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Spraygraphic Interview with Artist N8 Van Dyke
By Spraygraphic | December 15, 2008
Spraygraphic Interview with N8 Van Dyke
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
N8: I’m an art kid. I was born and raised in Northern California and all I ever wanted to do since I was a kid was to draw comics. Fast forward a mess of years and I’ve done a bit of comics and then some. I also spread my art around in the form of freelance illustration and gallery shows when I am not busy working full-time as a senior video game concept artist on the on-line game City of Hereos. Oh, and I’m good at drinking, too.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
N8: I’ve got the home/studio thing going in San Francisco and the day-job in Mountain View, Ca. Aside from that I work in London, Portland or wherever the next solo art show may take me.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
N8: I mess around with a lot of different mediums. I’m mostly known for my detailed pen and ink work on paper but I also use color pencils, pencil, markers, color markers, acrylic, guache, oil, spray paint, beer, and whiskey.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
N8: It begins with an itch in the brain and is followed by a beer. I generally sketch a piece out in 10 minutes of less before diving into final work. I like to let the piece come to life on it’s own rather than laying down too heavy of a blueprint. I work pretty quickly and move on. Rinse. Repeat.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
N8: I’ve had people ask me this before and my best advise is to copy something. Not anything like another artists piece but rather a photo or a still life. If I’m stuck I’ll pull the human skull off of my shelf and have at it. Block… broken.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
N8: Anchorsteam beer.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
N8: All over the world. I just had solo shows in London and Portland within a five week period. I tend to get a lot of print in Asia. I have an interview in the current issues of Maxim Magazine, China. My crap art gets all over the globe in one form or another.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
N8: Planning the next solo show at the moment. Aside from that… at my drawing table later tonight. That’s where art babies are born.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
N8: A game /movie/cartoon based off of my chimp character, Dutch.
SG: What is your favorite color?
N8: Blue-grey.
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
N8: Frank Frazetta. That man is a god. He’s the lion king of fantasy/sci-fi art.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
N8: JUXTAPOZ as always. Great shitter reading. I’ve got a book a co-worker let me borrow but I have yet to crack it open. It kinda stinks like an old library book. Maybe that’s why I haven’t started it yet.
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
N8: All of the time. They are all over the place. They are in various collections and countries. My chimp character is my ultimate alter-ego.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
N8: In the corner of a dark bar. Hopefully one with a couple pool tables and some metal on the juke box.
SG: Any final words of advice?
N8: Fuck what the critics think. Draw/paint whatever it is that’s in you. I did “safe” art for awhile because I thought people couldn’t handle my dark thoughts. I quickly learned that the ideas in my head needed to be expressed. Screw the masses and the doubters… do what ya gotta do no matter what. Life is short and death is done deal.
Topics: Animal Art, Art Events, Artist Interviews, Sprayblog |
December 17th, 2008 at 3:29 am
NNNN8888888888 4 Life!!!!! I have the Juxtapoz issue he was in…I think I will frame it and hang it in the bathroom, in honor!