Interview with Jennifer J.Jelenski

q) Introduce yourself first please?

a)Hello, My name is Jennifer J. Jelenski, some know me as Sacred Skull or J3. I'm from Chicago, my family lives just outside of it. I went to the American Academy of Art. I also study life drawing whenever it fits my schedule.
I live in Los angeles Ca. with my Husband, Chad Schoonover and our dog, Bruno.

q) Where do you live and work?

a)I live in a neighborhood within L.A. known as Los Feliz. I have studio space within our home.

q) How did you started? How have you realized you wanted to become an artist?

a)I started drawing when I was 2 years old. I knew right away, I just had to survive the folks saying, "Don't do that, you'll never make any money."

q) What materials do you use and why?

a)I use Strathmore Bristle Vellum and Faber Castell pit pens for my drawings.
This paper is extra sturdy and can handle a spill or a fold or a paper jam in a scanner. The pens are very bold, and the ink is india ink.
I currently like painting on wood panels with Golden Acrylics. I love the fluids by Golden, bt I only use them for outlining things.
I've stoped using canvas because it's just all drum like as you try to paint on to it. Vibrating uncontrollably. Golden acrylics just have the best colors. They're highly pigmented and consistant.
is how this line should read-spell check does funny stuff sometimes.
Oh and I use at least 2 dozen of these each painting-Princeton Art & Brush Co. Liner brush 20/0.
It's a super tiny paint brush-almost just an eyelash on a stick.

q) Who is your biggest influence, both art and non-art related

a)Jack Kirby, Jim Henson, Alex Grey, and Brian Froud.
All of the unknown master Thangka artists of the 12-17 century.
But mostly my fella. He's an amazing artist and animator. Having my best friend and lover into drawing and painting is the best motivator. We even try to spend our spare time drawing together.

q) How do you dream up with your wacky ideas? What is your creation process?

a)Lots of research. I love to learn new things, so I put everything I can fit into the composition to share my knowledge.
I have gotten a few ideas from Meditation. A deep contemplation, with a theme, like when I meditated on Love I returned with the ideas for the works, Caregiver and All Seeing Lotus Of Generosity.
I begin by drawing the ideas. Just on bits of paper. Then I tape them to the wall in the studio. I begin to move the composition around. When I think I have the spacing figured out, I draw everything onto one piece of paper. That is then sent to a copy shop in North Carolina. They enlarge the image for me. I paint bigger than I draw. Also the big Xerox images are easy to get onto he painting surface. I then begin the many layers. It's not unusual for me to do 6 layers of color to achieve the effect I want.

q) What haven't you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a)Tree sprits, Fairies and trolls.
I'm just now leaving a 6 year focus on Tibetan Icons. I thought I'd be into plants, but suddenly all the trees I draw have faces! I think I might get the chance.

q) Are there any contemporary artists that you love?

a)Kelli Bickman
Jeremy Fish
Glen Bar
James Jean
John John Jesse
Chad Schoonover

q) How long does it take for you to finish a piece?

a)Small things I can turn out in 6 weeks. The bigger paintings can be from 6 months to a year.

q) What music, if any, do you like to have on while you're working?

a)Boards of Canada, Baby Mammoth, Infected Mushroom (the old stuff), Tom Waits, Nick Drake or the Orb. When I'm working I need tunes that are never too clashy. I like to play music that inspires me to think in stories.

q) Do you do many art shows?

a)Last year was my biggest. I was involved with a show or two every month last year. They were group shows. In L.A. we have these monthly group shows that sell small, inexpensive paintings by local artists. They need fresh work every three weeks. It was tough to keep up with. I kinda wore myself out. This year I'm back to doing large paintings on my own schedule-sorry guys.
q) Tell us about a recent dream you had.

a)I was in three lines.
Each line stared in a huge old, but empty warehouse in a city. I was there with several thousands of other people. All kinds of people. Mostly women, and we were all dressed up. I was, each time close to the end of the line. The line circled around the room a few times.
We were all waiting to cross over through a "door". The door was an opening to another plain of existence. There was no ceremony or ritual. You just showed up on time, got in line and when the door was opened you ran towards it, willing yourself to be lifted up.
The first two went the same. When the door was open a man at the front of the line opened the huge garage door and we all ran out into an open field. You could, on a regular day see the highway and the neighborhood in the distance. Today, there was a dark grey low cloud that hung three feet away from the ground. Tiny lightning bolts could be seen randomly licking the air. I only felt tremendous joy after running into the first two.
The Third "door" was rumored to be the pain room. Everyone in the warehouse was exchanging theories about what we would experience next. We were also talking about DVD collections of ancient rituals. I made everyone laugh when I spoke of my Tibetan collection. It was censored by the Chinese government so, at odd times the narration would say this," ritual was for good luck or protection from the American Wide eyed Demon".
Suddenly, the third door was open, I begin to run, but I had lost a shoe. My friend tossed it towards me as they all ran past. I admired how they gracefully floated up into the grey cloud. I was one of the last. I almost feared missing my chance, as the currant took me. I was seated in half lotus in front of an amazing character. He was six feet tall, African American, sporting Gerry Curl, and a Chef's outfit. His hat was the most notable. It was a big puffy chef's hat with Two sets of goggle eyes. The big kind. Right under the poof was two goggle eyes, then a yellow bandanna that in red letters said,"We Do Burgers Best". Bellow that were three google eyes. He had on gloves like a Cenobites or archer would wear, black and white checked pants, and a small white apron. He had a friend near by , dressed the same. This gentleman had his hat off, and was talking to the Chef approaching me about how tough this day was.
The Chef reached into a small black mojo bag and with out paying me much attention, sprinkled something on my head.
I suddenly came to on the bus, whipping tears of joy off my face. I signaled for the next stop and got off the bus.
That was the dream, but I was asleep at home, the bus was in the dream too.

q) What are you doing when you are not creating?

a)I love to hike and camp. Not like sit by the fire and sing. I like to casually walk up mountains, and observe nature. I also play video games-currently into World of Warcraft.

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work and do you miss your
work when it is sold? Yes.

q) What new projects or exhibits are in your future?

a)I'm hoping to someday do a show with Kelli Bickman.
At this moment I'm working on a painting of Coffee-it doesn't sound like much, but that is were the challenge was.

q) What is your favorite art related web site?

a) http://www.tibetart.com/

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever seen?

a)Most recently, I'd say the daily bath this homeless/crazy lady gives herself. There's been this homeless lady hangin around my neighborhood, and ever day, two houses down from me, she gets naked and washes herself in a puddle.
It's very sad. I try not to go out if I know she's out there in the buff-give her some privacy.

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever done?

a)answered a survey on myspace.

q) any advice you can pass onto aspiring artists/designers?

a)Just keep on keepin on. Never stop. It's all good if the pencil is still willing to move under your command. Don't do it for money. Moneys the wrong idea, you'll resent it.

q)your contacts..e-mail.links

a) www.sacredskull.com
indrasavitar@bloggerspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/sacredskull

Interview with Minchi

q) Introduce yourself first please?

a)My name is Minchi. Minchi means the minced meat in Japanese.

q) Where do you live and work?

a)Hyogo, Japan

q) How did you started? How have you realized you wanted to become an artist?

a)I loved painting from the days of one's earliest recollection. Painting is everyday part of life for me.

q) What materials do you use and why?

a)I use the personal computer (Corel Painter). I tried various painting materials. As a result, I felt that the personal computer was suitable for my style most. However, I like analog feeling of the oil and the watercolor.Therefore, I draw the picture by sometimes using them.

q) Who is your biggest influence, both art and non-art related

a)I worked at the flower shop before. A mysterious color and the shape of the plant had a large influence on me. In addition, I received a big influence from the comics(manga) of Japan.

q) How do you dream up with your wacky ideas? What is your creation process?

a)All things that exist in the world are sources of the inspiration for me.I write down (draw) the thing that floats in my head in the croquis notebook. A lot of ideas are stocked in the croquis notebook. I choose the most favorite idea from among them. I only draw it.

q) What haven't you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a)I wants to make the theremin by oneself, and to draw the picture on it.

q) Are there any contemporary artists that you love?

a)It changes on each occasion though there are a lot of favorite artists.

q) How long does it take for you to finish a piece?

a)For about one week-one month.

q) What music, if any, do you like to have on while you're working?

a)I hear MOBY and LOU REED and France Gall well recently.

q) Do you do many art shows?

a)Only a little.

q) Tell us about a recent dream you had.

a)I remember only wonderful-looking cake. I forget about a dream content right away.

q) What are you doing when you are not creating?

a)I like reading and Internet, and often do them.

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work and do you miss your work when it is sold?

a)No. Because most of my picture is CG and I can have the copy.

q) What new projects or exhibits are in your future?

a)I will participate in the group exhibition in spring. (in Oakland)

q) What is your favourite art related web site?

a)Awagami Factory (Japanese handmade paper) http://www.awagami.or.jp/

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever seen?

a)My home fire.

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever done?

a)I loved caterpillars and captured it a lot in childhood. However, because my mother had hated caterpillars, mother scolded me. I do not like caterpillars so much now. It might be the mother's influence.

q) any advice you can pass on to aspiring artists/designers?

a)Please change the go-it-alone mentality. But, it is important to believe one's own notion. Please keep a good balance.

q)your contacts..e-mail.links

a) http://minchi.lomo.jp/

Interview with Wednesday Kirwan

q) Introduce yourself first please?

a)I am a fine artist and illustrator. I paint in sort of a flat, retro style. My paintings are mostly of monster wormen, my illustrations are mostly of children.

q) Where do you live and work?

a)I live just North of San Francisco, CA. One room in my apartment is my studio space.


q) How did you started? How have you realized you wanted to become an artist?

a)I was surrounded by art as a child. My father was an art director, my mother a graphic designer, and my older brother grew up to work in animation. I went to an art high school and later an art college.


q) What materials do you use and why?

a)I use gouache paint. Formerly, I painted in oil, but when I moved to San Francisco, my studio space got smaller and I needed to find a medium that was less toxic. Gouache colors are bright and flat and reproduce well for illustration.

q) Who is your biggest influence, both art and non-art related

a)My father is my biggest influence both as an artist and for the choices he has made in his life.

q) How do you dream up with your wacky ideas? What is your creation process?

a)I like painting images of women and I have sort of a dark sense of humor. The resulting images are a combination of these two things.

q) What haven’t you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a)Taxidermy

q) Are there any contemporary artists that you love?

a)Audrey Kawasaki has some fabulously sensual Art Noveau inspired pieces and Seonna Hong has some very touching and cruel glimses into childhood. I wouldn’t mind a piece from either one of these amazing artists on my wall.

q) How long does it take for you to finish a piece?

a)I’m a fast and impatient painter. I don’t like to take much longer than a day.

q) What music, if any, do you like to have on while you're working?

a)For the most part, I listen to “This American Life” podcasts.

q) Do you do many art shows?

a)I’ve shown at Roq la Rue in Seattle, 111 Minna in San Francisco, and the Jan Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City over the past year.

q) Tell us about a recent dream you had.

a)I’m frequently being pursued by coyotes.

q) What are you doing when you are not creating?

a)I enjoy working with children.

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work and do you miss your work when it is sold?

a)I get sad to lose a ‘breakthrough’ piece. The first in a series is always my favorite and it pains me to see it go, until I make something that I am more excited about.

q) What new projects or exhibits are in your future?

a)I will have prints and original work for sale at the Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco in March and look for my children’s book, “Nobody Notices Minerva” on sale in September.

q) What is your favourite art related web site?

a)I spend a lot of time on Drawn! (drawn.ca) and Juxtapoz.

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever seen?

a)The skeleton of a Narwhale in Brighton, England.

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever done?

a)I kept cockroaches as pets for many years.

q) any advice you can pass onto aspiring artists/designers?

a)Decide what you want and go for it.

q)your contacts….e-mail…links

a) wednesdaykirwan.com

wkirwan@wednesdaykirwan.com

Interview with Jean Pierre Ceytaire

q) Introduce yourself first please?

a)Je suis peintre, à part entièrej’ai 61 ans , 3 enfants 7 petits enfantset j’aime toujours autant les femmes !!!

q) Where do you live and work?

a)J’habite dans une grande maison avec un jardin à coté de paris à Carrières sur Seine .J’ai mon atelier de peinture avec mon appartement au dessus et un atelier de sculpture et des dépendances

q) How did you started? How have you realized you wanted to become an artist?

a)Je suis autodidacte, enfin pas tout à fait, car ayant été kinésithérapeute j’ai étudié sérieusement l’anatomie et la physiologie et cela a beaucoup servi mon travail futurje peint depuis que j’ai 23 ans A l’armée dans un service de psychiatrie je m’occupais d’un atelier de peinture, laissé vide après que les militaires en instance d’être réformés aient quittés les lieuxje passais le balais et ma première émotion fut plutôt olfactive .J’ai ensuite acheté mes premières couleur et ça été le début de cette longue histoirea 40 ans j’ai choisi de n’etre plus que peintre.Depuis j’ai fait de nombreuses expositions a travers le monde.

q) What materials do you use and why?

a)Je peint à l’huilecela me permet de faire au moins pendant une bonne journée voir plus les corrections nécessaire jusqu’a ce que je sois satisfait du dessin .Ensuite, c’est beaucoup plus facile , les valeurs d’ombre et de lumière, les glacis .

q) Who is your biggest influence, both art and non-art related

a)Lorsque j’étais enfant j’ai eu une scolarité épouvantablec’était un vrai cauchemartout se qui se rattachait plus ou moins à la culture me faisait fuirdonc le terrain était vierge !!!Ensuite j’ai découvert uniquement parce que cela m'intéressait le monde de la peinture j’ai toujours préféré les peintres qui d'abord étaient de grands dessinateursle premier fut Toulouse L’autrec

q) How do you dream up with your wacky ideas? What is your creation process?

a)C’est un peu ma vie, c’est cela qui me fait peindre.Je suis acteur en me mettant en scène dans mes rapports amoureux et je suis aussi le spectateur en ayant le regard distant de mon propre marionnettisteje passe beaucoup de temps à tourner en rondpuis quand c’est le moment je retrousse les manches ...ensuite, c’est l'aventure

q) What haven’t you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a)J’ai acheté aux puces aujourd'hui une très belle sculpture en cire (d’un artiste italien anonyme) en cire blanche . C’est une petite fille très bizarre qui a les bras entrecroisée avec un regard tres étrange.elle a deux gros noeuds dans ses cheveux blonds et une grande culotte d’un ancien temps elle est assisetout ça dans une boite gainée de velours rougej’aimerai pouvoir en faire au moins autant .

q) Are there any contemporary artists that you love?

a)Oui bien sur beaucoupce con de Duchamp qui pensait qu’apres son urinoir l’art etait mort !!!!

q) How long does it take for you to finish a piece?

a)En général la semaine suffitquand tout s’est bien passépar contre si je bute sur quelque chose, ça peut prendre bien plus de temps .

q) What music, if any, do you like to have on while you're working?

a)J’aime un peu tout selon l’humeurselon les sujets égalementmais juste une musique qui ne me déconcentre pas mais qui m’accompagne

q) Do you do many art shows?a)Oui beaucoup

q) Tell us about a recent dream you had.a)Les plus beaux rêves sont ceux que je fais lorsque je volej’ai toujours un peu peur de m’écraser quelque part mais quelle belle vue de la haut !!!

q) What are you doing when you are not creating?

a)Tout dépends de la présence ou non de la femme qui est au dessus de l’atelierje vous laisse imaginer le repos du guerrier

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work and do you miss your work when it is sold?

a)Je décide de garder et de ne pas montrer certaines oeuvresles autres sans êtres inférieures sont faites pour aller ailleursje n’ai pas souvent de regrets

q) What new projects or exhibits are in your future?

a)Je suis invité par des sexologues pour traire un sujet lié à la sexualitéj'écris aussi et j’adore ça .Le tout sera agrémenté d’une toile sur le sujet

q) What is your favourite art related web site?

a)Il y a des sites superbes, bien faits avec des animationspour le moment comme je suis ignorant en informatique j’ai recours aux services d’un informaticien nous avons le projet d’améliorer ce qui existe .Ce qui a mon avis est le plus important c’est d’être a travers un site immédiatement dans le sujettous les sites qui sont longs ou trop dispersés me lassent .

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever seen?

a)Il y a bien des choses étranges, je ne sais pas répondre avec plus ou moins .C’est un peu secret tout çace qui est très étrange fait un peu peurle dévoiler me semble porter la poisse .Je resterai mystérieux à ce sujet

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever done?

a)C’est la même réponse que précédemment

q) Any advice you can pass onto aspiring artists/designers?

a)C’est de faire le chemin pour tenter de se détacher des influences.trouver son écriture .Ensuite c’est tout simple ... travailler

q)Your contacts?.e-mail?links

a) http://www.ceytaire.com

contact@ceytaire.com

Interview with Anne Yvonne Gilbert

q) Introduce yourself first please?

a)My name is Anne Yvonne Gilbert.

q) Where do you live and work?

a)I live in the North of England and work in my studio at home.

q) How did you started? How have you realized you wanted to become an artist?

a)Because I was good at drawing I went to Art College after school. I have drawn since I was 2 years old.

q) What materials do you use and why?

a)Mostly coloured pencils but some pieces are in watercolour or acrylics.

q) Who is your biggest influence, both art and non-art related

a)My influences came from books. As a small child I was given old copies of Fairy Tales/ Myths and Legends. Next is my love of fashion and costume and great interest in history.

q) How do you dream up with your wacky ideas? What is your creation process?

a)I only like to draw people, preferably in costume, after that the manuscript or job description informs my decisions. I only use friends and family as models whom I dress up then photograph for reference.

q) What haven’t you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a)I want to do an erotic picture-book for adults.

q) Are there any contemporary artists that you love?

a)Too many to list----I love art, illustration, graphic design. Everything from early Gothic art, Japanese prints, Victorian Illustration, Pop Art, Punk music, Fashion Design, Films, etc.

q) How long does it take for you to finish a piece?

a)From model to finish approximately one week.

q) What music, if any, do you like to have on while you're working?

a)I don’t. I only listen to talk-radio----Radio 4.

q) Do you do many art shows?

a)Yes, both here and abroad.

q) Tell us about a recent dream you had.

a)I inherited a tendency to nightmares. My dreams are usually disturbing but I can’t remember any of them.

q) What are you doing when you are not creating?

a)Mostly reading or watching films.

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work and do you miss your work when it is sold?

a)There are one or two pieces that I like but I often have to sell for financial reasons.

q) What new projects or exhibits are in your future?
a)I am working on a Children’s Bible, a new version of “The Mitten” for an American publisher, a silhouette version of “Beauty and the Beast” for a British Publisher and a sequel to Swedish Folk Tale that I did some years ago. I have recently had an exhibition of my erotic paintings, and a retrospective of my illustration work.

q) What is your favourite art related web site?

a)My friend Ronnie Heeps------

www.ronnieheeps.net

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever seen?

a)Egypt.

q) What is the strangest thing you have ever done?

a)Formed a society of people who watch films in cinema’s dressed to match the film.

q) any advice you can pass onto aspiring artists/designers?

a)Develop a “business head”. Too may talented artists get nowhere because they take rejection too personally and are unable to develop a business-strategy. Have a web-site, learn to use the media and promote your own work. Develop your own creative ideas rather than wait for them to be offered to you.

q)your contacts….e-mail…links

a)yvonne.gilbert@dsl.pipex.com
www.yvonnegilbert.com

Interview with Bill Barminski

q) Introduce yourself first please?

a) I am Bill Barminski. I was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1962. But I really grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas.

q) Where do you live and work?

a)I live in Los Angeles, California and work in my spacious 2 car studio.

q) How did you started? How have you realized you wanted to become an artist?

a)I can't remember a time when I wasn't drawing pictures. But as I grew up I never really considered becoming an artist. In college I was doing artwork but the only people involved in art that I knew who were making any money were commercial artists. I tried that but didn't like it so much. There was on distinct day where I was laying on the couch and I was starting at my hands and I thought.."well, I'm going to make my way in the world with these. And if I am going to try to be an "artist" well, then I best resolve myself to the idea that I might be broke all my life. "

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

a)I am torn between straight up painting and working in video and animation. I like them both but they are so different. You really have to be in a different frame of mind when you do each. I also write music. So I am really divided in my interests.

q) Do you draw influences from a wide range of artists, musicians, books…?

a)I draw influence from many sources but I don't go and look at much contemporary art. I find that when I do I see stuff the is similar to what I might be planning on doing. Then I think..crap...I can't do that now.

q) Do you rule by any tendency in your creative work, or you only follow what comes in your mind?

a)Currently I work in several directions. I am know for my figurative work but I do abstract work too. But my galleries don't really want to show that work so it mostly hangs at my house. Eventually I'll do a whole show of abstract paintings. Maybe even under a different name.

q) What haven’t you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a)I really want to do a massive show that really iincludes all the media that I work in. I'd like for there to be paintings and drawings and for each painting there would be short film about the painting. Or maybe a song about the painting. All of this would be inside of a complete environment installation. Perhaps a whole house built inside a gallery space. I have done this on a small scale before but would like to do it fully.

q) Are there any contemporary artists that you love?

a)Well...there are a few. People like Tim Biskup, Gary Baseman.

q) How long does it take for you to finish a piece?

a)for a painting, it usually takes 2-3 days. Then it sits on the wall and I go back and make changes every now and then if it needs it.

q) What music, if any, do you like to have on while you're working?

a)I listen to all kinds of music. A lot of small label stuff. The Shins, Mojave 3, Galaxie 500. But I really love old school country music too. I have a big collection fo country, but only stuff recorded between 1955 and 1975. I'm really into punk too. And sometimes I'm listening to talk radio.

q) Do you do many art shows?

a)I usually do at least one show a year. I have done so until recently. But I'm doing a lot of video work lately so I may only do a small drawing show this year and begin on some large paintings for a show in 08.

q) Favorite clothing setup?

a)huh? like pants and a t-shirt I guess. black old school sneakers. I really like old school polyester/cotton blend short sleeve button shirts from Sears.

q) What are you doing when you are not creating?

a)I'm either sleeping, thinking about creating something or having a beer.

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work and do you miss your work when it is sold?

a)No. not at all. I'm glad to see them go.

q) What new projects or exhibits are in your future?

a)Right now i'm focusing on some video projects but I'm sort of planning my next group of paintings. They are going to be about or focus on the use of word bubbles. Not the cartoony word bubbles. Word bubbles that contain text date back to Renisannce paintings. They sort of look like long sauages in some cases. So I want to use these really gothic script and word bubbles as part of a set of paintings of contemporary scenes such as an office. I also want to create sculptures of these word bubbles.

q) Describe your work space.

a)I have always worked at home. So ever studio I have used has been my garage. Currently I have a 2 car garage and a office next to it for my computer work. I'd like to build a studio in the back at some point.

q) What kind of projects/shows have you been involved in?

a)I have been involved in a lot of things. I did a music video for Baz Lurhman for instance. I also designed a mechanical bill board for Absolut that was on the Sunset Strip for 2 years. I just finished doing an animation project for Nokia. In my own work I have designed and manufactured gas masks that look like cartoon characters. I also teach in the Film and Television Department at UCLA.

q)your contacts….e-mail…links

a)My website is

www.barminski.com

Interview with Lisa MoneypennyMurray

q) So, Tell me a little about yourself? Full name, age, some background info?

a)I'm Lisa MoneypennyMurray, soon to be ...Lisa Moneypenny, I'm as old as my teeth, and I live/paint on my pirate boat anchored off the coast of sunny southern California, and teach kids how to paint and draw.

q) How did you get started making art?

a)I studied fashion make-up at Complexions in London, then I worked as a special effects make-up artist with The Actors Gang in Los Angeles. I went back to college to take painting and sculpture classes to enhance my make-up career. While at collage, I realized I really enjoyed painting, and drawing. I decided to end my make-up career and focus on fine art. I eventually received my MFA in painting from the University of New Mexico.

q) How would you describe your art?

a)Retro Style Imagery with a Black Ink Twist. I use vintage illustrations of boys and girls from a variety of books,and magazines, and add a bit of personality to them. With pen and ink I draw crazy platforms, enticing stilettos, and classic tattoos. They become transformed into Twisted Kids.

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

a)I'm inspired by all the colorful characters here in La La Land, dirty thrift stores, and the bizarre shoe stores on Hollywood Blvd.

q) What are you working on now?

a)I'm drawing black ink silhouettes of kids with outrages platforms, and high heeled stilettos on beautifully worn vintage school paper such as report cards, and library check-out cards.

q) Are there some websites that you'd like to recommend?

a) www.thinkspacegallery.com, and www.juxtapoz.com. Both sites post monthly art openings in the Los Angeles area and showcase some great artists.

q) What is your favourite medium to work in?

a)I love the rough texture and faded colors of vintage paper combined with the stark contrast of smooth black ink.

q) What advice would you give to younger up and coming artists?

a)Take the time to experience and appreciate all types of art forms including performance, fashion, music, dance, poetry, and architecture.

q) Take us inside your process a little bit, How do you begin a piece? What inspires the concept?

a)First, I go shopping, and people watching on Hollywood Blvd. I wonder what all these interesting people might have been like as a kid. Then I spend a lot of my time seeking out, and collecting vintage paper, magazines, and books with inspiring illustrations.When I find the paper, the surface of the paper dictates which image I'll draw upon it.

q) What are your artistic influences?

a)My early influences were from the Punk Rock culture of the late 70's and early 80's. That was when I started to see people expressing themselves in a way that I could relate to.One unexpected day in 1980, I went to a loft party in the arts district of downtown Los Angeles. I walked in to find a creative energy unlike anything I'd ever experienced. Folks were playing experimental music, designing and sewing costumes, building and painting stage props, performing puppet shows, and dancing the night away in vintage platforms. It was reminiscent of Andy Warhol's factory. That night was when I knew I wanted to be an artist.

q) How are the reactions to your work in general?

a)In general, most people can see themselves in one of my Twisted Kids.

q) What are you doing when you're not creating art?

a)I'm soaking up the senses, looking, listening, smelling, tasting, and touching art in form or another.

q) What are some of the challenges that you think artists face today?

a)With the internet, and all the images that can be seen now with a click, it could be a challenge for artists' to keep their unique individuality.

q) What is freedom to you as an artist?

a)That I'm able to express my observations, and feelings in a way that touches people.

q) Are there any particular works you've done that stand out as you're favorite?

a)My favorite Twisted Kid drawing is "Talkative", she reminds me of myself in sixth grade. I got in trouble a lot for talking. At that time, spanking was a form of discipline in schools. My father told the teacher that he could spank me if I continued to talk, and disrupt the class... Ouch!

q) Who are your favorite artists, and your favorite galleries?

a)A few of my favorite artists at the moment are.Tara McPherson, Camille Rose Garcia, and Lesley Reppeteaux. My favorite galleries in In Los Angeles are. La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Corey Helford Gallery,CoproNason Gallery,and Cannibal Flower.

q) What do you think makes good art? originality, or style?

a)Good art is a unique balance of both originality, style, and skill.

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work, and do you miss your work when it is sold?

a)I become emotionally attached after it's sold. I often call the owners of my work to see how the drawing is doing, and how the piece has enhanced their lives.

q)Your contacts..e-mail.links.

a) www.lisamoneypennymurray.com

www.myspace/lisamoneypenny.com

Lisa Murray

www.lisamoneypennymurray.com

Interview with Ursula Sokolowska

q) Introduce yourself first please?

a)Hello. I’m Ursula Sokolowska

q) Where do you live and work?

a)Chicago, Illinois

q) How did you started? How have you realized you wanted to become an artist?

a)I was always very interested in the visual. My first memory of creating is when I was 3 or 4 and in my Great Aunt’s kitchen in Poland. I took a bottle of dishsoap and started making large spiral shapes on the kitchen floor. I loved it, but was later yelled at.

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

a)My end result is usually captured onto film, thus presented as a photograph. However, first I like to construct things, basically setup installations, then photograph them. Using photography, I can have the viewer focus on a specific part of the installation, in a way the viewer is confronted.

q) Do you draw influences from a wide range of artists, musicians, books…?

a)Books based on psychology, architecture, various magazines. I feel everything influences me.

q) Do you rule by any tendency in your creative work, or you only follow what comes in your mind?

a)I like to work with projections in different ways, but I always let the initial idea follow it’s own path.

q) What haven’t you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a)Living in a place that is not as cold as Chicago.

q) Are there any contemporary artists that you love?

a)Recently, I’ve been focused on photographers from the 60’s / 70’s. I’m having a black and white moment; it will pass.

q) How long does it take for you to finish a piece?

a)With the right location and equipment / installation setup I can be done in a couple hours. Sometimes I do revisit situations and then a photo shoot can turn into days if not months (interrupted by working for a paycheck, of course).

q) What music, if any, do you like to have on while you're working?

a)None. When I’m working, I can’t focus on anything else. When I do listen to music I like to be devoted to the music.

q) Do you do many art shows?

a)I have done many, but each year I prefer to only do a couple. I like to focus on creating new work.

q) Favorite clothing setup?

a)Boots by Camper, jeans by Taverniti or Yanuk, and I like a well fitted jacket. Basically, clothing that I can work in.

q) What are you doing when you are not creating?

a)In one way or another I’m always creating.

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work and do you miss your work when it is sold?

a)I may get attached to some of the items I use in my photographs (child mannequins, their clothing), but not the image itself. The image will always exist.

q) What new projects or exhibits are in your future?

a)I am continuing my work with child mannequins, which references my childhood and relationship with my mother. I will be exhibiting in NY this year, (details are still being discussed). 2008 will start with my first museum group exhibit, the American Surrealist Exhibition, at the Saginaw Art Museum.

q) Describe your work space.

a)I don’t really have one. I work where I can. My photographs make use of spaces that I find, such as basements, streets outside, the school where I work, etc. I’m somewhat of a travelling gypsy. One day, I’ll have a studio…

q) What kind of projects/shows have you been involved in?

a)I just had my 2nd solo show in Chicago (Dec 1 - 31 2006) at Schneider gallery.

q)your contacts….e-mail…links

a) usokol@saic.edu
www.ursula-sokolowska.com

Interview with Rui Tenreiro

q) Introduce yourself first please?

a) I'm primarily an illustrator. I do comics as a hobby and I edit a
small, independent publisher as a hobby too. Lately I've been asked more often to take part in some
exhibitions, but I don't label myself as any of these. I'm not sure if
I am an artist or an illustrator, an editor or a cartoonist. But I think it's ok not
to have a name.

q) Where do you live and work?

a) I was born in Mozambique and now I am based in Oslo. But I work
from anywhere, and often my only contact with clients is through email. So it makes
little difference.
Also, this year I've been working from home.

q) How did you started? How have you realized you wanted to become an
artist?

a) I started drawing quite early but it was always a hobby until I
had to choose
something to do with my life - a university to go to. In the beginning I did
Art Direction in Advertising, but then I took illustration. During
this time I did a lot of animation with 8mm, cut-outs, charcoal, models and video. I wanted
to do this until I worked for my first commission with another person, but it
went so badly and I was so unmotivated that I didn't do more than 5 sec. of
animation, and not a second after that. I've been doing illustration and comics
since then but I'm not sure if I have consciously decided 'to become an artist'.

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

a) Pen and paper, because this is how I began drawing at school. It
was what was
available. But in the last year I discovered ink and calligraphy pens.

q) Do you draw influences from a wide range of artists, musicians, books…?

a) I think my drawing comes a lot from films, in terms of mood. Specially from
film-makers like Akira Kurosawa, Tarkovsky and also Ingmar Bergman recently.
Graphically, I am influenced by alternative and underground comics,
like Jordan Crane, Anders Nilsen, Sammy Harkham and Chester Brown -
and norwegian comics collective Dongery, and illustration collective
Yokoland. I grew up with Hugo Pratt too. And
I am discovering Tove Jansson only now.

q) Do you rule by any tendency in your creative work, or you only follow
what comes in your mind?

a) When I think of something it's the overall mood that comes first. I usually
stop what I'm doing to write down or draw these images from my mind. I
keep this sheet
of paper throughout the project because it contains information about the first
emotions of the idea. What I do afterwards is to develop that project and
polish it around that mood and idea. I am beginning to work with
'story' in a way
that gives me more pleasure but the aesthetic element of the work is also
extremely important.

q) What haven't you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a) I would like to try to do clay work and pottery - or something to
do with crafts.

q) Are there any contemporary artists that you love?

a) Yes, mentioned these in my influences.

q) How long does it take for you to finish a piece?

a) This depends a lot. Comics generally take longer but illustrations can
go pretty quick. What takes longer in illustration is the layout of elements.
The actual drawing goes pretty quick. But I always stop to consider what
will be drawn next, and where. There is no formula, so...

q) What music, if any, do you like to have on while you're working?

a) Many - These days it's 'Final Fantasy'. But it can be anything from
Animal Collective or Michael Andrews, to Burzum, to Toru Takemitsu.
Toru Takemitsu greatly influenced the mood of a story I sketched
recently called 'The Ogre'.

q) Do you do many art shows?

a) Not many, no.


q) Favorite clothing setup?

a) Hmm... of mine? Not sure. Jeans, t-shirt, flat/saling shoes or chucks.
sometimes a cap.


q) What are you doing when you are not creating?

a) Watching movies, reading comics, or going out. I also waste/spend
a lot of time online. I'm not yet sure how useful this is on the long run.

q) Do you get emotionally attached to your work and do you miss your work
when it is sold?

a) I don't miss commissions. I'd like to destroy them as soon as I can.
The only reason why I keep the originals is because I think someone might
decide to re-commission me. I was asked recently to send my own personal
originals to sell, which has been hard because I can't decide which ones
I'd like to keep. Yes, I got emotionally attached to some. But I don't remember
the last time I sold an original (I don't think I ever did?)

q) What new projects or exhibits are in your future?

a) I've received support to finish my new story. It will be a 100 page long
graphic novel/comic about two travelers who find a strange, dead creature
in a forest. The story includes Shinto elements, myth and supernatural
situations.
In terms of exhibitions, I was invited to take part in a collective exhibition
in England. Ten artists will paint/draw over printed posters. I will probably
post it on my site. It will happen around March/April.


q) Describe your work space.

a) I try to keep the mess on the table and not on the floor. I only have
one table on which I have a laptop and on which I draw and sometimes
paint. There are 2 lights on each side, but there are other things scattered
around it, like: postcards, pantone guides, band-aids, receipts, money, CDs,
hand cream, books, etc. Next to me stays a laser printer on which I make
all the Soyfriends fanzines - and paper, lots of it.

q) What kind of projects/shows have you been involved in?

a) Not that many. I have made a list of this on my about section
in my site. There was quite an interesting one recently at the
Monsterchildren store in Australia. (www.mosterchildren.com)


q)your contacts….e-mail…links

a)My work can be seen at: http://www.theculturefront.com
I edit these artists books: http://www.soyfriends.com
I have a collaboration with Stig Andersen: http://www.themeschool.net
And sometimes with photographer Mona Moe Holhjem: http://www.monamoe.com
(Stig's site is: http://www.stigeredoo.com)

Interview with Angelique Houtkamp

q)Something about you…what you want…

a)I'm originally a tattooer from Amsterdam and I started painting very soon after I started tattooing.
Painting is now my biggest passion. It's what makes me get up in the morning and makes me work 7 days a week, I wouldn't know what else to do.
What do I want?! I want the whole world to love my work! And to see the world as I see it.
I love to paint and create. And I can do that on my own with out anybody ever looking at it. If that where the case, so be it, Iwould still love to paint. But to have other people like your work too is the best thing. It keeps you very motivated.
Basically what I want is to be able to make a living out of the things I make and paint, it would be absolutely great if I where able to do that for the rest of my live.

q) What are your main goals when you create?

a)The main thing for me is to make something that has a feel of mystery and melangoly, of basic emotions like love and love lost, power, yearning, fear and death. I think that is the reason why I love old school tattoos so much, cause it expresses a lot of these emotions. When people get tattooed they know it's forever and I think they look more to designs that have very basic emotions like that.
I do a lot of girls and my goal then is to give them a certain expression and what I like most is not an obvious expression, but just slightly, so you do get the feeling when you look at it, but it's not layed on too thick.

q) Do you rule by any tendency in your creative work, or you only follow what comes in your mind?

a)I usually get an idea for an image, but most of the time I'm working on other paintings then. But that gives me time to let the images develop in my head, or I go through some books or the internet to see different angels I could look at it.
And a lot happens when I'm drawing that I didn't anticipate on before. I can't say I follow any tendancies.
It is ideas combined with homework.

q)How has the internet and your website helped you spread your artwork to a wider audience?

a)A whole lot. It's so much easier for people to see what I do with just a click on their computer.
I get so many responses to my work via emails, which is really great. You need some feedback from people to feel good about what you are doing and it keeps you inspired. And on low days the best thing is to get a compliment.

q)How do you define your style and how would you describe your art to someone who could not see it?

a)I do define my style as old school tattoo. And not so much for the imagery, cause that can differ or not be tattoo oriented at all. It's the execution that makes it like that: bold lines, heavy shadow [sometimes not so heavy] and simple colours. I like "dirty" colours, not too bright. And as few colours as possible, black ofcours and red and an other favorite is green.

q)What materials do you use to realize your creations?

a)I mostly work with watercolour and ink on paper. I'm always on the look-out for different watercolour paper. I like it to be thick and slightly textured. The thing with watercolours is that I got really cheap kiddy paint and the real expensive arty ones and they are all the same. There is hardly any difference in quality. I mix my watercolours so it doesn't really matter what colours I have. Lately I've also been experimenting with liquid acrylic paint, to be used as watercolour. The advantage is that it is waterproof.
I paint on canvas too, with acrylic and oil, but not as much as the watercolour, cause it takes such a long time.

q) What is your favorite a) taste b) sound c) sight d) scent e) tactile sensation?

a)
a. It depends on the mood I'm in. It could be mashed potato's, sushi or crisps. I am a real sucker for salt and fat though, hence the crisps.
b. Sound, hmm. Difficult. I love how the city sounds different in the summer then the winter, like it's on a different wavelenght and the sounds vibrate higher.
c. I love the sight of a good rockband performing live
d. Kinda strange, but I love the smell of ozon. When my cat comes inside after a day of bullying the other cats in the park, sometimes he smells like ozon. Love it!
e. I love the feel of uncooked couscous. And bubblewrap! I can drive my boyfriend crazy pinching all the bubbles after I got a package.

q) What are you doing now…your current projects…

a)I'm working with Outré gallery from Melbourne, Australia on making a book with my work. It is very exiting and it's going to be awesome. The releasedate is planned for October this year.
I'm painting a lot for upcoming shows I have in the US, Canada and Australia this year.
A good friend of mine is a glassblower and makes glass objects. She recently asked me to participate in a project for the Berlin art fair. The plan is to make a mirrorpalace, like the ones you used to find on the carnival. A labyrinth made of mirrors, with sandblasted images in it. It's still in it's early stages, but I'm very into it.

q) Do you listen to music while you’re creating and what do you listen and what do you like to listen?

a)Not a whole lot. Which is kinda strange, cause I'm a huge fan of seeing bands life.
But I really need some time to wake up in the morning and then when I get to work i get so into it I forget to put on music. I guess I like to work in silence.
When I do listen to music I like a lot of rock, like Danko Jones, the Detriot Cobra's and the Supersuckers, but I'm also really into 50ies girlsbands like the Shangri-las. And I am a sucker for sing-along rock like the Ramones.

q) Do you draw influences from a wide range of artists, musicians, books…?

a)Yes I do. I'm totally into 1920 and 1930 illustration at the moment. But I can also get really triggerd by photography and fashion. Pin-upart is a great influence as well. I love the Enoch Bolles girls, specially his later work where the girls get a more weird ,sometimes satanic look on their faces.
And without a doubt a get a lot of inspiration from old tattooflash.

q)Name 3 things you couldn’t create without?

a)A pencil, paper and watercolours.

q) Where have you show your art…?

a)In lots of galleries, here in amsterdam, in the US, Australia, UK, all over the place.

q) What haven’t you done yet that you definitely want to try someday?

a)There are too many things I want to try. I have to tell myself I can't do a million different things. There just isn't enough time. I would love to try velvetpainting and stringart, to name just two. I would love to do ceramics as well. It would be an absolute thrill to design a set of tableware. I'm realy into industrial design, cause your making something usefull
But If I would do all these things I want to, I would just be scattering myself around too much, I need to stay focused on just a couple of things.

q) How important is self-promotion for an artist nowadays?

a)Self-promotion is a weird thing. Almost like a second job. Cause people don't just find you, you have to let everybody know what you are doing. But if people[and galleries] don't already know you, a lot of the time they assume you're not worth knowing, so the start is the most chalenging I't's really difficult to promote yourself. Athough it gets a bit easier with the internet and things like blogs and my space now a days .

q) Would you say that your work consciously reflects characters and situations found within your daily life?

a)No, not at all. It's more like fantasies of how I would like things to look. I wouldn't mind if the whole of Amsterdam was populated with sexy pirategirls , mata hari's and rough sailors. I love melangoly, for some reason it's the emotion I would like to get accros most of the time. But I'm not really a melangolic person, or maybe I am deep down

q) Favourite book?

a)A good man is hard to find by Flannery o'Connor. I'm not a big reader though, I always have other stuff to do. I can't seem to find the time to read. I have a ton of books though, but all made with images. I'm more a looker than a reader .

q) Designers/Artists you admire?

a)Mostly all of them are old and dead. There seems to be so much more craftmanship in the way they worked in the old days and more class and style.
I love the work of Erté, Enoch bolles, old timey tattooartist like Tom Berg, Bob wicks and August Coleman and a lot of anonimous illustrators from the beginning of the last century

q) Your contacts….e-mail…links…

a)You can email me at fingerprintexpert@hotmail.com or at
www.myspace.com/angeliquehoutkamp
Website www.salonserpent.com
Greetingcards www.dearestdarling.com
Supercoolgoodies at www.nookart.com