over 5 years now. It is easy to create the balance because somehow, I created a life where they feed off each other. It was a wild dream but now I’m living it. It’s always been easy to create the time to make something happen if I want it bad enough. Backcountry flying takes me to those wild places that allow me to do the fun activities I love (like skiing, kayaking, etc.). I always come back exploding with inspiration and an overwhelming feeling that I cannot wait to release into art. Plus, being in Alaska where towns are far apart, I often fly my artwork into the nearest airstrip to restock galleries across the state and remote lodges. So, I dreamt up, went after it and created a life where they complement each other in more ways than one!
ASTRAL
Wolves drop into the $#!% together. What lessons can we all learn from wolves in creativity, wilderness athletics or flying?
MEG SMITH
What is rad is that we can all be a lone wolf at times but when it comes to really getting after it, that’s when you need to call in the Wolfpack. A wolfpack works together to survive the elements. They not only watch each other’s back and work as a team to make it all happen, but they also teach each other. That’s exactly how you thrive in life. I believe there is a deeper level of connection that happens from being out there in it together. To me, some of the most important memories and moments in my life have been about the connections and shared experiences.
JOIN THE WOLFPACK
ASTRAL
Lastly, what does this LE mean to you? What sources of inspiration did you lean into most?
MEG SMITH
When Dave called me to design this LE, I was more than hyped! To create a meaningful piece of wearable art for a longtime friend I love who has done so much for a sport I love, has been an honor and one of my favorite projects. I’ve always viewed Dave as being part of a Wolfpack and him being an Alpha. Demshitz always rolled in a posse. No matter when yinz have come and gone through the wolfpack, yinz are always family to him. I love that about Dave. Also, an Alpha is typically the one leading and I have some classic memories of following Dave. As I know, so many others do! So creating this LE based around a Wolfpack seemed more than fitting. I channeled what I’ve known of Dave over the past 20 years and let it come flowing out.
