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John
Van Fleet - Artist
[Batman, Superman, The Matrix, HERO]
Name: John Van Fleet
Hometown: North Carolina
Tools: Mixed- mostly Acrylics
Food: Pizza
Music: Anything Goes
Contact Info: jvanfleet@nc.rr.com
Website: www.johnvanfleet.com
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Iain: Give us a brief rundown of what you do?
John: I do my best to tell stories through the means of
illustration. This can range from taking someone’s script
and building it into a visual world or going of on my own to explore
ideas that interest me through comic or single images.
Iain: Do you want to stick to cover art or do the interiors
for comics in the future?
John: I do far more interior images than covers as it is the cover
work I do is a break from the day to day comics I am involved with
at any given time. It is a great break that I wish came more often.
Iain: Can you describe a typical workday for you?
John: I pull an 8 hour day like most people but, as I work at home
I have a lot more distraction. I built a studio over the garage
so the commutes not to bad. On the average I can get 1/3 to 1/2
a page of comics done a day, 3 days for a cover. Most the time I
am glued to the news or a book on tape while the rest of my brain
takes care of the art.
Iain: How and when did you start seriously drawing/designing?
John: I went to art school right out of high school so I guess you
could say I was leaning that way since the 8th grade and in truth
before that. As to the comics stuff that came about several years
out of collage.
Iain: What tools do you use to create your work?
John: I use the run of the mill stuff, now and then I will turn
to the computer to spice it up a bit. Acrylics are the paint of
choice the dry quick and don't cost an arm and a leg to buy.
Iain: You have a really nice deconstruction style to most
of your stuff, how did you get into this style of work and what
are your biggest influences?
John: Like anything it has evolved over time an editing of information
so it can be used as a reliable language. This in turn helps me
to hopefully be a better communicator/story teller. I can't give
a list of artist how have invaded my subconscious I do my best to
keep an open mind and an open eye.
Iain: What stuff are you currently working on?
John: I am doing a Batman book right now "Cast Shadows"
and who knows what’s next. It's like trying to find a summer
job, you get the work but it won’t last and the hunt begins
all over again.
Iain: What's been your favourite project to date?
John: The next one. By the time I am done I am so involved with
the book the thrill is gone and it's time to move on. I can't point
to a single one and claim it my favourite as intimacy breeds contempt.
Iain: What would be your dream project?
John: I have always wanted to work with someone like Stephen King
on a project. Short of that I have a number of ideas but the industry
is slow and they are less inclined to take that path these days.
Iain: How long have you been drawing comic related artwork?
John: I have been making a living at it for over 17 years
but I have been drawing comics since I was 6 years old. They were
mostly the kind with the plane shooting and a tank with the deadly
old dotted line
 Iain:
Are you keen to work exclusively in the comics world or keep branching
out into other areas?
John: I am open to anything! Comics are a blast though so I am not
complaining.
Iain: Ok, name me 5 things you love about being an illustrator?
John: You work at home! You are your own boss! For me it's great
fun! It's always something new! I get to spend a lot of time with
my family!
Iain: So, if you weren't an artist, what would you be?
John: I would have to build stuff, creating something is key to
happiness.
Iain: Are you collecting/reading any comics these days?
John: I get DC comics for free so I read a lot with the kids but
I tend to go for the collected art books of the guys.
Iain: You've done a few Batman and Superman projects in
the past, would you be keen to work more in the superhero line of
things? if so which books would you like to work on?
John: Batman is a blast, I would find it hard to pass on a good
bat story. As for other superheroes some of the X-men would be fun
to draw, but i am not getting those calls.
Iain: Your favourite comic character is?
John: I love the idea of The Shadow but good luck knowing who owns
the property these days.
Iain: Thanks so much John, all the best for the future.
Interview by: Iain Duncan
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