Derek Hess

Over the years we’ve met quite a few collectors that share the same passion for subculture and collecting. These passions culminate for the us by collecting specifics artist's, iconography and imagery that shapes each of our collections. On the rare occasion we’re asked to offer vintage items on the site, and we have from time to time. Well last week profoundly changed our lives and we’re excited to share that will you. After spending a few days learning about the stories of 1 collector that has been in the game for the past few decades we found signed prints from many of the artists that built the foundation for collecting art prints. With the likes of Bill Graham, Gary Grimshaw, Coop, Derek Hess and beyond, stored safely in flat files, we sifted through and pulled a few hundred prints. Now that we’re back home we’re doing our best to process this collection, grade for quality, photograph and add to the site.

From concert posters to politically charged fine art pieces, Cleveland-based artist Derek Hess has tested the waters of both the music and art world for over 15 years.

Growth, in general, has been an unwavering theme throughout both Hess’ personal and professional life. From a young age, Hess was transfixed by his father Roy’s ability to create on paper the images of planes and tanks that his son had swimming in his head.

Always a fan of music, Hess began booking shows at the Euclid Tavern, a staple for cover bands and blues at the time. Hess soon began to curtail the format of the bands being brought to the tavern into something he liked and was comfortable with. He also started creating the promotional flyers for the shows using his own unique vision and a play off the bands names and genre.

More recently, Hess started a clothing line, Strhess, as well as Hessfest and the Strhess Tour, a collaboration of music and art that features bands such as Thursday, Shadow’s Fall, Stretch Arm Strong and Taking Back Sunday.

Hess’ art has been able to transcend genres as well as generations, which is icing on the cake for the artist. “At the end of the day I’d like, ideally, for all of my art to be technically sound. That, to me, is what makes a successful artist.”