Too Fast Apparel Interview

1. Let’s just start by having you tell us how you got into art in the first place. How old were you and what inspired you to start?
I know it sounds totally cliche, but really I started drawing as soon as I could pick up a pencil. I was the kid that didn't really need others around to entertain me, so I would just draw all the time. It wasn't until about 8th grade when I got serious about it. I was enrolled in a summer art class at Repenning Fine Arts in Audubon, NJ, and after seeing what I was capable of I realized that this was what I wanted to do. Before that I had never even touched oil paint, so I had no idea I could paint at all. So that fall I enrolled in the adult class and continued on with that up until I went to college at the University of the Arts.

2. You went to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. How was that experience?
I would say I had a very good experience there over all. It was tough, I cannot stress that enough. A lot of people think of art school as a cake walk, but they are definitely mistaken haha. But I feel my work really grew by going there. I had wonderful professors who I still keep in touch with and show my work to.

3. Your illustrations are wonderful, but you work in other areas as well. What mediums do you like to work on the most? And where do you see your focus being in the future?
Thank you! My favorite medium is definitely oil paint. I love the richness of it, and I love its consistency and blend ability. As far as my focus in the future, I don't really want to narrow it down to one area. I want to able to try my hands at everything and anything.

4. What artists are you influenced by the most? And do you find inspiration in other places as well?
The artists that have influenced me the more Mark Ryden, Tara McPhearson, and Cam Rackam. Cam Rackam really got me into band artwork after seeing some of the work he did for Avenged Sevenfold when I was younger. I'm also into Italian and Northern Renaissance paintings. Some of favorite painters from that time period art Sandro Bottecelli, Caravaggio, and Jan Van Eyck.
I am also influenced by nature. I grew up and still live in a house with woods in my backyard, and as a kid I loved to explore them. So there are nature elements in a lot of pieces. Other influences are books I may be reading, horror movies, and the music I listen to.

5. What kind of projects can we expect to see from you in 2012?
Well right now I just finished up a show poster for Snow Patrol's show in April at the Electric Factory, and I'm doing the collaboration with Too Fast. Also the print version of AJ Tillock's Grinding Reality: The Forbidden Bean will be coming out so I did the front and back cover for that. I'm also working on some personal pieces that are dark in nature and somewhat dealing with the spiritual. So, expect a lot new things coming from me!