Teefury

Words from jimiyo:
The interview is good so I'll be sparse. Please welcome Ghost4Hire! He's a really great artist.

Tell us about yourself:
Let's see... I am a 34 year old website developer in the heart of Texas... I drink 30 Year MacAllan Single Malt Scotch when someone else is footing the bill and prefer to do it with a good cigar... I watch horror movies and anime when the wife and kids are in bed so I don't disturb their delicate psyches... I listen to all kinds of music to find that one song I need to add to the soundtrack of my life... I abuse the use of the ellipsis... But if you want to see for yourself what I'm all about, follow me at twitter.com/ghost4hire.

What's a day in the life of Mr Joe Padilla like?
I'd love to tell you my life is filled with adrenaline-fueled adventures, supermodels and muscle cars, but unfortunately its pretty mundane. I've got the typical 9-5, doing what it takes to pay the bills but turning to my trusty laptop to find fulfillment in developing my personal art whenever I get some free time.

How did you get into art?
My earliest memory is watching my old man working on his drafting table, drawing these intricate isometric exploded view drawings using Staedtler Mars drafting pencils and pens. I knew then that those pencils and pens were magical tools and that one day I would have my own set. All my life I've been sketching, but I followed a graphic design route after high school and college and really fell out of practice with art. It wasn't until about a year ago that I found Emptees and stumbled upon guys like Godmachine, Jimiyo, Joshua Belanger, etc., and remembered I used to know how to do stuff like that. Ever since then, I've been struggling to find my place amongst these young giants by finding time to practice, practice, practice.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years with your art career or other?
In 5 years I'd like to be able pick up a tattoo iron and permanently brand people with some of my art as a tattoo artist. I think that would be the ultimate high for an artist - someone so stoked about your work that they need to have it tattooed on their skin. More importantly though, I'd really like to become a Renaissance man - like Da Vinci and Michaelangelo - and have a hand in different mediums. I'm not sure how many people are familiar with Miss Monster, but what she's doing now (painting, sculpting, working leather, etc.) is where I would like to be. She's a true Renaissance woman.

What advice would you offer to aspiring designers?
Find your own way. Practice. Refine it. Repeat. Always try to innovate.

What's the most awesome or fun thing you have ever accomplished/done thus far?
I'd have to say it was walking out on $90K a year job I had for 8 years with absolutely nothing lined up just to regain my sanity and dignity. It was a very empowering moment when I realized my self respect didn't have a price tag.

Do you have any interesting hobbies or tales of intrigue?
I am a typical DIY-er. Right now I'm trying to perfect my recipe for homemade greek style yogurt... Next on the queue is building a plastic vacuum forming set-up at home...   After that is a rotocasting machine to cast some sculpts in vinyl... 

Any shout outs?
My Wife Tracy and my two kids for putting up with whatever pipe dream I throw at them on a day to day basis. Andrew L. for brainstorming some of these pipe dreams with me.  Keith B. for being my earliest supporter and throwing down that hard earned cash. And of course, my Mom and Pops for not sending me to a psycho ward or medicating me just for drawing dead bodies when I was a kid.