Paintpushers

Name: Big Mike Roate
Age: 32 and 11/12
School attended/ing: finally graduated after 14 years
Degree:. BA Visual, Graphic and Art Ed k-12
Occupation: caricature artist and still looking for new art teaching job
Statement about your work:I draw ugly people and every one is ugly… so the biz is good.
Influences (artists, genres, etc): Blum, Bob Caine, Richmond, Drucker, Beardm Hertato
Fun Fact: When African Elephants want to mate they make a sound so deep that humans can not hear it but the can feel the sonic vibrations.
Misc: I love walnuts

How did you get started in the arts? My Aunt Margret and Uncle Dave helped motivate me as a child to be in the arts with art supplies and comic books.

How did you find your style? Has it changed since you started? I’m still looking. I kind of have it but to have a complete style that does not change is impossible. It is a holy Grail which can never be fully obtained.

What is your process when working? Can you run us through a typical painting? Concentrate on a feature that caught my eye first and go to work. My mind is constantly looking for shapes in faces. I can not shut it off. There are few people I would say are flawless. Even Jessica Alba has chubby cheeks and Jessica Beil has a nose you could shave with.

How do you market/promote your work? Caricatures are a lot of work and I do not wish to give away my secrets.

Do you have a gallery? Why/why not? No, most real artists do not like caricature artists. We are considered bottom feeders.

What was one of your favorite paintings? Wretch of the Medusa, Rembrant’s self portraits, and Monet’s very early work.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I get paid to make fun of people and hear their stories.

Describe your work setting. Hot, Cold, sunny windy wet… I am outdoors.

Do you have side projects you work on?Always.

How do you maintain balance in your life between work and play? I do not. My work is my play. I need to drink more.

Do you ever have creative slumps? What do you do then? Yes rent a movie play a video game, look at Mad.

What do you do for fun/when you’re not working? Draw people in bars while drunk.

What has been inspiring you lately? People pissing me off.

Any advice for others who are pursuing creative goals? Do not buy into your own bullshit.