Em (Eugenio Magno) Artworks (Italy)

Em (Eugenio Magno) Artworks (Italy)

As How can you better summarize Eugenio better than the way he defines himself on Facebook ? "Kustom Graphics & Poster Art" and that's it my dear reader. With a Southern spirit, Southern Italy in fact, but it seems that Southern culture is more or less the same everywhere. Add to that a little bit of californian surf spirit and yes, definitly yes, Eugenio's art is all about Kustom culture and dolce vita !

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?

Hello, well I was listening to Social Distortion and The Reverend Horton Heat on one side and Elvis and Johnny Cash on the other. But, musically, I consider myself really open minded... my listenings range from '50s rock'n'roll to punk and hardcore. Recently I'm into UK psychobilly band Guitar Slingers from my friend Doyley and punk rock performers such as Texas Terri.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

I'm from Taranto, southern Italy, and I'm turning 38.

When did you start drawing?

It all started way back in the school days just for the fun of it. But it was seven or eight years ago that some friend of mine saw my illustrations and suggested to push them forward.

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

No, no course... and, unfortunally, it feels through my stuff. There's a lot of people much better than me out there!

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

I do not live from my art. It would be a dream but I don't really think the country I live in is - right now - prepared for "art" as a regular job in spite of artists (musicians, illustrators, etc.) deserving better conditions and status. It's ironically sad and even more if you think that Italy is worldwide known as the cradle of fine arts.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

My regular collaboration is with the "Gabba Gabba Rock Club" in my hometown. It's a rock club, as its name says, ran by friends working hard to spread and improve the love for music and scheduling a lot of bands every week.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

They come from music and movies; it can be a single line in the lyrics or a particular shot, whatever. Honestly I try to do not look at other artists too much to keep my style fresh and recognizable. Anyway I deeply love Vince Ray and Felix LaFlamme and, as comic book illustrators, Roberto Raviola a.k.a. Magnus (who passed away too soon) and my good friend Enzo Rizzi (who also gave me good useful tips).

What are the principal steps in your work ?

It all starts with the idea, then the pencil drawn but there are things I do correct in the last time.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

All my posters are hand drawn, but I do use the computer for colors and sometimes type.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

It depends... sometimes things come out really easily and quickly but someone says I even work good under pressure.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

It could be a pale dead zombie horse with a nuclear horizon in the back... no, just kidding. I suck in oil paintings.

For which band have you already worked for?

There's a good relationship with The Horrible Porno Stuntmen; I drew some posters for them but I mainly work for the rock club I told you and for the bands playing live there.

For which band would you love to work?

Social Distortion or The Reverend Horton Heat again... or Brian Setzer.

Do you choose the artists yourself?

No but sometimes I do contact bands I like myself to propose my works.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

The idea. What I really love in making a poster (and it's the hardest step in the process) is that you only have one single image to tell the entire story behind that, to create the perfect imaginery for the band and to bring new audience to its show.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

Right now I don't think to be really part of a scene, but - thank hardcore fans - things are slowly evolving in Italy. Let me thank Italian Poster Rock Art crew for their great job and passion...

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

You can follow me at EM Artworks pages on facebook and myspace and, of course, you can find my stuff on italianposterrockart.com. The Gabba Gabba staff and I are also working on the idea of a permanent exhibition of my posters inside the rock club... so if you hang around down here: show up, take a visit and have a couple of beers listening to good music too.

The best praise you received lately?

No praise; but keep commissioning my posters is really something alike.

What can we wish you for the future?

To win the lottery so I can spend more time drawing, surfing waves and cruising on my motorcycle but, come on, I have to be realistic, so just wish me a peaceful living - for all my friends and family too. Thank you.

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!