What made you settle on Dok A as an alias? Did any other’s come to mind? and what does the “A” stand for or mean?

I used to run a gallery called Arkham. I specialised in dark art and classic horror illustration.
I was nicknamed Doktor A by a friend at the time. I then joined a band and was required to choose a stage name. Doktor A was settled upon and its just stuck with me all the way through. So it sort of stands for Arkham. But not really..

Are you concerned that your demise will be at the hand of one of your creations?

Well I have suffered a lot of minor injuries during their construction but one should hope nothing fatal will occure whist in the production of art.

Your solo show, Welcome to Retropolis, opens soon at Rivet Gallery, what do you hope people will take away after they see your work from the show?

I hope they will take away a reciept for the purchase of one of the pieces and the joyful expectation of the day, only a month hence when that piece shall be delivered to their very door.. Also I hope they will take away the thought that I can do other things than just customise toys. Thats is partially why I changed the emphasis in this show to be more on the paintings than the toys. I hope to do more original sculptural pieces in future too.

I know recently you vocalized your concerns about someone selling one of your NYCC pieces for a substantial profit. How do you feel about the current vinyl toy market and flippers?

I dont really pay that much attention to the current market. I was just surprised that one of only five pieces made was purchased by someone who didnt want it… I am not keen on any form of exploitation and this fellow just seemed to be being greedy.. There are enough forums on the interwebs that one could pass along a piece at cost to a fellow collector.

Besides from art, what else do you collect and does it have an influence on what you create?

I used to be a prolific toy collector. Not just Art toys but all sorts of toys. But since I bought a house a couple of years ago most of that collection has trickled away. I am more focused on creating a nice home for my family now rather than stuffing more shelves with hunks of plastic. I still pick up the odd toy if it really speaks to me. But these days I am much more likley to buy a nice old oak box or a Victorian light fitting. I have a substantial collection of items from skulls and medical equipment through Lovecraftian sculptures and Apothacary bottles. I now feel its better to display what one has well and enjoy that, than keep on purchasing what one will never have room to display.

You definitely have an unique style compared to others in the world of toy customizing. Do you feel as if you have mastered your style or do you think there is always room for improvement (and if so where)?

You see I have trouble seeing a style as such. There are re-emerging elements and themes of course but I feel the way I work is always in flux. You never stop learning and honing your art. The day I finish a picece and am completely happy with it is probably the day i will stop.

Not only do a lot of fans look up to your custom work, but a lot of artists seem to as well. who’s skill have you been admiring as of late?

Thats jolly nice to hear I must say. Its uplifting to know others enjoy what i do.
There are so many great artists out there right now its hard to pull names out. But I have been particularly taken with Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters work recently. Also I find Brian Taylor, Scott Radke and Travis Louie to be most enjoyable. I could go on naming people all night though. It’s a very exciting time right now.

5 years ago did you picture yourself doing what you are doing now, at the level you are doing it? Where do you picture yourself in another 5 years?

Well yes actually. I was pretty much doing just what I am doing now five years ago. I have been doing little else but making custom toys for about five years now. Obviously i didnt relise my work would become so popular but I still work alone in my studio with very little connection to the outside world so that hasnt really changed all that much. I hope I am still successfully producing art of some form in five years time. And indeed a lot longer than that. I am in this for the long haul.

What did you do in a previous life?

I dont know I have never undergone regressive hypnosis.. Maybe I was a Penguin?

If Dok A was a Rube Goldberg Machine, what would the machine consist of and what would the end result be?

Right now it would consist of cardboard boxes as that is what’s taking up most of the space in my house. Hopefully these boxes would fall against each other and open in sequence to result in a wonderfully decorated and furnished “Arts & Crafts Movement” style house… So I could take a holiday or spend more time painting..

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