ARTIST INTERVIEW - BEASTWRECK
What inspired you to become an Artist?
Art was just something I was drawn to and compelled to create from an early age. I drew all the time as a kid, even scribbling primitive cave painting type murals on the wall of our den. Comic books and pulp magazines were like catnip to me from as early as I can remember -- well-worn copies of Amazing Spider-Man and Archie Comics, as well as Eerie and Creepy magazines and even random issues of my dad’s collection of Heavy Metal magazines that I’d sneak peeks at when no one was looking. I think the comic adaptation of ALIEN drawn by Walt Simonson was one of the major fuels to my fire. My dad had bought a copy shortly after the release of the movie, and I could not stop poring over the pages, copying the images contained within.
What inspires your art?
Mostly other artists whom I look up to, or whose styles just bowl me over. Pulp/fantasy/sci-fi art really draws me in. Comic book art, crazy cartoons, lowbrow art -- it’s all a part of the stew in my head
How would you describe your style?
It’s kind of a lowbrow pop-comic book style that dances around the edges of pulp illustration.
Can you explain your creative process?
With client work, the directives on content usually are pretty clear. If I’m doing a design based on a movie or TV show, I’ll review the movie and watch it again to get properly inspired or take notes on any details I need to keep in mind. If it’s something non media-related I’ll spend a good amount of time gathering reference until I’m comfortable with my knowledge base on the subject matter. I never like to just assume I know what something looks like, and the only thing I really don’t do, which I should, is take photo reference of posed figures -- I usually end up just winging it.
I’ll do a few thumbnails, though I don’t like coming up with too many variations -- a lot of the “thumbnailing” I’ll do in my head -- and shoot those off to the client as soon as possible. Whichever direction they decide to go, I’ll then work up a more refined rough drawing, adding in any details or background elements I didn’t need to include in the thumbnail. That rough will usually then be blown up, put on a lightbox and I’ll use that to work up a polished pencil drawing. I’ll show that to the client to make sure there aren’t any changes to be made or things I’d left out before moving on to inks.
I prefer to ink traditionally with watercolor brushes and pens, but lately I’ve been dabbling with digital inks just to save time with scanning and clean ups. Then it’s on to color treatments and final colors.
What are you currently working on?
I’m usually working on at least 4 things at once. Right now I have a sticker design, four t-shirt designs, some clip art illustrations, and a massive board game project I’m working on. There’s also an old toy property that I’d love to take a swing at redesigning/reimagining. I’m also constantly trying to fit some of my personal just-for-fun designs into the mix, or new designs for my BeastWreck brand, but I never end up having as much time for that as I’d like.
What is your current obsession?
My obsessions don’t fluctuate much over time. I’ve always been a collector of cool toys and action figures (though I’m not a completist, so if it’s not something that strikes me as really cool, I won’t buy it), mostly movie-related stuff (Aliens, Predator) and Transformers/G.I. Joe stuff.
I’m big into music, as it’s excellent art-fuel -- mostly hard rock, metal and classical.
Comic books and novels also round out the mix. I’ve always loved to read, and comic books and graphic novels combine my love of reading with my love of art.
What are you trying to communicate with your art?
Basically whatever I think is cool that is rolling around in my head. I try to communicate a decent sense of dynamism with whatever I do. There aren’t many serene or still life type illustrations that come out of me these days, and there never will be. I’m not a “fine artist”, I don’t do abstract or impressionistic art, and I’m not trying to make any important statements or sway peoples opinion of anything. Hopefully, I’m indirectly communicating the idea that I’m always growing and improving as an artist. Looking back on some of my old work often leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth, because I know it’s not up to snuff with what I could do NOW, but it is good to constantly be amping up what you can do and how you do it.
What do you do to maintain your creative drive and avoid creative burnout?
Music always helps. When I start to drag, I’ll crank up something driving and powerful, and that will get me back on track and chugging along nicely. Classical music is also very good for creativity, and just plain boosting your brain functions. Absorbing and examining artwork from other inspiring artists that I love also helps. If I feel like I’m getting in a rut, I’ll hit DeviantArt, Pinterest, Tumblr or some such site and soak up some cool artwork that might help me see things from a different perspective as far as layout/composition/lighting and color, or that will just wow me and give me some juice to push myself.
I think taking time to work on personal projects that are just for me from time to time is very important in avoiding burnout. I’m lucky to have clients that provide me with some exciting design ideas that are usually fun to work on. I don’t have to scrape and beg for jobs anymore, which is nice, but still -- doing artwork purely for others all the time can drag you down and wear you out after a while. Even if it’s something I’m interested in, it’s not “mine” in the end, and it didn’t spring completely from my brain. That’s why I try to take time to work on my own thing every once in a while, whether that be a new shirt or sticker design for my BeastWreck brand, or some crazy shirt design aimed at one of the shirt-of-the-day companies. I have a criminally long list of design ideas that I want to work on, and never enough time to realize them.
What kind of creative patterns, routines or rituals do you have?
Well, I mentioned the music and hitting inspirational art sites. I have some natural, built-in inclinations that also help feed the creative machine, such as my love of cartoons, comic books, sci-fi and fantasy books, and illustration. I also answered some of this in the question about the creative process. I don’t think I really have any other routines or rituals during the creative process. Plenty of coffee in the morning. And it’s always good to step away from the internet for a good portion of your day to keep thinking and creative processes sharp.
Which creative medium would you love to pursue but haven’t yet?
I’ve tried most everything that I have the desire to try, at least as far as dabbling goes, and some things I haven’t had the time or the space to fiddle around in since art school. I’d love to do more watercolor/acrylic painting. I’d like to seriously try some sculpting and do more vinyl figure painting/customization. One thing I’ve never done is try to tackle mural painting. That’s more of a scaling up of a particular medium, and it seems a bit intimidating as I’m not used to working on such a large scale, but I think it’d be fun.
What role does the artist have in society?
Artists are like any other skilled craftsmen -- they were blessed enough to be born with a natural talent, and the successful ones are those with enough determination and drive to keep on honing and building their talents and skill sets. The “usefulness” of art is of course more metaphysical than the usefulness of, say, carpentry or chemistry, but it does and can speak to the soul and the mind, and weave itself into other skill sets to improve and enhance their aesthetic appeal. A carpenter, for instance, can be just a garden variety, solidly skilled carpenter who makes sturdy and useful items and structures that serve their purpose and nothing more. That’s a skill and a talent that is wildly useful and certainly always in demand. A carpenter can also be an artist, taking the time to not only do their job well, but use their mediums, tools and surfaces to create the same sorts of useful items and structures, yet boosting their appeal and beauty, or just making them interesting by inserting a bit of the carpenter/artist’s own personal style or unique approach into the product of their labor.
Artists (be they cartoonists, photographers, painters, filmmakers, etc) can play a variety of roles. They can use their talents to call attention to certain aspects of society, they can evoke (or attempt to evoke) intense emotional responses, or they can just distract and entertain us. They can be appropriately compensated for their work, time and talent if it becomes their profession, or they can merely practice and create art as an enjoyable hobby where their own emotional satisfaction and expression is “payment” enough. Just because you’re getting paid to do it doesn’t make it a dull slog, though, and just because you enjoy it immensely doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be paid for your work.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Right now, I’m a full-time artist, but I’ve also had my share of daily grind type jobs, ranging from kitchen work, to (sometimes dangerous) factory work, to assistant manager at a comics and games shop.
Favorite Book?
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Favorite Movie?
ALIEN, BUCKAROO BANZA: ACROSS THE EIGHTH DIMENSION, THE ROAD WARRIOR, THE THING, A CHRISTMAS STORY, RAISING ARIZONA, KING KONG, FORBIDDEN PLANET...
Favorite Artist?
Frank Frazetta. He’ pulp/fantasy artist with amazing command of his medium(s) and a thrilling sense of dynamism and composition. A permanent favorite.
Favorite Food?
Pretty simple tastes here. I love a good steak and a decent pizza pie will make me very content.
Favorite Superhero?
Spider-Man or Hellboy
Favorite Quote?
“Remember, no matter where you go, there you are.” -- Buckaroo Banzai
Favorite Art Magazine?
Hi-Fructose
Favorite Band or Musician?
Baroness/Mastodon/Protest the Hero/Queen/Dethklok
What are the top 5 albums that energize your creativity?
Mastodon: The Hunter, Brendon Small’s Galaktikon, Electric Six: I Will Destroy Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being the Master, Muse: Black Holes and Revelations, Protest the Hero: Fortress
Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
I can’t think of anyone, so I’ll take a crack at that. Eh, let’s say Sam Rockwell, just cuz I like him.
What are some of your favorite websites to visit for inspiration, exploration and play?
All the artists and art pages I follow at Tumblr, DeviantArt, Mintees, Pinterest, and Facebook.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
It’s okay to copy, trace and analyze the works of other artists as you are beginning, learning and forming your style, but don’t make that part of your modus operandi, and leave that kid stuff way behind you well before you start to make any professional headway. Thieves and tracers always get caught, and it shouldn’t be a part of your artistic identity.
Describe your art in one word.
Dynamagnetic
Many artists struggle to find ways to sell their art. How do you sell your work? How do you market yourself?
It’s been a long process of continually putting myself out there and presenting myself to clients and businesses I think would be interested in my work and whom I’d like to work with. Thankfully, I have finally reached the point where I don’t have to scratch and scramble for jobs. I’ve got a few regular clients that keep me busy and enough other clients that find me through the magic of the internet that I don’t have to search for jobs. I still poke my head out and inquire when I see some company or product I think I’d like to work with. The internet, and Facebook in particular, has been an invaluable tool in allowing me to connect with others and for others to find and follow me. I also sell my own brand of shirts/stickers/buttons that I create all the artwork for, which can be a real chore sometimes to manage and maintain, but it’s very satisfying and rewarding. I don’t necessarily love the idea of these print-on-demand places that can just slap your artwork on a variety of products and you don’t really get to see the quality you’re dealing with (though I do use Society6.com). I know a lot of artists rely solely on this, but I much prefer having stuff professionally printed, getting the chance to physically see, hold and ship out the merchandise myself, and it’s cool to get to set up as a vendor sometimes at shows or conventions and actually peddle your wares, meet your customers and reach new ones in person.
As far as marketing, I do what I can, but being a one-man operation, and not very web-savvy, I don’t get a chance to reach the full potential of marketing myself, advertising and really getting myself out there. Word of mouth and slow build through loyal fans and customers reached through various forms of social media has been standard operating procedure thus far.
Is there anything, anything at all, on your mind that you'd like to share with others?
If you’re an artist, practice, learn from your mistakes. Don’t expect to learn any quick secrets of other artists just by asking them what tools they use. There is no magic in certain pens or the right paper. Experiment and find what works best for you. Improvement will come with time, patience and practice. Don’t steal the work of others, because that’s about as low as you can get in the art-world, and don’t dare try to justify your theft because of how easy the internet makes it for you to just take things. Be confident, but don’t be an egotistical douchebag. Be eager to learn and grow, admit your mistakes and move forward. Absorb the works of others that you admire, but make work that’s all your own. Keep your brain and your body healthy and sharp. Artistic talent is a great thing to have, but if you can back it up with some solid creativity, ingenuity, intelligence, wit and soul -- that’s a great thing to continually strive for.
See more at - www.beastwreck.blogspot.com