My Favorite Artists - Skinner

 

I'm very excited to introduce today's featured artist!  Known as Skinner he is a full time artist that creates some of the most imaginative, interesting and bizarre art I've ever seen.  He has pieces inspired by Lovecraft and D&D and works in multiple mediums including print, sculpture, painting and many others.  You might have seen his work on Adult Swim or if you live in the San Francisco/Oakland CA areas you may have seen one of his many shows there.  I'm very happy to introduce you my readers to a true original and a very talented man, Skinner! 

• First of all, thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with me, please introduce yourself and give us a brief bio:

My name is Skinner and I make art for a living. I do a bunch of different stuff. I write stories and paint and make music videos and conceptualize shit and theorize about life and stuff.

• When did you first discover your creative talents?

When I was a little ass kid trying to figure out how to draw monsters and dinosaurs. I wasn't conscious of it being anything other then an interest in trying to emulate stuff that a little ass kid likes. You just draw sharks and hulk hogans and enjoy it. No one thinks it's art really.

• How would you describe your style and where do you draw your inspiration from?

Describing my style is weird because I do so many different kinds. Illustrative comic book style or fantasy paintings but mostly my style is just little kid trying to make something look good. My inspiration comes from fantasy artists and comic book artists and old illustrators. Marvel comics back in the day. Stuff like that. Jack Kirby.

• Who is your favorite artist? What draws you towards his or her artwork?

One of my favorite artists is Louie Cordero from the Philippines. I love a ton of artists but he's alive and still doing stuff and since my favorite artists are dead I thought I'd mention him. His shit is so fucking weird and great! It's like a surreal Ghana movie poster mixed with Japanese vibes and Satan.

• Is art a full time occupation for you, if not what do you do for a living?

I do art full time. Always on the grind!

 

• What projects are you currently working on?

 

Finishing an animated music video for high on fire. Commercials for adult swim and my own illustrations and paintings. I have been writing a lot of stories and show pitches these days. 

• What type of work do you enjoy doing most?

 

My own weird fantasy paintings or inking. Writing is fun as fuck too but painting lovecraftian fantasy shit is probably the best.

• You've created art inspired by D&D, are you yourself a gamer and if so what are your favorite games?  How did being a gamer influence your style? 

I wish I had time. I grew up memorizing every little detail of my monster manuals and fiend folios and shit. I loved it so much. Now I just kinda honor it in my work! Old AD&D art was so crazy. Trampier was a standout and Errol Otus. I got to hang with Larry Elmore at comic con! He's great!

• Who is your favorite musical artist and why?

I'm into Melvins! Always pushing subversive rock and fuck it attitude in the face of a world that wants to contrive everything and make a buck. Melvins make art not products.

• What was the last book you read?

Alan Moore biography and some Clark Ashton smith. Just finished Mezolith which is an amazing book full of prehistoric folk tale stuff! 

• What is your favorite place that you have traveled to?

 

Cuba hands down. 

• What superpower would you have and why?

 

The power to make people shit their pants at my behest. Whenever I want. Any distance. Don't cross me. 

• Where can the readers go to see your art?

http://www.theartofskinner.com/ or http://shopcriticalhit.com/

• Are there any books, videos, or other forms of media that you would recommend to new artists to help them learn? 

Oh shit man everything's so available now. I wouldn't know where to start. Shit I don't know. How bout anatomy by Burne Hogarth, Frazetta paintings and drawings and maybe " How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way".

• Lastly, any words of advice for aspiring artists?

 

Well, don't get lured in by the validation that comes from people liking your stuff on the Internet. You can't base your growth on that. You have to put in an insane amount of work before you don't even kinda not suck let alone before you've developed an even small level of your own style. Just don't be lazy about putting in work. Put your heart into it ya lazy bum! It's the best!