Artist Ant Interviews People Summer Series #34: Carlos Tostes AKA Xxiii_art 7/31/19

Artist Ant Interviews People Summer Series #34: Carlos Tostes AKA Xxiii_art   7/25/19

Interviewer: Anthony Andujar Jr

Interviewee: Carlos Tostes AKA Xxiii_art

ArtvsArtist photo by Carlos Tostes

     Hello and welcome to the Artist Ant Interviews People Summer Series! Welcome to another edition to my latest talks with local and global creatives that are alive, hustling and thriving in their respective crafts! Today I have a special guest! Heh, I always seem to have a special guest, and with good reason because this is someone that I’ve been collaborating with alongside Jose Sanchez and Willinzy Jonri on a project of sorts. He is a Brazilian comic book artist, illustrator and architect who is a beast with the pencils, inks and color art. Please, ladies, androids, cyborgs, avatars, gents, please welcome Carlos Tostes!!!!

Q0. Who are your inspirations?

CT: My inspirations had changed a lot through the whole “find my own way as an artist” process. It all depends on which part of my art we are talking. If we are talking about comics (narrative) I would say Lee Weeks, Stuart Immonen, Rafa Sandoval. For style purposes I would say Immonen (again), Ron Garney, Mitch Gerads, Robson Rocha and for academics purposes (studying art) I would say Mike Hawthorne, Will Weston, Michael Hampton, Loomis and so on haha.

Q1. How did you get into art, most notably writing?

CT: Ever since I can remember I’m into art. When I was 5 I used to draw in one page a whole story (usually involving two characters fighting each other). When I was 12, I started to draw comics for fun. I had stopped from studying and drawing comics when I was 14 and got back 6 years ago.  Unfortunately I still don’t write but I hope one day I will.

Q2. When did you begin to seriously pursue art as a career?

CT: About 6 years ago. During my time at the architecture college I had a friend that had amazing drawing skills. I got a little bit jealous of his art and then I decided to take art seriously again. Therefore, I started to search for books and drawing lessons online and decided that I need to forget everything that I knew to start and learn all over again. So, I’m still in the process, it’s slower than taking classes and having a teacher to guide me. But it is very satisfactory when I solve a drawing problem or understand something about comics that I couldn’t before.

Q3. What drives you in your daily life?

CT: In my professional life? My passion for art and comics.

In my personal life? My wife and family

Q4. What made you the person that you are today?

CT: Wow, that’s deep. Haha

I think that all the experiences and people that I’ve met during my life made me the person that I am today.

Q5.  If you could speak to any living creator or inspiration, who

would it be, why, and what would talk to them about?

CT: Stuart Immonen. I want to ask him about comics and art in general. His approach of making panels that not only translate scripts, but creates a sensation of movement all of that using an amazing narrative.

Q6. If there were any deceased creators , actors, singers, writers,

etc that you would want to speak to, who would it be, and why?

CT: Jack Kirby. The creator of Gods.

With no doubt my choice would be him. I would like to talk with him about his creativity, how he achieved what he did, what kind of work that inspired him and so on.

Q7. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

CT: Netherlands or maybe Belgium.

Q8. What is one thing that you fear?

CT: Go broke.

Art by Carlos Tostes. Colors by Anthony Andujar Jr.

Q 10.  If you had a superpower what would it be and why?

CT: Teleportation. Go anywhere, anytime and immediately.

Q11. What catches your attention when you meet people?

CT: Their personality.

Q12. What is one word of advice that you would impart to your younger self?

CT: I would say… Be yourself, you don't have to please the people around you. Do what you want.

Q13. What are three books that you always remember or return to, and

why? How did they shape you?

CT: First, How to Draw The Marvel Way by Stan Lee and John Buscema fundamental art book for the bases of comics (in the marvel way).

Second, 1984 by George Orwell, what can I say? I love a dystopia.  

Third, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. Essential comic book that not only changed an era in comics as created a whole style for them. Not even Frank Miller could replicate what Dark Knight Returns was.

Q14. If you could continue or remake a movie, or franchise, what would

be your film of choice ?

CT: I think that could pick “Hancock”, that superhero movie with Will Smith. The movie has an amazing plot idea but develops so bad. I could remake the whole film but maybe I could keep Will Smith to replay the role of Hancock.

Q15.  If you were to make a film, novel, or comic book based on an

album, what album or artist would you pick?

CT: The Odyssey by Symphony X.

Q16. Who In this life, has motivated you to stay true to what makes you who are?

CT: As a professional, I think that R.B Silva is my main inspiration. Not only is Brazilian as well (which helps to relate with me) but he is very successful and had very similar start as mine.

As a person, I don’t know, I think that I created an image that translates what a “perfect person” is and what it takes to be that kind of person. So I follow it.

Q17. Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?

CT: In five? I hope to work in one (if not both) of the Big Two (Marvel/DC) and maybe already be a father. Be living in a nice house with my wife and be traveling more.

Art by Carlos Tostes

Q18. What are three albums or songs currently, that you listen to on

repeat? And why?

CT: I don’t usually listen to a lot of music. But recently when I do I listen to:

“Julia” by Jungle

“Juice” by Lizzo

“Doo Do Doo” by Yung Bae

Q19. What color speaks to you the most and why?

CT: Blue, Red and Black. It’s simple, they mix well together and every composition have them.

Q20: What is your greatest weakness?

CT: I’m too proud sometimes.

Q21. What is your greatest strength?

CT: Patience.

Q22.What's one thing that you're proud of?

CT: I’m proud of who I am today.

Q23. What is a mantra that you tell yourself?

CT: “My best work will always be the next one”.

Q24. What is success to you?

CT: Success for me is to be able to live working with I love to do. 

Art by Carlos Tostes

You can follow his work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xxiii_art/ 

 Art Station: https://www.artstation.com/xxiii