Hey Aggressors! Taffeta Darling here with your Monday artist spotlight featuring one of my favorite subjects, MOVIES!  In the world of my fandoms, cult classic movies rule. What rules even harder is an artist that celebrates my favorite movie scenes by bringing them to life. Texas artist and former NASA engineer, Jim Ferguson does just that. Jim, who travels all over the United States, is well known for his artistry in capturing cinematic memories. If you’re looking for art to hang on your wall from of your favorite scene from your favorite movie, chances are Jim’s painted it.  Jim has three successful books titled “Making a Scene” and is currently working on his fourth via his Kickstarter here. Check out our Q&A for more details on Jim and why he’ll soon be one of your faves too.

TD:  Jim, please tell our aggressive comix family about yourself and how you transitioned from a full time NASA employee to a popular artist.

JF: I had not drawn in several years I caught up in every day life got married and started a family with 3 great kids and got a cool job working at NASA and had pretty much given up my dream of being an artist. In 2011 my little boy asked me to draw Pokemon with him. I was like I got this kid, I can draw and then his looked better than mine. That scared me into drawing again. I thought I had lost something I loved very much, making art. Since then I have sat down to draw almost every night. I wasn’t sure what to draw at first, but I remembered…just draw what you love and I love movies.

TD:  I’ve seen a variety of work from you, but movie scenes are what you’re well known for, why full scenes?

JF: I saw some of my friends doing sketchcards. I figured I would try that. Quickly found out I didn’t like doing them. But what I liked to do was backgrounds, landscapes and scenery. So instead of doing just a headshot I started to draw the whole moment in a scene.

TD: Tell us a bit about your making a scene books and the most recent one coming out?

JF: Well number one, I kinda have a thing for books. After the first year I had drawn a whole lot and started selling prints in Galleries and comic conventions. I had people saying they wanted to get all of the prints. So I decided to do the Making a Scene book. It’s pretty much a collection of everything I drew that year and I do a new book every year since 2012. Like most people I dont have a lot of wallspace or room for art. So I figured a book was a good way to go. I wish more artist would do a book. When they do I try to get one from them.  I’m currently doing a Kickstarter for my 4th Making a Scene book. Visit www.makingascenebook.net where you can get actor autographed prints, books, commissions and more for helping me get my book printed.

TD: What’s you’re favorite 80s movie?

JF: It’s a tough one. i’m a big Conan the Barbarian fan. But I pretty much love all 80’s movies.

TD: Have you met anyone you’ve drawn before?/ who’s been your favorite subject to meet?

JF:  I have meet probably close to 75 celebrities I have drawn and a buch more that I haven’t. A lot have been really quick just getting stuff signed. But some have become friends. My very first interaction with a celebrity was James Hong (Lo Pan) from Big Trouble in Little China and did the foreword for my 3rd book. I had gotten an email from him. He signed one of my prints at a show that someone had bought from me. He liked it and wanted some for himself.  Sean Astin is great! I helped him with his first Kickstarter project and he helped me with mine. He made me run a 5k with him, I didnt want to but he called me a sissy. I love Peter Mayhew and his whole family. They are really great people and do a lot for the fans of Star Wars. Plus they have goats at their house.

TD: What would be your dream project?

JF: I would like to work on something official for Star Wars. But I want to do my own comic. I’m already working on some concepts for it.

 

Alright you guys, let’s show Jim some love by visiting his Facebook page, and following him on Twitter and Instagram @JimBeanus.

-Taffeta