Photo by Brittney Cat
Thanks Johnny Bopp for coming out to the studio in the rain this week for photos and art talk (hence his rain covered shirt).
1.What is your name?
Johnny Bopp
2.What is your quest?
I quest for life survival skills.
3.What is your favorite color?
I’m partial to greens as they usually signify life and nature, and for that radioactive glow, there’s none better.
Art by Johnny Bopp
4.How long have you been painting and where did you get your start?
Talented from an early age, i won all the arts awards in grade school, and designed many event T-shirts in high school. After earning a B.F.A. in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design, I relocated to Louisville in 2008 where I have been painting first skateboard decks, then canvases and now offer prints of my work as well.
5.The characters in your work have a theme–you call them ‘Mugs’. What was the inspiration for all the teeth and eyeballs?
The ugly mugs I paint evolved from me exploring extreme facial close-ups with bold, graphic line work and clean, bright colors. I try to vary the bulging eyes and toothy grins, not only because I find them to be the funniest parts of the face to draw and paint, but to give each creature a different personality as well.
Ary by Johnny Bopp
6.What have you been listening to while painting lately?
I usually prefer background TV or movies to background music when working, and even then it wouldn’t be a favorite show, just some documentary stuff or some seedy reality show. Anything to make me focus on the work at hand, really.
7.Any awesome art projects that you’re currently working on or looking forward too in the near future?
I’ve recently purchased a few long boards to paint, and would also like to have t-shirts available by the end of the year.
Art by Johnny Bopp
8.Who are your 3 favorite artist or 3 biggest artistic influences?
I’m a big fan of Charlie Adlard’s work, as well as Eric Powell and Simone Bianchi. Recently, I’ve been ‘digging’ horror artists such as Jeff Gaither, Billy Tackett, and Dick Starr. Influences include apotropaic art, or art that wards off evil spirits, such as gargoyles or other protective imagery from any culture, past or present.
9.You display your work at a lot of horror conventions. Where and when will you be set up next?
Look for my booth at Scarefest in Lexington, KY November 5th-7th.
Photo By Brittney Cat
10.What’s a typical day like for you?
I sling coffee full time, but always have room to fit in sketches or get in a few hours of work each day when I can.
Visit Johnny Bopp’s website to see more of his work and order a print or buy an original! Stop by the 930 Gallery on Saturday October 16th from 12p-6p to check out his booth as well.
Great questions, great answers, and sick art!! Very cool feature!!