I definitely think a lot of modern/abstract art has had an influence on me. Admittedely I was really snobbish about it while i was in highschool, but as i got older i realized that hey, making art that most people might hate is actually essential.

It’s where a lot of my attitude towards my own art came from. When you make something just for yourself, and not for mass consumption, you are at your most honest. This can be true for paintings, videos, vent art scribbles, or gluing together things into abstract sculptures.

Seeing things like Roy Lichtenstein making comic panels into giant paintings or Keith Haring using bright colors and bold lines were examples of them doing what they wanted. Or its Piet Mondrian making paintings of abstract squares and shapes barely resembling anything in real life. Or Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests, where he shot hours of video of his friends and colleauges sitting like they were having their photos taken. Things like that motivated me.

That’s where my attitude of “make art because you want it to exist” came from. Because if you need a practical “reason” for you to make it, then you’ll compromise your vision, and won’t reach your full potential.

Bro, get over yourself. Like for real. If you really did look up to me you would know that I wouldn't put up with some sniveling shit like this. If you really looked up to me you wouldn't do the shit that would piss me off. I have no idea who you even are. Like if someone asked me to guess I wouldn't fuckin' know. That should tell you how important impressing me is; which apparently is what you think you need to do.

Sometimes people just don't get along. That's fucking fine. I don't have to be friends with everyone, just like you don't have to be friends with me. I'm sure you have plenty of other people who like you. Maybe we're just oil and water! I've met plenty of people like that! And you know what? We just went our separate ways, and we were both better off for it. Nobody felt like their life was over because we couldn't get along.

And if you don't have other people who like you? Think about what the common denominator is. Look inward. Change your behavior.

If you really did look up to me, you'd know I would look at you and tell you to stop being a pussy.

With that criteria, it's Death Race 2000 (1975), in a walk. People know that as the Ashely Movie Of All Time. It's campy b-movie bullshit, it's racing, it's gory, and one of those "it's a fucking miracle that this movie got made with the shoestring budget we had" movies. Fundamental movie for me that I loved even more watching again as an adult, because now it's beyond "wow, cool murder car" and more "wow, actually yeah this movie has a lot to say about hero worship and patriotism and how both are utter bullshit."

Honorable mention goes to The Shout (1978) which was recommended by Martin Conditionbleen. Just a really weird and bizarre movie that absolutely makes good on the promise of the title.