09.06.2006
MICHAEL KATCHAN, USA ❧
"SERIES: HOMAGE TO THE YOUNG, THE NEW & THE EXCEPTIONAL CREATIVE TALENTS AROUND THE WORLD"
READ THIS FIRST: All images here are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. You are advised to contact the artist direct for permission to re-produce any of his/her images. Contact details are available at the end of this article, or in absence thereof, please contact the Editor at Blue Mango TV.
Michael Katchan's illustration, like Riana Møller compels me to not only appreciate but observe closely the development of their exceptional talent as they are both fearless creative spirits who understand thoroughly and believe so much in what they do.
I was very fortunate to have Michael honour me with this interview and valuable insight into his world and how he views not only his art, but his place amidst us all. It is very important for me to retain the original exchange, and I've ensure that only where necessary, and only in consideration of very young and sensitive readers, have I taken to edit some of Michael's colourful expression. His interviews should be left very much as is for us to appreciate the brilliant character and talented illustrator inside this young and very honest man. The outspokeness and lucidity of his words belie Michael's ability for sharp observation, memory retention, and deep, inner sensitivity to a world that could, perhaps, easily misunderstand him. But there is nothing about his talent to misunderstand. It's all out there, red hot, devilishly ticklish and impossible to miss.
"Dante Devil May Cry Fan Art"
"Multicolored Demon"
How would you describe your style?
Michael: Nothing amazing, something I call my own regardless of what bitchy 'nothing is unique' dicks love to say, and something that is constantly evolving and changing, much like a living, breathing thing.
Your artwork seems to convey a strong powerful feeling. Do you feel your art reflect your personality?
Michael: I think all art reflects personality. But that's just me. I’m very ... spontaneous with my art. I can’t just draw immediately and I’m working on that. But generally either a specific mood has to strike me, or an idea so immensely cool I have to sketch it before it is whisked away by a distraction.
Why are you fond of applying a demonic character in your illustrations? What is the concept behind this style? What do you want to express through the illustration?
Michael: Well as covered before, the art is a reflection as well as anything else, and a lot of what makes me - me, what my mind sees and imagines, and what I’ve been through distorts my work. I don’t know, whenever I draw things, I tend to allow my unconscious/aesthetic self if that makes any sense, to draw, as opposed to my thinking mind. That is also why things tend to abstract themselves, lines move in ways that are more appealing visually than logically, and I can’t stand the idea of a body or an entire image being created entirely of solid, connected lines with no real thrust or life. I guess I just grew angry with drawing things the normal way.
Back to the demons. I have a lot of history with religion, and it’s not spite. Nor is it me yelling at anyone. But the concept of the demon just intrigues me so much, and I’ve never liked myself. So self portraiture, the incorporation of myself into my works, and the personality imbedded, as you put it, in everything I create, is included, and demonisation occurs.
"Request Darkvenom Portrait ID"
Could you describe the process of creating your illustration and artwork? What part of your work in creating them do you enjoy the most?
Michael: Well I don’t have a structured process. Further more, let me state, I hate that bullshit that all those assholes tell you as you grow up about 'needing to create a structure or foundation before you can draw'. That is utter crap. I have never done that. Ever.
Hell I don’t even use pencils. Artliner 0.05 pens ftw, baby! (for those who lack nerd-qualities, ftw is an acronym that stands for 'for the win', which in turn is a gamers way of saying, this is what you should do to win).
Music aids me a lot. I don’t know where I'd be without my music. Half of the illustrative process is me getting lost in the music and myself, getting really built up in it all and then venting onto my page. I don’t tend to think. Thinking is definitely something I don’t do as much as I should.
Do you feel there is something or someone who has had a strong influence on your work?
Michael: Anyone or thing that has affected me emotionally, at least minutely, has had influence on my work. As far as anyone in particular goes ... I hate to sound egotistical here, but myself. Without my will and want to continue to strive towards bettering myself in what I do, I know I wouldn’t be answering these questions.
What are three or four of your favourite, or meaningful illustrations, or even project, and why?
Michael: I don’t have any, really.
On deviantArt I’m always changing my featured image to give different pieces more viewage, I don’t have any particular piece that I prefer. Nothing is done that I admire, and I feel I have a long way to go until I can really be content with my works. I always feel very undone when I look through what I have created, like I haven’t done nearly enough. I really, really, really need to sketch/draw more.
"Insanity In Small Step"
What are your likes and dislikes?
Michael: Wow that's a broad/general question. *ahem* Mike likes: meat, pizza, pasta, lasagna, lollies, those suckable candy things with the sugary powder that you dip 'em in, music, ohhh so much music, Toblerones, Lindt chocolate, Snickers bars, java juice, aeroplanes, mobile phones (so handy), gloves, wacky colored clothes, suits, my handy li'l A6 sketchbooks, 0.05 pens, long hot baths, bath salts (vanilla and oceana), breakfast, lunch, dinner, pop tarts, water, coke, coffee, vodka, gaming, Nintendo, Sony, the Doom games, the Quake games (oh my god Quake: Wars, coming soon), Guild wars (i totally play that), illustrating, sketching, Dexters lab, Samurai Jack, Powerpuf girls, Beavis and Butthead (I shook the hand of the girl that painted the freaking couch in that show), Clerks (and the animated series), all the rest of Kevin Smiths films, the Evil Dead films, Akira (TETSUOOOOO, KANEDAAAAA), ninja scroll, my computer, limousines, that actor... god what was his name. played Jack Sparrow ... GARH. I know this! It’s on the tip of my tongue. Well I’m sure you know who I mean. Him. My volcom beanie, the worms games, a hot shower after a nightshift in Mcdonald’s (yes I’m a grill bitch), that film waking life, Jakarta (that city rules), Hong Kong, Singapore’s airport, oooh Hong Kong’s airport too, sushi, crepes with strawberry sauce and ice cream in the morning ... oh god I’m hungry now, yeah food.
I’m really hungry, getting mail, doing nothing, sleep, relaxing. But more than anything I love my girl Nicole, she means more to me than anything.
I really can’t be bothered going over my dislikes. People would physically keel over and pass out from the hideous stomach convulsions that reading my ranting would cause.
"Big Head With A Gun"
Do you feel television and media these days showcase enough work of good illustrators and creative talents? What television programme inspire you?
Michael: The internet is the best showcase, I find. I hardly ever see illustrators at all on television, or much of any creative television. Then again I do live in Australia, the land where spending half the countries money on the Olympics, instead of hospitals and what not, is considered understandable. But no, no television programmes inspire me, and there aren’t enough of any television programmes that I know of that showcase new and brilliant creative talents.
What music and music video inspires you? What are you listening to these days, and why?
Michael: I listen to a bit of a variety of music. My tastes range from classical to bands like Slipknot and Melt Banana, to jazz, to Pan Pipe, to Necro and Prefuse 73. Pretty much anything other than most country, and whatevers on the radio. I don’t listen to the radio, and I can’t stand the hip hop and pop that so many people seem to love. Without music I wouldn’t draw as much, I know that. I love music, I always have my iPod with me when I leave the house.
Are you working on any special project or planning one right now?
Michael: As far as projects go, I do have a couple ideas for things I want to create in the near future, but at current the only thing I’m working towards is a new personal website.
"White To Grey To Red"
Do you feel you can improve on your creativity, why? And what do you expect from the future? What are your goals?
Michael: Creativity isn’t the problem. Inspiration, will, drive, and motivation are the problems. I never know what to expect from the future, but I have things I hope for. My only real goal is work towards someday moving out and living with my love. As far as art goes in the future, I hope to have a new website up and running by the end of this year, and an online comic on that site, but we'll see how things go, hm?
Michael Katchan's illustration, like Riana Møller compels me to not only appreciate but observe closely the development of their exceptional talent as they are both fearless creative spirits who understand thoroughly and believe so much in what they do.
I was very fortunate to have Michael honour me with this interview and valuable insight into his world and how he views not only his art, but his place amidst us all. It is very important for me to retain the original exchange, and I've ensure that only where necessary, and only in consideration of very young and sensitive readers, have I taken to edit some of Michael's colourful expression. His interviews should be left very much as is for us to appreciate the brilliant character and talented illustrator inside this young and very honest man. The outspokeness and lucidity of his words belie Michael's ability for sharp observation, memory retention, and deep, inner sensitivity to a world that could, perhaps, easily misunderstand him. But there is nothing about his talent to misunderstand. It's all out there, red hot, devilishly ticklish and impossible to miss.
When did you first started drawing, and when did you realise you were interested in art and illustration?
Michael: Well if we want to get technical, I started 'drawing' at the age of 2, according to my parents. I was drawn to drawing as more of a hobby, and realised I enjoyed it a lot as school progressed, and at around the age of 15, I decided that was the direction I wanted to take as far as careers go. I remember wanting to join the army and being an actor before then too.
"Portrait of Self Gethisorchye"
Were you inspired by any comics? What were they?
Michael: Yeah very. Spawn and Ghostrider comic in particular. I grew up reading my friends X-Men comic collections, and never really had a collection of my own until way later. Many comics still inspire me, Jhonnen's 'JTHM', Templesmith's '30 Days of Night' series, and a lot of Ashley Wood's work too.
Michael: First off, I just want to say as far as artists go, I really hate Pollack. And I’m not a huge fan of many painters. Like there are many I would love to, after years of having their art shoved down my throat by pretentious art teachers, be locked in a room with for about 10 minutes. That said, there are painters I do love too, but due to my hatred for the Australian art community, I guess I am a bit biased.
"I Like Air Too"
Anyway, these are in no particular order:
Michael: Well if we want to get technical, I started 'drawing' at the age of 2, according to my parents. I was drawn to drawing as more of a hobby, and realised I enjoyed it a lot as school progressed, and at around the age of 15, I decided that was the direction I wanted to take as far as careers go. I remember wanting to join the army and being an actor before then too.
"Portrait of Self Gethisorchye"Were you inspired by any comics? What were they?
Michael: Yeah very. Spawn and Ghostrider comic in particular. I grew up reading my friends X-Men comic collections, and never really had a collection of my own until way later. Many comics still inspire me, Jhonnen's 'JTHM', Templesmith's '30 Days of Night' series, and a lot of Ashley Wood's work too.
Who are your favourite artists and what do you like about them?
Michael: First off, I just want to say as far as artists go, I really hate Pollack. And I’m not a huge fan of many painters. Like there are many I would love to, after years of having their art shoved down my throat by pretentious art teachers, be locked in a room with for about 10 minutes. That said, there are painters I do love too, but due to my hatred for the Australian art community, I guess I am a bit biased.
"I Like Air Too"- Jhonnen Vasquez - this crazy bunny loving guy has wasted many precious hours of my life. Plus who can’t respect an artist who pulls the complete shit out of his fanbase?
- Ashley Wood - he lives in Perth. I could’ve bumped into this guy on the freaking street. God, I love his linework and colors.
- Ben Templesmith - you know, my sister’s friend is his cousin. How cool is that?
- Another perth demi-god. Yeah I know, what’s with the Perth having cool people in it thing? God ... I can’t forget his name. What was it ... come on ... *checks website* AH! Greg Capullo!!! This guy is a f***ing inspiration. My favorite, by far, Spawn comic illustrator. His linework is just drool-worthy shit, and has aided me a lot in my own progression.
- Angel Medina - now that I’ve remembered Capullo, this guy comes to mind too. Mcfarlanes, 100-150 issue artist for Spawn. Another amazing illustrator.
- Salvador Dali - my favorite surrealist. Told you I liked some painters.
- Michaelangelo - after I actually stood inside the Sistine Chapel and viewed this guy’s work the way it should be viewed, I fell in love with the art of the body. I’m very sure he left a large impression on me there.
"Dante Devil May Cry Fan Art"God, there are so many more artists ...
- Alchemism, an amazing and impressive modern painter.
- Joseph Estevao Arruda. This man scares me. honestly his disturbing ability to churn out masterpieces like some kind of deranged machine intimidates me.
- Riana Møller, a fellow insomniac and lover of j-noise and happy hardcore, with linework that puts sooooo many to shame. She rules.
- Alejandra Kalnisky, a brilliant photographer, who's also very talented at photo-maniping.
- Nykolai Aleksander, I envy her. and her freakish talent for being so stupidly good. Grrr.
- Dan, an awesome comic artist, this guy does stuff for Marvel, and is really good at what he does.
- Danny Luvisi, someday we'll be seeing this guy's stuff on PC Powerplay magazine covers and Hyper magazine covers, I guarantee.
- Piotr Jakubowski, an old friend of mine, and a stunning photographer. If you dig your black and white, check him out!
- Vincent Lai. (I'm am gonna put this guy up here, not for his art, but for his web design skills. his website wins awards, and stuff, yeah, woooh!)
"Multicolored Demon"How would you describe your style?
Michael: Nothing amazing, something I call my own regardless of what bitchy 'nothing is unique' dicks love to say, and something that is constantly evolving and changing, much like a living, breathing thing.
Your artwork seems to convey a strong powerful feeling. Do you feel your art reflect your personality?
Michael: I think all art reflects personality. But that's just me. I’m very ... spontaneous with my art. I can’t just draw immediately and I’m working on that. But generally either a specific mood has to strike me, or an idea so immensely cool I have to sketch it before it is whisked away by a distraction.
Why are you fond of applying a demonic character in your illustrations? What is the concept behind this style? What do you want to express through the illustration?
Michael: Well as covered before, the art is a reflection as well as anything else, and a lot of what makes me - me, what my mind sees and imagines, and what I’ve been through distorts my work. I don’t know, whenever I draw things, I tend to allow my unconscious/aesthetic self if that makes any sense, to draw, as opposed to my thinking mind. That is also why things tend to abstract themselves, lines move in ways that are more appealing visually than logically, and I can’t stand the idea of a body or an entire image being created entirely of solid, connected lines with no real thrust or life. I guess I just grew angry with drawing things the normal way.
Back to the demons. I have a lot of history with religion, and it’s not spite. Nor is it me yelling at anyone. But the concept of the demon just intrigues me so much, and I’ve never liked myself. So self portraiture, the incorporation of myself into my works, and the personality imbedded, as you put it, in everything I create, is included, and demonisation occurs.
"Request Darkvenom Portrait ID"Could you describe the process of creating your illustration and artwork? What part of your work in creating them do you enjoy the most?
Michael: Well I don’t have a structured process. Further more, let me state, I hate that bullshit that all those assholes tell you as you grow up about 'needing to create a structure or foundation before you can draw'. That is utter crap. I have never done that. Ever.
Hell I don’t even use pencils. Artliner 0.05 pens ftw, baby! (for those who lack nerd-qualities, ftw is an acronym that stands for 'for the win', which in turn is a gamers way of saying, this is what you should do to win).
Music aids me a lot. I don’t know where I'd be without my music. Half of the illustrative process is me getting lost in the music and myself, getting really built up in it all and then venting onto my page. I don’t tend to think. Thinking is definitely something I don’t do as much as I should.
Do you feel there is something or someone who has had a strong influence on your work?
Michael: Anyone or thing that has affected me emotionally, at least minutely, has had influence on my work. As far as anyone in particular goes ... I hate to sound egotistical here, but myself. Without my will and want to continue to strive towards bettering myself in what I do, I know I wouldn’t be answering these questions.
What are three or four of your favourite, or meaningful illustrations, or even project, and why?
Michael: I don’t have any, really.
On deviantArt I’m always changing my featured image to give different pieces more viewage, I don’t have any particular piece that I prefer. Nothing is done that I admire, and I feel I have a long way to go until I can really be content with my works. I always feel very undone when I look through what I have created, like I haven’t done nearly enough. I really, really, really need to sketch/draw more.
"Insanity In Small Step"What are your likes and dislikes?
Michael: Wow that's a broad/general question. *ahem* Mike likes: meat, pizza, pasta, lasagna, lollies, those suckable candy things with the sugary powder that you dip 'em in, music, ohhh so much music, Toblerones, Lindt chocolate, Snickers bars, java juice, aeroplanes, mobile phones (so handy), gloves, wacky colored clothes, suits, my handy li'l A6 sketchbooks, 0.05 pens, long hot baths, bath salts (vanilla and oceana), breakfast, lunch, dinner, pop tarts, water, coke, coffee, vodka, gaming, Nintendo, Sony, the Doom games, the Quake games (oh my god Quake: Wars, coming soon), Guild wars (i totally play that), illustrating, sketching, Dexters lab, Samurai Jack, Powerpuf girls, Beavis and Butthead (I shook the hand of the girl that painted the freaking couch in that show), Clerks (and the animated series), all the rest of Kevin Smiths films, the Evil Dead films, Akira (TETSUOOOOO, KANEDAAAAA), ninja scroll, my computer, limousines, that actor... god what was his name. played Jack Sparrow ... GARH. I know this! It’s on the tip of my tongue. Well I’m sure you know who I mean. Him. My volcom beanie, the worms games, a hot shower after a nightshift in Mcdonald’s (yes I’m a grill bitch), that film waking life, Jakarta (that city rules), Hong Kong, Singapore’s airport, oooh Hong Kong’s airport too, sushi, crepes with strawberry sauce and ice cream in the morning ... oh god I’m hungry now, yeah food.
I’m really hungry, getting mail, doing nothing, sleep, relaxing. But more than anything I love my girl Nicole, she means more to me than anything.
I really can’t be bothered going over my dislikes. People would physically keel over and pass out from the hideous stomach convulsions that reading my ranting would cause.
"Big Head With A Gun" Do you feel television and media these days showcase enough work of good illustrators and creative talents? What television programme inspire you?
Michael: The internet is the best showcase, I find. I hardly ever see illustrators at all on television, or much of any creative television. Then again I do live in Australia, the land where spending half the countries money on the Olympics, instead of hospitals and what not, is considered understandable. But no, no television programmes inspire me, and there aren’t enough of any television programmes that I know of that showcase new and brilliant creative talents.
What music and music video inspires you? What are you listening to these days, and why?
Michael: I listen to a bit of a variety of music. My tastes range from classical to bands like Slipknot and Melt Banana, to jazz, to Pan Pipe, to Necro and Prefuse 73. Pretty much anything other than most country, and whatevers on the radio. I don’t listen to the radio, and I can’t stand the hip hop and pop that so many people seem to love. Without music I wouldn’t draw as much, I know that. I love music, I always have my iPod with me when I leave the house.
Are you working on any special project or planning one right now?
Michael: As far as projects go, I do have a couple ideas for things I want to create in the near future, but at current the only thing I’m working towards is a new personal website.
"White To Grey To Red"Do you feel you can improve on your creativity, why? And what do you expect from the future? What are your goals?
Michael: Creativity isn’t the problem. Inspiration, will, drive, and motivation are the problems. I never know what to expect from the future, but I have things I hope for. My only real goal is work towards someday moving out and living with my love. As far as art goes in the future, I hope to have a new website up and running by the end of this year, and an online comic on that site, but we'll see how things go, hm?