Baby Hitlers-Michael C. Hsiung Interview

April 5th, 2007

Around Los Angeles there is a huge art community. Plenty of incredible artists, but definitely more shitty ones. Come on you know how it goes. There are always those untalented, but hot art school girls, that paint pictures of gay guys or trannys in an expected mediocre way who get into shows in downtown because someone wants to put their dick inside them. Very boring, over done, and not interesting. Just give in, I know you are going to marry some 45 year old balding, boring, producer or lawyer. Anyway, what I have here is the complete opposite of that. A Chinaman with a mustache that draws some of the most entertaining and interesting drawings I have ever seen. That man is Michael C Hsiung. Personally I am a huge fan of his art. I shot a few questions way to pick Mike’s mind about his life as an artist here in LA. Here the are:

So how did you come about doing this art has drawing always been a big part of your life?
Drawing has always been a big part of my early life. I actually still have drawings my dad saved of dinosaurs, horses, and men with facial hair. I used to draw inside my Chinese Exercise books – everyone is melting, has a beard, or crapping I haven’t come a long way. Ha ha. I drew well up into high school, but somehow fell out of it and lost interest somewhere after college. It wasn’t until I had quit my job in San Jose, was majorly depressed, and moved back to LA that I started to draw more regularly out of boredom. I think at the time I was drawing to make my friends laugh, and slowly through that I got encouraged to draw more and more.

I remember seeing one of your first drawings on a sign at Nash’s house in K-town, the No More War for Metal with some unicorns on it. I thought it was fucking hilarious. At that time did you see yourself being an artist?
I didn’t see myself as an artist at that point. I hadn’t sold anything, I wasn’t showing anywhere, and thinking of it too seriously. It was me having fun and drawing for fun.

The Downfall of the Mermen

What inspires you the most?
Will Smith, Ice skaters, facial hair, mythology, Dungeons & Dragons, Doctor Who, friends, art, and boredom.

Do you ever think K-town is ever going to get gentrified? They have been talking about it for years just like Echo Park and you see how that part of town is now. K-town still seems the same. Just a few weeks back 18th street hit up Nash’s house and his neighbor got shot? Do you still walk the Gauntlet? Please explain us who don’t know what it is.
Korea town probably will get gentrified in a few years as the renters realize they can get more money of young kids and stuff, but for now it’s still double-parking, street tamales, abandon couches and tv’s. Just the way I like it.

Hell no I don’t walk the Gauntlet anymore. The Gauntlet is this stretch of sketchiness (2nd street and Kenmore) that I used to walk home from either drunk or whatever at like 2 am. Not advisable. Some nights I would run through it, or lightly jog. I almost got mugged on that damn thing. But yes, I totally stopped after someone got shot on Catalina by Nash’s home court. The guy was walking home at 1 am, 30 something, and Mexican. I wish the Gauntlet on no one.

A puppeteer entertaining a handicapped child

Your opinion on mustaches?
I’ve always been obsessed with moustaches as a kid. Don’t know why. It wasn’t until I was so depressed that I just stopped shaving for work that it grew. Nobody at the office even said anything about it until the lesbian IT person walked by me one day and said, “nice stache.” I think everyone should have a Hitler or Chaplin stache depending on what school of thought you’re from.

What do you define as good art?
Pearl Hsiung, Mike Stilkey, and the guy who draws D&D art . . .

What strikes you as bad art?
The guy who draws D&D art…

Two distinguished gentlemen riding a unicorn

What is your opinion on art school? Do you feel art school is necessary?
Well it’s interesting because while I didn’t go to art school, my sister who is a tremendous influence has been to art school and graduate school for Fine arts. So I see that it can be a helpful environment to develop ideas and collaborate. For myself, however, and some other artists I know like Mike Stilkey, it wasn’t necessary. We might have been different types of artists if we went .. who knows. I always encourage education, but it’s not necessary. You can be an artist without an art degree or an artist with one.

What current projects are you working on? I know you have tons of people interested in working with you.

Well I’m currently preparing for a show at Gallery Revisited (www.galleryrevisited.com) on June 23, 2007 with artist Cole Gerst that requires I draw like 20 pieces and put out a mini-publication of illustrations accompanied by writing (Kathleen Brzezinksi). I’ve got a Cd cover to finish for my friend Davin (sorry I’m behind), I’m contributing once in a while to www.daytrotter.com, writing a blog and doing interviews for www.ourartsite.com, and planning to build a robot.

Man at Cronos struggling with worms

What do you find yourself drawing the most?
It depends. I go through periods. For instance I’ll draw something until I sort of get tired of him. You’ll notice there’s been a lack of Mermen in my life. Shh!

Is there a message behind the art you are doing? I found it so entertaining that I didn’t even care for one.
I think my art is more thematic, but not purposely. I usually draw shapes and scenes where I don’t realize what they are until after they are completed. If there was a message in my art, I think it’s like kill animals, pandas and unicorns hate each other , let the gay mermen be, and ice skating can be stressful.

Baby Hitler

If you could sum up your art in one word what would it be?
I know what my friends would say, but I think “realistic” would sum it up very accurately.

Michael is always showing in the local LA area. Best way to view his pieces are at shows which are listed on his website or myspace. You can also purchase prints through his website. Get them while they last! You can find his work at the sites below.

Website
Myspace
Gallery Revisited
OurArtSite.com

Entry Filed under: Interview, Cool, Exclusive