Dead Boy Productions

 

06/11/07
Hell Cesar

Dead Boy Productions with artist D.W. Frydendall

 

Hello. Please introduce yourself to the readers?

My name is D.W. Frydendall and I draw strange stuff for strange people.

Tell us about when you first got interested in art?

When I was young, like 5 years old, I wanted more than anything to do comics because I dug on Spiderman so much (I used to piss my pants when they'd have Spiderman on the Electric Company). I guess I've always wanted to tell stories and I slaved away at the art table until I was happy enough with my drawing abilities.

What attracted you to this style of art?

I remember looking at an Edgar Allen Poe book and seeing Harry Clarke's illustrations. They unnerved me and I would look at them for a long time.

What has influenced you in developing your skills?

Being around great artists who evolve and give you honest feedback. Honest criticism really can be constructive.

What are your tools used to create your art?

Pen and ink mainly. I'll draw the art and then scan it in and color it on the computer. I used to use Doc Martin inks, but it would take too long to finish one page of art. I've done acrylics, oils, watercolors and all of that.

How hard is it being an artist?

It can be tough. But it started to go smoother when I started doing the stuff that I like doing. When I was working in a large company it would suck because I wasn't into drawing cute kiddy stuff.

What type of music do you listen to?

Mainly punk and rockabilly.

Does music play a big part in your art?

Not really. My most influential music probably is punk. I grew up on it and would draw punk zombies. When I first saw the poster for Return of the Living Dead I thought "Holy shit! That rules!" Now and then when I'm coming up for stories I'll listen to horror film music. If that doesn't work I'll go for a walk after dark and listen to really creepy music and freak myself out. One time I was walking in an arroyo by my house and was listening to "Polymorphia" from The Shining soundtrack. It's the perfect creepy song. So I thought I'd seen someone duck behind a tree in front of me and started to creep out. At that point I heard a footfall behind me in the dirt. I whipped around wide-eyed, arm cocked ready to drop someone. It was some jogger and his dog. We scared the fuck out of one another. The dog even yelped!

What bands have you designed for?

The Ghastly Ones, Calabrese. Thee Specters, The Impossible Ones, Time Machine, Back to Zero, The Black Mondays, Wyatt Trash and the Trailer People, Cult of Radio… there's a couple more coming up very soon.

What bands are your personal favorites?

The Cramps, The Misfits, TSOL, Ministry, Iggy Pop, KMFDM, The Vandals, Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys, Fear, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Slayer, Johnny Cash, Suicidal Tendencies, The Meatmen… I think that covers it.

How about your favorite horror flick?

Probably "Halloween". Second is probably "The Thing".

What would you say is your best experience being an artist?

Probably working on The Haunted Mansion for Slave Labor Comics.

Tell us about you normal day in an artist life?

I wake up, have breakfast, work, have lunch, work, go to the gym, work, have dinner, have a nightcap, watch something, usually a horror flick… go to bed.

Talk about the community of artist you hang with at conventions?

Hmmmm… who owes me money… seriously though. Gris Grimly, Eric Pigors from TOXICTOONS, Evil Paul, Krystopher Sapp, Norman Cabrera, Tim Maloney, Jhonen Vasquez… if I missed anyone.. well…

Thanks a lot! Any final words for the audience?

If it feels good, do it. When it hurts…stop.