Your merchandising (www.shagmart.com) is massive! What is the oddest bit of merchandising ever to bear your name? Do you keep personal control of what is produced? Any chance of record bags?
"I've always considered merchandising to be a big part of my "art". I don't know if any of the merchandise I've licensed is particularly odd, but I have had odd requests which I've passed on - a Shag "dildo bag" (?!) & a Shag "bobbing head doll" that was actually a little statue of me (too creepy)."
What's this I hear about a "Shag themed" bar in Las Vegas?
"I designed the visuals for a bar on the Las Vegas strip called "Venus". It was in the Venetian Hotel. Unfortunately, so much of what I did was scavenged by enthusiastic collectors and eBay harvesters that the management decided it was in their best interest to do a redesign in a less desirable manner...I think of it as a limited edition bar! If you weren't there during the year it was open you won't get a chance to see it again."
Your work is probably most recognisable in the UK from the work with Paul Frank. How did that happen? Is this still happening? Anyone else you plan to work with in future?
"Paul Frank and I had known each other for a few years before we collaborated. I don't think we'll do any other collaborations through his company, although we have worked together on "one-off" fine art projects, and will probably do so again. There are a few other designers I'd like to work with, but I think their egos might intrude: Phillipe Starck, Mark Newson, and I'd also like to work with some old, established companies, like Ben Sherman."
Would you be interested in doing animated films at all?
"I've been approached by almost all the major animation studios. I do have a couple irons in the fire, but the entertainment industry is the sort of thing that one can't really rely upon. I'll believe it when I see it happen."
Who would do the soundtrack to your pictures? Something easy? Something French? Something with bongos? Or am I reading it wrong?
"I like instrumental film music -- if Mancini were still alive, I think he might do a good job. Some of the contemporary DJ's who remix easy listening are pretty interesting too, and might add a modern spin to it. I like The Thievery Corporation, Ursula 1000, Dimitri From Paris."
Does music inspire you? What kind of stuff have you bought recently?
"I haven't bought a single record or CD since my daughter was born -- she's four now. Somehow she took control of the stereo and hasn't relinquished it."
A print of "Blue Scooter" sits proudly in our dining room. Are you into scooters? Do you own a scooter? Vespa or Lambretta?
"I've tried to restore both a '66 Vespa and a '62 Lambretta, but neither ever really got to the point where I could ride it, & I sold them in pieces. I've considered buying a fully restored one, as I don't have time to work on it myself. As soon as my accountant figures how to write it off, I'll get one. I think that scooters are some of the most aesthetically pleasing objects created by human beings."
Do you own a Mini? They seem to loom large in your paintings!
"I've never owned a Mini, but my brother collected & restored them until recently. In the US they are quite exotic and seldom seen on the road. I'm always reminded of "The Italian Job" when I see one."
I'm guessing you don't paint as a hobby these days? How do you get away from the day job?
"The only way I can get away from my job is to leave town; I'm fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to enjoy my work as much as I would any hobby, so that's what I spend the majority of my time doing."
Are you into the web? Any sites we might not know of worth seeing?
"I don't spend much time online, unless I'm trying to track something down. I have spent a lot of time recently at gomod.com looking for the perfect chairs for my dining table!"
Any plans to display your work in the UK? Or do we need to hassle some galleries on your behalf?
"Right now, my UK card publisher, Roger La Borde, is working with my US publisher to find a suitable gallery in London for my first UK exhibition. I hope it happens in mid 2004!"
Many thanks for labouring through these questions! We look forward to seeing you in the UK sooner rather than later!
