The Odd Mod: Summer Buckshaw
Art
“I think I’m a time traveler,” says Summer Buckshaw when explaining her vintage aesthetic and design inspiration from the 1960s. As an artist and DJ, she has found that this era, both visually and sonically, makes the most sense to her, evoking nostalgia and a sense of belonging. “I lived for a long time feeling hidden and out of place,” Buckshaw says. “But now I’m doing the thing I have always known in my heart I wanted to do.”
Buckshaw spent her childhood in Motor City, Detroit, with parents who worked on classic and antique cars. She attended many old car shows, and in the process, Buckshaw had a unique glimpse into America’s Golden Era. “As a kid, I had a fascination for ‘60s imagery, especially its colors; it’s so expressive and free,” she says.
“I lived for a long time feeling hidden and out of place. But now I’m doing the thing I have always known in my heart I wanted to do.”
Buckshaw was gifted a vintage advertisement book by her grandfather, who was a sign painter in the ‘40s and ‘50s and one of the earliest supporters of her artistic endeavors. Between this book and her collection of vintage fashion magazines and comics, she spent hours studying the style designs of the 1960s. “I used to get in so much trouble with my teachers and parents because all I would do was draw,” Buckshaw says. “I remember hiding under my blanket at night with a flashlight, so I could look at the illustrations.”
After changing her major several times, beginning in automotive design and later graduating in graphic design with an emphasis in illustration, Buckshaw was exposed to a wide range of art media. However, she had a lot of unlearning to do when it came to crafting her own artistic style and incorporating the colors, styles and materials of the ‘60s into her art’s aesthetic. “I have a fondness for chrome. I remember watching how light reflects off of the paint on old cars my parents would work on and wanting to create space for that in my pieces,” Buckshaw says.
“I want my art to be able to time travel, so pieces can fit into a home in the ‘60s or hang on your wall now”
The Googie architecture and futuristic designs characteristic of the 1940-1960s automotive industry were inspired by the era’s optimistic Space Age imagery (think The Jetsons) with signature shapes like sleek tailfins and upswept car roofs. Buckshaw uses this vintage yet futuristic style to inform her pieces. “I want my art to be able to time travel, so pieces can fit into a home in the ‘60s or hang on your wall now,” Buckshaw says.
While designing this month’s SLUG Magazine cover, she opted for her signature nib-and-ink drawing style to create a design that blends 1960s romance comic books with bold advertisement, incorporating vintage Pop Art through a vibrant color palette.
The ‘60s represent a time of optimism for Buckshaw. Political and social change was occurring quickly in the U.S., and with it, artists were pushing boundaries, both visually and musically. “I love introducing people to this era through music. There is so much music from this period that can make people feel seen and help create a community, because it was a time of wide acceptance and openness. There is also an enduring quality to ‘60s music,” Buckshaw says.
As a DJ, Buckshaw only uses vinyl, and her collection has grown quite extensive since she started working at Randy’s Records. “Listening to ‘60s music is such a comfort; even if you haven’t heard the piece, it still has a familiarity. Even when it’s a sad song, there is still a brightness to it,” Buckshaw says. “If I can share something that makes people feel seen, held and like there is a place for them, that is fulfilling.”
Buckshaw will be at this month’s DIY Fest, showcasing her illustrative art pieces and screen prints. You can also find her DJing at The Green Room during Shake-Up! Nights and on Instagram @theoddmod.
Read more interviews by Mallory Meados:
Rasa Legal: Clearing Records, Changing Lives
Bold & Beautiful: Kory Edgewood
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