Can you tell us about the piece you submitted? How was it conceived?
Growing up as a awkward, chubby, little boy, my best friends were donuts and video games. Since donuts are totally boring to draw, I went with my favorite childhood toy. As luck would have it, it’s also the same shape as a iPhone.
If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
Cute, clean, and bright. I love all things saturated in color and with thick chunky lines.
What’s your creative process when producing a piece of art?
When I get random spurts of inspiration I head straight for my computer, crank up the Michael McDonald, and get to work. I rarely start something without finishing it within the same evening.
Could you share an image of one of your latest sketches?
The ever monstrous (yet strangely cuddly) Bear Shark.
What’s the best compliment/most extreme reaction you’ve ever received in response to your work?
Quite a few of my friends have tattoos of my illustrations. I don’t know if they realize those things are permanent.
What’s the art scene like where you live?
I just relocated from Southern California and I have yet to fully experience the San Francisco art scene. Not that I’m that into art openings to begin with. You’re more likely to find me at a rock show than staring at a painting.
What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
I don’t know if it counts as art, but my centerpiece is a Jean Claude Van Damme poster. That’s accompanied by a calendar from a Chinese food restaurant and a ceramic hot dog. Otherwise, I’ve been told my room resembles a convent.
What are you really into right now?
Twitter. It helps me think that I’m really important and that people are really curious about my thoughts on my breakfast. Also, Kevin Smith’s tweets are a good read.
What would be on your quintessential mixtape?
It would have to span my taste from high school to now. I’d start it off with some 90’s alternative rock (Stone Temple Pilots and Weezer), follow it with indie pop (Rilo Kiley and Tilly and the Wall), and cap it off with electro noise (Ratatat). Sprinkle in the essentials with some Michael Jackson and Prince and you’re set!
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
Japanese electro-pop.
What do you have as your desktop wallpaper?
Is it vain that I have my own icon illustrations as my wallpaper? One monitor is a cupcake, the other is a chocolate bar. Yes, I’m always hungry.
What websites do you check out regularly?
Kotaku (for video game news), Notcot (for making me question my skills as a designer), Oh No They Didn’t (to catch up with my BFF Lindsay Lohan) and Infectious (’cause I think Tim would want me to say that).
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Ice Cream. Half Brownie, half cookie dough, all delicious.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
Knowing me, I’m pretty sure it was a Ninja Turtle – most likely Donatello.
If you were a dinosaur, what kind would you be and why?
The childhood me would have said a Brachiosaurus cause it had a long neck and spent it’s entire day eating leaves from trees (as oppose to being a big mean T-Rex – which was totally scary). But now, I’d say a Raptor cause they’re way cooler than Brachiosauruses.
What was your last memorable dream?
I always have the best ideas in my dreams and then I forget them. By “best” I mean less stupid than my usual ideas.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
At some point in my life, I aspired to be a writer. As you can see from these haphazardly thrown together sentences, that didn’t pan out.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I just relaunched my website mikeyion.com. I’m currently playing some catch-up and posting a lot of my older work.
What’s your motto?
In it to win it.
Michael Sison
