Alexander Julian graduated from The Art Institute of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Media Arts and Animation. He started working in the professional comic book field as a pencilist, inker and digital colorist for Blue Water Comics and Alias Comics. Following Comics, he was hired to work on the Killer Bunnies card game for Play Room Entertainment. He has worked with Killer Bunnies for the past two years, creating two to three fully rendered images a day starting with a thumbnail and ending with a final PDF file. Additionally he has worked with numerous companies as a contract freelance artist creating concept art, advertisements, murals. Known for his live art in San Diego, Alex has painted large pieces at places like Saks Fifth Ave, House of Blues, Bar Basic, The Honey Bee Hive, Airport Lounge, The Ruby Room, Red Circle, Red C Lounge, The Office, E Street Ally, Club Montage, FeeLet, Universal, Rich’s, The Children’s Museum, Bondi Bar, The Bamboo Lounge, San Diego Museum of Art, (SDMA) and many more. He is now looking for a career in conceptual art for video games including background art, vehicles and character design. To contact Alex email him at: alextheartist@gmail.com or you can view more of his art at AlexJulian.blogspot.com.

GLT: You are known all around town for your amazing art and murals, were you born in San Diego?

AJ: I was born in a test tube in a small laboratory, 243 feet under S.D., but I consider Hillcrest my home town.

GLT: Your such a staple in the GLBT community, how did that come about?

AJ: Friends! There is nothing more rewarding than to surround yourself with good people. Since I grew up out here, I have had the privilege of watching my friends succeed – and when one succeeds we all do. In a way friends become family and family will always be there for you. In return, I like to hold out my hand and help younger artists out. That is why I teach art classes at the Ruby Room on Sundays from 3pm to 6pm and host Monday nights art events alongside the Pirate Punks.

GLT: What is your favorite style of comic?

AJ: While achieving my BA in Media arts and animation I was taught not to get caught up in one style. As a freelance artist you have to mold yourself to be versatile and like every style for what it is, but if I were to really have to pick, I would have to go with anything by Sean Galloway or Scotty Young. For the comic artists that are undiscovered I would have to say Wes McTizic and Kiska Zilla which are all apart of R.A.U. (Rebellion of Da Art Unda-ground).

GLT: What are your favorite mediums to work with and why?

AJ: Well first and foremost I love Photoshop and Painter, digital has always been my thing. As far as traditional art I like pen and ink, air brush and painting with acrylics on found objects in the alleys of Hillcrest. My newest medium is can (spraypaint can), and I have had good guidance from the Kleen house and Ms zilla. These are all my favorite mediums because it is what my environment surrounds me with, but I am down to try anything.

GLT: How did you get started with art and comics, did you always know that this is what you wanted to do?

AJ: The first thing that truly inspired me was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when I was in the fourth grade. Ever since then I have been an artist in a hard shell hahaha! Before wanting to become an artist, I wanted to dig up some old dino bones and make daring escapes from savages, like Indiana Jones.

GLT: Do you think that there are just as many GLBT people who are into comics as heterosexuals?

AJ: I do not see why not. I believe everyone loves a good comic, it does not matter how you get your rocks off.

GLT: Who is your favorite super hero or heroine?

AJ: That is a tough one, there has always been a different favorite super hero in my life depending on what I was going through, but my all-time favorite comic book heroine would be Neil Gamins Death. I like the dark and mysterious types. If I were to pic a second one, it would be Savage Dragon with his big green Mohawk.

GLT: What is your favorite comic book out right now?

AJ: Ha ha ha! You guys are really drilling me =) My favorite comic book out right now is TANK GIRL! The sexiest toughest bag of nails that will always have a special place in my heart.

GLT: Do you fear that the industry’s becoming too mainstream?

AJ: Well I would say with all the movies out right now, not to mention the giant of entertainment, (video games), it has already crossed into the realms of mainstream, but artists are tricky little suckers. There will always be a group of artists out there like the R.A.U. ready to take over. If you think about it, all companies started with an idea, a thought of something greater than themselves, and the goal of being able to share it with the world.

GLT: If you could have any super power what would it be and why?

AJ: The power of flight. There are days when I like to stare up at the sky and watch the clouds slowly move overhead, it is a great escape from the problems of society, so what would be more relaxing than flying through the clouds while listening to your favorite late 70’s or 80’s punk bands! Hell! I would probably fly to New York and grab myself a dirty water dog, then head over to San Francisco and watch the dragons dance in Chinatown while wearing flowers in my hair ha ha ha!

GLT: Do you work with a comic book company, or do you freelance?

AJ: At the moment I am working on a comic book with Sean Cute, (owner of the Ruby Room). All I can tell you is that it is called ZOMBIE PUNKS, so buy it when it comes out sucka! For work, right know I am painting a giant mural at Home Brews and Gardens located at 3176 Thorn Street in South Park. It is at least 200 ft. long and varies in size from 6 ft. to 20 ft. tall. On the side I am working with Play Room Entertainment on the card game called Killer Bunnies, sold at TOYS R’ US, but there are always freelance jobs I grab on the side. My work mentality is that if I am not crammed with work, or I do not feel like I bit off more than I can chew, then I am doing something wrong.

GLT: Tell us a funny story about something that has happened to you while being in the industry?

AJ: It would have to be my first interview at a major animation studio. Just out of college I went to the interview with a portfolio that I made in two days. Little did my young artistic self know the true work it takes to get into a company, and the competition that was waiting to eat me alive.

GLT: What is the most rewarding thing about being an artist, and what is the biggest drawback?

AJ: The most rewarding thing about being an artist is that you can see your characters come to life; live, love and draw. The biggest setback would be the lack of social time due to drawing. Instead of going to a cool party with slip n’ slides and beer, you have to spend it at the drawing desk!

GLT: What advice would you give to someone who would like to draw better or get into the industry?

AJ: Always carry a sketch pad around and research your industry. Find out what’s hot and what is not, get down and dirty with this, but most of all DRAW!!! I paint and draw at least 10 hours a day.