Red Squid Art Stencils & Design recently gifted Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire with the fantastic poster at left. We didn’t ask, but when Chuck Gutz, the Maker behind Red Squid inquired about posters and learned we only had a basic flyer, the attached turned up in our in-box. Intrigued by both the speed and the quality, we thought we’d take a few moments to learn more about Mr. Gutz and Red Squid.
TBMMF: Tell us a little about yourself.
RS: I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. I moved to Ybor City to be near the art and music scene in the early 90s. I now live in quiet Seminole Heights.
I am mostly self taught. The library was the internet of my youth and I learned how to learn at an early age. Everything took care of itself after that.
TBMMF: How did you come to do what you do?
RS: I dabbled in art, music, design, science, and what ever else caught my 
attention. I got serious about painting and stencils about ten years ago when I lived in Hawaii. I’m really influenced by order and chaos in a state of flux. The imperfect repetition of stencils appeals to me as the antithesis of the obsessive perfectionism of traditional printing. I love the balance between the hard line of the stencil and the random nature of texture, overspray, and splatter.
TBMMF: What brings you to Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire next week?
RS: I have a strong belief in DIY, open source, state of the shelf design. I use affordable materials available at the local hardware store. I reject the idea of intellectual property as being counter productive. I keep no trade secrets and love to show people how I do what I do. If you plant seeds you get fruit.
TBMMF: What’s up next?
RS: Currently I am studying electronics, painting, designing mazes, and working on a cool new musical instrument made from used heavy duty oxygen tanks that will be making its public debut at the Tampa Bay Mini Maker Fair! Come by and check it out and I’ll tell you how to make your own.
TBMMF: We can’t wait!
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The banners are in, the programs are printed, the swag and buttons are here, the Makers and our Volunteers are ready, the Food Trucks are fired up, the robot batteries and the electric cars are charging, the artists have arrayed their wares, the media’s been alerted, and the pennants are ready to fly for the Tampa Bay’s first ever Mini Maker Faire!
