Thomas Kuebler
website: http://www.tskuebler.com/
image copyright Thomas Kuebler
10 Questions With Thomas Kuebler
1.... who is your favorite artist?
The greatest compliment I ever received was to be called a “twisted Norman Rockwell”. He (Norman Rockwell), as well as Arthur Rackham, James Bama, Jack Davis and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, thoroughly inspired me.
2.... do you offer workshops for artists?
Not really, but I have given a few demos and lectures at cons and art schools.
3.... what do you like to listen to while you work?
I usually have a DVD of some movie playing in the background or a variety of music...anything but rap.
4.... what medium and tools do you use to create your art?
My initial sculpts are done in Sculpy. Then I make a mold, and the finished sculpt gets casted in silicone. I use sculpting tools, a hair poking tool, paints, fiberglass, foams, resins, whatever is necessary. It is mixed media in the most extreme sense of the word. I have photo-documented a few of my larger pieces and it took over 500 shots to document every aspect of their creation. I was shocked. I had to be sculptor, mold maker, painter, chemist, seamstress, welder, carpenter, wigmaker, etc. It’s a blast and seldom gets boring, but it’s a hell of a lot of work.
5.... during an average week how many hours a day / week do you work on creating art?
It varies anywhere from all day long to just a few hours in a day. My mind is on creating almost all of the time. Sometimes, I’m on a roll at night and work till 3AM. I don’t keep a tally intentionally. If I did I might get depressed, and it really would become work.
6.... are you working your dream job?
Yes. Just like with any job, there are rough days when things don’t seem to come together, but ultimately there’s just no way to beat getting paid to do what you love.
7.... do you feel its important for others to pursue their dream jobs?
For me it was imperative. I think it depends on what a person wants. I know plenty of people who are content viewing their job as something they do to make money, and that money allows them to pursue their dreams and interests in their personal time. To each his/her own.
8.... where can people see your work (online, conventions or exhibits)?
On my website www.thomaskuebler.com, on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kueblerart, at illuxcon and other exhibitions listed on my News page www.thomaskuebler.com/news.html .
9.... was there a certain moment that you knew you wanted to be an artist?
Creating art seemed to be one of the few things that came naturally to me as a child. It was more a matter of me not being able to do very much else well. I have always loved working with my hands. I think I spent more time in high school shop class and art class than anywhere else when I was growing up. I was a pretty good lifeguard but the pay for that sucks and I’m 50 now.
10.... is there anything else you would like to add or say to other artists?
Art as a career choice requires an incredible amount of resilience. You’re going to face criticism and rejection. I don’t believe I know any artists who aren’t sensitive and vulnerable to some degree. I could talk about all the '”follow your dreams” clichés here, but for me I think one of the most important ingredients to happiness as an artist is finding a partner who loves and supports you and what you do. Like many artists, I’m sometimes not that easy to live with. I have fears and anxieties, constant distractions, ideas that need a sounding board, etc. For me and most of the successful, happy artists I know, their spouse or partner, artist or not, was a very important element. When I have the chance to get together with other artists, I love to observe the interactions they have with their significant others. I find there is a direct correlation with the amount of laughter and harmony they have between themselves and their happiness and success as an artist. So the big question is, how do you find that? Well, that answer is different for everybody. The thing to remember is if and when you do, don’t take it for granted. It is the best gift you’ll ever receive.
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