Q: Originally from the Sunshine State, what are some of your favorite things about living and working in Our Fair City?

A: I’m originally from South Florida, which is like a suburb of New York City. A lot of New Yorkers, including my parents, moved down there to raise kids. Now all the Florida kids are back in New York! I moved here in 2008, and have been living and working in Greenpoint, Brooklyn for the past few years. I love it here, it’s been an incredible place to build a career, meet other working illustrators, designers, artists, musicians, friends, etc. Good pizza too.

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

A: I’m a sketchbook hoarder. They’re the most important part of what I do. Almost 100% of my work starts there, and then makes it’s way to the computer for finishing. It’s always a back and forth between the paper and the screen. I’ve entertained the thought of getting one of those Cintiq screens to speed up my process, but right now I’m happy with the sketchbook. 

Q: What is the most important item in your studio?

A: Can I can count all of my sketchbooks as one item? If not the sketchbooks, I’d say it’s a tie between the computer and my Risograph printer. Without the computer, I couldn’t work, and without the Risograph, I couldn’t make my zines and prints.

Q: What do you like best about your workspace?

Do you think it needs improvement, if so, what would you change?

A: I have an office in my apartment, so it’s a pretty convenient place to work any time of day, any day of the week. If I could make one improvement, it would be a level floor. When I get out of my chair, it slowly rolls away from my desk to the other side of the room. Other than that, I’m pretty happy with the space. 

Q: How do you know when the art is finished?

A: It used to be more difficult to know when a piece was finished, I’d always want to make changes after the fact. Now I’d say it’s the deadline that dictates when a piece is finished. You try to make it the best it can be before delivering. If there’s no deadline, I think you just know when it’s done. Gut feeling.

Q: What was your favorite book as a child?

What is the best book you’ve recently read?

A: I had a lot of favorite books as a kid. Some that stand out in my mind are Go, Dog, Go by P.D Eastman and edited by Dr. Seuss, Ride a Purple Pelican by Jack Prelutsky, The Goosebumps series as I got older. I also loved Ed Emberley’s drawing books. I’m making my way through A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers right now, which I really like. Also The Proud Highway by Hunter S. Thompson. 

Q: If you had to choose one medium to work in for an entire year, eliminating all others, what medium would you choose?

A: If I could take a year off from work, it would probably be painting. I’d love to see where that would take me. 

Q: If you could time travel to any era, any place, where would you go?

A: I’d like to see some dinosaurs, but I’d like to see what earth is like in 100, 200 years. Maybe there are dinosaurs in the future?

Q: What is preoccupying you at the moment?

A: Getting everything finished before the holidays. 

Q: What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

A: I go to my sketchbook most often if I need to get motivated, or need an idea. I also need lots of content on while I work, to keep me going. YouTube, Charlie Rose dot com, lots of podcasts (Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast, Fatman on Batman, The Best Show with Tom Scharpling, Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History). In terms of visual inspiration, I have folders of images on my computer that I go back to now and again. Instagram as well.

Q: What was the [Thunderbolt] painting or drawing or film or otherwise that most affected your approach to art?

A: Seeing Barry McGee’s work in art school was pretty mind blowing. Art felt very inaccessible to my as a kid. I viewed it as stuffy, boring. I wasn’t interested in drawing fruit, or landscapes. When I saw his paintings and installations, it opened my eyes to what art could be. I felt like I could do my own thing. 

Q: What would be your last supper?

A: Good bagels, birthday cake ice cream with cookie dough, pizza, cereal, lots of pastries like cheese danish and chocolate croissants, gummy bears, gnocchi, french fries and a cheeseburger. 

Greg Kletsel is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. His clients include The New York Times, Playboy, Entertainment Weekly, Nickelodeon, Bloomberg and BuzzFeed, and his work has been recognized by The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, American Illustration and The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. 
instagram: @sortofbutnotreally
twitter: @gregkletsel
tumblr: www.gregkletsel.tumblr.com