An Interview with: Me

© 2012 Russ Cox | Smiling Otis Studio

I was thinking that 3 or 4 times a year that I would do a blog interview with fellow artist/illustrators. So to get the this idea rolling, I thought it would be fun to interview myself. So here we go!


Smiling Otis Studio: Since I did not have time to read your bio, can you tell me a bit about yourself?
Russ Cox: Sure, I am originally from Tennessee but spent most of my life in Pennsylvania. Recently my wife and I moved to Maine. After graduating high school, I attended art ...


SOS: Can we move this along? This isn't a "This Is Your Life" interview.
RC: Okay, I am an illustrator that specializes in the children's market with a focus on books. Was that short enough?


SOS: Hey, I ask the questions! An illustrator? Is that like an artist?
RC: Yes, it is the basically the same thing. An illustrator is a type of artist. We specialize in visually supporting a book, article, product, etc. and are hired to do so. 


SOS: So someone tells you want to draw.
RC: In a way, yes, we are directed what to draw but there is still a lot of freedom and room for interpretation.


SOS: But someone still tells you what to draw?
RC: Yes and no. We still have ...


SOS: But someone still tells you what to draw?
RC: Ugh, next question.


SOS: Sounds like we hit a nerve and you do not want to answer my question.
RC: I have tried to answer your question but ...


SOS: What is with the drawing of the viking dude? Is that suppose to be you?
RC: Yes. I was just having some fun with myself and thought it would be funny to draw myself as a viking.


SOS: I don't get it.
RC: There is nothing to get. It is a funny representation of me.


SOS: Okay. If you say so.
RC: You don't like ...


SOS: If you could be any bird, what would you be?
RC: What kind of question is that and what does it have to do with being an artist?


SOS: Are you an artist or illustrator?
RC: I've tried answering that question but you keep cut...


SOS: That type of bird would you be?
RC: This is a stupid question. What is so important about ...


SOS: Hey, this is an easy question. They are going to get harder. Just answer the question.
RC: A crow. Is that a good enough answer for you?


SOS: Again, I ask the questions. Stick to the protocol. I understand that you recently won some trophy, award, or whatever it was, can you tell me more about it?
RC: It was for the my "Mother Goose" piece that I did for the NESCBWI conference last month. The awards were for "Published". "People's ...


SOS: I am bored with this answer. What do you use to create your art, illustrations, or whatever you call it?
RC: Illustrations. You can call it illustrations. I work digitally mostly but still use pencil and paper for my sketching. 


SOS: Digitally? So the computer does the work for you.
RC: No, the computer is just another tool like a brush or canvas or ...


SOS: Sounds like cheating or being a tracer.
RC: A tracer? What do you mean?


SOS: The computer does the work for you. You hit a button and "voila", the computer does it all.
RC: No, the computer does not do it for you. I spent a lot of time using Photoshop, Illustrator, or Painter to create my artwork.


SOS: There you go using the term "artwork". I thought it was an illustration?
RC: It is! They are the same thing!


SOS: Yeah right. On to another question. Have you written any books?
RC: I am writing and illustrating my first one right now with the hopes of finding a publisher for it. It is a story about friendship lost and found. the working title is "Fa...


SOS: Are you using software to write the story for you as well since you just hit a button for the artwork?
RC: What?!?! No! I am creating the story from scratch as well as the artwork. I told you that the computer is ...


SOS: Boxers or briefs?
RC: What?


SOS: Answer the question. Boxers or briefs?
RC: That is a stupid question.


SOS: I guess you don't want to answer it. What do you like to do when you aren't sitting on your ass drawing all day?
RC: I don't sit on my ass and draw all day. There is so much more to being an illustrator than just drawing. We are always promoting  ..


SOS: Yadda-yadda-yadda, blah-blah-blah. Who cares. Do you do anything else besides draw?
RC: Well, I like to play the banjo and ...


SOS: The banjo? What are you some deep South redneck? I guess your favorite movie is Deliverance, right?
RC: That's it! This interview is over!


SOS: Well, there you have it folks. Some people cannot handle the tough, insightful questions. Until next time, I leave you with this quote: "Don't confuse being stimulating with being blunt." ~ Barbara Walters