Seven Questions Series: In-Depth Conversations at Still Austin

Seven Questions - RACHEL DICKSON

Austin-based artist Rachel Dickson has been honing her artistic skills for the past decade. After the death of her brother in 2014 and then of her son’s biological mom in 2015, she used art as a form of therapy to deal with anger and heartache, at last deciding to pursue painting as a full-time career in 2018. Dickson uses art as a therapy, and her work showcases the vast mix of emotions that encompass grief. She specializes in watercolors and frequently uses acrylic and collage. The female form is prevalent in her work, and her use of color and white space are the foundation of each piece. Rachel also has a personal connection to Still Austin; the hand-painted every single individual label for our December 2020 Distillery Reserve Release, Sherry Cask Rye….

Seven Questions - THOR HARRIS

hor Harris has gained national prominence in recent years as an Austin-based musician, sculptor, artist, writer, carpenter and plumber. His long and storied music career includes stints with SWANS, Bill Callahan, Davendra Banhart, Shearwater, Arthur Brown, Rob Halverson, etc. In 2017, Thor was kicked off Twitter for posting a Nazi-punching tutorial that went viral. In 2018, he accidentally launched a bid challenging Greg Abbott for the governorship of Texas. He talked with us from his Austin house, which he built with his own hands….

Seven Questions - GABRIELLE PHARMS

In recent years, Gabrielle Pharms has broken through into the (incredibly insular) whiskey-writing scene in a big way, sharing her knowledge in venues like Bourbon+, Imbibe, W Magazine, Shondaland, UPROXX, Teen Vogue, Mixmag, Billboard, Wine Enthusiast, and Texas Monthly. Pharms brings a breadth of knowledge that’s only matched by her breezy writing style, making this occasionally stuffy spirit feel fresh. And she calls Texas home! Pharms provides new evidence that the Lone Star State is changing the face of whiskey, bringing our own awareness and philosophy to the game, while respecting old traditions.

Seven Questions - TIM DOYLE

Tim Doyle has produced art for clients such as Marvel, Dark Horse, Cartoon Network, and Studio Canal. Doyle also art directs poster series for bands such as Metallica, Failure, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. He lives and works in Austin along with his wife and two children, a really stupid cat, and Bernie Wrightson’s dog.

Seven Questions - JACKIE VENSON

After her electric performance on Austin City Limits last fall, the Austin American-Statesman asked: “Will Jackie Venson be Austin’s next breakout music star?” All signs point to yes. Born in Austin, Venson has spent years honing her craft. A graduate of Boston’s Berklee School of Music, Venson has dropped two EPS and three albums in recent years, each more stunning and accomplished than the last. Jackie has now rightfully claimed her place as one of the nation’s brightest rising blues stars, leading Austin 360 to name her “Artist of the Year” in 2018….

Seven Questions - Marc Burckhardt

A proud Texan, renowned artist Marc Burckhardt splits his time between Austin and Germany. Aside from perhaps his most important accomplishment—painting the images on Still Austin’s Straight Bourbon and Gin labels—Marc’s work has won many awards, including Gold & Silver Medals from the Society of Illustrators and Cannes Lion, as well as a Grammy for Best Limited-Edition Box Set Packaging (for “The Legend: Johnny Cash”). He has been named Texas State Artist by the Texas Legislature and the Commission on the Arts, and he’s a recipient of the prestigious Hamilton King Award….

Seven Questions - COLIN GILMORE

A native of Lubbock, Colin Gilmore grew up hanging around the original Stubb’s BBQ, soaking in the music of Texas luminaries like Joe Ely, Terry Allen, and Lloyd Maines—not to mention his father, Jimmy Dale Gilmore. These days, Gilmore has made his name for himself by blending a Buddy Holly-infused West Texas sensibility with the simmering rebelliousness of Brit bands like the Clash and the Pogues. He talked with us from his South Austin home, where he extolled the virtues of frequent travel and bourbon on ice….