FREE ESSAY ON INTERVIEW WITH AN ARTIST - MARK MCKEE

INTERVIEW WITH AN ARTIST - MARK MCKEE

Interview with an Artist
The artist/illustrator I chose to contact was Mark McKee. He's an illustrator/designer
for World Industries, a skateboard and snowboard company. Some of his work has been very
controversial and lawsuits have been filed on several occasions. Specifically for a board
with a Winnie the Pooh look-alike and also for a design similar to a L. Ron Hubbard book.
But I particularly liked his original work, specifically flame-boy and the smiley devil
guy. 
Contacting him wasn't too hard; I found the number for World Industries in a snowboard
magazine. When I called I was given a new number, since they changed offices. The
secretary put me right through to Mark McKee's voice mail when I called the new number. I
left a message and then realized I may not get a call back. Who wants to call someone to
answer questions? So I figured I take a little more initiative and find out when he would
be there so I could chat with him. After a second call to the secretary I found out I
needed to call back in just about an hour and a half.
I was put right through to Mark McKee on my third call to this number. He said he was
more than happy to help me in any way possible. But after a few minutes of my
interviewing he asked if this was for real or was I just *censored*ing with him?
Apparently some friends of his like to play pranks and he thought this was one of them. I
explained that this was a silly assignment, but it had to be done so that I could get my
degree. 
A friend was the one who first got him interested in skateboard graphics, he first worked
in the BMX industry after graduating with a design degree from UCLA. He was fortunate
enough to not have to do any self-promotion after college and kind of fell into the job
he has now. His official title is Art Director, according to him that's what his card
says. He over sees five other artists at World Industries that produce skateboard and
snowboard graphics. He didn't want to give any advice, he said didn't like doing it and
had nothing more to say about it.
At the end of the interview I thanked him again and he said he hoped he helped me with my
project and wished me luck. I forgot to ask if World Industries would be hiring anyone
new this May, but I still have the number and will call later in the spring. The number
is (714) 847-0011 in case you wondered. The office is located in Huntington Beach, Ca. 
Bibliography
telephone interview on 11/30/99 4pm est