Andy J Miller
Manchester, United Kingdom
Bio
Andy J Miller spent most of his youth in small town Indiana neatly filling in coloring books and drawing cartoon characters. He never took all of his friends’ and family’s suggestions that he should pursue art very seriously. The catalyst for his career was when he was first introduced to the band Modest Mouse: “After I saw the way they had branded themselves with posters, album art, t-shirts and more I was inspired to work my butt off to become a successful illustrator”. He’s exhibited with Becks Fusion in London, designed bags for the Reform School in Silverlake, but still can’t quite escape the allure of the coloring books. Keep your eye out his indie rock coloring-in book soon to be released via the Yellow Bird Project.
Interview
What’s the name of your Infectious art piece?
Happy Hippy Clouds and Owls
Tell us a little bit about the piece and the inspiration behind it?
It’s inspired by tribal patterns and children’s book illustrations. I wanted to create something a bit iconic and pretty.
What car would you most like to see your Infectious artwork on?
Well I guess I’d have to say it probably fits best on a VW van.
What’s the most unusual thing that’s ever inspired a piece of your art?
I usually get a lot of my inspiration from my bizarre dreams, they range from being part of the cast of Seinfeld to billy goats running around on rooftops. That’s where does the name of my website www.komadesign.co.uk comes from. It’s a name I came up with to describe the type of insane dream state I sleep in. Its a reflection of the inspiration I get from it.
Can you tell us a little bit about your coloring book project?
I am lucky enough to be working with an organization called the Yellow Bird Project, they work with bands like The Shins, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Broken Social Scene. Basically they get bands to create illustrations for t-shirts, and then sell them and give the profits to a charity of the band’s choice. I am a huge fan of what they are doing and they have asked me to do a coloring book based on the bands they have worked for. The proceeds will go to all the charities the bands have chose. I am still working on it, and hope to finish it soon!
What’s currently on rotation on your iPod?
Subtle, Jens Lekman, Beach Boys, Vampire Weekend and Girl Talk.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
Probably what the song Yellow Submarine might sound like if it were sung by Daniel Johnston.
What websites do you look at for inspiration?
I am heavily influenced by music, so Pitchforkmedia.com. Also itsnicethat.com is a good place to find fresh imagery.
Which artists have you seen and loved recently?
I just saw this piece by Christof Mascher that was absolutely amazing. Also Lizzy Stewart, some really beautiful stuff going on there.
Tell us three unusual things about you:
1) I can bend my elbows backwards 2) I wanted to be a comedian until I realized I wanted to be an illustrator 3) When I was little I loved Boyz II Men.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
I am the vocalist in a band called SSsshh that makes electronic indie hip hop music. I actually want to do that full time.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
Mr. Bowlegs and I are creating a magazine called the Wizard’s Hat, it’s going to be in the next Computer Arts Projects magazine, and we are going to be selling them from our website that is about to be launched.
Any advice you’d like to give other artists thinking about submitting art to Infectious out there?
Go all out, put as many ideas as you can fit down, don’t slack off.
8/12/08
