From an interview with Photospin
How did you get started?
Drawing pictures on the backs of my books during class in Catholic grammar school. I became something of a star with cartoon commentaries, and by age 13 graduated to large scale chalk versions on the blackboards between class—kept me busy, and constantly in trouble. How many years as a visual artist? I started working part time as a freelance artist while finishing college (Pratt Institute) in 1972-4. I've been at it ever since. Military? Air Force, 1968-71. What's your day job? I've been self-employed as an illustrator and designer for the past 30 years. How do you approach creative problems? As open-ended as possible. I try to get at a simple concept, even a cliched one, and then work with it until it becomes mine. I look at lots of things in the meantime: CA magazine, current publications, art history books, just for a kind of attitude or starting point to approach the page: a palette, or a general style or mood. After that, the process of doing it (the design, the illustration) pretty much takes me through to the finish. I don't use much reference once I've started. Artists who you find innovative? Inspiring? N.C Wyeth, (and Andrew, and Jamie); Brad Holland, Etienne Dellesert, Gary Kelley, Matt Mahurin, Guy Billout. . . Childhood hobby? Collecting lead soldiers. Adult hobbies? Music (guitar since I was 12; folk-rock bands from 16-35); horseback riding; tennis; history. . . and collecting lead soldiers. What is your current desktop background? My girlfriend, Jen, dancing.. Favorite joke? Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. Music of choice? Mixed: Miles Davis (1940-50); Tord Gustavson; Brad Mehldau; Chris Botti; East Village Opera Company; Pat Metheney; Diana Krall; Stacey Kent; Mark Knopfler; Greg Brown; Bruce Springsteen. |
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