Artist Profile - The Malvern Stars a Piece of Stuff by pluta (jane curtis) Tales of the Chair #1 by John Weeks (submitted by pluta.) Mayhem Art by Michael P Fikaris, colours by John Weeks (submitted by pluta.) 20th Century Teenagers by Gregory MacKay (submitted by pluta.) 20th Century Teenagers continued by Gregory MacKay (submitted by pluta.) What were your artistic beginnings? John: I just liked to draw Michael: Skateboarding LSD Comic Books Gregory: When I was in grade six, I made a dinosaur out of wire. It so impressed my peers that I made a shark, and then covered it with plaster. It was for my father for father's day. The day before I was to hand over this marvellous artwork it was stolen by, I suspect, my so called "best friend". I quickly made another, it was the worst piece of crap you've ever seen. My father was somewhat "disappointed". I found it in a cupboard three months later. What are your inspirations? Michael: Real things ... Things that aren't real Gregory: Inspiration stems from a dislike of dwelling. Instead to revel and make sense of the past somehow rectifying it. The flow of the mind is similar to that of the ocean; many of us rise with the peaks and observe them as our most valuable experiences, but to dwell deep in the valleys is to find the very nature of the motion, the most valuable experience is the most ordinary experience What are your aspirations? John:To completely alter the face of this uptight, racist, sexist, classed-based greedy graspy culture we call Western Civilisation. It'll probably take five to ten years to accomplish. Watch out. Why do you work in the medium you work in? John: Becauseit's cooler than rock music Michael: Comics chose me Gregory: Putting a cheap pen on cheap paper is a remarkably ordinary experience What are the pleasures of working in this medium? John: Hey...cartooning is sensual Michael:That I don't need pleasures to continue Gregory:The pleasure of working comes from crafting an entire comic as stream of consciousness, a flow of picture, word and mind to be discarded and offered to the gods when finished. Who or what is the source of encouragement and support of your work? John: Aside from my fellow cartoonists, I receive no support at all. And that makes me more determined. Michael: (a) My fellow Malvern Stars (b) Mari ju an a a Gregory: The responses from readers are beneficial, but ultimately to rely on audience as encouragement is to sunbath by the moon. Real encouragement comes from knowing that at every moment you are living in a vast comic book in which you play your part, good or bad. Do you see your art as political? John:See East Timor Funnies for this one Michael: (a) no (b) everything is political Gregory: Politics is political, my "art" is ethical Do you make your art with a specific audience in mind? John: No, more or less for myself....but you can come along for the ride if you're nice Michael: Yes, myself Gregory: The temptation to censore my experience is strong but must be quelled, that way you respect your audience and remain honest to myself. Is the possible sale and marketability of your work a contributing factor to their overall appearance? John: Ha Ha! Next question Michael: Ha! Not yet. Gregory: A roudness and symmetry is required, there needs to be an equal amount of content and emptiness. The end results as a product that is not based on the needs of an audience but on my needs, thus my audience becomes satisfied. Who do you admire? John: My fellow Malvern Stars, plus ace Canberran comists Mandy Ord (Wilnot), Ben Ridder, Clint Cure (Wang), Amber Carvan (Big Smoke), Shags (Geek Overload) Michael: You and anyone else with motivation Gregory: Winnie the Pooh. And sometimes, just sometimes.... What are the rewards and obstacles of publishing your work yourself? John: A comic is its own reward, its own shining prize Michael: Rewards are obstacles and obstacles are rewards Gregory: Self-publishing means you are the gauge of your work, you are rewarded by confronting obstacles What advice would you give to people starting their own publications? John: Don't do it for money Michael: Do it for yourself and you will never quit Gregory: Don't start giving advice. Encourage by example Where can we see more of your art? John: Write to me at PO Box 348 Flemington, Victoria 3031 Australia. Issues of Quickdraw are $2 postpaid Australian, $3 international. I also have a cartoon on the Ms. 45 website and my books are also available for sale through International Trash website. Michael: Comic shops in Melbourne Record shops in Brisbane International Trash website Gregory: In my comic books Related Web Site Created on Wed, 3 Dec 1997 and last modified on Tue, 30 Dec 1997.

LOUDonline - http://www.loud.net.au - Fri, 10 Apr 1998