Q: Originally from Connecticut, you live in Sunnyside, Queens now; what are some of your favorite things about living and working there?

A: I like the access to everything, although sometimes when something's at your footsteps it can be easy to take it for granted. 

How and when did you first become interested in art and illustration?

I always made things. I originally went to school for graphic design but I realized I would rather spend four years painting than making ads.

What was your first commercial assignment?

It was in school, we had a class that  that would pick the best editorial piece for a magazine 

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

Just messing around, when you draw a doodle or make something with no notion of what it will look like and your ok with it, that's pretty successful in my opinion.  

Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between art you create on paper versus In the computer?

Not anymore, I usually do tiny drawings on Post-Its or whatever's around. The computer is great for reproduction but paintings look better in person to me. Before computers illustrators knew the printing processes and how to make their work look the best it could be in reproduction. I’m still trying to figure that out too.

What is the most indispensable item in your studio?

Paint. 

Who and what are some of your strongest influences?

Americana, Morandi, Guston, Robert Adams, William Nicholson, Ed Ruscha, Franz Erhard Walther.

Did your participating in the AI32 LIVE Cover Project have any spillover into your studio practice? Do you recommend marathon art projects for inspiration or redirection?

It was a marathon and I hugely suggest people try it if it's not something they normally do. (AI32 LIVE Cover art above)

What was the last art exhibition you saw and what did you take away from it?

The Raymond Pettibon show at David Zwirner [last fall]. I remember thinking it was diverse but the wave drawings have always stood out to me. 

What would be your Kariyoke song?

I have never done Karaoke; probably the Beatles though.

Have you ever had a creative block with a deadline looming? What do you do to get crackin’?

Think way too much about it, make a mess, hopefully come out with something I'm ok with. I'm still trying to figure this out.

What is your hobby?

Ukulele

What advice would you give a young artist on selecting an art school or college

Make sure it's something you absolutely want to do, or if you're not sure, you'll find out. Either way, four years somewhere making art all the time is pretty great and a privilege a lot of people will never get.


Detail of a painting by Chris Feczko