INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN GOSSELIN

Through out the series we'll be doing a few interviews with the artists themselves, so check back every week to get an insider look at what your favorite MW artist is up to. This week I'm proud to present you with a few words from Kevin Gosselin. Hope you enjoy it, and please let us know what you think by leaving a comment or two:

First of all, I just want to say thanks for taking the time to not only do this interview, but also for being apart of this artist collective. So tell us a little bit about yourself, who is Kevn Gosselin? What makes you tick? Is it true that you have a vast collection of vintage communist propaganda? How did Ricky Martin's coming out effect you? . . Just messing with you, lol, let's just stick to the basics; So tell us a little bit about where you grew up?


Well, I'm a New Hampshire boy. I grew up in a small New England town of under 3,000 people and there wasn't much to do. I passed the time fishing, playing video games and reading comics. Real wholesome like. This town was so small it didn't even have a grocery store. Just a couple mom and pop markets and 1 gas station. Fortunately we had cable. One of the first places in the states due to our proximity to Boston. So I got my pop culture. Being so rural was great though and kept me out of trouble. I loved it and it's made me who I am. But at 18 I left for art school and have been bouncing around ever since.


When did you begin your art, and what led you to where you are now? Tell us a little bit about your process, as far as where you gather your inspiration from, what medium do you like working with best, but most importantly, where the hell do you find the patience to create such detailed work, lol.


Wow, that's a lot of questions there. Where did it begin? Really, it has always been there. I'm assuming it's gotta be the same way with everyone who has a passion for art. Passion? hhmm. More like love hate relationship. By that I mean I love it but it can be a source of eternal frustration. At least for me. I don't think I've ever been satisfied with anything I create. But I digress. Where it began, yeah. As far as making custom toys, it's very recent. That Kid Robot MunnyWorld show was the beginning of everything for me. Just came out of the blue and quite frankly I'm holding on to it and trying to milk it for everything I can get. I want to be an artist. I want to manage somehow to afford a way to be that kid who just wants to be left alone for hours while I dream of cool things to doodle. So that's what drives me. The desire to just have that luxury.


When it comes to customizing toys, I have a phrase that works for me. Thinking within the box. I've never really liked that other way of thinking, you know, outside of the box, because the reality is, there is a box. And for good reason. The people you want to communicate are in that box. And it's my job as a communicator to think within the bounds of the project and make it work. So with toys, I try to think about the platform in front of me. I don't try to make it something it's not. I try to make it something it could be. Bring it to life. The same, but more so.


As for patience, well, that's the big artist secret. Lot's of people will try to convince you that there's this thing called talent. I've never believed that. I believe there's desire and hard work and if you want to be good then you don't stop until you have achieved that. Patience is an artists best friend. So I try my best to take my time to do things to the best of my ability.


I don't know if I have a favorite medium yet. I know what I don't like though. I HATE carcoal and pastels. They're just too dry and suck the moisture out of me.


Are there any names in the urban art scene who you admire? If so, how have they affected your style and/or technique, if at all.


Huck Gee. Cause he sells his customs for some mad cash. Maybe the rest of us could do a little better if Huck wasn't taking all the people's money. JK. I think it's great and it gives us little guys a goal to aspire to. But I think if I had to get my hands on just one artist's work, it would have to be Chauskoskis. His work has such a unique look to it and the craftsmanship is beautiful. Each piece has a real artist touch to it. But is he urban? I'm still learning all this stuff. Scribe is more urban I suppose. Yeah, yeah, they're two of the artists in this group. I'm not trying to pitch this series at all, I swear. I think it just shows you how fortunate I am to be in this group.But I don't think anybody influences me in any other way but to make me work harder. When you see excellence it makes you realize that you need to step up your game or fall behind.


What brought you to this little artist sweat shop we got running, otherwise knows as the "Most Wanted" Artist Series, and how do you feel about the project as a whole?


To be honest, I had never heard of this group until Toy Break had a blind box just a month or so ago. Yeah, that's how much of a newbie I am. At the same time AW177 had emailed me to ask me some questions about my graphic design experience. I took the time to write him a short novel sharing with him my experience and I guess in turn made myself a new friend. When I heard about the first series on Toy Break I mentioned to AW177 that it would have been cool to have been a part of that. He asked me if I wanted a chance to be a part of the coming series and I jumped at it. Karma. I'm a big believer in it. Oh, and Thank you very much AW177! So how do I feel about it? I think it's great. For both the artists and the fans. Each one of us is creating a limited series of original custom art that anyone has a chance to purchase for a modest price. It's making customs accessible for those who can't afford our pricey commission fees. And for the artist, it's back breaking, eye-straining work that makes us curse the day we ever signed up. No? What I mean to say is that it's great exposure for each of us. It gets our work out there and promotes us and the art of customizing. It's also builds a sense of community amongst the artists. It's all great.


Once again, mad props for being a part of the series! Feel free to give any shout outs, threats to your enemies, and please tell us how we can go about scoring one of your amazing pieces?!


No, thank you for having me. I'm super psyched to see what everyone comes up with and really proud to be a part of this group. As for scoring a piece, well, people can find me through my site at kgosselinart.com. I also want to mention that I'm planning on making a couple 8" versions of my Most Wanted design. I love this guy and think a 8" would really do it justice. The 3" is awesome but the 8" is going to be sick.


Thanks again Kevin, I know your "cannibal" dunny is going to be a big hit in the series ;) Everyone else be sure to check out more of his work on his site, and for those of you interested in grabbing a commission or two from him, act quick cause spots are filling up fast!