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For my first interview in this never ending series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Logan Zawacki. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Logan does some really amazing illustrations and photography. I’ve been an admirer of his work since moving back here, and meeting at the University of North Florida.

Hope you check out his work further and enjoy this first installment of Artist Inspired: Interviews.

Two-Face. copyright Logan Zawacki

How did you get involved in art in general? And the super heroes, villains, and other comic book character illustrations specifically?
My father would have to be my greatest artistic influence.  He’s an architect so I grew up around drafting tables and had an endless supply of pencils and erasers at my disposal as a kid.  You can say I got the “drawing gene” from him because ever since I can remember I’ve always loved illustrating.  Much of my childhood was spent reading comic books and trying to emulate my favorite comic book artists’ style.  My best friend and I would pick up the newest comics first thing Saturday morning and then would spend the entire weekend sitting at our parents’ kitchen tables drawing our favorite superheroes.

Describe your work. What are your influences, how (or where) do you get inspiration?
Over the last two years I’ve been working on commissions where people request to have a portrait of themselves drawn as their favorite superhero, villain, movie character, 80’s cartoon, video game fighter, etc.  I would describe my work as Pop Art and its original inspiration was an illustration done by local cartoonist David King where he illustrated the band Vs The Earth as the Marvel comics super-team the X-Men.  After seeing his cartoon version it really inspired me to do a photorealistic version of the same band.  That one illustration lead to another illustration of the same band followed by illustrations of my closest friends, and then I started getting so many requests that I began commissioning these “super-illustrations” through my Myspace page.  As of right now I’ve done over 100 of these illustrations and have many more lined up as well as a personal series I’m working on that I hope to have done by the end of the year.

Nightcrawler. copyright Logan Zawacki

What process do you go through in creating the illustrations of people as comic book characters?
The first step in the process is a photograph of the customer I’m illustrating.  I studied the artist Alex Ross and his use of photographs to recreate accurate lighting and proportions in his illustrations and paintings.  I request to see photos of the people I’m illustrating and use those photographs to replicate all their facial features and basic body proportions. After receiving the photos I illustrate the customer with pen and paper as whatever character they request.  At this point, I’ve done everything from Captain Jack Sparrow to Elvis Presley to the Wicked Witch to Batman to Spongebob Squarepants giving the middle finger.  After I’ve made the pen illustration, I scan that image and begin coloring in Photoshop.  On average, a completed illustration takes me 2-3 days from start to finish.

Connected to your influences and inspiration, who are your favorite artists?
Without a doubt my favorite artist would have to be the aforementioned Alex Ross.  His simple illustrations and complex paintings are all equally breathtaking and his knowledge about the history of comic books is inspiring.  Coming in a close second would be the comic book juggernaut, Todd McFarlane. He is the epitome of a modern-day Renaissance Man who is still considered one of the most influential comic book artists/creators in the industry, has a highly successful toy company, his own animation studio, and owns practically all of the record-breaking home run balls by McGwire, Sosa, and Bonds.  The same thing can be said about Frank Miller and his transition from comic book artist to movie director/producer of such box office hits as Sin City and 300.  Miller’s ability as an artist to create such detailed illustrations using only black & white and working off the positive/negative space within his composition is truly amazing.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Your art? How do you see it evolving?
In ten years I hope to be teaching as a professor in the field of Photography and still creating my illustrations on the side.  I will continue working on various Pop Art projects ranging from digital illustrations to classic alternative processes in photography.  With all the recent advancements in digital art tablets I see my illustrations evolving from ink drawings to 100% digital illustrations and allowing me to produce more work at a faster pace.  The one thing I can guarantee you is that I will continue drawing comic book characters till the day I die.

What shows have you been in lately?
Recently I have taken a break from local art shows to focus on my newest art projects and my application into graduate school.  Tentatively I’m scheduled to display at Flux Gallery in Five Points as part of a group show in March as well as the next Joe Van Dyke art show taking place at Freebird Live.  I’m also organizing the 2^nd Annual ‘Drawing for Life’ Marathon scheduled to take place on April 4^th, 2009.  Myself and five other local artists plan on drawing for 12 hours straight and then selling our artwork at the April 18^th Relay for Life at Jarboe Park, Neptune Beach, FL.  All of the proceeds from our art sale go directly to the American Cancer Society to support the fight against cancer.  This cause is especially close to my heart after losing several family members and close friends to cancer related deaths.  Together we’re hoping to raise $5000 to support cancer research and the patient services provided by the American Cancer Society.  The reality is that cancer isn’t going anywhere unless the funds are raised to find treatments and cures for this horrible disease, and if my artwork can help that cause then that’s the best effect my artwork could ever have on the future.

What are your thoughts regarding the Jacksonville art scene? Have any suggestions for improvement? Do you read any local jax blogs regularly?
I feel like the art scene is exploding with talent and so much of it is going unnoticed and unappreciated.  The best metaphor I can give to describe Jacksonville’s art scene is to compare it to a large market full of thousands of vendors each with their own unique product and offered at a reasonable price, but only a dozen people willing to buy anything.  This could be a direct result of our current economy, or just an overall lack of interest in the arts.  I have been very fortunate to find a niche with my illustrations and a word of advice to other local artists is to develop an individual style or provide a service that no other artist in Jacksonville is offering.  As for local jax blogs the only one I check frequently is TheOuterBox.com.  I find it’s the only local art blog that is truly focused on helping local artists.

Where can we see your work? What can we expect to see in the future?
My work can be seen at www.flickr.com/lzcreations or www.myspace.com/lzcreations. You can also find my artwork on the cover of the locally produced comic book Unleashed from Chalkline Studios coming out in March.  As for the future, I’m currently working on a hardcover collection of 25 salt prints that every Nintendo fan will want to own, as well as a new illustration series that combines elements of comic books, mythology, religion, classic movies, and literature.

Dr. Doom. copyright Logan Zawacki

Have any advice for anyone wanting to get started in the local art scene and displaying work?
Get out there and be seen!  The only way you’ll ever get known is by getting involved in local shows, whether they’re juried or non-juried.  Also look outside of Florida to display your work.  There are websites and blogs dedicated to “Call to Artists” and making it easier for artists to find art shows geared toward their style.

Thanks again for spending some time and letting me interview you. I’ve been a big admirer of your work for quite some time. Any last parting words?
My final word of advice is to never stop creating art.  No matter what setbacks life brings they are never worth sacrificing your creativity.  And don’t base your success as an artist on how much you sell.  In today’s economy it is very difficult to convince somebody to spend a couple hundred dollars on a piece of artwork when there’s the looming fear of unemployment and the realization that bills are the only financial guarantee we have left.