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This tweeterview was between:
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The tweeterview as recorded:
| Q1: | "Today I am tweeterviewing Derek Benson, better known as @LunchBagArt" |
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More on Q1...
He is the illustrator responsible for defining a new artistic medium - Lunch Bags!
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More on Q1...
Thanks for joining me Derek.
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Thank you, I apologize for being late.
| Q2: | "So, how long have you been drawing on Lunchbags for now?" |
I started in September 2008. I've done just over three hundred.
| Q3: | "Do you remember what the inspiration was, that got you started doing this?" |
Yes, nothing spectacular; I was making lunch for the kids, and there were art supplies nearby, and presto.
The kids liked it, so I kept doing it. And then it became practice, which is very valuable.
The kids now will make their own, often taking my stuff and "improving" it.
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Do you give final approval of their "improvements"?
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Generally my opinion is not required. If my daughter wants the Star Wars battledroid to be pink and have a ponytail, we're goo..
..d. :)
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LOL! That sounds a lot scarier than a normal battle droid, actually
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It really was. Good tactics.
| Q4: | "Do you recall what the first illustration was, that you drew on a bag?" |
It was Squidward. So terrible. take a look if you dare: http://lunchbagart.tumblr.com/post/49121865
Practice has helped me a lot.
| Q5: | "Do you have any formal illustration training?" |
I had some in college. But I've been making video games for seventeen years, and illustration skills get rusty.
It's one thing to rig a character for animation, it's another thing entirely to draw him with a pen, if you see my meaning.
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So this is really great practice for you then?
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Yes. if you do something every day for a year, you'll get better at it. I've just done my first large scale painting.
It's at Scott Sava's Dreamland site, stand by
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I look forward to seeing it!
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| Q6: | "Briefly, what is your creative process, from idea to final art?" |
Here's the Dreamland piece. I wanted to make a fantasy book cover.
http://www.thedreamlandchronicles.com/2010/01/11/dreamland-guest-page-01/
Answering q6. The kids will request something, and I'll draw it
OR...(more likely) I'll just remember something I liked as a kid, and draw it, and we'll check it out on Youtube.
Such as the original Clash of the Titans. There was some weird stuff in there.
then I'll use sharpies, paint pens and oil pastels. The whole process takes about twenty minutes.
| Q7: | "Does drawing on the bags present any unique problems?" |
Sure; the bag itself has a big fold across it, and a seam from top to bottom.
Also if I mess with it it'll explode with the food in it, which is only funny once.
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I will keep that noted. But you have to learn somehow, don't you?
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| Q8: | "Do you get many requests for custom work / commissions?" |
Not so many. And usually I want to do them for free. My favorites are romantic gifts, where it's somebody
...offering my art as a gift to a prospective boy or girlfriend.
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More on Q8...
Great Idea! Of course, you have now just made yourself very busy for valentines day....
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no worries, I'm up for it.
there was one for a 21st birthday...the bag was to hold alcohol, I thought that was clever.
| Q9: | "Do you feel pressured at all, to produce new art every day?" |
No. If I can't do it, I won't...there are a lot more important things when you have kids around. It's just a fun thing to do.
And lately I get a lot of help, like I said earlier. :)
Here is an example of the help, by the way:
http://lunchbagart.tumblr.com/post/86184116/a-collaboration-with-my-daughter
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More on Q9...
When can we expect to see something totally drawn by the kids themselves?
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Oh pretty soon...almost there. Here's a sea turtle my oldest made, for example.
http://lunchbagart.tumblr.com/post/102135038/drawing-practice-with-my-kid-sea-turtles
| Q10: | "Is there a side goal to doing the bags, or is this something you are doing just for the love of it?" |
Just doing because the kids like it, and because it helps my art skill. No money in it that I can tell.
| Q11: | "How popular are your kids at school now, thanks to your art?" |
It's kind of a fun thing, but it's not earthshaking for them. I don't know if this kind of smug parenting helps with popularity.
I'm on the verge, anyway, of becoming the Embrarrassing Dad, you know, when kids get embarrassed by everything.
Which is actually really excellent.
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Yes, I know all about that. I say embrace it, and enjoy the ride!
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No kidding, I want to get bermuda shorts and those black socks with the garters around the shin, and pick the kids up at school.
| Q12: | "Ok, now the hard questions.... " |
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Who would win in a fight - Mario or Sonic?
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I am tired of hearing this question. My daughter loves Sonic and Tails. My son loves Mario. it's a frequent topic.
I mean, Sonic has the speed, right? All mario has is tenacity.
But his tenacity wins out. And makes his company more money. So much so that Sega no longer has a console.
Mario wins in a depressing financial bottom line showdown.
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I agree totally!
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| Q13: | "Do you prefer Jay Leno or Conan O'Brien?" |
Conan. I am considering a Conan illustration. Where he has a big damn sword and is praying to Crom.
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Just don't forget the hair.
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The hair is vital.
| Q14: | "Lastly - if you had to be a any SCI-FI character, who would you be, and why?" |
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I prefer to think of him as just following his own ideals with passion. Neither good or bad really. Just devoted to a ..
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..plan.
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Nobody is more of a badass than a guy who invents nuclear fission to power his revenge machine. Nemo. My man.
| Q15: | "Thanks for your time Derek. For everyone out there Twitter - you can follow him at @LunchBagArt" |
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More on Q15...
Also, be sure to check out the Lunch Bag art site - http://lunchbagart.tumblr.com
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Thank you very much, this was very groovy.