Artist interview Artists Showcase 12 : Ralphy Marcano. By Anthony Andujar Jr 4/12/16

Artist interview Artists Showcase 12 : Ralphy Marcano.  By Anthony Andujar Jr   4/12/16

Artist interview Artists Showcase 12 : Ralphy Marcano.

By Anthony Andujar Jr

Conducted 2/14/16

Published 4/12/16

Q1. What was the first set of drawings that you remember creating as a child?

RM: My first set of drawings that I ever made was Digimon characters, Dragon Ball Z, (specifically Goku only) , Loony Toons, and Pokemon characters.

Q2. Was art something you stumbled upon or was it always apart of your family?

RM: I would say that art was always apart of my family. My parents used to draw, My older sister Natalie, My cousins Louis, Benjamin, Justin, my uncle Manny, (I think) all used to and /or still draw. Drawing, coloring, writing, music, fashion, it was always there.  

Q3. Who are your creative influences?

RM: My artistic influences in music: Jay Z , Chris Brown, Michael Jackson and Kanye. In terms of film actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington, Daniel Day Lewis, Sean Penn, Johnny Depp. In terms of sports : Koby Bryant, A-Rod, Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Ray Lewis, Ken Griffy Jr, and Serena Williams. In terms of cartoons: Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Dexters Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Tom& Jerry, Thundercats, Flintstones, Batman, Transformers, Loony Tunes and Gargoyles.  

Q4. Are you focused as a internal or external creative?  

RM: I like that question. I'd say in general I would observe the surroundings and see the struggle, try to understand and put myself to feel the struggle and relate it to my own personal struggles. I would seek something that I could relate to whether it's lyrics to songs that touch the soul. It creates a thought in my mind in the way changing / getting out my environment. It gives me confidence that I could do it in whatever I want to do. I see Jay Z, Kanye West, Chris Brown, Eminem, Nas, or writers like JK Rowling, actresses like Tina Fey, getting out and making something of themselves is motivational. I see them as motivators, from the environments that they came out of and where they are now.  

Q5. Which film or franchise would you do your own interpretation, or continuation of? What would you keep? Or Change ?  

RM: Um, I would do Transformers. Starting from Revenge of the Fallen to Age of Extinction. I would do those over. Why? I feel like it was everywhere in terms of plot. I'd make it more realistic, exciting and intense and not repetitive or predictable. Another film I'd redo would be Man of Steel. I believe it could have been better. I want superman to have super scenes, action and excitement. As a fan of superheroes, comics , DC and Marvel, (in this particular case, DC) it's just something that people want to see in a superman movie. It wasn't a bad movie, it's just that in terms of expectation, it wasn't what most were expecting or hoped for it to be.  

Q6. What is the most difficult part of the creative process for you?  

RM: the most difficult part in creating is just.. Creating!.. Where do I begin?! When you go for the first draft, you don't know how or where to build on in terms of beginning , middle and end. Especially in terms of what can come before and after in a story. The excitement of writing the ideas and feeling certain about the placement of it. You could brainstorm and won't know ow to organize it all until you do. Whether it's words, drawing, a beat, or designing clothing , it's gotta feel like it's Alive. It's gotta be more than just words. It's gotta make you expand as a person and make you flow confidently.  

Q7. If you could make a comic, novel, or film based on an album, which album and artist would it be and why?

RM: That's good! Whew .. I'll be honest, I'd make a book about Kanye West's Graduation. The stories behind every track is just me. I feel like Kanye really did himself on that album with stuff that you can relate to. Songs like "you can't tell me nothing", "good night", "good morning", "how I wonder" , etc. that album itself had tracks that were placed so perfectly like a chapter book. The reason why I chose the format to be a book is because starts as words on paper. Soon after that , they end up on the big screen. There are some novels, and comics that don't make it to the big screen. Just the stories in each track is just a perfect match. You want to visualize the experience in what I lived, if not me, then others. It's crystal clear what Kanye is saying and how he relates to us.  

Q8. If you could speak to a deceased creator, who would it be? Why? And what would you hope to discuss?  

RM: That's hard bro, that's hard. There are so many great creators that walked this earth. Shakespeare was a creator ? right? I would like to know how he prepped his creativity, the stories and how did he get his ideas. I'd like to hear the real Shakespeare speak to me, and not in the way that the people tell us. I would ask about his own experience and how stumbled across art and whether it was something he wanted to do or something he was surrounded by. I'd like to pick his brain as a writer myself to see what I could improve and expand upon, learn what he knows and be my teacher. There's more to creativity than what you see. Artist I'd add would be Micheal Jackson, Tupac, Biggie, along with Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Andy Warhol, and ancient Egyptian Artists who created the art and tombs .

Q9. If you could speak to any living creator, who would it be? What would you hope to collaborate with them on and why?

RM: Ha! That's easy! Hov (Jay Z), Kanye West, and Chris Brown. I would love to talk about our personal lives, and where they get their creativity from in terms of music and transitioning to rapping/ singing about it. I'd like to talk to them and hear their views on the industry and what keeps them going. Jay Z , I'd talk to him about business, I'd collaborate with Kanye on fashion and I'd collaborate with Chris Brown on drawings and art in general. All three of them I'd talk about relationships and how they deal with the spotlight through one on one conversation. I'd ask their real thoughts and feelings about it.  

Q10. What advice would you advise to the next generation or to your past self?

RM: I'm gonna go with my younger self and it's gonna be deep. To my younger self: I'd say always stay focused, life is what you make it. Enjoy being you, being young and don't rush growing up. Make the most out f every moment. Appreciate, cherish learning, love, be at peace. Take care of others and take care of yourself more emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. Don't give so much to others that won't reciprocate. Live by your world and word. What people show you, take it as what they really are and  

Q11. What would you hope to see yourself have 30 years from now on terms of accomplishment and what would you reflect on?

RM: 30 years from now, wow! To be honest I'd reflect on now, the present. As of now I don't have it all, I have nothing. But I know that nothing defines me. 30 years from now I will do what I accept and expect for myself to be, very ambitious, with a family , a great house / apartment, good salary, career etc. 30 years from now I won't be the same person, my character will change, I'll speak will be different. I'll reflect and say "wow, I was there and now I'm here." It would be emotional because it would be a drastic change. Not everyone gets to accomplish their dreams. But just to achieve the dream and to become the dream, just to take pride in the idea that I brought myself to this point despite the blood , sweat, tears, the overall struggle, that I could see the beauty of it all.  

Q12. What era of your life would you write a book about?  

RM: Wow, in terms of era that I'd focus a book on, I'd focus on the past 6 years (2010- 2015). Within the past 6 years it was life changing. The females, the pain, heartbreak, relationships, sex , drugs, alcohol, fatherhood, young adulthood, education, adapting to change and change of self.  

Q13. What do you feel as an artistic medium best represents you?

RM: My writing as art best represents me. I believe my writing best represents my thoughts , my feelings and what I can't say to anyone. I write it all down on paper. The paper, the pen, my fingers, it all just connects. I don't want what I write to fall on deaf ears. I just want it to take me somewhere. I make love to the paper and release my thoughts. I'll just write and write and write until it's all out.

Q14. What character in various forms of fiction do you feel represents or reflects you ?  

RM: Relate to the most? I don't know , I was gonna say Iron Man although I'm not a billionaire. But I relate to Wolverine and Iron Man. Why? Because it's their character , wolverine is aggressive. He's not with the bullshit and the misconceptions he gets from people. He doesn't back down, he's a badass. Iron Man , I relate because he's a playboy and confident. I have the confidence.... I'm advanced.. Haha! Very simple. I relate to his class and make my presence felt as soon as I enter a room. I'm just someone that people want to know what he's about.  

Q15. What is your biggest flaw?  

RM: My biggest flaw is that I have too big of a heart.  

Q16. What is your biggest fear?  

RM: My reflection in the mirror. I see me, but a different version of me, being heartless, going against everything that I stand for. I see me not giving a fuck when it comes to relationships. Not being loyal, becoming a liar, being lost, losing my purpose, drive, dedication, to doing or seeking what I love and losing the journey of becoming a better me.

Note: I've been busy since March working on creative writing and oil painting assignments so far in this semester. I will resume posting new Interviews soon. keep an eye out!! New stuff coming soon!

Artist Interview Artists Showcase 11: Radhaysa Guzman by Anthony Andujar Jr 2/12/16

Artist Interview Artists Showcase 11: Radhaysa Guzman by Anthony Andujar Jr 2/12/16

Interviewee: Radhaysa Guzman.

Interviewer: Anthony Andujar Jr

2/12/16  

Q1. Was art always apart of your family or something you stumbled upon?

RG: It's part of my family. One of my brothers used to do art, he liked to draw people. One of my older brothers was a photographer and a model. I won't say it was apart of my life by my mom and father but it was apart of my life.   

Q2. Who are your artistic influences?  

RG: In music, I could name a lot of people. I like a lot of the legendary people who have been in the game that I like. Like Nas , Biggie, Pac, the poetic people. In terms of film, Freedom Writers, I guess The Color Purple, Django , stuff that shows true history and stuff that makes a point.  

Q3. Was art always apart of your desired career path?  

RG: In terms of writing, it was pain. I realized I couldn't draw for shit. I realized that I was more descriptive and was more different about how I wanted to express myself. It was something I always wanted to do.   

Q4. If you were to make a film, novel, comic or show based on an album, what album would it be, and why?

RG: An album? hmm. It would be between Nas Illmatic and Bob Marley, It would be the album with the Wailers. I like Bob Marley's song "war" and "Zion " like getting to desired land and that's my inspiration to see the world not for profit or for gain, but to provide for your people. You could put anything from any of their albums because it's inspirational.  

Q5. What other ventures would you want to pursue transitioning from your art/writing?

RG: Personally I would want to make a radio station.I would have hot topics where people can engage. Shit is really crazy in the city. Go to queens, get on the E train and get off the last stop. There is someone on the corner try to offer you a bag of sour. I look around myself, and you don't want to be a girl in the city walking around in the city thinking shit won't happen to them. I mean there is some stuff that blows my mind.  

Q6: What themes would you discuss ?

RG: ha, I remember I was taking a class and I had this professor who basically in his own way tried to dismiss the fact that humans don't have individuality, or an actual mind of their own. That we only follow what we're told. And I was like, that's some bullshit. Because if you take a group of people, and you have them the option between navy blue and baby blue, the people would choose what best compliments them. They wouldn't choose because they are just told to, they would be presented the option, and then from then on, they would pick what is best for them. So I would definitely have some interesting conversations about shit like that.  

Q7. If you had a superpower, what power would you want and why?  

RG: I'd honestly choose to embody Catwoman with the ability to fly. Dope shit.

Q8. Which deceased creator/ writer/ artist/ director/ actor/tress would you want to speak to , why and what would you discuss with them?

RG. I'd want to meet the artist known as Celia Cruz, 2pac, and Bob Marley. What would you I discuss with them? I'd discuss with them their career start and awakening period. I'd also discuss world events.  

Q9. Which living creator would you want to collab with? why?  and what would you hope to discuss with them?

RG. I'd have to say I want to work with many creators and they aren't famous or anything but I see potential and talent in these people.  

Q10. What theme inspires you more to create? Happiness or tragedy?

RG. Tragedy inspires me to create more that happiness, because I believe pain, is the best brush, for the release of profound expression and creation.

Q11. 30 years from now what would you hope to have and reflect on?  

RG: I hope to have a creative space were I can produce and host creative projects.

Q12. If you were to write a book, what era of your life would you write about  thus far?

RG: I'd honestly write about bits and pieces of my life. I learned something new every years, I'd say.

Q13. What would you advise to the next generation or to your younger "past" self ?

RG: .I'd tell them to live wisely and understand that fun can really just be a book and a stressed mind. Id advise myself to stick with the plan.  

Q14. What are your hopes about the future in terms of yourself and the world?

RG: My hopes for myself are along the lines of early retirement but never a person off the market. For the world I hope it expands in love and diversity.

You can follow her work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rmgp_rmg/
and her poetry at https://www.instagram.com/rmgp_writtens/

Artist interview Artists Showcase 10: L2A Music AKA Adam Flores by Anthony Andujar Jr 2/9/16

Artist interview Artists Showcase 10: L2A Music AKA Adam Flores by Anthony Andujar Jr 2/9/16

Interviewee: Adam Flores aka L2A music

Interviewer: Anthony Andujar Jr

2/9/16

  Q1. Was art always apart of your family or something you stumbled upon?

 L2A: It was a little bit of both. As far as being in my family. My father did music from the early stages of music until now. As far as being in a Puerto Rican household. I was always listening to music ranging from Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, James Brown, Stevie Wonder.  

Q2. Who are your creative influences? And who would you wish to collaborate with?  

L2A: In terms of producers that I would like to collab with: definitely Dr Dre. I love his west coast sounds. RZA, , DJ Premier.  In terms of living artists that I would love to collaborate with: Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Childish Gamblino , Logic, Kanye West, Jay Z, Nas, Wu tang, Pharrell, Timberlan, Joey Bada$$, Earl Sweatshirt .

Q3. If you had the chance to speak to a deceased creator who would you speak to and why?  

L2A: There are a lot of guys who are deceased that I would love to talk to in terms of hip hop such as Biggie, Big pun, Nate Fogg, 2 pac, Michael Jackson, James Brown. J dilla, easy   

Q4. If you had the opportunity to score an established film or franchise, what movies would you choose to score?   

L2A: Movies I would love to score: I'd do my own take on the matrix, money train, training day, spiderman.  

Q5. If you could make A movie, book, or show based off an album, which album would you choose and why?  

L2A: If I could make a book, movie or novel after an album it Would be Kendrick Lamars Good kid , Mad city. That album alone is like a movie.  

Q6. If you could do your own interpretation or continuation of a film or franchise, which film would you choose, what would you keep and what would you change?  

L2A: I would do a continuation of titanic.   

Q7. In terms of creating music tracks, what comes to mind?

 L2A: You see, when you have a movie, it's just a bunch of people talking and standing. But once you add that element of music, it creates a whole new canvas and makes everything much more engaging. When I make music, it tends to be a variety of sounds that stem from different genres. For example I mixed Elle Gouldings "lights" with Daft Punk's" around the world " which I put together as a mixed track. When I create music, it's not a definitive process, it's a matter of making whatever emotion that is felt on that day.  

Q8. When you create, do you ever think of specific colors that come to mind that symbolizes your works?  

L2A: I don't think too much about a specific color, but honk about a series of colors, which I thought about as a music video for the track I mixed. I would visualize different bout ought of New York and areas of the world and seeing the globe turning while tons of lights are blooming throughout the planet.  

Ant: in a sense, you music seems to always have a sense of travel. Like one is not stationary. The way you describe your music, it's like something along the lines of a moving train that makes stop to distinct areas which are described by the tracts based its distinct sound.  

L2A music: man , that's crazy. You basically found a way to verbalize the way my music is. It's always moving, it's why my logo "L2A" is inspired by the train letter logos. It's also about my fathers name (who is a well respected DJ in the DJ world, crafting and performing for many years earning him s reputation). L2A represents my father Louie passing down the torch to Adam (which is me) and keeping that legacy and appreciation of music moving forward regardless of time, place and location.  

Q10. What themes interest you to draw? Happiness or tragedy?  

L2A Music: There's really not one specific theme I can single out cuz life has its way of just throwing anything at you, you just have to find that balance. As for me, my craft and creativity, I feed off everything and use my creative out to express it to everyone.

Q11. 30 years from now what would you hope to have and reflect on?  

L2A Music: . Well 30 years from now I'll be in my 50's and I'll be running my empire, I would be reflecting on my accomplishment and my failures and thanking God for everything he's given me and everything He has planned for the years to come because I'm not gonna stop until He stops me .

Q12. If you were to write a book what era of your life would you could on thus far?

L2A Music: . Honestly, it would have to be about the era of my life I'm in now. So many have happened in the past few years (and I know that there is more to come) that this would be the book that writes itself, I mean it's writing itself everyday.

Q13. If you had a superpower, what power would you want and why?

L2A Music:  I would like to have the power like from that Scarlett Johansson movie Lucy and be able to control it. I would be unstoppable.

Q14. What would you advise to the next generation or to your younger "past" self ?  

L2A Music:. Never give up. Push forward. There is nothing too great that you can't handle. Don't be stagnant. Analyze the situation and find the way out. There is no such thing as a "give up" option because the people you look up to and aspire to be like didn't get to where they are now and are going to be by giving up and be confident in yourself.

Q15. What are your hopes about the future in terms of yourself and the world?

L2A Music: I just want to keep growing and keep learning so I can teach others and show that if we all love one another, work together, and put our strengths together, we can get rid of our weaknesses and make this world a better place.

You can follow his work and music on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/l2amusic/

You can also find him on Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud and Snapchat