The best thing about conventions is the people you meet and get to know over the course of a few days. Confined to the floors, hallways, lobbies and restaurants of the convention, friendships are forged that often last a lifetime. Though you may only see said new friends on the convention circuit, or every few years when you happen to be in the same place at the same time do to geographical distances, there always seems to be a bond born under convention circumstances.
When we arrived to set up the FM booth at Monsterpalooza I noticed some amazingly creative artwork spread out on the table across from us. I was transfixed. The mix of classic horror and the artist’s unique caricature influence, blended with vibrant acrylics made me want to immediately run to the ATM and withdraw enough money to buy all the prints I could afford.
The artists name was Bob Lizarraga, a native of the San Fernando Valley, and overall great guy. We chatted a bit over the course of the weekend, and I decided FM needed to spotlight this guy. He is the perfect representation of a Monster Kid, sharing his love for the genre through his artwork and allowing other fans to partake in his creative homage to all things creepy.
Famous Monsters: When did you first realize you wanted to be an artist?
Bob Lizarraga: One of my earliest art memories was a drawing I did in crayon of a guy covered in a sheet with a knife sticking out of his stomach. I think I saw a scene like that in a Mexican horror movie called Devil Doll Men. I was around 6 years old. I just dug the “crime scene” I depicted-thanks for not putting me away, Mom…
FM: What/ who were your influences as a child?
BL: All the artists in MAD Magazine. Comics, cartoons, monster movies and of course Famous Monsters of Filmland. I love comedy and horror, and anytime the two were combined (Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, Mad Monster Party), I was transfixed. As a kid, I poured over a lot of Jack Davis-his work covered so many genres: horror, humor, advertising-the guy’s stuff is everywhere.
FM: While painting do you prefer to listen to music? If so is there a particular genre that motivates you?
BL: As a kid I used to draw in the living room with the TV on, so I “recreate” the experience by popping in a favorite movie or TV show that I’ve seen a thousand times. It’s something cool in the background that doesn’t distract me from focusing on my work. Music as well-preferably something with energy. My tastes range from Jazz to tribal jungle beats to Yma Sumac to organ music. Ever hear of Nervous Norvus?
FM: No I’ve never heard of Nervous Norvus, what type of music is it?
BL: Nervous Norvus was a guy who played a lot of weird ass tunes in the ’50′s and ’60′s. I think his most famous one was Transfusion.
FM: Where did you hone your artistic skills, or are you self taught?
BL: Kinda both. I did manage to get a B.A. in 2D Art from CSUN, otherwise known as Earthquake U. Also, many other courses at various institutions. It’s good to have an over-active imagination, but the more tools my brain can choose from the better the “creature.” Last year I took a one week painting workshop with Sebastian Kruger-I feasted my eyes and glutted my soul…
FM: When you choose a subject, lets say Lon Chaney as the Wolf Man for instance, how do you decide what pose or context you are going to place him in? I particularly love your painting of the Wolf Man removing the Lon mask, just genius.
BL: Thanks. I have fun grabbing bits and pieces from my memory of monsters as well as hopefully a sense of humor mixed in. I personally find duality monsters like Jekyll & Hyde or poor Larry Talbot fascinating. So it’s the old switcheroo for the Wolf Man painting-maybe the beast is the “real” self, eh?
FM: How do you feel about the current state of horror, both in films and art, and even literature for that matter?
I wanted Bob Lizarraga to paint a photo of all comic characters I knew of while growing up, there were some he did not know like Tweety Bird, Little LuLu we had to go to the comic store and buy the comic books that cost plenty, comic books that featured Tweety Bird, Little LuLu and many more. This painting of about 30 carton characters is absolutely incredible. I have it hung in my office in Burbank. There is another painting I bought from one of his art shows it is the dripping Pizza (all in blue), it is also hanging in my office in burbank. A must see. Those paintings are complimented by every single person who has entered my office. As far as all his other paintings, you seen them, incredible.
Truly an inspiration to me. While I am not a painter or illustrator, I am a writer and owe a great deal of my creative work to my uncle’s artistic passion that influenced my growing up (not to mention my brother who is also an artist). Just being at his home is like visiting a mini monster/comic expo where a one hour visit could turn into an entire day.