In this episode of Primary Market, host Topper Luciani sits down with Los Angeles artist Brendan Donnelly — a cult-favorite creator known for blending subculture, nostalgia, and dark humor into fine art. The two explore Brendan’s journey from skateboarding and punk shows in 1990s Connecticut to his Hollywood-inspired exhibitions.

They discuss:

* How album art, Nirvana, and ’90s skate culture shaped his visual language

* The origins of his viral vampire character

* Hollywood’s seedy underbelly, parody pornos, and the myth of fame

* The role of humor and death in art

* Collecting vintage t-shirts, tabloids, and pop culture relics

This is a deep, funny, and nostalgic conversation about the intersection of darkness, comedy, and American culture — told through the lens of an artist who never stopped being a fan.

🎧 Listen if you love: punk art, nostalgia, Hollywood lore, outsider creativity, and the weird beauty of American pop culture.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com