Artist short profile:
– Name: Joe Mondin.
– Location: Emmaus, PA, USA.
– Artistic style: That is a hard question to answer. It depends on what I am working on and the outcome I want for the piece. But my main interest is Comic book with some Manga thrown in. Well, at least that is how others have described my work, so I am going to run with it.
– Website/s:  –  joegrafix.deviantart.com. – Facebook.com/operationblackice
– Bragging rights(Featured work/collaborations): Black Ice (independent comic book), Air Products commissioned me to do a painting for their IET (Instrument and Equipment Technology) department.

 

Artist continued profile. Let’s get a tiny bit personal:
– What are your goals as an artist?: To constantly improve and experiment with my styles. I want to have the opportunity to tell my stories and make a comfortable living doing so. I have also thought of maybe one day passing what I have learned onto others. Maybe inspiring young, future artists.

 – What do you think of Comics being made into movies?:   I think it is great. The technology has finally reached a point where if you can imagine it, it can be created. As long as Hollywood and their producers believe in the movie and put together a good story/budget to back it and the support a movie needs to succeed, then the outcome is incredible. But they really need to focus on a good story. Let the special effects come second. They should help tell the story not take over the movie.

– Has reading a Comic ever changed your life? Which one/why? (If yes): Spawn #1. A friend introduced me to comics back in high school. I didn’t know that the world of comics had changed since I was a kid. That is when I started to try and reproduce what I saw. It changed my art style and my take on comics.

– If someone created a Comic about your life what would they title it?: The Misunderstood Life of an Artist.

– Favourite artist/why?: Wow. That is a tough question. I like so many different artists for so many different reasons.
* First I would have to say Todd McFarlane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McFarlane), for it was his work that got me interested in comic books in the first place, his details and style captured my interest from the start.
* J. Scott Campbell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Scott_Campbell) – His work is a great mix between real and cartoon, which makes it fun. He has a great sense of humour in his work.
* Joe Madureira (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Madureira) – His work is an incredible stylization.

– Where there any defining moments in your life that have influenced your artistic style?: Being introduced to Image comics in the early 90’s. Also attending the Kuberts School has influenced my art in many ways. Not only what I have learned from the teachers but also from the fellow students who are now friends and continue inspire me with their work.

– If you could have any power from a Comic character, what would it be/why?: That is a tough one, but I don’t think I would want a power. I would rather have a characteristic of Captain America. The way he has been written over the years of being able to do what is right. Always looking on the bright side. They write him in a way that makes me want to be a better person. 

– Favourite Comic artist of all time/why?: I don’t think I could say that I have just one. There are so many great artists for some many different reasons. Style, story telling, etc…

– What do you prefer to snack on when creating a masterpiece?: I don’t really snack. I just need my Pepsi and my music and I am good to go.

– Where do you ‘draw’ your daily inspiration from?(See what I did there hehe): Life. People. Photography. Music. Movies. Everything around me.

– Likes: The sound of my children laughing, art, comic books, music (I am an old school junky, but listen to it all), movies, NCIS
 – Dislikes: close minded people – So much in life is based upon opinions, yet people don’t like when others think for themselves, right of wrong. Agree to disagree.

– Do you scrunch or fold your toilet paper?: Fold

– Any thank you’s/shout-outs?: Lucas and Abigail – They are my imagination and creativity, my inspiration and motivation, they keep me young and happy. And to all my friends and family that have supported me throughout my artistic life. I depend on you and you are there for me.

 

 

– Thank you to Joe for his interview and sharing his art with us – Ness.