The Little Interview with Tad Carpenter

Tad Carpenter's work is inspiring and whimisical. He is inspired by vintage toys and advertising and we are not surprised by his work at all.

 

What is last thing you discovered about yourself?

That is a much more in-depth question than I thought these would be. Ha!

I guess what I have found recently and not so recent is I just love to draw and design. I have always known this but tried to fight it a little and even tried doing things that I knew were not my strength. I try not to fight with anything now. If I want to stay up and draw till 2AM thats ok. I am lucky that one of my favorite things in life is also the thing i get to do for a living.

What is your favorite period in art? 

 

I am a big fan of Jean Michael Basquiat so that 80's period pretty great. It is hard not to mention some of the greats of the past but I really love what is currently going on. I see more and more illustrators being accepted and showing in galleries. That is so inspiring.

What is the next big project you are working on?

 

I have several things going on at the moment. I have a dunny with kidrobot coming out in May 09 which is really exciting. My next large project that i am really excited about is a children's book. I think it is with one of if not the best publisher around and just honored to be attached to them and the project. Can't say to much about it yet but really excited to get going on it. It should be a very helpful/inspiring little book and full of fun.

 

 

What is your background in art?

 

I went to school and have degrees in both graphic design and in illustration. I grew up the only child of two artist so I always knew this was something I would do. My father is also an illustrator and has taught me everything i know for sure. He is ridiculously talented artist and an all around great dad and friend. My mother is into fibers and wools and has taught me so much about art and how to live life. My folks are such supportive and wonderful people. I am also getting ready to marry one of the most talented graphic designers I have ever know so art surrounds me.

What inspires your work?

 

I am inspired by so much. I love mid-century modern design. I love stories, things that are telling a narrative in some way. Jim Henson and the Muppets, I collect vintage toys and advertising, Love golden books Mary Blair, JP Miller and that group of artist. Maurice Sendak, Hanna Barbara, Sesame Street, Saul Bass. I could go on.... I will spare you. :)

Name of a few of your favorite publications?

 

I really love the magazine Anorok, which is a children's publication. So great and fun. I am lucky enough to be doing a couple illustrations for them very soon. Very excited about that. I am big in music so I read Rolling Stone still, Nylon and several others.

 

 

If you could collaborate with one person who would it be?

 

This may sound silly but my father. He is such a great illustrator and story teller. We have a couple father/son children's books ideas we are toying around with collaborating on. I think those will be projects that i will always really cherish. Not to mention it will be totally awesome and rad!

Where do you live and does your environment affect your work?

 

I live in downtown Kansas Cit,y Missouri. I think the largest influence on me by living in this city is that Hallmark Cards world head quarters is here. I have had the pleasure of doing work with Hallmark and it's other companies such as Sunrise Greetings for several years. I think the standards they have set over the years have helped me and my work. Not to mention really fun projects.

 

 

If you could live in one other place in the world where would it be?

 

That is a tough one. A couple cities I am really fond of are San Francisco, NYC, Portland and Tokyo. I think any of those would be a great adventure.

Do you dream and if so do you have recurring themes?

 

I do dream but rarely remember them. When I do they make little sense like i am big hot dog chasing an ice cream truck. Never make sense. Or maybe I was just hungry when i dreamt that one?

 

Currently reading/ Watching anything?

 

I am currently not reading anything. I know that is bad. Most of the books i read are only 24 pages and filled with pictures. :)

I dont watch much T.V. but I am hooked on Lost. I love it and hate it at the same time. I also love It is always sunny in philadelphia. So great. When does that come back on?

Name some of your favorite contemporary artists?

 

I admire a lot of folks and I also consider a lot of them my friends. Some of my friends such as my poster partner Dan Padavic, A. Micah Smith, Frank Chimero, Meg Hunt, Nate Williams, Maura Cluthe, Jeffery Bowman and so many others! I think all the stuff that Matte Stephens, Tim Biskup, Gary Baseman, Nathan Jerovicious do is so great. So many others too. 

5 words that describe yourself?

 

Fun, youthful, happy, disciplined, glasses. 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[JenniNZ]

Hey really good interview, picked up a few leads from it too for further exploration. Love the love birds and puppy love, great style and colours

[cialis online]

I'm a huge believer of the importance of design. I'm not so sure about design + marketing >> engineering. Design should incorporate engineering, not be opposed to it or somehow differentiated from it. It's important to remember that these are processes, not discrete elements

[Ajf 6]

You and I have common interests! You are my part of the story!

[Air yeezy shoes]

thats a gud factor to perform and when i proceed on to my subsequent pair imma donate some footwear and i currently have footwear which i am in a placement to donat:) hav a wonderful evening and i am heading to some concert.......lol