Interview with R.Black

Q)So, can you tell me a little about yourself?Full name, age, some backround info, etc?

A)R.Black,32, gemini, long walks on the beach at sunset.

Q)How did you get started making art?

A)Watching japanese anime on italian TV.

Q)How would you describe your art?

A)pop art/illustration.

Q)Where do you get the inspiration for your art?

A)Depends on the project, if it's a band I try to keep it in theme with them. I derive a lot of inspiration from pulp and film noir art as well as the art nouveau movement.

Q)What are you working on now?

A)Another Original Sin Hard Cider ad and a poster for a halloween themed burlesque show called All Hallows Eve.

Q)Are there some web sites that you would like to recomend? Artists, art communities,xxx,...!?

A)Brian Ewing, Scojo, Guy Burwell, Tara McPherson, Coop are some of my favorites. gigposters.com is a great site if you're into rock posters.

Q)What's your favorite medium to work in, and why?

A)I ink and color in Illustrator because I value the time saved when you can ink and color at the same time, also I like the crispness of the lines and the ability to manipulate without losing quality or resolution.

Q)What advice would you give to younger up and coming artist?

A)Do alot alot of probono work and stick to are cognizable style if you want to start getting paid.When people see your work around they'll start making the connection, connection leds to desirability,desirability leds to getting paid.

Q)What is your personal definition of life and art and everything else in between?

A)"Expect nothing and you'll never be disappointed"Fortune cookie from the Golden Dragon restaurant, art is life and everything in between is just caramel filling.

Q)If your persona were immortalized as a cartoon character, who would it be?

A)Inch High Detective.

Q)What are your artistic influences?

A)Aubrey Beardsley, Alphonse Mucha, Coop, manga, MarvelComics, Jim Lee, Ingres, pulp novels, film noir, art nouveau.

Q) How are the reactions on your work in general?

A)"Hey did you do that "one" poster... no that was Scorjo...or that one...no that was Coop, how come you're not in the Art of Modern Rock book?"

Q)What are you doing when you are not creating art?

A)Wondering why I’m not at home working on that project that was due last week

Q)Tell us about a recent dream you had.

A)I had a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low,the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight.

Q)What is freedom to you as an artist?

A)To get paid to do what you love and to be able to commute 10 seconds in your underwear from your bedroom to your studio

Q)Are there any particular works you've done that stand out as your favorites?

A)I like the Siouxsie poster as well as the Thrill KillKult ones.

Q)Last Books you read?

A)Bride of the Far Side by Gary Larson

Q)Last records you bought?

A)Massive Attack, Trojan Record comps, Johnny Cash,Devotchka, She Wants Revenge.

Q)Who are your favourite artists & Your favourite galleries?

A)Brian Ewing, Scojo, Guy Burwell, Tara McPherson, Coop are some of my favorites. I dont really go to galleries or even know thier names, but Ray at Night in San Diego is pretty good times.

Q)Which do you think make good art good?Originality, or style? And, why?

A)Nothing makes great art, there's no definition or secret to it, one person can view Andres Serrano's Piss Christ as a great work of art, an other as complete garbage, its all subjective.

Q)Your contacts..E-mail...Links...

A) www.rblack.org