ABOUT: Majic

When I started my journey in the stickerscene (just a couple years ago), I must say, I've seen different kinds of artstyle. Mostly I see artist using acrylic markers like Molotow or Posca, alcoholmakers like Onohuhu in combination with pencils. That's what makes Majic to me very unique in terms of art. The creative ideas, the funny characters, the coloring with brushes and paint, the finishing touch with the crosshatching shadings. Not to forget, the unique toys. This is Majic's story:

Let's start off with a beer. What beer would you say is your favorite?
I love a German Radler! Especially the ones with grapefruit juice, they are so crisp. So I’d grab a Stiegl's Grapefruit Radler.

Your characters in vibrant colors with a creative touch always bring your artwork alive. Where did your journey in your art begin?I never spent a lot of time on art until college. I was in a printmaking class where I made some screens of various illustrations I created for a book I was putting together. The art studios were open all night to students and the ones with locks had very easy combinations to guess. So I would spend a lot of nights in the studio doing my own projects. I started making stickers to put up around town by screen printing onto the sticky side of clear tape, lining my jacket with these strips, and then walking around sticking them up everywhere. Then I transitioned into cutting out clothing in magazines and drawing monsters in where the people were. Then I cut up some text and put it next to the monsters, like “Are you scared to have cigars because you might eat the whole box?” and “I knew some animals once who kept a man in their house.” The style was black and white and the drawings were more detailed than the ones I do now.

What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your artistic skills?

I stared hanging out with other artists who did graffiti. Once introduced to spray paint I was hooked. I started out doing letters, but I enjoyed making characters more. So I think my graffiti style made my drawing style more simple, colorful, and fun. Now I am addicted to watercolors because I can get a nice vibrant monster painted and then I can just draw over it. I always hate the painting stage when using acrylic paint or markers, I feel like there’s some intent that needs to go in to those mediums. With watercolor I can go crazy abstract and throw a bunch of colors in all at once. My favorite part is the drawing stage, so I’m always eager to get to that point.

If you had to describe your artistic style, what would you say?

My style is silly and emotional in all the weird ways. I like a dramatic expression, whether it’s joy, anger, or being scared, I love when my characters provoke some sort of feeling or make you smile. I feel overwhelmed by life a lot, so my work’s purpose is take my mind off of anything heavy and put me in a place full of whimsy, fantasy, and humor.

Looking at your portfolio, you also make your own designertoys. How did your love for making your own designer toys start?

When I got in to graffiti, I found a toy company that sold figures designed by graffiti artists, Kidrobot. I began collecting Dunnys and Labbits and eventually my wall was full of other people’s toys and I had no money to keep collecting. So I thought, why am I not making my own toys since I love collecting them so much.

How is the process of making own designertoys?

The process of making my toys is so fun. It’s really cool turning my sketches into sculptures, I feel I connect with them more when I can hold my monsters in my hands, like a little pet or buddy.

I started out making rough toys full of bubbles but also full of spunk! Then I invested in a pressure pot and vacuum chamber so no more bubbles in the mold or the toys. I make silicone molds of my clay sculptures and then I pour a two-part resin in the molds to create all my critters in various colors and they usually all glow in the dark since most people only collect glow figures.

Can you share some of your favorite or most significant artistic projects or pieces you've created?

My favorite piece lately is a Super Janky custom. It’s 18 inches, so big that I was able to sculpt an entire tiny scene in the back of its head. Recently I’ve gotten really into customizing other artist’s toys. There are a lot of restrictions with casting resin figures, probably just because I’m fairly new to it and I can’t make really complicated molds yet. But I’m always worried about molding a figure with delicate features that stick out from the figure and may break off in casting. But when I customize a figure, it’s intended to be a one-of-a-kind, original sculpted piece, so I can really go crazy with the details! Plus collaborating with other artists always takes me out of my comfort zone and pushes me to think of designs I may never have thought of on my own.

That’s why I love jumping on sticker collabs, I just love seeing how long those things can get and how artists from all over the world can be inspired by each other in such a cool, collaborative way. Those stickers will see way more cities than I ever will!

What do you like the most about what you do regarding your artwork?

I like making people happy. I’ve had a lot of people tell me they like my work, but aren’t sure why, they just like the way it makes them feel. That’s the best compliment.

Are there any artists you look up to?

My favorite artists are Whups and Jason Undead because pen and ink linework is my jam. Nite Owl has always been a big inspiration, just a heavy hitter in being prolific. I’m also a huge fan of Kill Taupe. In the toy scene I’m really enjoying The Coven of Cuteness and Frank Montano, but there are just a ton of amazing toy designers to look up to these days!

Everyone has their way of working. How do you approach the creative process, from conceptualization to completion of your artwork?

Haphazardly and usually on a whim haha. I don’t spend a lot of time on the sketches and I go really fast with the painting part too, I just want to get my idea down as soon as possible. Then I can slow down and enjoy my time inking it.

Every individual has a different "life" situation beside their artistic/creative side. Now and then I see artists losing their motivation to stay creative because of life. How do you stay motivated and overcome creative blocks or challenges in your work?

I go through periods of days or sometimes weeks without making art, I think sometimes my brain just needs a break when life gets complicated. I also think sometimes I feel guilty about spending my time drawing monsters instead of working to pay the rent. But the art is necessary for my happiness. I never think I’ll stop making art forever. The urge to make art is insistent that you continue, always. I feel a need to have multiple art projects always on the table. I think art helps take my mind off of the harshness of life. So I need it, but it helps me, so I like that I need it lol.

Not every art, is for everyone. How do you handle critiques or feedback on your work, both positive and negative?

Every artist who has been to a comic con has had someone stand in front of their table, never make eye contact, and talk to their buddy about how much your art sucks, they could do it better, and it’s way overpriced. I still get angry at these people and have a very stern conversation with them in my head lol but on the outside I try to ignore these people. They don’t even know the process so how can they appreciate the time and effort that’s been put in. I try to focus on people who are curious about how I make my art and are open to having a conversation with me rather than in front of me. I’m actually not that great at getting compliments either, so I’m not much help with this question lol. There’s always an awkward pause after someone compliments my work and then I say thank you and then we’re both like….ok then…I guess that’s it.

The most thing I like to see in an artist is progress. What are your long-term artistic goals, and where do you see your art career heading in the future?

I want to have line of designer toys. I love blind box series and I definitely want to do a few of those in my life as well as some larger scale vinyl toy releases. I also want to paint some more big ol’ murals.

Some artists feel they have a deeper meaning regarding their artwork. Does your art have a deeper meaning to you?

Nope! I have nothing past surface level meaning in my work. My characters are meant to evoke whatever emotion comes to you first and hopefully take your mind away from anything deeper.

Do you have anything else to you would like to share with the world?

It’s ok to not be where you thought you should be by now. If you’re progressing, you’re winning.