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February 19, 2002
Attention WWDN Shoppers
Last week, I added two new designs to the WWDN store.
One of the designs was drawn by my amazingly talented friend, Ben.
The other design was created by an amazing artist named Brad, who I don't know, at all...so I conducted this silly little interview with him, so that I, and the Posse, could get to know him a little bit better.
Ben, if you're reading this, I want to interview you next. It's nice being on the other side of the table for a change!
WIL: Your website, artpeace.com, has one of the most beautiful mission statements I've ever read. Would you talk a little bit about what influenced your beliefs?
BRAD: Well, Mr. Crusher, I think I believe in God, and I think God's pretty cool.
And I think that people are way too serious in life, and caught up in "self", so much so that they become very peaceless entities. I've found that people react very positively from my art; they start trippin' and sometimes even think they can paint and draw all of a sudden (those who are not visual artists). That's cool, cuz if a person thinks she or he can do something they will usually at least try to make something happen, and end up on a higher skill or mental plane than when they started. I get the same kind of inspired energy from artists whose work I admire.
W: You state that "the creative energy of art" can stimulate the positive
flow of peace. Personally, I completely agree with this ideal, but I wonder if you've seen it in action?
B: People get excited when they see something on canvas or paper or the movie screen that they think is the coolest thing they've ever seen. They talk to each other, they agree about the skillful execution or the tight special effects, they can converse about something heavy without even caring about any differences that may exist between them. A good piece of art can calm the need to tear off somebody's head. That's peaceful energy.
W: I feel that your work is inspired by Dali. Am I right, or am I O.J.?
B: You do NOT want to be O.J. right about now...Salvadore was the father of surrealism, a style from which I create most of my work.
W: Did you go to an art school? Care to plug said school? As an artist, how do you feel about formal education vs. experiential education for would-be
artists?
B: I went to the premiere art high school in Houston. I had to audition to get in, did so with flying colors, then flunked 12th grade cuz I fkd around and didn't do the senior project, which they announced during the final week was not just another project, but 1/2 the semester grade...missed it by 1/2 credit, and the instructor flunked me cuz I had been a smart ass to her a few weeks before. So I took typing in summer school, and now I can type about 80 wpm. That helps out alot on my Macintosh work.
As for the education thing? It's whatever way you get it. Some artists feel like they have to have some rules under their belt before they can get down; artists like me look for rules that will break if you hit 'em hard enough.
W: The design you did for WWDN, which you've called "Perfect Imperfection", is really amazing. Would you like to talk about what inspired this piece?
B: No.
W: The Dodgers have been on a steady decline since FOX bought them. New GM Dan Evans has said that they want to "win now, not rebuild". What do you think of this attitude?
B: ... What? . . . Ok, ok I'll talk about "Perfect Imperfection" if it'll keep
us friends. One of the most amazing and harmlessly eerie sights in nature to me is a tree in the winter time when you can see all the branches. A billion branches that form this spiritual maze leading in seemingly endless possible directions that life can take you in at any given moment. The overall shape of this tree is almost reminiscent of the human brain...endless nerve endings. The eye is vision, insight, creativity, intellect. The green and gold iris depict sunlight causing the green (life) to exist, but there really is no eye there, just the impression that one exists. This image is of something that is the core by which we seek to perfect the imperfection
of the human destiny. Ok?
If the Dodgers have this kind of record, I think they may never win if he doesn't rebuild now.
W: Art vs. Commerce, Art *AS* Commerce, Commerce as Art. Discuss.
B: Art battling commerce loses almost everytime, if you're trying to pay bills.
Commercial artists, a group to which I technically but not always joyfully belong, don't draw and paint what they want, but what somebody with some money they need wants drawn. They incorporate their own style, true, but it still only goes so far. Then art becomes commerce. It's good work--very skilled execution--but usually it didn't really come out of that artist's soul, just out of the need to eat. Dali didn't give a damn what people thought, just as long as the work was good in his own sight. That's how I am, I think that's how any true artist is, whether visual, musical, theatrical... whatever. Got to be real. Or else it's commerce masquerading
as art, and anybody who is actually alive can see right through it.
W: Your website is really cool, and the idea of walking through a building to check out the art is very similar to the the interactive menus on Vivid DVDs. Ever had a pornstar come to your website? Asia Carrera once emailed me, you know.
B: If she came (get it?) to my website, I never heard about it. I don't remember... did you ever get around to emailing her back?
W: Yeah, and I think I scared her away with my geekiness. She never responded. Guess I'll have to start fawning over some other pornstar now.
In addition to your website, you publish a magazine. Is publishing a magazine as hard as I think it is?
B: Before beginning work on Artpeace Uncovered Magazine which you can download subscription cards for at the website and mail in with your check or money order... o crap, that was shameless. I'm sorry...Wil, calm down, man--it
won't happen again. As I was -- I worked a few years at several local pubs in Houston and at an independent newspaper, so I got the experience needed to manage a large multi-department mag. Artpeace Uncovered actually premieres this coming September, and many, many thousands of copies will be distributed nationwide. It mainly focuses on nongalleried artists who me and my enlightened staff think kik ass, but the world hasn't yet been fully let in on that fact.
W: Thank you so very, very much for this amazing design. I think it's beautiful, and I am honored that you offered to do it for me. Thank you even more for answering my lame questions.
B: You know, Mr. Crusher, I'm actually one of the few people in the galaxy who don't hate you. I didn't think Captain Picard was grateful enough that time you saved the entire ship, so it is me who is honored to present to you a token of my appreciation. Peace and Prosperity to you, your family and all your readers.
W: Peace and Prosperity to you, as well. By the way, call me Mr. Crusher again, and I'll kick you in the nuts.
I want to hear more about this magazine and publishing it...
Posted by: Roughy at February 19, 2002 01:27 PMwow can't believe I'm the first one to comment now this is something to be thankful for. As foor art have to say it's not my cuppa tea sorrry!
Posted by: Beastly_spike at February 19, 2002 01:28 PMAlthough I do have to say I LOVE the way you've done your gallery as if you are actually walking in a gallery, now that is way cool.
Posted by: Beastly_spike at February 19, 2002 01:30 PMOne more thing Roughly you are very insightful I do agree with what your saying but it's so hard at times, like soooooo hard, that i don't know what to do.
Posted by: Beastly_spike at February 19, 2002 01:32 PMHay wil, cool new designs! Thumbs up!
Makes me wish I had dispoasable income lol
Did you mean to put a book under your "Watch" heading to the right there? Most books aren't too much fun to stare at.... they generally just kinda sit there :P
Posted by: mecharossilla at February 19, 2002 01:44 PMHmm. It all looks very interesting at 16 colours. I can only imagine that it will look better with more colors.
Wil, that was fun. You should do interviews more often. : )
Posted by: hedgiewan at February 19, 2002 01:44 PMJust want to say to the interview:
Ooooookay...
Posted by: Kakaze at February 19, 2002 01:46 PMYou should interview the Cheese.
The again, maybe the Cheese should interview you...
Posted by: Roughy at February 19, 2002 01:52 PMInteresting non sequiturs, Wil. Trying to be a verbal Dali yourself?
/me is just being one of the posses' art critics. :)
Posted by: bluevangogh at February 19, 2002 02:09 PMLOL. You crack me up, Wil.
Thanks for brightening my day!
Posted by: noworriesmon at February 19, 2002 02:17 PM"...call me Mr. Crusher again, and I'll kick you in the nuts."
LMAO!
The design is very beautiful! :) Well done!
Posted by: Sayre at February 19, 2002 02:19 PMArgh! More Posse designs! My guilt at not buying yet has now multiplied at least threefold. Or fourfold. Or Ben Folds Fivefold.
Posted by: Mandy at February 19, 2002 02:20 PMYeah, thinking you wouldn't make the best Barbara Walters.
Posted by: chica at February 19, 2002 02:32 PMI agree with Sayre:
"...call me Mr Crusher again, and I'll kick you in the nuts."
Funniest line I've heard all day.
Posted by: veramar at February 19, 2002 02:38 PMHey! I thought Will's interview went way better than anything Barbara "anything for a story, the public has the right to know" Walter's ever did. I laughed, I stayed awake, and not once did I get pissed off and turn off the computer. Will, you should definitely interview Roughy. And Spudnuts!
Posted by: T'Sai Amanda at February 19, 2002 02:47 PMmecharosilla - click on it. it's a movie. it just looks like a book.
awesome website brad. wow.
Posted by: noworriesmon at February 19, 2002 02:53 PMFine art... it rocks. And Perfect Imperfection is great. A+ to Ben.
Posted by: KellyV at February 19, 2002 02:56 PMHi my name is Kelly and I'm retarded. I meant BRAD not Ben. *sigh*
Posted by: KellyV at February 19, 2002 02:58 PMDag, I'm surprised ya didn't clock him the first time he said "Mr. Crusher..."
;)
THANK YOU SIR (SIR!), MAY I HAVE ANOTHER!?!?!!
Posted by: JSc at February 19, 2002 03:14 PMWow..cool. I love the art there. The comic is...special and most definately amusing. I like the perfect imperfection..it's an amazing thought as far as I'm concerned.
But c'mon Wil...Mr. Crusher is like the totally coolest name you could go by..
Posted by: shaynie at February 19, 2002 03:23 PMhahahaha
Posted by: dake at February 19, 2002 03:23 PMthe artwok is very cool- now i wish i had some of the tax return left over that I could purchse it right------------ NOW!
cool interview by the way.
whoa, that artowrk is just goregeous (whoo-hoo i can spell, it took me like five mins. to remember how to spell that)!
c'mon Uncle Willie, why didn't you just clock him the first time he called you Mr. Crusher? i would have...
then again...
at least i know i'm not the only one who used to see you as just Wesley.
Bahahahahahahahahah
That "Convention" picture made me laugh out loud, and that other design is SWEET.
Good choices.
BTW
Ya shoulda kicked him in the nuts anyway.:-P
Kick ass! New t-shirts! Too bad I'm poor. That Brad dude seems pretty cool, even though he called you Mr. Crusher, and he's got some rad art skills. I wish I had money now.. ::sob:: Wil, you're a funny guy. You make me laugh. Laughing makes me happy. Therefore, Wil Wheaton = happiness. It's all about cause and effect.
Posted by: Aura Borealis at February 19, 2002 03:53 PMHey Spike, check out my comments to you from yesterday's post, the flamenco sketches...
Posted by: firemage at February 19, 2002 04:16 PMBrad just gave me a headache. Thanks.
Posted by: adeversole at February 19, 2002 04:23 PMReally impressive artwork site. It reminds me of something I've seen before, but now is eluding me. Anyway, I plan to go back for more exploration. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Wil.
By the way, how did the auditions go? How long do you have to wait until you find out about the parts?
Any leftover bordeaux?
Does Roughy have any more cheese?
Mmm. Cheese and Wine.
Posted by: Courtney at February 19, 2002 05:06 PMSpectacular website. This website is like the internet equivalent of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Bean. Sometimes Wil sends us a booger-flavored link, but this one was more...toasted marshmallow.
Although Surrealism usually isn't my favorite kind of art, I really liked being exposed to these images. I had a sense that I was moving forward in time (as far as the artist's development went) as I moved to the left and into the "back wing". He seemed to be getting away from the "it's symbolism, dammit!" thing that annoys me about some modern art, and seemed to be developing a gift for quieter (and more technically proficient) work.
Anyhow, it was great, and the format was amusing.
The correct answer to questions about the Dodgers is:
Who the hell cares about baseball????
*hugs to anyone reading*
-Steph
Bah! filter, filter, filter!!
Posted by: Photoshopper at February 19, 2002 05:49 PMSo Wil, the "Perfect Imperfection" artwork does look pretty cool, and I'm interested in ordering one. However, can you tell us what the text says beneath the title of the picture? Maybe I have my monitor at too high a resolution, but I'll be damned if I can make it out...
Posted by: Gary at February 19, 2002 05:56 PMI love it. Well done. I want a posse. I'll have to check the job listing for the Federation.
Also, "perfect imperfection" it's like deja vu I used that phrase in a speech recently for my communications classes. Spooky.
Posted by: FutureWonder at February 19, 2002 05:59 PMCheese + Wine = Migraine
Posted by: firemage at February 19, 2002 06:27 PMI, uhh, just checked out the artwork and its descriptions. I don't think this guy is quite at peace yet. May have some issues yet.
Posted by: scratch at February 19, 2002 06:33 PMI liked the tornado. Less is more.
Cheese + Wine = fat happy me
Posted by: Courtney at February 19, 2002 06:57 PMI had to go check out artpeace.com... man, that is some **amazing** artwork. I only spent a few minutes there, but I suspect I'll go back to look at the rest of the site. The Spouse Thingy is into the BobRoss art (which I love, I think it's kinda cool) but the talent in these paintings is just awesome.
BTW, I don't have nuts, so what's Wil gonna kick if I call him Mr. Crusher...? LOL
If I stare at the perfect imperfection design for little while, I can see Hobbes the Tiger pouncing on an old fashioned London taxi cab.
Posted by: Fred Fowler at February 19, 2002 07:31 PMWine + cheese + Hobbes the Tiger =
Wacked-out shit, and an underage feline drinker.
Posted by: KJB at February 19, 2002 07:50 PMWWDN + UE + wacked out shit = square eyes& visine from too much time spent in front of pc
Posted by: firemage at February 19, 2002 08:04 PMSo if he calls you Mr. Crusher, and you kick him successfully in the nuts, would that make you Mr. Crusher the blogging Nutcracker? You are fighting the army of rats... Who are fed by the Cheese?
My head's spinning...
Wine + cheese = fondue
Posted by: Fred Fowler at February 19, 2002 08:24 PMThe Cheese STANDS ALONE!
Posted by: AMStrange at February 19, 2002 08:40 PMFowler + Cheese = lyposuction
Posted by: Roughy at February 19, 2002 08:41 PMThe mullet will never die. It is immortal. Long live the mullet.
http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s=1493&a=22766,00.asp
The Cheese + liposuction = major I.Q. loss.
:):)
Ahh, Fowler, but the cheese has consistency.
Posted by: Roughy at February 19, 2002 10:57 PMFoolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
Posted by: KJB at February 19, 2002 11:18 PMThe Celtics win. Over the Lakers. In L. A. . Isn't that one of the early warning signs of the Apocalypse?
Posted by: Fred Fowler at February 19, 2002 11:55 PM"Peace and Prosperity to you, as well. By the way, call me Mr. Crusher again, and I'll kick you in the nuts."
Wil-I'll rochambeau you for a T-shirt with this design. I get to go first...
Posted by: olafandy (the poster formerly known as Jon) at February 20, 2002 09:52 AMSo do you need artists to produce more 'fine art'?
*hint, hint*
Posted by: sandra at February 20, 2002 11:07 AMIt is difficult to one, read the entire interview without negative remarks on my part, and two, go to the website. Just saw the 1998 William Shatner as Bill movie on HBO, amusing. If this was the Captain in real life (ala Priceline.com), the whole enterprise is doomed. If you haven't seen Shatner rap, see the movie, "Free Enterprise, " I believe is what the movie was called, not for the TNG friendly.
Posted by: ze-mag at February 20, 2002 02:08 PMDang Cafe Press and its rediculous international shipping charges. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what's available when I'm next crossing the pond so can get it maildropped.
Posted by: rv at February 20, 2002 03:59 PMWil Jess is really upset that u blocked her from the site. do you think you could her one more chance?
Yea i think she deserves it.
Posted by: Marcia at February 20, 2002 07:02 PMI haven't really had that much time for surfing as of late, but I did get the change to check out the gallery at www.artpeace.com, and I must say; FARKIN' BAD ARSE!
Posted by: t e s at February 20, 2002 08:40 PMFoolish hobgoblins.
That's all.
Just foolish, those damn hobgoblins.
Posted by: Roughy at February 21, 2002 12:58 AMAll I can say is Brad rules!
(nice one with the Dodgers conversation blackmail)
Wesley.....I think you should have finished starfleet academy before you morphed into a multidementional being. You were almost done, and u were kickin ass. Heck, you were already an ensign before you went.
Jack
Posted by: Jack Coats at February 22, 2002 10:18 AMbah! you didn't interview me, poophead :-p
[throws a jealous little hissy fan girl fit]
Posted by: sohma g. dawling at February 25, 2002 03:53 PMFree Enterprise is the best movie ever. Check out my site for the Shatner Rap.
Posted by: shatner rap at March 4, 2003 09:21 PMWhat's Crackin! - Just need to go Play Bingo - for my Online Bingo Habit! But I cannot Find a Good Bingo Online website to cover my bingo addiction!
Posted by: Bingo at October 25, 2004 04:30 AMPost a comment
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