Magik 7 - Artist Interview

Name: Brian M. Viveros
Website: www.brianMviveros.com
1. What type of medium do you work with and explain how you use it? (Paint, design, photography, collage)
I use a combination of oils, acrylics,airbrush and a pack of Marlboro Lights to bring my Smoking Gals to life. I like to layer things in soft tones and then work my way to the darkside. I begin with a tight sketch with a graphite pencil and then transfer it onto the board. After that I start building color with oils and use the airbrush and acrylics for detail. My process is a little drunk and backwards but I like it because I never really know how things are going to play out and how the final piece is going to look.
2. What was your main interest in producing this artwork, or is there a statement you wanted to convey?
My purpose is to keep my ARM-ME growing. An Army of Strong, Sexy, Smoking, Surreal, women of power . I like the idea of this type of movement. And what better way to express it than through the form of a woman. It’s like they’ve been through it all but still have time to pose for my camera eye. The cigarette is a part of me and I try to convey that through my work which has become my signature trademark. It’s also a lot easier to paint then a can of beer in every fucking painting.
3. Tell us about your creative process, do you have any rituals, routines you follow? How does your artwork come together? (Do you use found objects, image banks, etc)
Well usually a smoke then some music and then a long prayer to Satan, just kidding. I usually have a lot of doodles of concepts for paintings, words I’ve heard and written down, sometimes a word can make the painting, sometimes a word can take it home. I also like to cut out interesting photos for reference or just photos to stick on my wall. I mix it all up and see where it takes me.

4. How did you get started with your artistic career?
My career began when I participated in The Art of Porn exhibition held in Switzerland (1997), where I exhibited with H. R. GIGER(my favorite artist) thanks to friend and art advisor Les Barany (Giger’s agent).I thank ya brutha and I’ll never forget. It was my first real exhibition with many artist I’ve always admired and looked up to. A huge turning point in my life and a beginning for my Smoking Gals. Two years ago I had a solo exhibition at The Museum of Porn In ARt in Zurich Switzerland this was an AWESOME trip because Giger had invited me and my wife to visit with him at his home. So fucking amazing and a dream come true.

5. What would you say is one of your greatest accomplishments?
When i made my directing debut in 2005 with my first surreal film DISLANDIA: A disturbing observance of a child existing in an indistinguishable time and place. That was quite an accomplishment for me at that time and just that i was able to complete the film and get it distributed world wide to the masses, really made me happy.My goal is always what can I leave behind and film is the greatest way of capturing and saving these moments that will live on forever . Just recently I was in Amstredam and saw my film on the shelf of this cool ass video store. Was such a rad moment. I must thank Cult Epics for picking up my first film and supporting my artistic movement, a movement of surreal films that will live on.

For more info about Brian’s film Dislandia and his upcoming full length surreal film SOUTHERN please visit www.dislandia.com or for just great films visit www.cultepics.com

6. Where does your inspiration come from? Or is there any particular movement, artwork or artist you find yourself influenced by?
panique!panique!panique! movement. Influence can come from all around.What inspires me though is just observing, taking it all in day by day. The people you see, the crazy fucked up things you hear and then you say to yourself ” that would be a great idea for a painting or a scene or something I should make note of so I don’t forget “. I also enjoy looking at the greats and masters works for inspiration like SCHIELE/PICASSO/WARHOL/ GIGER/KLIMT/BEARDSLEY/FRAZETTA/MUCHA

7. How do you see yourself five years from now? How do you see your artwork evolving from now?
In five years I should be smoking more, drinking more and painting more.Maybe in a mental institution or something-HA. I really would like to have a book out by then, a collection of all my girls and photos and stuff. A real nice book . I would also like to have another film done by then working on bigger projects and painting on bigger boards. But I’ll get back at ya in five years and lets chat some more. Take care everybody and I thank you and the codeine for this oppurtunity.

Please check out my website for Limited Edition Signed and numbered Giclee prints of my work at:
www.brianMviveros.com