The idea to collaborate with illustrators drawing on my photos has been on my mind for quite some time. Albeit, not an original idea in itself, I have imagined my own collaborations with artist’s I’ve admired over the years. My love for illustration and weirdo art started when I was very young. My father had an army chest padlocked away with secret items that were not for the eyes of a six year old boy. I was warned several times not to pry into that old chest. Naturally, this became my number one mission when he was away at work. The old army chest in the back of his closet was not an easy one to break into—but in my mind I rendered myself a skilled safe cracker in the underworld of heist thieves. This particular high stakes job was chance to prove my worth to my imaginary crew of dregs and  earn my keep in their crew.  Maybe a criminal's life was waiting for me around the corner had I never broke into that old army chest.  I worked diligently for several days over several weeks ungracefully jamming screwdriver’s and other tools into the key hole without success to open it. Finally, I gave up trying to pick the lock and picked up a hammer with frustrated determination. I beat the life out of that stubborn master lock until it finally relented and broke apart. I knew a day of consequence would come for what I had done but the treasures inside far surpassed the punishment I did receive. Inside were old band t-shirts, photos of my father as a young man smoking marijuana with friends, several other items of memorabilia from my fathers life before me, and finally art books and a stack of magazines. Each publication pushed the boundaries of socially acceptable art, comedy, culture, and political commentary for many grownups at that time, let alone a child barely half a decade old. It was a true treasure indeed. Quite the score for a curious six year old kid. While my parents were away at work I absorbed the pages of National Lampoon, Fabulous Freak Brothers comics, Easy Rider Magazine, and other outsider publications that today I do not remember the titles of. I was transfixed on the pages, from drawings to the comics, to the photos and the design. I began sneaking the books and magazines out to look at them whenever I got a chance. Eventually I was caught by my parents and punished. After several more times of being caught my parents gave up on punishing me and let me at them. I would trace over the drawings and try to make them into my own. Eventually I started drawing my own comics and pictures and my mother bought me art supplies to encourage me. I even organized a little art club at my daycare. I worked hard at bettering my drawing. My heart was all in but the gift of a talented illustrator never made it to my hand. After several years of practice and countless hours dedicating myself to my craft—my skills were not much further along. When my oldest brother asked to use my art supplies one day and drew a picture that was light years ahead of mine in detail and perspective, I was defeated and angry. I gave up my dreams of one day becoming a great illustrator and resigned myself to a devout spectator and collector on the sidelines. Over the years I collected comic books, magazines, and any other rare print I could get ahold of. In my early twenties I would make several trips to the now defunct Tower Records to buy up punk zines, graffiti mags, and anything else that could not be found on the shelves elsewhere. Titles like, Life Sucks Die, While You Were Sleeping, Bombing Science, Maxxum Rock N Roll, and many one off zines. I collected comic books, skateboard decks, records, and prints, and all kinds of things in between. Many of my purchases were based solely on the art and cover images alone. My love illustration only continued to grow even though my skills never did. When I picked up the camera it was a whole other affair. Photography became equal to my love for illustrated art but it was one that I was able to pull off on an acceptable level for myself. So, here, before you, on these pages, is my selfish excuse to work with some artist whose work I deeply admire and respect. Some, I’m even lucky to call my friends.

Illustrated Madness has been a long time in the making inside of my head. My love for zines, graffiti, illustration, independent publications, and photography has all been compiled right here in your hands. A small and humble beginning to something bigger I hope. More than anything, I like to imagine that, some day,  some kid stumbles upon a copy of Illistrated Madness  stowed away in a forgotten box or chest in their home and it sparks the beginnings of their curiosity to discover more. Hopefully it leads to uncovering their own love for photography, art, and illustration, taking them them on wild adventures that only a life of creative pursuit can take one on. An adventure of discovery that will lead to them their own kind of splendid madness.

-Suitcase Joe

Illustrations by Will Carsola, Jay Howell, HOPES, King Dino, SaucyBoi69!, Sal Preciado, Jimmy Bonks