Here is the third of six interviews that I am doing about each artist that is participating in the 2nd Annual Drawing for Life Marathon coming up on April 4th. There will also be a special booth set up at Art is Alive this Friday the 13th at Freebird Live out at Jax Beach! Stop by the booth for more info on the Drawing for Life Marathon and meet the artists! Enjoy the interview and please click on the flyer for more details about this wonderful event or visit “Logans Heroes” to pledge to our team of artists. You can submit your donation here! Thanks for your support! On to the interview with the founder and our team leader for Logans Heroes…Mr. Logan Zawacki!!-
1. Ok Logan, What got you so involved in Relay for Life and what got you motivated to organize the Drawing for Life Marathon for its second year in a row?
Last year my girlfriend asked me if I wanted to start a Relay for Life team that consisted of friends and family and I honestly didn’t see a reason not to get involved with my family’s history of cancer. After agreeing to become a team captain and going to a couple team meetings I came to the realization that I had NO IDEA what I was going to do to fundraise for this event. Everybody there had these creative ideas and raffles planned, and I had nothing. After thinking about all the fundraisers I did as a kid I remembered how much fun I always had whenever our fundraiser was a bowling marathon and that same trip down memory lane reminded me of the hours upon hours I spent with David King drawing comic books and random illustrations when we were kids. Those two events led to the creation of the 1st Annual ‘Drawing for Life’ Marathon. The original idea was to draw until we couldn’t draw anymore, but we set a goal of 12 hours for ourselves. To our own amazement, we pulled off the 12 hour drawing marathon and had a ton of 5-minute sketches and finished pieces to sell at our Relay for Life tent that year and we’re hoping to have the same success this year with the addition of several talented local artists.
Last year my girlfriend asked me if I wanted to start a Relay for Life team that consisted of friends and family and I honestly didn’t see a reason not to get involved with my family’s history of cancer. After agreeing to become a team captain and going to a couple team meetings I came to the realization that I had NO IDEA what I was going to do to fundraise for this event. Everybody there had these creative ideas and raffles planned, and I had nothing. After thinking about all the fundraisers I did as a kid I remembered how much fun I always had whenever our fundraiser was a bowling marathon and that same trip down memory lane reminded me of the hours upon hours I spent with David King drawing comic books and random illustrations when we were kids. Those two events led to the creation of the 1st Annual ‘Drawing for Life’ Marathon. The original idea was to draw until we couldn’t draw anymore, but we set a goal of 12 hours for ourselves. To our own amazement, we pulled off the 12 hour drawing marathon and had a ton of 5-minute sketches and finished pieces to sell at our Relay for Life tent that year and we’re hoping to have the same success this year with the addition of several talented local artists.
2.So you will be drawing your heart out for 12 straight hours. What are you gonna do to stay awake and motivated?
I don’t remember having any trouble staying awake last year. We had so many projects lined up that our 12 hour deadline didn’t seem like enough time as the day started winding down. Having “power hours” every other hour also keeps everybody awake because when you’re trying to finish a new illustration every 5 minutes the time really flies by. My main goal is to stay busy because the minute I slow down my hand will start cramping up and that will not be good. lol
3. Its kinda funny now, but I remember when I first met you I thought you were just a guy who drew some of the best super heroes and villains I have ever seen. I had no idea you were into photography and I also had no clue that the characters you were drawing/creating were manipulated from real life photos. What got you started and so interested in photography to begin with?
Oh man…first off, thank you for the kind words about my illustrations. Secondly, I’ve always enjoyed taking photographs, but my Junior year of college was the first actual photo class I ever took and I instantly fell in love with photography. As an artist, I was always frustrated with my inability to recreate the thoughts & images that I was imagining. When I began taking photos I found that it was a far more cooperative medium for my creativity. It’s funny how years later I’m now using photographs as the basis for all my illustrations and applying everything I learned from my Graphic Design degree to create images with a photo likeness.
4. We all love to draw, paint, sculpt, but a lot of us have our horrid “day jobs” too. What do you do during the day or do you have a dream job or a “dream like” job?
To be honest with you I really have one of the best jobs an artist can ask for in today’s economy. I work full-time at the UNF Photography Lab and have constant inspiration around me. I talk everyday with professors who inspire and support my artwork, not to mention I have a collection of amazing bosses I work under. Currently I’m trying to pursue an MFA in Photography so I can teach photography classes and share the knowledge I’ve learned, but in the meantime I’m trying to stay busy with my commissioned work and applying for a bunch of shows outside of Florida.
5. Relay for Life is an excellent event and I’m grateful to be a part of it as I’m sure you are as well. Are there any other charitable organizations that you have worked with in the past?
I’ve done fundraisers in the past and helped out buddies who were doing fundraisers for various charitable organizations, but this is the first time I’ve really become involved and made pretty substantial investments into a cause. My family and friends have been deeply effected by cancer-related deaths and I feel I owe it to all of them to help find a cure.
6. How did you get started with your art work? Did you attend art school or are you still attending now?
I’ve always enjoyed drawing. It’s one of the earliest memories I have of school and it’s the one subject I always did well in. lol. I never attended an “art school” but I was always involved with art through middle school, high school, and college. I received my BFA in Graphic Design (minor in Photography) from UNF, and as mentioned earlier, am now pursuing an MFA in Photography.
7. Over the next 5 years..where do you see yourself?
I see myself attending grad school, becoming a professor and teaching at a university somewhere in Florida. I plan to continue illustrating and working on my personal work with the hopes of showing my art on an international level.
8. What do you hope to accomplish in participating in The Drawing for Life Marathon?
I want our team to raise over $5000. That is the goal of this Drawing Marathon. Obviously I want to have fun and produce some amazing artwork, but the whole point of the event is to raise money for the American Cancer Society so they can continue researching a cure for cancer and providing patient services to those who are currently fighting their own personal battle with cancer.
9. Where can everyone see more of your work?
You can see all of my illustrations at www.flickr.com/lzcreations & www.myspace.com/lzcreations. To view my photography check out www.loganzawacki.com.
My work can also be seen at a few upcoming shows in Jacksonville:
March 13 @ Freebird Live for ART IS ALIVE
April 15 @ Cummer Art Museum for the Folio Weekly Artist Exhibition
May 1 @ Flux Gallery for a group show and the unveiling of my self-published book!
10. Thanks for doing this Logan. Last question. Whos your favorite super hero?
That’s impossible for me to answer. Lol. I have such a huge appreciation for the superhero genre that for me to pick one character is like asking Homer Simpson, “What is your favorite donut?”
.
B.Gray
edbot5000
Crusher
Josh Hoye
0 Responses to “Artist Interview- Logan Zawacki”