Interviewed by Isaac Diaz of HeroSpy
To see Rest of Interview click on the picture of Chris!
Isaac Diaz of Hero Spy: Hello there Christopher,
I came across one of your drawings and was blown away so I had to get hold of you.
Would you say you have been drawing for awhile, while you were still in diapers?
Chris Rich McKelvey: Unfortunately at my age you tend to forget that far back… I think Star Trek (Kirk Area) was still on TV.
IDHS: I noticed from your site you draw mostly women, is that what you stick with mostly?
CRM: My first commission was of a female character who was a lot of fun to draw. The came client ordered a few more and suddenly I was getting emailed commission requests for all kinds of characters… all female. I guess I fell into it…. Ah, but what a genre to fall into.
IDHS: What would be your favorite character to draw?
CRM: This week it would be a character I’m drawing for an independent book we’re trying to get out as soon as humanly possible. THe book is named AstroFox and the main character is of course a hot, kick you in face babe.
IDHS: I love pencil art and your art is especially clean, so what would be the tools you use? I’m curious because I am an amateur artist.
CRM: Pencil…. Paper…. Eraser…. wow, that probably didn’t help much.
IDHS: Do you have any art training, a school you attended?
CRM: I attended Iowa State University with my major towards Fine Art.
IDHS: Your website is called Bald Guy Studios, I can probably guess but just for the record why is it called that?
CRM: Yes… I’m bald. Actually I’d have to thank my beautiful wife for coming up with that one. It’s a good thing to, my former studio name was a nightmare. My last name is “Rich-McKevley” and everyone had a hard time with that. So, for the first few years everyone thought my name was Rich. With the frustration building and me starting forget my last name, I changed it to Bald Guy Studios.
IDHS: You Mason Gal Pic is extremely cool and Funny, how long would a drawing like take?
CRM: That one took me a few hours. It went fast since I had a composition already in mind.
IDHS: Can I have a Sketch? (just kidding…kinda)
CRM: Only if I can have one from you. (just kidding…kinda)
IDHS: I noticed you sign every drawing with a cartoon head, what’s up with that?
CRM: Like I said before, with my last studio I signed everything “Rich-McKelvey”. This only enforced peoples thinking that my first name was Rich. The little bald Guy I sign with came about to counter that.
IDHS: Who would you consider to be a great artist?
CRM: Jackson Pollock… he’s cool. Here’s the rest of the list:
Frank Franzetta, Al Williamson, Wally Wood, Adam Hughes, Frank Cho, Chad Spilker, The Massey Brothers… wow… this could go on for a while.
IDHS: Frank Cho, Adam Hughes, Yeah there all cool!
When you are not drawing what take up your time?
CRM: My wife and too many hobbies.
IDHS: I see that you do commissions, how long does one have to wait for one of these?
CRM: A few weeks for a standard piece.
IDHS: What is the biggest request (a certain character) that you get for you commissions?
CRM: I get a wide range of requests. My favorite is Wasp. I’m something of an Avengers fan.
IDHS: Is there anything that you had to refuse to draw for someone?
CRM: Peter Parker without his shirt, holding a jug of water, on the back of on old man, running down a beach… (you wanted to know…)
IDHS: Will we be seeing you at Comic Con in San Diego?
CRM: This year I will not be able to attend. My wife and I are expecting our first child this September and that had put a hold on things for this year. I will be at Chicago’s Wizard World and FallCon in St. Paul.
IDHS: I am guessing you are a movie viewer; are there any movies you are looking forward to?
CRM: TRANSFORMERS, 07/04/07
IDHS: Are there any Projects that you are now working on?
CRM: An independent title called Astrofox, written by Dave Columbo.
IDHS: Finally, what would be your favorite Fast Food Joint?
CRM: Taco Time… Love the beans man… Love the beans.
Vernon T Waldrip (editor)
June 27th, 2006 at 10:34 pm
This is A GREAT post. I love Chris Rich McKelvey style.