Artist Surveys

December 2, 2008

Artist Survey #9: Corey West

Corey is a local artist who’s work has exploded in our county. She is a really hard worker, attending all of the festivals and craft fairs in the county. She also beautifully frames and mattes work. I go to her for all of my presentation needs. Even Jesus was prepared by her!

cwest1

cwest2

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Name: Corey West

Location: Sonora, CA

Medium(s): mixed : watercolor, acrylic, ink, collage and found objects

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? well- good art has good design – so shouldn’t artists be designers as well?

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? Ventana Gallery (Sonora), San Francisco Design Center (Hinc Showroom) www.coreywest.artspan.com

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? I don’t remember not having interest in artistic forms of expression.

Who/What inspired your interest? It has always been there, but my dad helped me grow my interest by encouraging it.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? It has always been around me.

What is your day job? I work in my studio full time – painting and custom framing

Why do you create? That is hard to answer. Creating art is such a part of me… it is who I am. I can’t imagine not creating…

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Not necessarily.

What do you want from your work? I want my work to inspire me to keep learning and growing.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? There is a lot, but basically if I can make people smile, give them inspiration – I am happy. My work is happy – there is so much doom and gloom out there and if I can portray a happier life then I am doing my job.

How often do you work on personal projects? As much as possible.

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? Often, but even the commercial work and commissions I have a way of turning them into personal projects (makes it much more fun to do).

Does your art support you financially? Pays the studio bills, but that is all for now.

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? If I am not in the studio painting I am thinking about what I am going to work on next.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? I don’t have spare time. I take care of my baby and run a business where I do framing, painting, make purses from repurposed fabric, jewelry…so there is no free time.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? I listen to my baby’s musical toys more than anything so the only thing stuck in my brain is the abc’s!

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? A friend of mine is working on opening a gallery in the Oakland area and showing my work…I am very excited about that.

How long do you generally take on a piece? It varies. Anywhere from a day to a week sometimes more.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? I have never been in a situation where it would be an issue.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? Yes.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? No. My work is very personal, but once it is done I move on. And besides, if I am ever going to make a living at this I have to be willing to part with it.

November 25, 2008

Artist Survey #8: Tim Musso

Tim was my instructor in Computer Graphics at CSULB. He is well versed in the letterform, printmaking and design. His work is saturated with nuances and details, personality and nature. Under his guidance I learned to experiment through method and to look for the art in everyday experience. If you ever get a chance to attend his classes I suggest you do. It is priceless.

(UNTITLED : wood engraving : 8″x10″ : 2007)

(UNTITLED : silkscreen : 22″x30″ : 2007)

(UNTITLED : woodcut : 4’x8′ : 2007)

Name: Tim Musso

Location: Riverside, CA

Medium(s): Printmaking & Typography

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Artist

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? I’ll have some of my typographic work as well as some prints on display at the Brandstater Gallery, La Sierra University, Riverside. Nov 10-23 and Nov 30-Dec 11

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? I’ve always enjoyed making things and working on creative projects, so after high school it only made sense to study art in college. There is something fundamental to the human experience of working with your hands to express yourself.

Who/What inspired your interest? Natural forms are my primary source of inspiration.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? I remember being entranced by the work of the graphic artist/printmaker M.C. Escher when I was very young. The strong contrast of the woodcut line with the interesting compositions and optical illusions really set me down the artistic path.

What is your day job? Professor of Art & Design

Why do you create? I would rather create than destroy.

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Natural forms and the written mark in its many various forms are elements that have been a focal point of my work for many years.

What do you want from your work? A means of working through ideas and the satisfaction of expressing and sharing these ideas through the creative process of mark making.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? Any chance to view the art/design of someone who has dedicated their life to visual expression is always a worthwhile experience. Art expresses the human condition in a way that nothing else can and therefore it has great value. I believe that anything that can open a person’s mind or engage their imagination ultimately has a positive role in our lives whether that be music, film, literature, art, or design.

How often do you work on personal projects? Since this semester has begun, about one day a week, usually Saturdays.

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? Rarely.

Does your art support you financially? Teaching art and design supports my more personal creative explorations.

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? I look forward to sitting down and carving on my woodblock most often when I am busy doing something that I don’t want to be doing. Most people rot their minds with television to unwind from the day, but I usually find peace and restoration from carving on a block either engraving or cutting a block for a woodcut print.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Watch films, listen to music, read about economics and history, hike and take photographs.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? Black Diamond Heavies, Michael Franti, Aggrolites, Black Francis, Pressure Drop Soundcast (podcast), Mobtown Ska Sounds (podcast).

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? I hope I can make it to the Southern Graphics Council (a big gathering of printmakers) this spring.

How long do you generally take on a piece? At least 50 hours.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? No.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? I usually try to limit myself to one or two projects at a time.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? The great thing about printmaking is that you can make multiples, so I never have to part with my only copy of something that I have done.

November 18, 2008

Artis Survey #7: Paris Raupach

(Domestic Spying)

(Gay Marriage)

(Capital Punishment)

Name: Paris Raupach

Location: San Francisco, CA

Medium(s): Watercolor, Digital

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Artist/Illustrator/reluctant designer

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? www.parisraupach.com

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? I’ve been drawing and creating art for as long as I can remember.

Who/What inspired your interest? I don’t know if I had a specific inspirational figure, but my parents always encouraged my artistic tendencies.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? I remember having a baby sitter who always had us doing crafts… paper bag puppets and things like that. I always liked making things with my hands.

What is your day job? Custom picture framing

Why do you create? I have to… I’m driven to it. I’m naturally lazy so if it weren’t something that nagged at me all the time I probably wouldn’t bother.

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Yes. Politics almost always finds it’s way into my work.

What do you want from your work? Essh… what a question. Practically… employment, spiritually… I’d like to shock my audience into questioning their preconceived notions about a given subject.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? I would like people to ask themselves why they accept a particular belief as true. They may change their mind or reinforce what they already believed, but what I’m looking for is the act of questioning.

How often do you work on personal projects? These days… not so much. In a bit of a rut.

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? These days…not so much. 😉 Not enough to quit the day job anyway. I’ll usually get a design job every couple months or so.

Does your art support you financially? Nope.

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? Yes. I constantly have new ideas. The difficulty is finding the time and motivation to work. Making art is not easy and can be heart breaking. Right now I’m having trouble getting started, but the ideas are always there.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Spare time? I guess walk the dog, or watch a good movie. I definitely spend too much time watching T.V. I am a news junky. I’m always reading political blogs or listening to talk radio.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? I’ve been rediscovering hip hop in my older years. Right now I’m really into Lupe Fiasco.

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? I’m looking forward to going to the San Francisco Symphony. I’ve never been. It seems like something really classy to do.

How long do you generally take on a piece? I can put something together from concept to sketch to final painting within a day or two, but I usually spend a week or so on a painting.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? Yep. Ended a six year relationship in part to pursue an art career. I also quit a pretty well paying job to go back to art school.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? Sometimes.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? Eh… not so much. I always photograph and often make prints of my work so I have a record. Plus my goal is to sell it, so it’s a good thing when a painting goes out the door and I have a check in my hand!

November 11, 2008

Artist Survey #6: Joey Fumar

Joey grew up in Sonora, CA just like me. We got to know each other in an advanced placement biology class we probably should not have been in. We were the only kids in our graduating class to attend Long Beach State, where we became good friends. I even lived at his grandma’s house down there for a summer. He now lives in Hawaii and will be moving to Australia shortly. His paintings marry the psychedelic surf scene of the 70s with traditional Japanese tattoo imagery. He is also dabbling in cinema, hopefully we will get a chance to see some films in the future.

(Beast from the East : Acrylic & Paint Pen)

(Wicked Warrior : Acrylic & Paint Pen)

(Better Together : Acrylic & Paint Pen)

Name: Joey Fumar

Location: Hawaii Kai, Oahu, Hawaii

Medium(s): Acrylic Paints, Paint Pens

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Artist

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? I’m trying to get my work into a gallery to be publicly viewed but for now on Facebook and on Myspace.

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? I really started painting when I moved to Hawaii. But I always loved to be creative and make art.

Who/What inspired your interest? Tattoo art primarily inspired my painting style. I study tons of Japanese tattoo books and that helps me be creative. The ocean and its creatures also inspire me. I have always liked to include waves in my paintings.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? Probably kindergarten or first grade…I remember I didn’t like being told what to draw or paint.

What is your day job? Waiter at Kona Brewing Company…Hooray Beer!

Why do you create? To release emotion whether it be anger, sadness or happiness. Most of the time it’s anger and sadness though. I find it hard to paint when I am feeling good about things.

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Bright colors and tattoo styling.

What do you want from your work? I want people to look at my work and feel emotion (hopefully rage) or be inspired to get it tattooed on their body. I don’t want to be an artist who creates boring shit like stuff you see in hotel lobbies or restaurants. I want my art to stand out and brighten up a room.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? I want the colors and images I use to make them feel the art rather than just have them view the art.

How often do you work on personal projects? Every 2-3 months I’d say…whenever I feel like I need to paint.

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? Never yet but I would love to.

Does your art support you financially? No

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? When I have started a painting yes…I think about it all day and its weird I get really pissed off when I am in the middle of a painting because I get so frustrated trying to come up with color schemes and the layout and flow of the painting…I am not a nice person to be around when I’m in the middle of a project.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Surf and videography…some photography

Which musicians are you currently interested in? Nowadays…The Faint, The Black Angels, Marylin Manson, Groundation, Damian Marley, The Roots, Lil’ Wayne, Static X, Slayer, MGMT, Prodigy, Gorillaz

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? None I can think of…Oahu has a really good art scene in downtown Honolulu there is a lot of young up and comers making really cool and funky shit.

How long do you generally take on a piece? 2 to 3 weeks

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? No I haven’t put myself out on the line yet to push my art. I often think about trying it though but it doesn’t pay my bills.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? Nope one at a time

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? Yeah when selling paintings it hurts a bit but I am glad knowing someone is enjoying my art. But there are some paintings that would hurt more than others to let go of.

November 4, 2008

Artist Survey #5: TaVon Sampson

TaVon is an art director at Island Def Jam Music Group along with my friend Todd Russell. Check your local music store for some of his work.

malcom_x_drawing

(Malcom X : Graphite)

(Beanie Siegel CD Packaging)

(USDA CD Packaging)

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(NAS CD Concept)

Name: TaVon Sampson

Location: MANHATTAN (Keeps on makin’ it) / BROOKLYN (Keeps on Takin’ it)

Medium(s): Pencil & Graphic Design

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Artist & Designer

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? At a Record store Near You, magazines Billboards.

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? Since Birth as far as I know…I think I was drawing inside the walls of the womb…lol

Who/What inspired your interest? Nobody really but myself…I always liked to see what I create because it always amazes me in the end. Im my biggest fan.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? When I first picked up a pencil…I used to draw all of these comic books and send them to my uncle every week when I was like 4 or 5 years old and ask him if I gotten better since the last week

What is your day job? Art Director/ Graphic Designer

Why do you create? Self Satisfaction, I love to see what Im going to do next, adding another piece onto the collection…Love to show the world how my brain works visually.

Is there any recurring theme in your work? No theme, except for the fact that I try to create something better each time.

What do you want from your work? I want to look at it and get goosebumps…if I don’t look at it and say damn that’s that shit right there….I don’t ever want to look at it again.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? I want them to want to meet the person behind the visual and to appreciate the talent.

How often do you work on personal projects? Every single second I’m breathing.

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? Every day.

Does your art support you financially? Yes it does.

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? Yeah pretty much…Since its my job and my natural talent & hobby…I’m always doing art and during the day and night, so the only time I am thinking about it is when I am dreaming.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Research and figure out a way to take it to the next level, I try to make business contacts and look at other art for inspiration…never did that as I child but Now that I have matured I see the importance…and also hang out with my family and my lady.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? The list goes on…but…Marvin Gaye and Nas when I’m in creative mode.

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? Yes, My future Grammy acceptance…lol ( Hasn’t happened yet)

How long do you generally take on a piece? Personal project – no time limit, I have an idea I’ve been developing for 14 years. Commercial piece…from the time given to the deadline.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? No not really everything I’ve been around has always dealing with art, I’ve gained a lot of relationships through it honestly, people really appreciate the talent. Only thing I lose is sleep.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? Yes all of the time, I really don’t like to work that way though.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? Yeah all of the time, it feels like I’m giving someone an undiscovered organ in my body. Its like your child. When you get a canvas or a blank document its an empty placenta…then throughout your art process It’s the last thing I look at before I go to sleep and the first thing I look at when I wake up…you work on it and work on it working to improve it to be the closest to perfect as you can, like raising a child. Once you finish and you sell it to the customer, its like sending your kid off to college, you are so proud of what it as become since that blank piece of paper, screen or canvas.

October 28, 2008

Artist Survey # 4: Kyle Marmesh

I got to know Kyle through MySpace. That’s right. I said it, MySpace. We grew up in the same town and went to the same elementary school, but he was a few years younger than me and our paths never properly crossed. He has work throughout the Bay Area hardcore scene and select bike shops. Look for his stuff on a west coast near you.

Name: Kyle Marmesh

Location: Bellingham, WA

Medium(s): Design, Printmaking

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Aspiring designer.

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? myspace.com/alivedesign

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? I have been interested in the arts for as long as I can remember. My family is pretty artistic so I was surrounded by it while I was growing up. My Bro is a musician, Pop’s draws a lot, and ma has always had an eye for interior design.

Who/What inspired your interest? I guess the initial inspiration came from album artwork and layouts. I grew up listening to a lot of punk and hardcore. Alan Forbes was a huge influence when I was younger, now I enjoy work by Linas Garsys, Steak Mtn! and You Work For Them.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? I can’t remember the first time I was ‘exposed’ to it. But the first time I was truly intrigued by a single piece I was about 6 and I saw Van Gough’s ‘Starry Night.’ My taste has changed, nearly inverted since, but that was the first.

What is your day job? Teller at BofFuckinA!

Why do you create? Why does anybody create?

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Only that I’m never satisfied with the final piece.

What do you want from your work?I want to find and get inspiration from my own work.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? Be inspired. To think. To enjoy looking at it in any way.

How often do you work on personal projects? Pretty often.

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? Only a few times every couple months.

Does your art support you financially? Nope, not yet. I can only hope to be so lucky!

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? Yes.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Ride bikes mostly. Read books on typography and design. I grew up in the mountains so a day where I don’t touch dirt isn’t a very good one.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? JF Robitaille, Polar Bear Club, Bridge and Tunnel, Austin Lucas, Cursed, Chris Knight, and of course, Hot Water Music.

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? Revival Tour in Seattle on Oct. 26!

How long do you generally take on a piece? It depends, on personal pieces I tend to take quite a long time going back and forth between drafts and different ideas. I’ve never missed a deadline for a client though.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? Haven’t had to yet, and hope to god I won’t ever have to. Not sure which way I’d go.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? Yes, quite often.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? If I know it is going to be printed by a quality shop I usually have a pretty loose grip. However, if it is going into unfamiliar hands, I tend to hold on a little tighter.

October 22, 2008

Artist Survey #3: Ape-Bo-Peep

I met Ape, as she likes to be called, during my 3rd year at CSU, Long Beach. We had Computer Graphics with Tim Musso (a total badass designer) and became quick friends. She is absorbed with the smallest details and is relentless in the pursuit of perfection. She is a fantastic designer, the only student I personally knew that made it into the rigorous design program at CSULB. Take a look at her explorations of different materials and textures and you will see why.

Name: ape-bo-peep

Location: LBC

Medium(s): experimental but alas, largely design.

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? A designer with the self-indulgent, rebellious spirit of an artist.

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? Through clairvoyance only, better have a crystal ball handy.

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? As a youngster.

Who/What inspired your interest? Mom, awww.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? Supervised: melting crayons and marble art. Unsupervised: playing with mud and coloring in the pictures printed on paper towels and watching them bleed underwater drops.

What is your day job? I design for West Coast Choppers, school, and freelance with Mr. Tang Bang.

Why do you create? It seems to be a necessary human activity.

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Concept: I like to challenge what people are comfortable with. Execution: Nature in some form.

What do you want from your work? Fame and glory.

What do you want viewers to take from your work? In my own work do not care if people completely understand. I do, however, want people to feel challenged by the concept or execution. Working for clients is another story. That is, of course, where your own ideas are often compromised and the clients objective is priority.

How often do you work on personal projects? Mostly I turn my school projects into concepts that I am interested in so they become personal. They are sometimes not what the instructor had intended but in the end I am helping paying his/her salary.

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? 3-5 days a week.

Does your art support you financially? Yes

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? Depends on the project but yes quite often.

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Travel, read, concerts, experimenting with art mediums. If I am back home I ride my horse and work in the woods.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? Ani Difranco, Emily Wells, PJ Harvey, Bright eyes, Johnny Cash, Flat Mountain Girls…

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? A trip to China, Burning man, oh so far away… South America…
How long do you generally take on a piece? Varies significantly. A day to a few weeks, sometimes months.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? Yes, I have refused to work on projects because of conflicting ideologies ( i.e. nestle skinny cow, lingerie ). Most of my friends and family have become distanced as I lack the time necessary to sustain close relationships.

Do you work on multiple projects at once? Constantly.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? Because most of my design work is disposable, no. Everything else that has more artistic value I give to friends and family.

October 14, 2008

Artist Survey #2: Megan Tucker

I have known Megan Tucker since we were very young. Living in the same small town we went to the same elementary school and knew a lot of the same people. She recently became active in our local art scene and is someone I can always count on to help further our local underground arts movement.

(Down to the Roots)

(O! Brother)

Name: Tucker

Location: Sonora,CA

Medium(s): anything and everything-mixed media

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Painter

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? A couple on MySpace www.myspace.com/piratescavengers

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? Straight from the womb

Who/What inspired your interest? The eternal void

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? Being taken to museums in the city when I was really young by my mother

What is your day job? I work at The Country Store in Sonora- it’s a local health food store

Why do you create? The only constant we have in our lives is change, we need to be ever-changing, evolving. If I’m not creating, I am stagnant and feel lost.

Is there any recurring theme in your work? Nature is always a part of my pieces. Feathers, crows, mountains… Essentially the result of being born in Sonora.

What do you want from your work? No essential expectations, roll with the punches…

What do you want viewers to take from your work? Just a glimpse into my head I guess- it’s a visualization of how I was feeling at a certain point in my life…

How often do you work on personal projects? Not often enough…

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? I’m just starting to design tattoos for people- thats on more of a trade system.

Does your art support you financially? Its hit or miss, most of the time I want things other than money.

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? I am my art

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? I’m trying to study to be an herbalist…

Which musicians are you currently interested in? The list is never-ending….the fleet foxes, devendra banhart, led zeppelin, the beatles, the avett brothers…

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? November 8th A craft bazaar of sorts in Oakdale, I think I will be at a booth…

How long do you generally take on a piece? I will dwell on a piece for months sometimes and sometimes get one done in 10 minutes, theres no telling.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? I don’t think i have…. this is an intense question Zac…

Do you work on multiple projects at once? Yes, I have at least 5 half-assed projects going right now.

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? its mostly my mother who wants to keep everything I do.

October 8, 2008

Artist Survey #1: Todd Russell

Todd Russell and I met at CSU Long Beach. We had some design classes together where we critiqued each other’s work and became good friends. He has since moved to New York and became a big shot Art Director for Island Def Jam Music Group. Jon McLaughlin – Ok Now, Kerli – Love is Dead, and Rise Against – Appeal To Reason are Russell’s most recent offerings. Rise Against & Jon McLaughlin were just released Oct. 7th. He is currently working on the upcoming release for Hoobastank.

(Rise Against – Album Illustrations: Tim Marrs)

(Sound the Alarm)

(Kerli – Front/Back Illustrations: Natalie Shau)

(The Roots – Co Art Directed with Kenny Gravillis, Illustration: Mel Marcelo)

Name: Todd Russell

Location: New York

Medium(s): Mainly digital

What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Art Director/Designer

Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? iTunes, Best Buy, Amazon, Virgin Megastore etc.

When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? When I first started interning at Interscope Records

Who/What inspired your interest? JP Robinson and other designers in the music industry that was I exposed to. Just looking at random cd packaging, good and bad, from artists I knew and ones I didn’t.

Where do you first remember being exposed to art? My family has a history of having backgrounds in fine art so I guess at home as a child growing up.

What is your day job? Creative Director for Island Def Jam Music Group (I oversee all the creative aspects for a given project – photo shoot, packaging, design, video, viral/online content etc.)

Why do you create? Because I enjoy making art that can be viewed in the public eye

Is there any recurring theme in your work? No not really, sometimes I use the same elements, but because of the wide range of genres I am given I have to go in different directions all the time

What do you want from your work? To guide projects so that visually and aesthetically it can be the best it can possibly be

What do you want viewers to take from your work? That is hard to answer because most if not all my work is based off of commission so usually I am working for specific artists and trying to put on paper what their vision is and what is going on in their minds. Most of the time they hardly care what the public will think, as long as they are happy then I consider it a job well done.

How often do you work on personal projects? Who has time for that?

How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? All day

Does your art support you financially? Fortunately, yes

Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? All the time, I have to

What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Read, watch TV, browse the internet and see what other artists/designers are doing and try to get inspired.

Which musicians are you currently interested in? Usually I listen to a lot of artists who I am working with to help get in that mindset. But right now…TV on the Radio, Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, CSS, Cut/Copy, Innerpartysystem, MGMT, Justice, Kenna, Portishead, Ra Ra Ra Riot, Lil Wayne, The Roots, The Game, Nas, Young Jeezy, Jack’s Mannequin, Rise Against, Alphabeat, Cold War Kids, Kanye West, N.E.R.D…

Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? Not that I am aware of now, usually I just scour the museums to see if there are any good exhibits, the last one I went to was at the Brooklyn Museum to see the work of Takashi Murakami

How long do you generally take on a piece? Varies, depending on the timeline of a project, Two weeks, One month, 24 hours…

Do you work on multiple projects at once? All the time

Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? No, but the question should be do you have problems making changes to something you have finished and spent a long time working on? Yes, making changes that compromise my work for the worse is possibly one of the hardest things to do.