1. How did you first get into illustration after finishing university?
I was actually doing a little bit of commercial illustration while I was still in school - doing spot illustrations for the Austin Chronicle which is the city's weekly art and entertainment paper. After graduating I just tried to do as much work as I could which basically meant doing a lot of work for free for friend's bands or small skateboard companies. I had a full time job for many years after graduating and I'd do my art stuff at night after work, which included making paintings, working on my website, making zines, organizing art shows, etc. Basically I just tried to immerse myself in art and tried to do everything I could think of to get my work seen.
2. Other then illustrating what stuff do you do like doing?
I like skateboarding, I like to go swimming, I'm a big fan of camping, I like going to thrift stores and staring at old crap, I like reading, watching movies... normal stuff.
3. What really inspires you when coming up with ideas for your work, and do ideas come reasonably easy or do you have to rack your brain for hours on end?
I just try to keep a sketchbook around all the time so that if I think of a concept I can jot it down or make a crude sketch. Later when I'm trying to think of ideas for a painting or a commercial project I revisit my sketchbook(s) and see what's still funny or interesting to me.
4. Its evident that you have a clear, confident working method and technique when producing your work, did you develop this "style" or did it come naturally?
My illustration style developed over many years. It was definitely a conscious decision though. I remember when I was younger, I really wanted to come up with a mode of illustration that wouldn't require me to sign my pieces. I wanted people to look at the work and know immediately who had drawn it. It took many years to get my work to the point that I felt like it was really my own and not just a mash up of my favorite artists. Patience and practice.
5. A lot of your work includes strange little characters and animals that are quite sci-fi/comic book esq looking. These are all cool themes to be illustrating giving a lot for the imagination to play with. Is this what attracts you to them?
I never made a conscious decision to draw characters, it's just what I've always drawn since I was a kid. But I like that people make connections with the characters or are able to see themselves in the work. I don't know if you get that same connection with landscapes or abstract work.
6. When making illustrations, whats the amount of time you typically take to complete them?
Most commercial illustrations that I do (if it's just a single illustration) are finished in 1 work day. But often there's lots of time spent up front doing sketches and talking with the client. But as far as the actual drawing, that happens fairly quickly.
7. Do you prefer to work on your own or in a studio with other artists around for example with Stacy Lowery working on Roger Skateboards?
If I'm really in the thick of it (in the middle of a project) I prefer to be by myself in a quiet environment. But for projects like The Internet Shack I work with other people in a studio and I love the interaction and the sharing/morphing of ideas. So I guess I prefer to be able to work both ways depending on the project.
8. You've worked with a lot of big names such as Adidas and Volcom. Is there any particular firm you really enjoy working for more then any other?
My favorite client is Roger Skateboards. Which isn't really a client since I co-own the company. But I love the freedom of literally being able to do anything I want to do without somebody giving me the thumbs down and telling me to try again. Roger pretty much ends up being the landing pad for all of the ideas that I know nobody else would want to touch.
9. How did you get into working with Thrasher Magazine?
In 2002 (or maybe 2003) a friend of mine told me that Ed Templeton was going to be at a Fugazi show in Austin that I was going to be attending. My buddy suggested that I bring some zines for him (since Ed's a zine collector.) I felt really weird about it since I didn't know him, but I thought I'd be stoked if some random dude gave me a bunch of zines, so I brought a handful of zines with me and gave them to Ed after the show. He brought them back to California with him and showed them to Michael Burnett (Thrasher Editor.) Burnett contacted me and I started doing some freelance work for the magazine. After about 6 months he (Burnett) called and asked if I would be interested in joining the Thrasher staff. As corny as it sounds, It was seriously a dream come true. I started reading Thrasher when I was 12 years old and the opportunity to be a part of the magazine means so much to me. I still get really stoked when I think about that phone call.
10. How has the art scene changed in America since you first became interested in creating artwork?
It's definitely gotten way bigger since I graduated from college in 1999. There are so many more artist run spaces and so many more opportunities for artists to get their work seen now then there were ten (plus) years ago.
11.. Last but not least, what advice would you give to aspiring designers/illustrators?
It's totally cliche, but be patient. For most artists it takes years before their work becomes recognizable or marketable, so use those years to practice your craft and to refine what you're doing.
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