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Words from Nathan Fox Jul 03

Man I love Nathan’s line work.

Go out and by Zodiac (from Marvel Comics) today!!

fatherhood 3D Nathan Fox Color Ink Book

If you had to be any comic book villain, who would you be?
I have never really thought about it before. Hate to toot my own horn, but to be honest I think I would have to be ZODIAC at the moment.  The man is F#&%ing ruthless! I’ve always had a soft spot for the independent, free wheeling bad guys. Must be why I am getting into it so much. There’s not really anything that can stop this guy. Smarts, a tattooed bad-ass hottie on his arm and an arsenal of other tricks up his sleeve that readers will discover as the series goes.
Back in the day, I would have to say Soundwave, Cobra Commander, Tetsuo, Darth Vader and a few others would have topped the list. Ha - Must be what I’ve been trying to channel from for Zodiac’s character. Tough question. I’ve been trying to find other bad guys I dig for the past hour through my movies and comics but I keep coming back to the hooded Zodiac. Probably just too into Caseys writing and the current pages infront of me.

I forgot about MING!!!! The bad guy I would love to be is MING! FINALLY. I remember a great villian that is just ruthless. (and yes, I love the movie - FLASH!  -AaaaHH AAAAAHHHHHHH!… )

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
JAPAN!
Wanted to go there ever since I was a kid but definitely ever since college and I started taking this stuff seriously. One of these days.
kitty pryde Nathan Fox Color Ink Book
What is your least favorite quote?
“Do as I say, not as I do…”
What is a typical day in the life of Nathan Fox?
Fathehood, window, Fatherhood, late night window, sleep, coffee, shake-repeat!…
Ha! No, its pretty awesome. Love being a dad and dig the fortunate position of drawing images and telling stories for a living.
Work wise, it takes a few hours to get through emails and make phone calls first thing, then onto pencils or inks for the rest of the work day.
I’m pretty lucky if I can get in a straight 8 hour work day before dinner time. Our second daughter was just born so balancing Mr. Mom and work schedule is challenging, no doubt. Definitely learning my lessons in “ambition” and taking on projcts having a second kid, but it all works out some how. Can’t complain.
nathan-fox-color-ink-book
What is an ideal breakfast, in your eyes?
A really good Huevos Rancheros! Hard to find in Kansas City. Back in Brooklyn was a different story all together.
Fresh OJ and some fruit - cold with grapes. Must have the grapes…
Oh, and Alterra coffee. Hats off to the kids in Milwaukee! Its like Christmas morning when I’ve saved up enough pennies to order a pound.
Campesino is a great blend if you are in the area or order coffee - (yes, I’m married with children… this can happen to you!)
What is your favorite Saturday morning Cartoon?
Oh, man. Back in the day it was Ghostbusters (The Real), GI Joe, Transformers and then WWF and dubbed kung fu flicks would come on.
Watched just about everything as a kid. Grew up thinking I would become an animator for Disney. Got close in college but saw Akira, discovered comics, heard Tom Waits and went a different direction.
Now, I’m lucky if I get to watch Popeye, Hanna Barberra and Looney Tunes with my daughter. God bless boomerang and cartoon network though. They’re putting out some great new stuff and the awesome standby’s we all grew up with and love.
spidey3 Nathan Fox Color Ink Book
What are your top 5 video games?
Metroid series
Ninja Gaiden Series
Gears of War
Bio Shock
and currently farting around with Mad World and Bionic Command.
Hard to name only 5. happily addicted to video games since river raid on the original Atari - yes, I am that elder.
What do you like most about the town you live in?
The cost of living, our house and the collection of creative badasses that just happend to be or move here since we moved back.
My heart, adopted home and sell phone though,…. still belong to Brooklyn!
Nathan Fox Color Ink Book Freddy Vs. Jason Friday the 13th
Who is your favorite musical artist(s)?
That would be a battle between Tom Waits and Mike Paton. But listen to a lot more than just that.
Lots of Nina Simone, Johnny Cash, Roots, Gogal Bordello and more.
Music wise for work and projects, like most research I try and listen to as much music that relates to the work at hand as possible. Gets me in the mood and characters I suppose. So I’ve collected a lot of weird and random stuff over the years.
If you were to give any advice to an aspiring artist, what would it be?
- Learn the hard way while you’re young - hint! - it’s ALL a learning curve
- Be true (as corney as that sounds) in your work and it will be returned to you two fold through the work.
- Drawing is memory. The more you know and are able to do the more you’ll have to bring to the table when the pressure is on.
- Debt is a freelancers worst night mare, watch your wallet and your ass! It’ll bite-cha.
- Pound the pavement and earn it.
- Build relationships whenever possible. The work will speak for itself but it can’t talk for you.
- Ha. I could keep going on, but then I would only be revealing my own mistakes and practices and who wants to give away all their secrets?…
daredevil and electra Nathan Fox Color Ink Book
Burrito or Sandwich?
Had a run in with a bad burrito recently so I’ll have to go with - Sandwich and all the freudian slips that go with it.

Nathan Fox Color Ink Book art coloring book

Click the Fist to See of Fox’s Portfolio

Interview by Adam

Words from Brian Ewing Jul 02

Bringing Punk Rock to art!

Brain Ewing Color Ink Book Death Cab for Cutie

How was it working with Vans, for the warped tour?

“Surreal” I guess is the best answer.  I kinda went from doing posters for  local shows in LA, to have my work being seen throughout the US and Canada in a couple of months - after they hired me.  For the first three years they took me on the tour and had me do signings in each city.  I got paid to sign posters, watch bands play and drink beer.  The kind of stuff they didn’t cover in art school.  I’m fortunate that they hire me each year.  This year I pulled double duty and designed the logo and collateral art for the tour as well as two posters for one of their sponsors – KIA.

How did you first get into art?

I grew up in the Mid West part of the United States.  Attended a Catholic grade school and met one of my lifelong friends there who influenced me greatly in the types of music I listened to then and now.  As a teenager I went to the only Arts high school in Milwaukee, WI.  I studied Art there for 4 years.  (Jeffrey Dahmer lived a few blocks away and ate two of my classmates.  Useless trivia)  Then I bounced around to a few art schools in Chicago and Milwaukee.  The cost of art school was too much for me so I never finished.  Instead I decided to take what I got from school and learn the rest on my own.  Even if I had a regular job I made sure that it taught me about printing or design.  Eventually I moved to Los Angeles and hated my day job so I started doing work for bands and venues.  Once I felt that I could quit the day job I started doing artwork for bands full-time.  It’s been about 7 years now.  I recently moved to Manhattan, and am doing more posters and a few other projects right now.

brian ewing ms february Color Ink Book

Have you considered drawing animal skulls, or are you strictly a human skull artist?

Ha!  Yeah I guess I should try my hand at that.  It’s not very easy to find a real human skull.  Animal skulls are much easier and less suspect.

What artist/s is played most on your mp3/CD player?

Uhhh…lately…Nachtmystium, Bouncing Souls, Elton John (goodbye yellowbrick road), The Accused, Screaming Lord Sutch, U.N.K.L.E., Gaslight Anthem, Coheed & Cambria, Iron Maiden, Dragonforce, Iced Earth, N*E*R*D*, Wire, The Misfits…I just play iTunes on random at this point. Not all my clients reflect my musical taste.

Brian Ewing costello Color Ink Book

What has influenced your art the most?

Music.  Skatebaording.  Comic Books.

As a kid I loved reading comic books.  That really affected me.  While I was in high school I worked at a comic book store.  So during the day I was studying fine art and at night I was behind the counter at the store.  That was a really formative time for me.  I was also influenced by everything that filled my life.  Especially music.  I wanted to do artwork for Iron Maiden and the Misfits.  They were 2 of my favorite bands when I was afraid of girls and covered in pimples.  Life was good and I had hair down to my ass.

I still have those influences but now I have had the chance to go to different places and meet new people.  So my influences have grown.  My friends influence me a lot.  Some of them work in the comic book industry while others are clothing designers, animators and pin-up artists.  Music is still there.  I’ve got a scary record collection.  The more work I do for bands the more music I am exposed to.  My art book collection is even worse.  If I ever had to move (again) I would only worry about my couch, my books and my music.

I like a lot of the Art Nouveau and Secession movement artists.  As well as Manga and foreign Sci-Fi films.

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A Burrito from Puerto Alegre
546 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA
Everytime I got to SF I gotta get my burrito on here.

There’s a decent burrito place near my apartment in Manhattan, Benny’s Burritos.  East Coast Mexican food is very different than West Coast.

Skull Art Brian Ewing Color Ink Book

We know Color Ink Book, is your new favorite magazine. What was your old favorite magazine?


Hustler.  Larry Flynt used to be my boss.  Last real job I ever had was working on the Hustler, Big Brother, Barely Legal, Skin&Ink, Taboo and Beaver Hunt magazines.

What is your favorite video game of all time?

Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil or Left 4 Dead.  Any of those games rule!

Brian Ewing Color Ink Book

You do a lot of poster art, how did you get started?

When I was a kid (living in Milwaukee) some friends of mine started a band and I wanted to do flyers for them.  I couldn’t afford to buy a guitar and really didn’t want to put myself out there so drawing seemed like the next best thing.  I wanted to be a part of something.

Also, Juxtapoz magazine had put out an “Art of Rock” issue so I picked it up and it changed my life.  In there was an interview with Frank Kozik and he boiled down the business of doing posters for bands.  It felt like he was personally telling me to go out and make posters.  So that’s what I wanted to do.  Damn you Frank!

I moved to Minneapolis, MN and worked at a Kinko’s where the local venue would come in to get flyers copied for their shows. One day I asked if I could do some for them.  In exchange I got free tickets and booze.

Then I moved to Los Angeles, and did the same thing with the Troubadour, for a few years.  I learned more about drawing, color theory and printing than I ever did in school.  Each poster for them was a big-assed business card which led to more work.

After that I moved to New York, and am still doing posters for bands.  But now have expanded on that.  I still love the medium but I’ve also designed shoes, clothing and eyewear lately.  I belong to an online community – gigposters.com.  Check it out if you like posters or want to start doing them.

Do you have any upcoming events/top secret projects you would like your fans to know about?

Hmmm…my book “Don’t Hold Your Breath” is finally coming out through Dark Horse in February 2010.  It’s a collection of the poster work I’ve done.  The Foreword was written by the founder of the Warped Tour – Kevin Lyman.  I also got several bands and artists to give me quotes for the book – Including X, The Bouncing Souls, Coheed & Cambria, Frank Kozik, Tara McPherson and a few others.

Before that I have a signature pair of “Ewing” sunglasses coming out through Anarchy Eyewear.   Also doing some posters for the Bouncing Souls, Tiger Army and Green Day,

Right now I’m just prepping for this year’s Comic Con.  I’ll have some new shirts and art prints at my booth (#433 - nudgenudge winkwink).  Losing my mind.

Brain Ewing Color Ink Book Stich

Sandwich or Burrito?
Refer to the “One food” question

big business brian ewing color ink book

Click the Above Image to See More of Ewing

Interview by Adam

Words from John Martz Jun 26

You really should be reading this guys comics!

ill communication John Martz Color Ink Book

Do you feel comics should be held at the same standard as traditional literature?

There’s good and bad comics, and there’s good and bad prose literature. It’s a silly argument, really. There are certainly comics that can hold their own against the best traditional literary books, but in the end, they are different art forms, and we should embrace that.  Comics falls somewhere in between prose and film, and can tell stories in ways that neither of those can do on their own.  And that’s pretty cool, no?

What should the rest of the world know about Toronto?

New York Subway on Queen West is the best kept secret of the city — jumbo Indian burritos? Yes please.

polar bear John Martz Color Ink Book

A lot of your comics deal with wordplay; do you see the words and then visualize the images or is it the other way around?

The words come first, but they don’t take on their full meaning until the images are created.

Your portfolio is staggering, where do you find the time?

Well thank you!  There are certainly never enough hours in the day.  If there was some magic way to get more time to do more work, I certainly don’t know what it is.  I just try to work as much as I can without going crazy.

John Martz Color Ink Book flood tmbg

Who would win in a footrace Kurt Cobain or Elvis?

In the afterlife Olympics? Elvis wins at everything. Fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches can help one accomplish anything.

If you weren’t doing art, what would you be doing?

Shivering alone in a dark corner somewhere.

John Martz Color Ink Book Gizmo

In what medium do you find yourself most comfortable?

I like working in pen and ink, but ultimately I am most comfortable on the computer — the speed and versatility of working on the Cintiq has increased my productivity in a massive way.

What would happen if Wile E. Coyote finally caught the pesky Roadrunner?

Chuck Jones would spin around in his grave.

Pee Wee's Play House John Martz Color Ink Book

What is the dumbest thing you let someone talk you into doing?

Seeing Crossroads, the Britney Spears movie in the theatre.

Sandwich or burrito?

See question 2.

unicorn John Martz Color Ink Book

Click on the Seated Unicorn to See More of John’s Work

Words from Anthony Ausgang Jun 25

Anthony easily one of the founders of the “Low Brow” art scene; continues to create works that amaze. 

Anthony Ausgang Color Ink Book Last supper

What are you working on right now?

I am painting a couple of new pieces for a show at the Contemporary Art Museum in Rome, Italy that will take place in November of this year. America is a defunct phantom limb on the global corpse so I’m trying to establish a new audience and find some collectors that pay with euros.

Have you ever gone back to your hometown?

Yes, I go back every few years. I grew up in Spring Branch, Texas, which back then was a little farm town outside of Houston. Now it’s considered “in the city” and almost every trace of its pioneer beginnings has been erased. In a small churchyard there is a mass grave from a yellow fever epidemic in 1854; I go there to smoke a spliff in memory of the dead.

Anthony Ausgang Color Ink Book fall from grace

Art school: your thoughts?

Art school is a debt production machine that hinders as many people as it helps. I was at a bar once and some dude bought me a beer so we began to talk. Turned out he was a data entry dweeb at some company but he had gone to the same art school that I had. The difference between 
us was that I dropped out once I sussed that I was going to owe 50K when I got out and he didn’t. I became a debt-free artist and he had to take a sh*t job to pay off his art education. The only good reason to go to art school is to get a degree so that teaching is an option.

Where’s the best place to grab a bite to eat?

I have been told that cannibals generally start with the back of the thigh; the meat there is apparently quite flavorful.

Anthony Ausgang Color Ink Book Cheshire Cat

Is there a particular artist you are really digging right now?

Whenever I get burned out on the official art world I go visit a nearby mental institution where there is a gallery of art by the inmate/patients. There are some absolutely amazing paintings to be seen there.

What is the most influential music group in your option?

The master musicians of Jajouka in Morrocco.

Anthony Ausgang Color Ink Book

Can art change the world?

When the aim of art is to change the world, it becomes propaganda; art itself is a useless weapon.

Could a giant squid defeat a great white shark?

Only with love.

Anthony Ausgang Color Ink Book Coloring Book

Stallone, Over the Top or Cobra?

I met Stallone once and we didn’t get along well because I’m about twice as tall as he is. In front of the Philadelphia art museum there are some brass footprints set there because in the movie “Rocky” he stood in that spot. I’m supposed to give a sh*t?

Sandwich or Burrito?

I have gotten the sh*ts from both; the sandwich had rotten spinach in it and the burrito contained bad brains. I would choose a sandwich over a burrito because you can deconstruct it and stick it on the ceiling whereas a burrito deconstructs into scraps.

Ausgang Color Ink Book

Click the Cat to See More of Ausgang’s Mind-blowing Work

Words from Trevor Zammit Jun 24

This guy loves marshmallows just as much as I do!

Trevor Zammit Color Ink Book

What are you working on right now?

Cleaning up the mess from my most recent batch of paintings and sculptures.

Facial hair; your thoughts?
I wish I could grow some.

Trevor Zammit Color Ink Book Knife

Who would win in a fight a polar bear or a silverback gorilla?
Well, in a regular street fight a polar bear.  But if it was in a steel cage, a gorilla would kick a polar bear’s ass.

 

How rad is it working for ScareFactory?
That really depends on the day.  The most ridiculous piece I ever did ended up on the Tonight Show.

ScareFactory Trevor Zammit Color Ink Book

What would be the most awesome piñata filling?
Hotpockets or marbles.

 

Really loved your custom for Beware Humans Show; how did you get involved with it?
Thanks.  I guess it all started with a lovely weekend drive through Long Island.

color ink book trevor zammit Humans Beware" I.W.G. Custom Vinyl show

Can you classify your style?
Ummm… Cartoonish?

 

Disney or Pixar animation?
Computer animation is destroying the universe.   Disney had it together in the 1920’s & 30’s.

Trevor Zammit Color Ink Book skeleton

What project to date are you most proud of?
I did this landscape oil painting in third grade that I still haven’t topped.

 

Sandwich or Burrito? 
Definitely Burritos since don’t come with pickles.

Trevor Zammit Color Ink book Rhino  

Click the Rhino to See More of Trevor’s Goodness

Words from Abe Lincoln Jr. Jun 24

Abe told me if I ever needed a pooping bird guy let him know. Now that’s love!!!

Abe Lincoln Jr. Color Ink Book Dunny Kid Robot Chase

What does nine o’clock Monday morning look like for you?

9 o’clock Monday is usually me on the subway on my way to work. Luckily, I like my day job a lot so it’s not the veil of tears.

Who is you favorite Ghostbuster?

Ray Parker Jr.?

Abe Lincoln Jr. Color Ink Book char NYC street art

Do you find a freedom in doing disposable (sticker, poster, etc..) art vs. the more permanent work you do?

Yeah I do now. I was kinda over street art for a while there, and started focusing on more gallery type stuff. While I kind of take more satisfaction from gallery work, doing street stuff is fun because I can do whatever I feel like and don’t have to run it through my “Is it good enough” filter.

What is the origin of Char?

Well the real secret origin of Char is this. When I was a little kid there was this proto-food court in the San Antonio Shopping Center in Mountain View, Ca. The place was called the Menu Tree and it had lots of international fare but it was decorated in serious Mid Century Modern motif. The main attraction was that there was a 4-sided cuckoo clock up on the top of an indoor flagpole, and when it struck the hour birds would come out and it made an unholy racket of different types of birdcalls. The upstairs was amazing as it had larger than life paper mache birds behind fancy wrought iron cages. They were very low tech but to a little kid it was amazing. So that’s where visually Char came from. His name has a less charming story behind it.

Abe Lincoln Jr. Color Ink Book Char group home

Are you a dog or a cat person?

I am a paid subscriber to Cat Fancy magazine. Cats are rad because they’ll eat the food you put out for them and then scratch the fuck out of you for no reason.

Tell us about Fugue State Records?

I’m doing a new series of Artist Multiples based on punk and metal 7″ singles. I’m going to be laser etching various materials to look like 45′ RPM Singles. Then I’ll be releasing them under the fictional Extreme Music record label Fugue State Records. There is an extensive roster of fictional hardcore and metal bands on my label. I plan on releasing the multiples as a record label would. Staggering releases from different bands each with its own back-story and I plan on releasing supporting multiples such as Tour Tees, Gig Posters, Stickers, & Zines as well.

My goal with the project is to create a world that has continuity. There will be multiple releases from the bands on the Fugue State label roster. New bands being signed and old bands moving on or breaking up.

The first release on Fugue State Records will be from Icelandic Black Metal band Asspanther. The first single will be their US debut and will feature the songs Eucharism b/w Religion is Mind Control. Their searing blastbeats and brutal vocals have made waves all over the world. With little more than a cassette demo and a videotape of a live gig, they were signed to Fugue State Records no questions asked. Noted for their manic stage show and level of technical virtuosity, Asspanther is putting the Metal World on notice.

I’m using Kickstarter.com to raise funds for the project. The cool thing is that if I don’t hit my target of $1000 by July 15th anyone who donates doesn’t get charged.  Here’s the link to the page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/abelincolnjr/fugue-state-records-punk-rock-artist-multiples

Abe Lincoln Jr. Color Ink Book oh word!

Who you win in a fight you or Abraham Lincoln?

Uh he’s dead so he’d probably be pretty easy to slap into the figure four.

Graffiti: your thoughts?

I like it. It’s nice.

Abe Lincoln Jr. Color Ink Book Endless Love Crew

What is your favorite medium to work in?

Overall a good clean digital piece makes my heart sing. Esp if I can get it laser etched even better its my favorite medium at the moment. Although in my new solo show “Handcrafted Vectors” at Schmancy Toys in Seattle July 10th I’m going with 100% hand made art. I’ve been getting into doing new mixed media work that involved a lot of collage technique so that’s been fun.

Sandwich or Burrito?

Well I’m from the SF bay area so I would have to go with Burritos, but unfortunately Mexican food here in NYC is fucking abysmal. Its kind of like Pizza in California tho, Things are improving here as there is a growing Mexican population and there are some hoods with real Lengua y Sesos on the burrito menu.

Abe Lincoln Jr. Color Ink Book

Click on the Chars Above to Visit His Bird House

Words from Julie West Jun 18
Julie’s art has the uncanny ability to put an instant smile on your face. Here is why….
Juile West bear giraffe Color Ink Book
Toys, clothing, skateboards even luggage; is there something you what to do but haven’t done yet?
Well, yes - I would love to do housewares. A set of plates and bowls and mugs. Plus things like bed sheets. I love putting artwork on useful everyday things.
Paul McCarty and Ringo Star are falling of a cliff and you can only save one; who would it be?
Probably Paul McCartney. Ringo Star annoys me a bit, though to be honest I am not even really sure why.
antlers Juile West Color Ink Book
Do you feel like a “UK” artist or just an artist?
I think probably just an artist. I am originally American, only moved to the UK about 3 and a half years ago. I now have dual nationality which makes things confusing. If there was an island in the middle of the ocean between the two I’d probably feel most at home there. Moving to a new country changes the way you look at where you came from, yet parts of the new culture will never feel like they are yours. So, I don’t really feel like either completely.
As a child what was your favorite story?
I used to read non stop. I don’t really anymore, so thats a bit sad I suppose. I loved everything - Nancy Drew, the Superfudge books - a book called “The Girl with the Silver Eyes”, about a bunch of kids that had super powers. I once considered trying to use paint pen to color my eyes silver to be like them, but thankfully I didn’t.
dentist  Juile West Color Ink Book
Your work has a very “Julie West” feel to it; where does your style come from?
I often wonder that myself. If I look back, I think that I became attracted to certain materials before a style of drawing. I think the tools that I like to use (gouache, technical pens) affected how I drew. I originally wanted to be a graphic designer - so I think that the flatness and graphical quality stem from that. I also loved old engineering and technical drawings, so the linework was probably from that.
Heard any good news lately?
hmmm - not really! I just bought a car though, and its the best thing ever, its a Nissan Pao and I <3 it.
ninjagirl sketch Juile West Color Ink Book
Who is creating music worth listening to?
Tunng, Venetian Snares, and my lovely husband.
Would you rather fly or breath underwater?
Fly - I wouldnt like to be underwater for long periods of time. Though, I am a good swimmer, it would drive me a bit batty.
juliewest stitched Sublime Stiching Colro Ink Book
Do you feel like the 2000’s have defined themselves yet?
Not at all really. It feels like the 80’s and 90’s all over again. Maybe I’m just getting old. :)
Sandwich or burrito?
Sandwich!
julie west Reach Color Ink Book
Click on the Bear Head and See More of Julie’s Work
Words from Amy Davis Jun 18

To say Amy Davis is a fashion illustrator is an understatement. She is an actress, songstress, paniter; maybe it is best to say she is a Jill of all trades!

Amy Davis Color Ink Book Coloring bookYour art always seems fresh; where do you find inspiration?

I actually don’t find inspiration …it finds me…bites me and proceeds to push me to create, express and all that yummy good stuff.
When I look for it (or PUSH it) …it’s too hard/evasive and I find my work suffers. When I am tooooo desperate to create something cool and sweet and edgy … what comes out is TOTALLY CONTRIVED….YEECH! Oh so ART SCHOOL 101. SOoooooo rendered and overworked that it is basically NOT ART… It used to be embarrassing…Like how can I rock SO HARD on this weirdo cool drawing I just did WITHOUT THINKING on a cocktail napkin at 1 am in a club?? BUT on a huge big deadline I am blocking and putting out such overworked stressed out junk??(don’t worry the big wigs never see the BAD STUFF) BUT just being inept enough to draw that BAD used to FREAK ME OUT. You are either ON or not…and no one is always ON. So where do I get inspiration.. I DUNNNOOOOO!!! NOWHERE and EVERYWHERE. But I do know it won’t come knocking if I’m thinking about it or engaging my grey matter. Lobotomies are quite useful. What I try to do is rock the “no mind” Zen master stuff and let the Universe sorta flow into me and I usually have NO IDEA what is going to flow outta my hands…CRAZY(GOOD CRAZY) and just how I likes it! Oh yeah this took about 20 years to master and I still have trouble…heehheheeee C’est La Vie No?

Do you feel more East Coast or West Coast?

Oh no you didn’t!!!

I feel torn between both, but I do rock the East Coast ‘tude being born on Strong Island and going into town(NYC) as a youngster art… nay NERD kid. I like the chilled out West coast vibe but I thrive on the East Coast pressure and PIZZA!

Amy Davis Color Ink Book Coloring book

How did you get in to film?

The year was 1987 …I was at a party in Pawtucket, Rhode Island (and a freshman at RISD…and I was quite DeathRok) and I saw this really hot guy in a puke green moth eaten sweater and messed up shall we say punk rock albiet it was infact a much more scum rock hairdo. I stared at him decided he was the prize. WHO knew the dude made films?? As an EX stage kid (remember Long Island ?) Well… I come from ShowBiz folks..My Dad was Jazz great, trumpeter MEL DAVIS. They wanted me to act fo ever. I was all that is “SO CHEESY I cannot believe it…I AM AN ARTEEST!!” I was all of 10 years old…so 7 years later when I met and fell hard
for Mr. JON MORITSUGU(the orange haired scuzzy yummy boy from la party) and he queried if I would in fact be in his latest MAGNUM OPUS I agreed…cuz I LOOoOoOoved him! So at the ripe old age of 19, I read for MY DEGENERATION and he cast me as JUSTINE B the fun lovin’ hard parting drummer in the all girl” ROCK FOR THE BEEF INDUSTRY” band FETISH…Can you say SEMIOTICS!?? I fully went for it cuz(as you know) I LoOoOoOoOoOoved him and still thought filmmaking was nerdy(RE: DRAMA CLUB??)…BUT he was in a cool band SOoOOoo it evened out. I rocked the VERITE and the flick got into SUNDANCE and some HBO dude was all into my perf BUT I held fast and preached I AM AN ARTEEST I shan’t go to LA LA LAND and act…Can you say…STUBBORN and Full o’ it? Sooooo… I guess that blew up in my face cuz I did go WEST to FRISKY FRISCO and at 24 years old made MOD FUCK EXPLOSION(I played a teenaged virgin obsessing on all things cool… LEATHER JACKET anyone?) Then TERMINAL USA funded by PBS..(!)And produced by FOCUS FEATURES Head honcho JAMES SCHAMUS…Think BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN…this is the mainstream. Next up was FAME WHORE(I was a yuppie stoner from HELL) Lastly SCUMROCK…with TVOTR’s Kyp Malone!!! He’s an old pal from Frisco…And he MADE IT. I get all goose bumply thinking about it!!! SO that’s a mouthful! TO SUMMARIZE:
I got into flicks cuz I had a crush on the director…BUT I then MARRIED him and VIOLA NEPOTISM ROCKS! Oh yeah I will never act in anyone’s films BUT Jon’s. Plus he let me co write and shoot SCUMROCK so he likes me too…heehhe.

What is you favorite breakfast food?

OOOH LA LA! Black coffee and dinner fare…I KNOW I don’t eat anything breakfasty in the MORN… So perhaps coffee and a buffalo burger? or pizza? YUMMERS!!! OH yeah and roasted beetz…I gotsa have MY BEETS! I have a weird make up.

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Do you ever miss NYC?

OH MY GAWD YEAH!!! I miss it but in that old ’80s way…St.Marks…the Village…Bleecker Bobs…CBGBS(where I had a fake wedding whilst HELLEVATOR played) I MISS NYC!!!! You got me…I do get off on the REAL HOUSE WIVES of NY and NJ cuz i GREW UP with peeps like that…crazy and very OBNOXIOUS but never booooring.

Who would you most like to colab with and on what?

OH MAN! I wanna collab with YSL and do like the MURAKAMI dealio…OR NIKE and do bugged out AMY DAVIS tooned out NIKES…AND I dig KID
ROBOT and uh….SO MANY!!!! I’d love to do ad’s for big fashion houses ala CHANEL and freaky stylee ones ala BECKERMANS…I wanna be like Pharrel (did i spell
right?) of N.E.R.D. with his line Billionaire boys club….Have my own LINE!!!! I’m all about big mainstream infection…I wanna infect the world with my art…TRITE but TRUE. With fat cat investors!!!!

Amy Davis Color Ink Book Coloring Book Color Ink Book Your color pallet is so vivid is that a reflection of you?

My palette got way more vivid post shock treatment ala Rothko…NO NO I jest!!! The colors may in fact be a reflection of me..I never thought of it
that way…Very interesting(Freud accent) I hate bland …a reaction to all the badly lit films of the 1980s/badly done art(PHOTOREALISM??)…the badly decorated homes and people of my youth made me jump on the tweeked out color train a ch ch chuggin down the pysch out tracks…AND like I said…I dunno how I pick the colors…THEY pick me…see question 1.

What project are you most proud of?

OH MAN! THAT A HARD ONE!!!! I have to say artistically my drawing BLESS, musically (I ROCK!!!) my song I DUNNO from my band LOW ON HIGH
(9 minutes of pure rock genius…yeah I’m humble) Film wise…my acting in MOD FUCK EXPLOSION cuz people REALLY THINK that’s ME!!! BUT all pale to our ROCK CAMP we started when we lived in the Pacific Northwest…Jon and I taught these AMAZING youngin’z how to jam, record and a wee bit of marketing(heheh true!) So paying it forward with the kids warmed this chick’s cockles…what is a cockle?

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Who are you listening to right now?

My friend’s band ST.J…he does a mean cover of OLD MAN RIVER and PUFF the MAGIC DRAGON! Also some COACHWHIPS and KILLDOZER (Last Night Jon picked but they didn’t totally suck) LOTSA WEEN…my fave band AND I will now NAME DROP.. ..sorta..I wrote them a fanny letter AND MICKEY WROTE ME
BAAACK!! or maybe it was an intern.. plus I loves the hardcore Gabber,NWA,all the Li’ls Jon+Wayne ect THIS MORTAIL COIL…the Kanye and the classical..MOZART! Can I get a witness?

Sandwich or burrito?

BURRITTOOOOOOO! I am in Nouveaux Mexique…slather some x mas stylee sauce on the baby…half red chile half green and stuff it full o’ calabacitas( mix of squashes and onions and roasted swwweeeet corn…OH MAN!)

Color Ink Book Makeover Amy Davis Rocks!Click on the Gal Above to See More of Amy’s Brilliance

Words from Steff Bomb Jun 14

Steff with a sewing machine is like Picasso with a brush. 

Steff Bomb I Make Monsters Color Ink Book

First off you just put in your two weeks to focus more on art; what does that translate to?

It means more sewing, less eating.  Gulp.

What makes for the best midnight snack? 

Anything that is a one step process.  The idea assembling food is not an option when I am half asleep.  So handfuls of cereal, slices of cheese, cookies…if I can pick up and eat it right away, it’s perfect.

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Are there going to be any new additions to the I Make Monsters line?

Yes sir!  There will be plenty of handmade goodness is in store for this summer.  I am especially excited to complete a lot of unfinished projects.  I think I have a whole bins worth by now.

How did you get to be so awesome?

I learned it from watching you! 

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Who would win in a fight between an elephant and a giant clam?

My money is on giant clam.  No doubt about it.  I mean, he is a GIANT clam!  That’s a huge factor in this battle. What is the elephant gonna do?  Never forget the beating of a lifetime, that’s what.

Any “must see” T.V. or are you to busy for that?

America’s Next Top Model.  Don’t judge me.

Steff Bomb I Make Monsters Color Ink Book PONY put your quarter up

What is the weirdest thing you’ve had on a pizza pie?

I have definitely longed to be Michelangelo and put gummy bears and candy hearts on my pepperoni pizza.  Nothing too weird though.

Where is the coolest (fun/hip not weather) place you’ve ever visited?

Mülheim An Der Ruhr, Germany.  Most beautiful bike ride ever.

Steff Bomb I Make Monsters Color Ink Book two turntables and a micro-nome

A night out with Steff is not complete without what?

Getting food all over myself.  I am a mess.  My boyfriend has said, “Watching Steff eat is like watching Jackson Pollock paint”.

Sandwich or Burrito?

Sand-rrito???  I don’t think I am able to make that kind of decision, sir.

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Click the Halibut to See More of Steff’s Awesomeness! 

 

 

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Words from +Eyeformation+ or +EF+ Jun 13

Cute, happy, dark and scary: Beautiful!

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What is the story behind the City Bird?

+EF+: CITY BIRD was a character that I had been kicking around for a few years before the project ever started. Its simplicity made it very easy to put out as a “DIY” (Design it Yourself) open call project. I made the template available on my site in 2007. Since then, I have received hundreds of customized CITY BIRDS from all around the world. The PDF is still on my site so I welcome anyone interested to come join the flock.

Ever wanted to wrestle an alligator?

+EF+: I toured with the Animal & Reptile wrestling circuit from 1998-2003. Lots of travels, smiles and scars. I’ve since retired and have no plan of turning back.

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What is the best movie remake?

I guess the remake of Kevin Bacon’s “Quick Silver” tops my list.

When was the last time you locked you keys in your car?

+EF+: Can’t really remember the last time when a car was involved. Those key fob things make it quite difficult actually. However, I do lock myself out of my studio about three days a week.

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Your design seems to vary from project to project where do you find inspiration?

+EF+: I find inspiration in any area of blank space. Places that need to be filled with lines,dots and sometimes color. Projects are a great way for me to shift my interests around.

What’s with the moniker +Eyeformation+?

+EF+: There’s really no cool story or meaning behind the name eyeformation. Its just what I’ve been working under for the past nine years. I plan on inventing an interesting answer for this question in the future.

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Who has influenced you most?

+EF+: Mr. Television. He always there in the background.

Do you remember the first time you used spray paint?

+EF+: In 1983 I spray painted my bike. Chrome was the rage so I converted my flat black Huffy into a crude silver creation. Unfortunately, the results were not well received.

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What is your favorite flavor of Doritos?

+EF+: These things kill me. But if I had to choose it would be the Cool Ranch variety. However, I’m only good to eat about 10 chips.

Sandwich or Burrito?

+EF+: Burrito with rice and bean hold the meat. Wait no… Sandwich! The variety options are endless with a sandwich. I much prefer bread over flour wraps.

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