Q: What was it that got you into drawing and design? Did Punk and Hardcore have any bearing on the style you’ve eventually developed into?
I’ve been into art for as long as I can remember, but as for the style that I work in now…I’d say music in general influenced that heavily. From punk and hardcore to metal to noise etc.
Q: I found out about your work through the “Casa de Diversion” compilation that Toxicbreed curated. How did that come about? Did Wayne get in touch with you, or was it a collaborative piece?
I’ve been talking to Wayne for a bit now…I think I first contacted him when my friends in Fever Dreams toured out in California. I think I offered to do the cover for him. He gave me free reign on it entirely. I’m pretty proud of how that one came out.
Q: Your work is very detailed, involving a lot of lines and stippling. Is this a style that you’ve always been comfortable with?
No, actually. I was very intimidated by ink for a long time. Most of my teenage years (art-wise, anyway) consisted of an exploratory period where I didn’t have any real focus of what I wanted to create. This was a good thing. I did practice my anatomical skills a lot, which I think is one of my strengths, but overall I stuck to pencil drawings. I eventually found myself highly inspired by artists like Justin Bartlett and John Dyer Baizley. Bartlett actually was the artist that got me interested in working in ink, so I kind of just went for it. Once I got past the fear of permanency that tends to come with working in ink for young artists, I very much fell in love with the medium.
Q: One of my favorite pieces you’ve done is the “Personal Piece” with all of the lines and the eyes hidden through out. What was the idea behind that one?
No real idea or message. I compose the images that I like. Sometimes they have some sort of loose meaning behind them but often it stems from a very stream of consciousness approach. I leave interpretation up to the viewer.
Q: The cover art for Acousma is also really intricate and detailed, especially with the heavy black ink that is prominent in the whole piece. Was this a collaborative effort, or did you approach the band with the idea?
I worked with Acousma on their demo tape, and they really liked it so they had me do their 7 inch. That piece was my interpretation of a Valère Bernard piece that I thought fit with their image. They have given me a lot of creative freedom. I look forward to working with them in the future, they’re awesome.
Q: You ultimately end up creating a lot of textures in your artwork just based on all of the intense line work and stippling. I think this adds an extremely unique element to your work that most artists have a hard time with. Do you have prior intentions on what you want the textures to look and feel like?
Texture has become one of the most important elements for me, and I try my best to let my environment influence me in creating textures. Lately I’ve been highly influenced by anatomical illustrations and diagrams.
Q: When bands approach you about artwork, do you usually roll with your own ideas, or do you prefer to spitball with the client you’re working with?
It depends. I try to be flexible. Informing your client is a huge part of working freelance. I usually tell the client that my best work is done if I’m given creative freedom, but I do my best to work with clients as the piece develops to make sure they are getting just what they want. I’ve been lucky to work with lots of bands that have let me really develop their visual identity how I want.
Q: Who would you say your biggest influences are? Past and Present.
Alphonse Mucha, John Dyer Baizley, Justin Bartlett, Mat Brinkman, Francisco de Goya, Richey Beckett, Florian Bertmer…
Q: What does a typical playlist look like while you’re working on stuff?
Really whatever I feel like listening to. I listen to a lot of doom/death/black metal, but that really has more to do with the fact that that’s what I’m into lately. I also really like ambient/drone, noise, folk, progressive rock, indie, jazz, punk…
Q: How about your daily routine? Are you drawing everyday?
I work full time as well as do freelance art so sometimes it can be hard to find time to draw…but yes, one way or another I draw every day. It’s so much a part of who I am that I get pretty anxious if I haven’t drawn in a while.
Q: If you could design for any band, whether it’s a current band, or a band from the past. Who would it be?
I’m down to work with any band in any genre, but if I had to pick one…it would probably be Yes. I grew up on that band, though I didn’t really get how much they influenced my taste until later on. I got to see them with my dad last year and it was incredible. I didn’t realize just how immense their live sound is. Blew me right away.
Q: Are you in the process of working on anything that you can shed some light on?
Not at the moment.
Q: That’s all I have for you. Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Thanks!
You can scope more of Derek’s work here: dereksetzer.com
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