Joining us this month from Transtopia is none other than Psychomud. Residing in South Korea, Psychomud is a talented artist who took out 2nd place in this year's BotCon art contest for his rendition of Apeface, and was also crazy enough to put his hand up to be interviewed. So enthusiastic he virtually interviewed himself for me!
About me in a nutshell:
1. I live and work in South Korea for the Department of Defense.
2. I won 2nd place at Botcon for "Decepticon Apeface".
3. At Chicago Comic-con (Wizard World) 2008 - i was a featured artist at the Sketch Magazine artist alley table.
4. Did a pin-up for Skystorm Studios "Art of HellGirl" comic.
5. I have designed and illustrated logos for various organizations/sporting venues/motorcycle clubs here in South Korea - including recently designing/illustrating for the Songtan-Si Dart Association (dart league). I work for them to design the special award dart pins.
6. I DREAM to one day work for IDW - preferably but not limited to drawing transformers.
7. Right now, I am working on a "mosaic-like" 1-shot full comic written by Mike Priest and Shaun Flaughterty (which I am sure I misspelled his last name).
8. I has survived 2 wars (once as military, once as a contractor - as I am now) and if things keep going like they are - might be in a 3rd one here on the Korean penninsula. ;(
9. Although I started working hard at obtaining an illustration career late in life (36 now) - I have been drawing since 3. Not to mention, I know illustration pays next to nothing, and with my current job I will be able to retire in Thailand (at 45-ish) to live/work - hopefully long distance as an illustrator for IDW.
10. I love seibertron.com - and play HMW while I draw.
But I wasn't about to let it end there, I had to explore deeper, find out what makes Psychomud tick, or at least ask a few more questions so I look semi-professional!
Burn - When did you first get into Transformers and what was it that drew you in?
Psychomud - Hands down, I first got into them with issue #4 or the Marvel run. I remember CLEARLY seeing the comic at a HOOKS drug pharmacy when I was a kid - maybe 5th grade? I purchased it and only made it half way home on my bike before I had to stop and read it. Very shortly after, I started getting the toys (when my mother could buy them). I will NEVER forget that cover! Prime with busted bots behind him, facing a swarm of cons coming in! Oh and I continued getting the comics for a couple years to come. I am not sure if I saw the cartoon before that comic - maybe I did. Anyway, I was a fan for life because of that comic! To this day I get every comic, cartoon, and many-many-many toys.
Burn - Now you say "many-many-many" toys, how many are we talking here?
Psychomud - I've lost track long ago - maybe this will help, the pix do not contain what I have laying randomly about the rest of my apartment and work. This is JUST my art studio/computer room:
http://muddypsychostudios.googlepages.c ... 004916.jpghttp://muddypsychostudios.googlepages.c ... 004718.jpghttp://muddypsychostudios.googlepages.c ... 004626.jpghttp://muddypsychostudios.googlepages.c ... 004740.jpghttp://muddypsychostudios.googlepages.c ... 004811.jpghttp://muddypsychostudios.googlepages.c ... 004821.jpghttp://muddypsychostudios.googlepages.c ... 004844.jpghttp://muddypsychostudios.googlepages.c ... 004610.jpgBurn - How would you define your collecting habits?
Completist? MISB/MOSC Collector?
Psychomud - Hmmm, I really only get what appeals to me. Never a completist. RARELY keep boxes - and NEVER keep them in the boxes.
Burn - Your medium is clearly in drawing which you started at the age of 3 but didn't really pursue as a career until later in life, what was the defining moment when you decided to pursue illustration as a career?
Psychomud - Not until about 2 or 3 years ago - giving a serious effort towards the business. Back in High School, I *KNEW* that comics was a career path that was difficult and did not pay well. I still drew all the time, but figured I would major in Architecture at Ball State Univeristy in Muncie, Indiana (home of David Letterman, and Jim Davis of Garfield fame). "Archy" quickly got old - as I felt I was limited on my creativity. At that point, I knew I had to choose between an Art major - or a Computer Science major (my 2nd love). It was 91 and the net was just a whisper but the horrizon for computers looked promissing. I went that route - but continued drawing (even doing some graphic design on computers and video game development). While in college, the money ran out and I turned to my uncle (SAM) and joined the active duty Army. After my first tour, I had to decide. Go back to school for art - or take a once in a lifetime oppertunity. I was offered a job as a software engineer for the Department of Defense. The money was INSANE - the risk was too (WAR). I quickly massed a fortune and as my TF collection grew - I realized, I could train in illustration. My goal, to be full a full time illustrator at 45 - when I "retire" from contractor life. If I live that long.
Burn - How did you stumble onto Seibertron.com?
Psychomud - Via Google - as most TF sites. I lurk many TF sites but when I started playing HMWs - I found it a perfect "egg timer" to break from drawing, toss my bots (maximals) into battle, then return to the drawing board. not to mention the gallery is SUPERIOR for reference - I WISH I could download the whole thing as a catalog application for my iTouch so when I am not near a pc - I will have reference handy. I NEVER go anywere without my sketchbook/portfoliocase/supplies. I draw non-stop!
Burn - I think it's safe to say many of us have used HMW as a break between jobs/chores, or just to waste time.
Any particular reason you chose to side with the Maximals in the war?
Psychomud - Yep - I love the "good guys". So that left me with Autobots or Maximals. I figured Autobots would be hugely popular so I went with Maximals in HOPES of building some high ranking characters (within that faction).
Burn - *SIDE NOTE* Psychomud was also kind enough to agree to provide a piece of art to the winner of Round 2 of the
Heavy Metal War Smelting Pool League contest for which we're very appreciative of.
Burn - Name your top 5 TF characters
Psychomud - In order:
1 and 2) (TIE) Optimus Prime and Bumblebee
3) Brawn (He's not dead - Megatron winged him in the cartoon movie!)
4) Rhinox - DUDE! He had a vulcan cannon in the BW cartoon - how cool is that!?!?!
5) Megatron - Galvatron can't hold a candle to Megs! Galvy was just psycho. Megatron *IS EVIL*!
I'd like to caveot the above list as just my humble opinion and no offence is meant to fans of other TFs.
And ya know what opinions are like...
Burn - Good to see Rhinox getting some recognition, I always felt we should have seen more of him during BW.
Psychomud - HECK YES! He was like the Brawn/Iron Hide/Beachcomber of the BW era I think. I was SOOOO ticked off when he got "tankor'ed" in BM. SO unlike him characteristically I think.
Burn - You said you want to work for IDW preferably on Transformers. Looking through your DeviantArt page I see you've done a Batman piece and you're a Superman fan. If you couldn't work for IDW and draw Transformers, which comic book company would you look to and what character(s) would you want to work on?
Psychomud - Hmmm, tough call. IDW is my #1 choice. Be it Transformers (or GI Joe) - or even any other title they think I could work on. They REALLY care about their readership and are willing to try genres of comics that the other big guys avoid. They are a company that cares about their readers first, then then talent, THEN the "bottom line" third (as it seems to me). Support these guys! Explore their other titles on iTunes (if ya can). Speaking of which - today on iTunes, I noticed that IDW TF titles have OUTSOLD THE BIBLE!
IDW 4 LIFE!
TF TILL DEATH!Before TF, I love(d) Superman. DC was the comics company of choice for me my whole life - even when the storys sucked. Thier characters are iconic. I personnally think that I might be able to hang with the Hulk for Marvel - over buffed superheros have always been easy for me to do.
But I wouldn't turn down ANY paid work. I draw cause I love to draw.
Burn - I've always been a Marvel fan myself, I do read a few DC titles on a regular basis however.
I do agree with you about IDW. I think they've done a fantastic job to franchises like Transformers, G.I. Joe, Dr Who, Angel & Star Trek, but their home grown titles like Locke & Key and the quirky Groom Lake.
Have you given thought to developing your own series?
Psychomud - Not really, I'm just an artist. I wouldn't dare to venture far into writing territory. Thats a TOUGH field and I gotta lot of respect for the writers - they are on equal footing when it comes to those who draw - and are ARTISTS in there own right.
If I were to do something, ala Nick Roche's Spotlight Kup - I would have to make an issue "the marvel way". Basically making a general outline, making the story by drawing it out - THEN have a good writer put the script to it AFTER the art.
Burn - Thank you so much for your time, and your patience. Any last words for our readers?
Psychomud - ABSOLUTELY!
The current project I am working on RIGHT NOW with many other very talented fans is:
BEAST WARS - Second Chances!
And only for SEIBERTRON.COM fans - I present the cover I am workin on - this very moment - in the vein of Casey Collier - it's an homage to the famous cover done by Todd McFairlane on HULK #340 (wolverine vs hulk). The pencils are not yet finished - someone WILL appear in the reflection of Dinobot 2's blades - who is it? All will be revieled soon!
BEAST WARS - Second Chances!Written by:
Shaun Flaherty
Curt Lunsford
Mike Priest
Daniel Worsley
Pencils/Inks by:
S.R. Ayers
HdE
Cory Holmes
Danielle Keller
Ryan Miller/Jake Isenberg
Daniel Olsén
Tim Pugh
Brett Vinduska
Jeffrey Witty
Colors by:
Miles Arquio
Raymond Fromme
Jenny Son
Letters by:
JAME
Cost: FREE!
Burn - Well there you have him folks! Now that we've spoken to the man, let's see his artwork and you'll see just how talented he is.
For more of Psychomud's fantastic art, be sure to check out his DeviantArt page.
[ Click to attempt signal recovery... ]
