The Q&A: Julian Callos
Q: Originally from the Phillipines, what are some of your favorite things about living and working in California?
A: I was born in the Philippines and moved to Los Angeles when I was three; I've lived in or around LA ever since. I love living in here because there are so many things to do and so many different kinds of food to eat. Also, a lot of my work is pop-culture related, so it's great living in this pop-culture hub because it's so easy to find inspiration. And did I mention all the food?
Q: Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between the art you create on paper versus in the computer?
A: I keep a sketchbook for doing thumbnails and preliminary drawings for paintings. I prefer working on paper (I never quite got the hang of sketching on the computer), so the scales tip more towards traditional media. Even if I intend to finish an illustration digitally, usually it starts out as a sketch or drawing on paper first.
Q: What is the most important item in your studio?
A: Probably my computer. I unfortunately don't think I could survive without the internet.
Q: What do you like best about your workspace?
A: I like all the natural light I get during the day. It makes me happy.
Do you think it needs improvement, if so, what would you change?
If I could change anything it would probably be to have a dedicated space for working, because right now my studio space is part of my bedroom.
Q: How do you know when the art is finished?
A: When I've overcome that part of the process where I hate how the piece is looking and reached the stage where I can say "Oh, it doesn't look so bad after all."
Q: What was your favorite book as a child?
A: I can't think of a specific book, but I did have a set of children's encyclopedias that I would pore over from time to time. They had tons of watercolor illustrations in them if I recall.
Q; What is the best book you’ve recently read?
A: Sum by David Eagleman remains a current top favorite even though I read it a few years ago.
Q: If you had to choose one medium to work in for an entire year, eliminating all others, what medium would you choose?
A: Good old-fashioned pencil.
Q: If you could time travel to any era, any place, where would you go?
A: Does the future count? I'd be interested to see how our society is a hundred years from now.
Q: What is preoccupying you at the moment?
A: Earlier I was thinking that I should brush up on my figure drawing skills. I haven't attended a live figure drawing session in a long time and sometimes I feel rusty. Besides that I'm always thinking about future meals.
Q: What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?
A: I think Instagram is actually pretty inspiring. When you follow other artists and see them posting amazing work every day, it makes you want to step up your game.
Q: What was the [Thunderbolt] painting or drawing or film or otherwise that most affected your approach to art?
A: I would say it was probably the Nickelodeon network growing up. Not only did the cartoons inspire me from a stylistic standpoint, but they also influenced my sense of humor.
Q: What would be your last supper?
A: Yay, a food question! This is a tough one. I'll go with: a cheeseburger and fries, an al pastor taco and a chicharron taco, a banh mi sandwich, drunken noodles, Thai fried rice, an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue, and spaghetti and a sampling of Filipino food made by my mom and grandma. I wouldn't be able to finish all of this of course, but if I'm going out I'm gonna go all out.
Julian Callos is an illustrator and gallery artist based in Los Angeles. "I've explored a wide variety of subjects in my work (which can range from lighthearted takes on popular culture to darker, symbolism-filled narratives), but I am continuously fascinated by nature, folklore, death, and the allure of the unknown."
Blog: http://juliancallos.tumblr.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/juliancallos
Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliancallos
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/juliancallosart/
