First Impressions

The illustrator reveals his journey through the world of art

- Scott Brundage

Where did you grow up and how has this influenced your art?

I grew up in Danbury, Connecticut, which is a relatively mundane suburb about 90 minutes from New York City. The big influence from growing up there was a great cartooning teacher with whom I took weekly lessons, starting in second grade through the end of high school.

It was more my parents hoping to find something I was interested in since it definitely wasn't sports or anything active. I was a pale and very indoorsy child. I'm still pale, but I go outside a bit more. Having a great teacher expose me to good comics, show me great illustrators, and keep me engaged in wanting to make fun pictures was a blessing that I didn't really appreciate until years later.

What, outside of art, has most influenced your work through the years?

Probably just all the media I've consumed. Books, comics, movies; anything that required a bit of attention and inspired me to doodle with new ideas and images in mind.

Is there a painting you saw in your formative years that changed everything?

It would probably be the first time I saw an artist start and finish a professional-level drawing in ink. I don't even remember the guy's name, but he let me keep this drawing and I stared at it for days. Seeing living proof that there wasn't some secret to making a great image by hand was hugely motivating. It kept me aiming higher.

Tell us about your first paid commission. Does it stand as a representation of your talent?

It was a full page and handful of spot illustrations for the AARP Bulletin. The art director called me on the phone, a very dated phrase now, and I was so sure one of my friends was messing with me. He ended the call with, "This is the most widely distributed publication in America, so no pressure'.