Kicking off with our new artist interviews is Kernie82. Fancy getting to know him a little better? Then read on! The cover World Stuff
Where did your nickname come from? It's a derivation of my last name.
What part of the world do you come from? I'm from Pennsylvania, USA (about an hour from Philadelphia).
What got you into designing covers in the first place? I started doing with labels because I actually used them and used hirescovers as a source of textless keyart. After seeing all the great work being done by the MD's and CD's on the site, pure arrogance made me say, "I can do that," and (less modestly) "I could do better than that." So to prove it to myself, I got into the game and started making covers as well and it's been an experience that has tremendously improved my skills as a designer (I cringe at some of my early stuff and can't believe how cool I thought it was at the time... maybe in a year or two, I'll look back on my current stuff and think the same thing)!
Is there anyone on the cover making scene that has inspired you? All the Master Designers especially and quite a number of cover designers. I think donger was one of the first designers I took notice of, because I felt his label style was in the same vein as mine. Darksaber, felipe11, Arkflip, Irrob, Bazzah, bajeeza, user name, cas, and everyone else (sorry for anyone whom I left out) who routinely posts in my Comic Book Collection thread are really inspirational when it comes to adding new covers to the series, their encouragement, comments, and friendly discussion are really what keeps me motivated on such a large collection.
What would be your best advice to any up and coming designer? Practice, practice, practice. Nobody got where they are over night and Photoshop is a beast that takes years to begin to tame (I'm still learning new tricks after 10 years of using PS). Push yourself and challenge yourself with each new project, it's the only way to improve.
What’s your favourite cover you have made? Jennifer's Body and G.I. Joe. I think from a design standpoint, they were the most challenging and most successful. However, I think my Comic Book Collection as a whole is the thing I'm most proud of here at hirescovers.
What’s your least favourite cover you have made? Anything from the "Marvel Superhero Series" I did before starting the large Comic Book Collection. It's not that they were that bad, but my current collection totally mops the floor with that earlier series.
What’s your favourite cover that someone else has made? I love ShokXoneStudios' Firefly Browncoat Saga cover and HalfBreed's Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles (pretty much because I love that old school Drew Struzan poster style.
The Personal Stuff
What is your real name? Andrew
What do you do for a living? Formerly a professional graphic/motion graphics designer. Currently a freelance designer and a fulltime substitute teacher while I pursue my Art Education teaching certificate.
Any kids (that you know of)? I sure hope not (for the moment).
Any brothers/sisters? 1 sister.
What was your childhood like? Share an interesting "growing up" story. Positive but boring. Nuclear family, small almostrural hometown. Not much to talk about.
What is your favourite food? Chicken wings.
Tell us about your best vacation. A trip to Disney World with my G/F. We just acted like little kids again and had so much fun not worrying about the rest of the world.
What is your favourite type of music/band? I'll listen to anything, but '80's music makes me laugh.
What is your favourite movie of all time? I don't deal in "favorites," but among my top 5 are "Clue," "Back to the Future," and "Zodiac" (which is grossly underrated).
What one place would you like to visit? Hmmm...
What other hobbies do you have besides movies & graphics? Bike riding.
What is the best thing that ever happened to you? My girlfriend.
What is the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? I don't get too embarrassed about anything...
What is your favourite colour? I really don't have "favorites" for anything, but I tend to use a lot of Blue in my artwork.
What is your favourite animal? My dumb, 20 lb. cat, Moe.
Who is your favourite actor? Again, I don't really have favorites...
If you could meet one person, who would it be, and why? Myself at age 13, I'd give that little prick a piece of my mind...
If you could be one person, who would it be and why? Myself, I'm very grateful for everything that I have and am very proud of all the things that I have accomplished. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Although being Christopher Walken might be fun for a couple of days... hmmm...
What super power would you have, and why? The power to have unlimited powers at my disposal.
What is your favourite car or motorcycle? The original 1989 Batmobile... or a DeLorean BUT... it has to have all the time circuit stuff on it (complete with a Mr. Fusion and Flux Capacitor), otherwise it's just a crappy aluminum death trap from the 1980's.
Are you a nightowl or an earlybird? Nightowl.
If you knew you had 24 hours to live, how would you spend that time? Telling everyone how I really felt...
Some strange stuff
Have you ever been shot? No.
Have you ever shot someone? No.
What size feet do you have? Um... 9 1/2... 10?
Do you like Spam? No.
Do you like Spam mail? No.
What's your favourite colour of sky? Vanilla.
Did you go out last night? No.
What’s your worst nightmare? Giant kittens.
Pick three people of your preferred sex, and decide if you would marry, sleep with, or throw them off a cliff. Marry (which I assume would include sleeping with at some point): My G/F first, and then Alison Brie from NBC's Community (she's kind of my crushofthemoment); Sleep with: Diora Baird (Google her... you'll understand); Throw off a cliff: Reality TV Show "stars" including, but not limited to, "Jersey Shore," "The Real World," Heidi & Spencer, the Kardashians, Paris Hilton, and anyone else who has acquired fame for doing nothing to benefit society.
