"Balloon" by Johnny Crap

What’s your name?

Jonathan Bergeron

Where did you grow up?

Beloeil, a suburb of Montreal in Quebec.

Where do you live now?

Montreal.

How old are you?

ugh, 38

What is your educational background? What, if anything, did you study?

I am a self taught artist, who studied graffiti, punk/harcore album covers & skateboard deck art on his own time.

"BMX Viking" by Johnny Crap

How do you make a living?

It’s a 50/50 split between “Fine” art & band shirt designs.

How long have you been making art, and what role does that play in your life?

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember but I really fell into art when I started doing graffiti in the early 90′s. Around 95 I picked up the brushes when my mother gave me her set of oil paint.

I am now lucky enough to say that art is what I do, my personal escape & on top of it it’s my “Job”.

"Jackalope" - Johnny Crap

What does “art” mean to you?

That’s a tough one. Not sure how to answer that.

What role does drawing play in your work? Is it a means to an end, or an end in and of itself?

I love drawing, I even sometime prefer looking at drawings from other artists more than their paintings. I find that it gives you a better insight to their true personality.
& there is no end.

What would you consider your “style” of art to be, if you have one?

I would fall into the Pop-Surrealist category…

"Shreddin Zombie" - Johnny Crap

What’s your weapon of choice? What medium and drawing tool do you prefer to use?

For drawings, I always love pencil but most of my inking is done with a simple Pentel Pocket Brush pen. Rives paper is also a favourite.

Are there any people that influenced you that stand out? What current artists do you follow?

Todd Scorr, Robert Williams, Rick Griffin, Jim Phillips are old faves, and right now I really like Craola, Martin Wittfooth, Travis Louie & Viktor Safonkin’s artwork. I have a terrible memory of names, I could probably think of hundreds but can’t remember anything that isn’t an image. Haha.

What are you currently working on?

A couple of commissions, including a Mona Lisa/Calavera mash up for another artist as well as a couple of themed paintings for group shows at Gallery 1988.

"Sideshow Pigeon" - Johnny Crap

What would you tell aspiring artists?

To keep at it. Try to find their own thing & to push it. It’s not easy, lots of ups & down, especially if that’s all you do, but at the end it’s worth it because you do it for yourself by yourself.

What websites can we find you on?

You can purchase my work through Yves Laroche Gallery
I have a blog that has older stuff, johnnycrap.com & I maintain a TUMBLR site until my real site is ready: johnnycrap.tumblr.com

"Oldschool Line art" - Johnny Crap

Related posts:

1. “Making work makes me want to make more work” – Interview with Henry St.Leger (aka Sainty WHAT)
2. “The Drawing Is the Most Important Part” – Interview with Matt K. Smith
3. Matt Cassan: Charcoal Art and Interview

"Renee" by Matt Cassan

Matt Cassan sits down for a brief interview with Drawn in Black.  His charcoal art is splendid and I especially like his women on bed.  Thanks to Matt for participating.

What’s your name?

Matt Cassan

Where did you grow up?

Port Colborne, Ontario

Where do you live now?

Toronto

How old are you?

35

What is your educational background? What, if anything, did you study?

I started off at Niagara College, in Welland taking Visual Creative Arts and Design. Then I kind of did a year of Fine arts at Brock University (the program wasn’t for me). Then I went to Sheridan College for Classical Animation.

How do you make a living?

I work in animation as a character designer/production artist. I also teach Life Drawing at Seneca College.

"Rival" by Matt Cassan

How long have you been making art, and what role does that play in your life?

My parents tell me that I’ve been drawing since I was 2-3 (mostly garbage trucks and street cleaners then). Now art is my career and my hobby. I draw in my free time, paint digitally, and dabble in photography.

What does “art” mean to you?

I think something is ‘art’ the moment it is labeled ‘art’ by someone, however I don’t think that necessarily makes it good or appealing. I’m attracted to art that required skill and talent to create it. I like art that changes my view of its subject… art that shows me something in a way I’d never considered looking at it before. I like Art that’s challenges me.

What role does drawing play in your work? Is it a means to an end, or an end in and of itself?

It’s both. For some work I’ll draw first and paint over top…other times I’ll just draw.

What would you consider your “style” of art to be, if you have one?

I’m not really sure … I guess it’s realism, although I try to be expressive with a lot of the figure drawing I do.

"Amanda" by Matt Cassan

What’s your weapon of choice? What medium and drawing tool do you prefer to use?

I change it up all the time. My standard for Life Drawing is conte or NuPastel and newsprint. But I often use craft paper too. For longer drawings I like to use charcoal and handmade paper, with big chunks of grit embedded in it. I’m also a big fan of drawing digitally, so Flash for work, and Photoshop and Artrage for fun.

What approach do you take for your work? Do you plan it out or does it emerge spontaneously? How long do you usually work on a piece?

My figure drawings are from 30 seconds to 3 hours. I enjoy the 5 to 30 minute drawings the best I think. The longer drawings that I use photo reference for take 5 to 20 hours-ish so they’re planned. I print out several copies of the same photo in different tonal ranges so I can see all of the value and form. Often the photos are of figure drawing models, or people I know or have drawn before, so that makes it easier. It’s hard to keep track of how long each one takes because I’ll just keep it on an easel and work on it in passing. Sometimes for hours, sometimes for 10 – 20 minutes at time.

Untitled (Woman on Bed) by Matt Cassan

Are there any people that influenced you that stand out? What current artists do you follow?

I admire and am inspired by a ton of artists … too many to list… off the top of my head … Henry Yan, James Jean, Craig Mullins …

I really like the art of the old illustrators, Albert Dorne, Bob Peak … My mom had Norman Rockwell collectors plates around the dining room and I used to draw those as well.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve almost always got a drawing on the go, and I’m practicing my painting in Photoshop. Plus I’m really enjoying my SLR, so I’ve been playing with that as well,

What would you tell aspiring artists?

Listen to everything you’ve heard about drawing through the form, and learning how to see. Use online resources to get feedback on your work from other artists.

Untitled (Charcoal Torso Drawing) by Matt Cassan

Untitled (Sitting Woman) by Matt Cassan

Related posts:

1. “The Drawing Is the Most Important Part” – Interview with Matt K. Smith
2. Interview with Jonathan Bergeron aka Johnny Crap
3. “Art is everything, and everywhere” – Interview with Jeff Henriquez

"Chameleon Tree King" by Henry St.Leger

What’s your name?

Henry St.Leger

Where did you grow up?

A town called Bridport in Dorset

Where do you live now?

Bristol

How old are you?

28

What is your educational background? What, if anything, did you study?

I have a degree in illustration with animation from UWE in Bristol.

Self Portrait by Henry St.Leger

How do you make a living?

I am a freelance Illustrator, Animator, Character designer and Storyboard artist.

How long have you been making art, and what role does that play in your life?

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I used to sit there with a pile of paper my parents had got me and my brother and draw constantly.

It’s hugely important in my life and I still draw in my down time. I think I’d still make images even if it wasn’t what I did for a living. I was not very good at very much else at school and nothing brings me more pleasure.

What does “art” mean to you?

I think art can cover so much. I think it has to be something that makes you feel something. So much of it is a gut feeling that happens when you first see a piece or hear some music or watch a film or animation. You know almost instantly. For me Art is something that inspires and pushes my own work or makes me look at something differently.

What role does drawing play in your work? Is it a means to an end, or an end in and of itself?

I work in illustration or even just drawing for the pleasure of doing so, it’s what I want to do and I don’t particually care if it sells or if people even like it (although both are always nice).

Making work makes me want to make more work and develop and evolve as an artist.

What would you consider your “style” of art to be, if you have one?

I would consider my art to have an illustrative style. For years I thought I was a fine artist but then on my foundation course someone pointed out that I was an illustrator. I sat there and looked through my sketchbooks and realised how obvious it was.

"Tree Whale King" by Henry St.Leger

What’s your weapon of choice? What medium and drawing tool do you prefer to use?

By far my favorite pen is the Pentel Brush Pen. I spent a while looking for a good brush pen and this is the best by far. It doesn’t dry out and keeps its shape beautifully. You can achieve such fine lines and massive fat ones with one pen.

I also use a Pilot G-Tec-C4 for super fine work. I hold a pen at a strange angle and so a lot of fine liners end up breaking or become stubby. This is a super fine roller ball that holds up.

Some of my work is done digitally on Photoshop. I learnt to use it so much in the industry i work in and you can do so much with it. However there are things i can do on it that i can’t do hand drawn and vice versa.

What approach do you take for your work? Do you plan it out or does it emerge spontaneously? How long do you usually work on a piece?

It can vary really. I usually doodle in a sketchbook and when I draw something I like I develop it further and then sometimes that develops into a more final piece outside my sketchbook on a lager scale.

Sometimes I draw an image straight off and it doesn’t need any more work to it. Often these more spontaneous drawings are what I consider my best.

I often make a pencil plan first and then go over in the pen if I am planning composition a little more. For example with the large skull piece called ‘Nest’ i did i made a rough pencil line showing the shape of a skull on the page and then went straight on with pen to make the detail that makes up the piece.

I work pretty quickly. I have quite a short attention span when it comes to my work. I need to get the image on the page. The ‘Nest’ image i mentioned before was probably my largest piece. It’s about two meters squared. It took me two long evenings to complete.

"Nest" by Henry St.Leger

Are there any people that influenced you that stand out? What current artists do you follow?

Ralph Steadman was a huge influence to my work and also comic book artists like Jack Kirby have made their mark.

At the moment I’m really into Charles Burns. His graphic novel Black Hole is a lesson in black and white illustration. I have a massive signed screen print of one of the panels from it above my desk at home. I’m trying to get some of his style to rub off on me.

I’ve been making screen printed gig posters through a company called Jacknife who are based in Bristol. The world of gig posters has a huge amount of very talented artists and designers that have inspired some new approaches and ways of working. One artist that particually caught my eye recently is Aaron Horkey. His attention to detail is mind blowing.

Whilst I was growing up my brother, Sam St.Leger, was a huge influence. We now have very different styles but i still get inspiration from his work.

I am also lucky to be amongst some hugely talented illustrators and artists who I can bounce ideas off of and I think we influence each other.

What are you currently working on?

My day job at the moment is at Aardman Animations doing some photoshop work and a bit of animation.

In my spare time I’m currently designing a gig poster for the band Chew Lips.

Also me and my brother have been discussing an animation project for a few years now. I am determined to get it going this year.

Do you have any upcoming events?

I’ve got a joing show called ‘Deep into the Woods’ with a load of very talented individuals in May at a gallery above Start the Bus in Bristol.

The show is including work from:

Stuart Kolakovic
Log Roper
Jon Boam
Matthew the Horse
Seb Burnett
Dave Bain
Rosie Miles
Amy Brown
Paul Roberts

What would you tell aspiring artists?

I don’t know really. Just keep at it I suppose. If you really want to do it keep pushing. I’m freelance and it is pretty hard work sometimes but when it pulls off it can be so rewarding.

"Big canvas" by Henry St.Leger

"Big canvas" (detail) by Henry St.Leger

Related posts:

1. Interview with Jonathan Bergeron aka Johnny Crap
2. “The Drawing Is the Most Important Part” – Interview with Matt K. Smith
3. Matt Cassan: Charcoal Art and Interview

Illustration Friday - "Surrender" by Lee Clemmer

Here’s my entry for “Surrender”, this week’s topic for Illustration Friday.  The concept here was inspired by Enter the Void, an amazing movie I think everyone should go see, which deals with what happens after death (based on the afterlife conception as written in the Tibetan Book of the Dead).  Basically the idea here is one of surrendering oneself in the moments after death.  Unfortunately the illustration here isn’t as clean as I would’ve liked, there just wasn’t the time!

The drawing was done using a Pigma Brush Pen and watercolor.

Related posts:

1. “Making work makes me want to make more work” – Interview with Henry St.Leger (aka Sainty WHAT)
2. “The Drawing Is the Most Important Part” – Interview with Matt K. Smith
3. Interview with Jonathan Bergeron aka Johnny Crap

"Geist" by Matt K. Smith

In our ongoing series of artist interviews, I was able to catch up with Matt Smith, illustrator and artist in San Diego, California.  Matt has some great figure drawing work displayed on his sites that form the basis for his superb illustrations, often of the fantasy or horror genre.

Thanks to Matt for agreeing to participate.

What’s your name?

Matt Smith

Where did you grow up?

Endwell, NY

Where do you live now?

San Diego, CA

How old are you?

30

What is your educational background? What, if anything, did you study?

I got a degree in Illustration, but I am where I am today because of Watts Atelier, a traditional figure drawing and painting school in Encinitas, CA, and all the hard work I have put into it. I still take classes there, as good as my drawings are, I still have lots to learn.

"Untitled (Female Head)" by Matt K. Smith

How do you make a living?

I create fantasy and horror illustrations for different companies.

What does “art” mean to you?

This is kind of a hard question since the word art and artist now applies to so many things these days. I am not the deep “artsy” type of person exactly. For me I guess I use art to create things, but not “abstract”, bizarre stuff, but tangible and understandable. Anyone can look at my work and understand it, it’s a monster, a person, its a skull, etc, just trying to take these things and make an interesting story. As well as all the figure drawings and paintings that I have done, they are not in depth pieces of art, just practice and training so I can get good and keep getting better, nothing more or nothing less. I hope that answered the question.

How long have you been making art, and what role does that play in your life?

I have been drawing since I can remember. I used to draw all my favorite video game and cartoon characters, such as Super Mario, Godzilla, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mega Man, the list goes on.

"Godzilla Sketch" by Matt K. Smith

What role does drawing play in your work? Is it a means to an end, or an end in and of itself?

Drawing and learning how to draw is very important in my work. When it comes to creating a finished piece, the drawing is the most important part. Flashy rendering and awesome paint strokes can never save a piece if the foundational drawing is lacking.

Are there any people that influenced you that stand out? What current artists do you follow?

Besides my teachers at Watts Atelier (Jeff Watts, Erik Gist, Meadow Gist, Lucas Graciano, Ben Young, and Stan Prokopenko) I have many artists that influence my work. Here is a short list of people whose work I enjoy looking at: Zhoaming Wu, Joseph Clement Coll, Frank Frazetta, Phil Hale, James Gurney, Steve Huston, John Asaro, Glen Orbik, Richard Schmid, and many many more.

What would you consider your “style” of art to be, if you have one?

I guess I would say that I have several “styles” (though I don’t really like that word) depending on the client I am working with, but mostly I consider myself a traditional illustrator and figurative artist.

"Untitled (Sitting Woman)" by Matt K. Smith

What’s your weapon of choice? What medium and drawing tool do you prefer to use?

I mostly use pencils, pens, conte charcoal pencils, and oil paint. I am also a good digital painter, but I don’t use it so much now, I prefer getting a real painting as opposed to something that doesn’t really exist.

What approach do you take for your work? Do you plan it out or does it emerge spontaneously? How long do you usually work on a piece?

When I create an illustration for a client everything is planned out, starting with small thumbnail sketches, to a finished drawing and then to the painting. When I draw or paint from life, it is planned out as well, but much more spontaneous due to the fact I only have a few hours to create an image.

What are you currently working on?

Creating designer T Shirt illustrations for Remetee. I get to draw a lot of skulls which is fun! And also working on some personal projects.

"Grunt" by Matt K. Smith

What would you tell aspiring artists?

Do lots of research before you pick out a school to go to. If you want to do figurative types of work like I do, I would suggest not going to college and go to a traditional figure drawing school like Watts Atelier. Check out the Art Renewal Center for schools. Also try to always keep a positive attitude, a negative attitude only gets in the way. Anyone can get as good as me and better, you just got to find the right place to learn and work real hard.

Anything you would like share and let us know?

There is another Matt Smith artist out there. He is an awesome plein air painter, I wish I could paint half as good as he can. Just letting you know I am not that Matt Smith!

"Untitled (Asian Male Head)" by Matt K. Smith

Related posts:

1. Matt Cassan: Charcoal Art and Interview
2. Interview with Jonathan Bergeron aka Johnny Crap
3. “Making work makes me want to make more work” – Interview with Henry St.Leger (aka Sainty WHAT)

"True Love Waits" by Eduardo Recife

Eduardo Recife seems to me that rare talents who’s work is both distinctly his own and in tune with the times.  This Brazilian illustrator has an impressive list of gigs under his belt, including a cover for a New York Times article and ads for Upper Playground – check out his professional portfolio for more.  He’s developed a fun “mash-up” typography and was even voted as one of the Top 10 Fonts of 2008 on MyFonts.

His personal site is misprinted type, itself a collage like many of his art pieces.  On version 4 now, you can see still the previous versions. As he puts it, it’s his “personal playground” and also features many of his great drawings.

Eduardo was kind enough to partake in our interview.  Here’s what he had to say:

What’s your name?

Eduardo Recife

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

Brazil

How old are you?

29

What is your educational background? What, if anything, did you study?

I graduated in Graphic Design (even though I consider myself self-taught).

"Question Everything" by Eduardo Recife

How do you make a living?

Illustration, art and type.

What does “art” mean to you?

It means something that touches you somehow.

How long have you been making art, and what role does that play in your life?

I’ve been drawing since I was a little kid. But I started doing it professionally 11 years ago. I guess its something that was born with me, sometimes I just have an urge to produce.

"Judge Not" by Eduardo Recife

What role does drawing play in your work? Is it a means to an end, or an end in and of itself?

I usually draw things that are in my head. A large portion of my work was about things I was searching for answers, things that bothered me, or made me full of joy.

Are there any people that influenced you that stand out? What current artists do you follow?

I think tht Eric Boucheron from antitext.com was probably the guy that influenced me the most when I just started working with collage. I still think that the stuff he did 10 years ago was fantastic! Nowadays Im very much into abstract art.

"Heal" by Eduardo Recife

What would you consider your “style” of art to be, if you have one?

I’m not really into categories.

What’s your weapon of choice? What medium and drawing tool do you prefer to use?

I really love everything; Collage, drawings, painting… But drawing is probably something Im more obsessed with. I draw all the time.

"Are You Together" by Eduardo Recife

Thanks Eduardo for taking the time to interview and sharing your fantastic work with us! Hope to see more from you in the future

Related posts:

1. Selecting Between One Million Possibilities: Drawings and Interview with Andreas Martini
2. Interview with Jonathan Bergeron aka Johnny Crap
3. “The Drawing Is the Most Important Part” – Interview with Matt K. Smith

Untitled (Zombie Head) by Scott Move

Jim Phillips on acid – that’s kind of what the art of Scott Move reminds me of, and why I was so excited when he got in touch with me.  The interwoven imagery looks almost like the T-2000 burning in the molten steel at the end of Terminator 2;  the clear black lines have a visceral and uncompromising feel to them.  Can’t wait to see more of these kind of drawings.

Scott graciously agreed to fill out the Drawn in Black Artist Interview, so here’s what he had to say:

DiB: Where did you grow up? and where do you live now?

Scott: Essex in the south east of the U.K.

How old are you?

Never ask an artist his age! I’m 33.

What is your educational background? What, if anything, did you study?

I studied art at school and college until I realised it was a bit of a huge waste of time for me. I learned all the basics from my mum and the rest was all guess work and a series of mistakes.  I don’t want to draw apples thanks.

How do you make a living?

Unfortunately I have to work a full day every day in construction. Theres no way I can make enough money from artwork to pay my rent and increasing phone bills. I dislike the work i do immensely, but can’t survive without it. Hopefully I can one day start to make a living creatively but until then, its a double life for me….

What does “art” mean to you?

I really have no idea. Some kind of expression of feeling or emotion. Whats the correct answer to that?

Trauma by Scott Move

How long have you been making art, and what role does that play in your life?

I’ve been making art for years, with the encouragement form my mum to do something creative every day, no matter what. I still try and do that. It plays a huge part in my life now as I spend nearly all my spare time drawing stuff (and then re-drawing it) – either for myself or for some kind of commision. I tend to feel like I’m wasting my time if I’m not drawing, I get a bit irritable.

What role does drawing play in your work?  Is it a means to an end, or an end in and of itself?

Well, as far as my artwork, its all I really do, so its the begining and the end. I dont have the patience or the skills to use computer programmes so its all hand drawn or nothing at all. Very time consuming but i like it that way.

Are there any people that influenced you that stand out? What current artists do you follow?

There are hundreds of artists that are influential, far too many to mention. I think anyone who does what they do from the heart is pretty much doing it for the right reasons. Theres some truly incredible artwork out there from all eras, its all an influence at some point. Nothing is original.

***

Thanks to Scott for taking the time to answer these questions and sharing his artwork.  You can find Scott online at his blog I SAW NOTHING, on MySpace, Twitter, or Fecal Face.

Everything is Under Control by Scott Move

Untitled (Filled With Hate Flyer) by Scott Move

Yoink by Scott Move

Related posts:

1. “Kristoff” by Richard T. Scott
2. “The Drawing Is the Most Important Part” – Interview with Matt K. Smith
3. "Barn Interior" by Scott Tulay

Construction by Ange Dudman

Recently I had the good fortune of being contacted by New Zealand artist Ange Dudman, who shared with me a number of her charcoal drawings that I’m delighted to share with you now.  Ange, 31, finished her Bachelor’s in Visual Art & Design at EIT Hawke’s Bay (see it on a map) after leaving life in the corporate world at Cadbury Confectionary in Auckland.  She now lives in rural New Zealand, may take up art teaching and is considering pursuing her Master’s.

My first impressions of these drawings was that they possessed some of the same qualities as old childhood memories: distant but laden with emotion.  Things aren’t exactly in focus, but rather a bit faded and blurry, but the mood and feeling is very much present.  As is the case with the human psyche in general, what these drawings convey and communicate is complex and multi-dimensional.  I’m reminded of those early memories that will sometimes bubble up into consciousness for no apparent reason, random snapshots in time that have meaning not in content but in feeling.

In the artist’s own words:

… to me they also speak of fading memories, of loss and very much of silence. There is also for me a sense of disconnection from the works as some of the images used are from my own past and I often wonder if I remember the actual event or if my only memory of it is encased in the photograph, and all the details leading up to and after are lost or irrelevant.

People have often commented to me on recognizing their memories in the works, such as in Outside, the resounding opinion is dull, rainy saturday or sunday afternoon, hours to wait until dinner and sleep…

Outside by Ange Dudman

I guess the works may have intrinsic power as they feature images of children or childhood, but not in the standard cute or pretty format, nor with any intention or imagery set to disturb or shock. My intention for the viewer is that the works are quiet but not restful, they are familiar but distant and they provoke far more questions than they can answer. I think they achieve this. There is a notion here in New Zealand, of a cultural mood called the “New Zealand Gothic” (not to be confused with the Goth trend or fashion). This is based on early european immigration into a hard land, the dark, the cold, formal and the unspoken (think the movie The Piano etc.) the undercurrent of violence and hardship. I guess these artworks fit here also in dealing with children but not the childlike.

I think that’s a perfect way to describe these drawings: “quiet but not restful, they are familiar but distant and they provoke far more questions than they can answer.”  I think they achieve this as well.

If you are interested to learn more about “New Zealand Gothic” (something I hadn’t previously heard of), check out this article on Art & Australia on the topic.

Thanks to Ange for sharing her work with me; unfortunately I cannot link to a website, but hopefully we will see more of her work in the future.  In the meantime, tell us what you think in the comments section.

Curtsy by Ange Dudman

How You Said It Would Be by Ange Dudman

Courtesy on Stairs by Ange Dudman

Us and Them by Ange Dudman

Related posts:

1. Drawings by Wonman Kim

Back in Black T-Shirt by Godmachine

Aziz a.k.a. Godmachine is an illustrator based out of Wales, UK, with some seriously nasty skills. Growing up and working as an electrician and bricklayer as a young lad, it was skateboard graphics through which he rekindled his connection to art.  Influenced by artists such as Horsebites, Gieger, Aubrey Beardlsy, Klimt, and Richard James, it is probably fair to say that he does a bit of influencing himself these days.  As a freelance artist Godmachine’s art graces skateboards and band merchandise such as t-shirts, album covers and posters. Even though he considers himself old-school, he does most of his sketching straight on the computer these days.

I think t-shirt illustrations such as the one show above are a great example his work and what I personally like: gory, detailed illustrations.  His work in general is quite dark, and this is the essence of his appeal I think – at least for a certain type of audience.

If you haven’t done so already, check out Godmachine’s website or blog and put some food on his table by buying his stuff from his store.  There are also a number of interview with Godmachine if you want a deeper look at who he is:

Interview with Godmachine on Abduzeedo

Interview with Godmachine on We are the Zombie Nation

Interview with Godmachine on Creep Machine

Interview with Godmachine by Rockett

Sonisphere Poster by Godmachine

Untitled Sketch by Godmachine

Untitled Sketch by Godmachine

Untitled Sketch by Godmachine

Related posts:

1. “The Drawing Is the Most Important Part” – Interview with Matt K. Smith
2. Untitled (Neck in Straight Jacket) and Others by Hamid Bahrami
3. Drawings by Wonman Kim

Axodendriticore by Paul Stanek

Fillmore by Paul Stanek

As part of this local talent spotlight series, animator Paul Stanek got in touch with me and shared with me some of his amazing work.  Although primarily an animator, Paul also composes large black and white drawings as shown above.  Large-scale trippy drawings are always a personal favorite of mine, and the two above are no exception.

Paul came to Philadelphia after growing up in New York and living in Los Angeles for six years, where he attended the California Institue of the Arts and worked on his Master’s in Experimental Animation.  During that time Paul and a friend of his decided to make cell animations using t-shirts, and the U-Shirt Project was born:

Paul: “We really liked the idea of shooting each frame (shirt) on different people so when the animation was played back it would unify all these people in to one entity, with the animation in the middle being the glue.  The projects and the accompanying U-shirt Party were a smash hit, and we ended up being approached by Viacom to use a similar concept to make a few 30 second spots for Black History Month to be used on their t.v. channels (nickelodeon, vh-1, etc.).”

You can see some of the video clips and additional information on the U-Shirt website.

Thankfully Paul also shared with me a couple time-lapse videos in which he paints directly on a pair of beautiful nude ladies, as seen below.  Take a look for yourself here and here.

Untitled (Painting on Nude Female) by Paul Stanek

Ever the Renaissance Man, you can also find Paul creating music under the Johnny Longmind pseudonym, and he’s recently been signed with a small London label by the name of End Daze Recordings.  You can find some of his music (which is actually pretty damn good) on his MySpace page.

Related posts:

1. Philadelphia Artist: Tom Mulholland
2. Selecting Between One Million Possibilities: Drawings and Interview with Andreas Martini
3. Steel City Artist: Drawings and Interview with Charles Ott