seems you have been pretty busy since our last interview, care to share a little information about your book being set to release soon?

It has been very hectic in the world of SKAFFS.  I am really excited to finally see my limited edition book “Chaff n Skaffs: Mai and the Lost Moskivvy” as a final product.  Each page is a finished piece of artwork and follows a young girl, Mai, and her whimsical adventure to reunite a mosquito with his family. It is currently available for pre order at www.skaffs.com/chaff and will ship in April 09.

Unfortunately us collectors don’t have our own skaffs figures on our shelves, what has been delaying the release?

The Maiko toy was launched in January this year and sold out within a few minutes.  I was really excited about that!  As for the Mai toy, I too have been very frustrated with her development.  Mai is a great collector art piece and there has been a lot of support from the public. The Mai character has been featured in giclee prints, giant vinyl adhesives and now a book. I am currently talking to other companies to collaborate in the production of this Mai toy.

do you find it more satisfying working in a digital media or with pen and paper?

Whether I am working on an animation, installation, illustration or finished art piece, I find it satisfying to see it go from its concept sketch to a finished product.  The challenge of adapting my style to different platforms or projects is fun for me.

available to purchase at Rivet Gallery in Columbus, OH

there seems to be a rift in the art community to give digital art any merit in fine art establishment, what do you say to sway the naysayers?

I think that this mentality of not valuing digital art is definitely changing.  A few years ago when it first started, there was definitely a stigma attached to digital art especially by galleries.  These days, digital art gives many collectors the opportunity to enjoy a finished art piece and at a much more affordable price.  I work in both traditional and digital forms, and I can definitely say from experience that equal skill and time is required to complete a piece.  My digital work is just as popular as my original work and I am very excited to launch my 2009 digital series in the next month or two.

do you feel your success as a commercial artist helps or hinders you as an artist showing in galleries?

I have never really experienced that problem with galleries.  I have a select few galleries that I work with consistently and they tend to provide the right exposure for my work.  Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Wonderful World Animation Gallery in Culver City, Villain Store and Robio in Australia have all been great to work with.

when you do a live painting do you come in with a preconceived notion about what you will be doing or do you let the atmosphere guide you?

Unless I am creating an installation for a company, I generally don’t plan for live paintings.  It’s really quite spontaneous.  My mind is always filled with ideas and I carry around a sketch book at all times to capture them.

we know you like to work with intense, vibrant colors, but what is it in these colors that draws you to use that palette, say over neutral or earth tones?

Growing up, my work was primarily black and white using ink or graphite.  It wasn’t until University that I began to experiment with more vibrant palettes.  One of the themes of my work is contrasts and I feel that I can achieve that with the use of vibrant colors.  Having studied multimedia also exposed me to a huge color palette that I enjoy playing around with.

available to purchase at Rivet Gallery in Columbus, OH

we have seen where your art has taken you over the past year, but where do you see yourself one year from now?

I am always excited and open to collaborations with companies to further the SKAFFS product line.  And this year will be filled with new and exciting adventures.  I enjoy getting out and about and meeting people, so I hope to continue to travel and be invited to do live paintings and conference appearances.  And I continue to work on various animation projects in the hope that one day we will see them on television!  With the way things are going, this will hopefully be in the near future.  That’s all I can say at this stage  J

would you go back in time and change anything in your career as an artist? why?

I really wouldn’t change anything as I am very satisfied with where I am now.  I just hope that in 5-10 years I can continue to say that  ;p

if luke feldman was a piece of furniture, what would he be and why?

I would have to say that I would be the perfect 70s retro lamp.  I have always thought that I was born for the 70s having the ‘ability’ to only grow thick side burns like Wolverine and no other facial hair.

Be sure to check out the two person show featuring Luke Feldman and Shannon Bonatakis at Rivet Gallery in Columbus, OH from March 7th - March 31st

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