Illustration

 I've pretty much been drawing, illustrating since I can remember (which is usual fare for most artist).  Just let me say very quickly before I begin to bore you with inspirations and influences and self deprecating banter that surmises most of the text,  I'm an artist first and foremost.  Been doing it for a long time.  Graduated with an Associates (doesn't sound like much nowadays but I have much more talent than some more than some of these four year graduates think they have) studying art and design. Creating images in a very comic book style but with some lowbrow and urban influence thrown into the mix.  Pushing ideas and concepts always creating visually memorable art.  I've created editorial art, CD cover art, children's book, posters, tee shirts, Skateboard graphics and more.

Design

 While in high school I began to become fascinated with graphic design.  The ability create an image that would make the viewer a participant, by having them pick up the object, view it then react to its message and ultimately purchase item or attend event or what ever that design is advertising.  To have so much control by just using an image and words.  I loved every aspect of design, photography, illustration, typography and putting it all together into something that not only is functional, that is to say with a specific purpose, but also be orignal, creative and beautiful. I don't believe I have a specific style for my graphic design.  In fact I believe that a good designer should not have a specific style, we need to all things to everyone.  Creating a design that fits the client, meets and exceeds the clients needs as well as to communicate to the clients target audience in such a way that message makes a strong connection with them.  So based on that concept my style needs to adjust and transform to each clients needs in special and specific ways to create the greatest impact to their target audience.

About Raz

Hate writing these personal bios.  You try to write about yourself without sounding egotistical or like a megalomaniac. Is that possible? Well here goes nothing.

My first love here.  Always had a fascination with line and form.  Creating images from a blank canvas, page, Pee Chee's folder (some of you know what I'm talking about here). At first is was basic images figures doing basic stuff sort of like ancient Egyptian art.  Now this was way back in Kindergarten but once I discovered perspective, the ability to create depth and dimensionality to an object, well that created a whole way of thinking and composing these images that were in my head to paper.  For a little elementary school kid this was a huge discovery, like finding the ark of the covenant.  I began to devour comic books, Marvel comics to be more specific.  Stuff like Spiderman, the Hulk, The Avengers, X-men and so many others.  Studying and copying artists like John Buscema, Jack Kirby, Steve Dikto, Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Barry Smith, Brian Bolland, Joe Kubert (who's little classes he had in those scholastic magazines from the 80's like Bananas and Dynamite, were instrumental for me as a budding artist back in the 3rd grade)I could go on and on here.  Two more childhood milestones for me was the discovery of Heavy Metal Magazine(could you believe my dad bought me my first issue for my birthday when I was still in the 4th grade.  I still have the issue.  A Boris Vallejo painting of 2 semi nude females wrestling atop a frosting covered caked.  It was so delicious looking, I don't think my dad ever knew what was between the covers, yet my allowance went to buy that magazine.  It blew open my mind with what comics could and can be.  The potential for it was boundless and the styles of art were so new and fresh for my little minds eye.  Pepe Moreno, Richard Corben, Liberatore, Charles Burns, Milo Manara, Moebius and more.  I guess Marvel tried to tap into that market with their short lived Epic magazine which I think held up very well with equal quality artist.  Both magazines formed a great part to what and how I drew for many years.  The next childhood milestone was discovering for the first time the art of Frank Frazetta.  His paintings made such an impression, the fluidity of motion, dramatic composition, use of color.  I always tried to emulate him even today I find my self saying what would Frazetta do.  I don't want to copy his style but I do want to achieve the life and motion that is in his illustrations, create compelling compositions, those are the things I want to take from his art.  For a bio about me I've been talking an awful lot about other artist.  But I believe its important where my roots are as an artist.  Of course its not only comic book and fantasy artist that form my art appreciation but Dali, Michaelangelo, Picasso, Rembrandt, Norman Rockwell, NC Wyeth, Goya, Rembrandt, DaVinci (if I were to be anybody it would have to be this guy, mad genius) and others too many to mention.  So now I guess I'll talk about myself now.  Besides being inspired by the aforementioned artist I have also been influenced by classic Japanese monster movies like Godzilla, Mothra, Ultraman not to mention also some of the classic American horror like Frankenstein, Werewolf (Werewolf in London was huge influence.  Teen Wolf not so much).  Shows like The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limit.  70's and 80's horror and sci-fi.  Anime of the 80's like Robotech, Voltron, Gigantor, G-force etc.  Music was also a creative influence like the Doors, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, New York Dolls, the Ramones, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and on and on I can go.  These things are what form my creative influx of strange bizarre visions that pour out or my mind.  Finding comfort in a very graphic comic book feel to my art but try to inject some more underground and lowbrow strangeness to them sometimes.  You could say its comic-booky with a twist. I like the impact a well done image with bold dark outlines has on the human psyche.  I push my art into that direction but do also delve into the painted medium of acrylics and sometimes oils.  Though the style is still very graphic and comic book oriented.  Some of these influences can be noticed and picked up here and their when looking through my illustration gallery.  Which by the way I do encourage you to peruse.