KAOS KULTURE interviews Mike Bohatch

In absolute one of the more prolific and active artists in the world-wide scene visual, Mike Bohatch, illustrator resident in Colorado, seems being destined to leave one indelebile trace in the history of the horrific visions.

IKK: Hi Mike, let's start talking about the reason why you started making (horrific) visual..

Simply because I love the genre, the visuals, the presentations and the artistic results that have emerged out of that particular genre (horror/fantasy). Myself, I merely wanted to make pictures that represent the kind of imagery I would like to see more of. Sort of reaching into the fire to feed the fire.

KK: Now you're very popular (and skilled), what has changed since the beginning of your activity?

MB:Thanx!.... Opportunities have opened up that I never imagined from the start. Of course, we are all working towards some sort of progression and growth. But the results and time for that seems to vary. I have always known where I'd like to go with all this but when opportunities, requests and inquiries fuel the possibilities and areas for exposure it really is a nice reward to the work put in. All I can do as an individual is keep focused on my visions and need to present them. What falls in place from that is the journey and where it takes you.

KK: It seems you never stop man, you make illustrations, CD & books artworks and also movies, how do you find the time to make all of this? And there is maybe some other way you'd like to expand your art (sculpture for example)?

MB: Well, time itself is somewhat of an illusion...what I mean by that is we can make our own time and how we spend it. What we produce in that time is a personal choice of motivation, vision and conviction. I just believe in making use of every opportunity. This means having the foresight to write down ideas on paper as they come...and then planning on when to put the work in. Somethings happen overnight...others result out of months of work.... It takes a balance of quality...knowing what you want and when it has achieved that. It's good though to turn off the switch some weeks to allow for room to breathe...and then come back with new energy. As far as expansion..... yes, sculpture and painting....I would like to devote more time to that. There are some great painters I admire that I'd like to capture there same intensity that they present.

KK: Let's talk about inspiration, where does it mainly come from? reality? fantasies? obscure thoughts?

MB: I suppose it comes out of trying to understand human nature and also making an attempt at either illustrating a concept or finding a clever way to produce something that would otherwise deem itself as disturbing to someone. At the end of the day, it’s passion that inspires me to create. I really do enjoy this stuff and consider it both a challenge and what I love to do in my spare time. Basically it’s work, and then when I'm done with work I do the same thing only now I call it fun. I guess it’s just part of my obsession. Really though taking an idea, say like fear, anguish or madness and illustrating that into something visual, something tangible is a great enjoyment for me. I like to think I confuse the issues of dreams, nightmares and reality into a perspective on it all in a darkened presentation that might stir an emotional reaction or response that could be translated a few different ways.

KK: The role of machines (computers & accessories) in your development phase... Your equipment?

MB: I use PCs' and Mac's...mostly PCs'..... and all the usual needed stuff like scanners, digital camera, software (Photoshop, After Effects), CD burners...and alot of hard drive space. These are all needed tools to expedite, capture and get my work out to the world. Whether its digital or not....it still gets scanned in and archived. Since I'm not your typical paint and gallery-show kind of guy, this process works the best for me and all in the comfort of my workplace and home.

KK: Is there any musical background when you make art? If so, which bands?

MB: Yes, I prefer to listen when I work more to darkwave, industrial and mood type music. Something that rolls but not distracts. Some bands lately on my play list include Kidney thieves, Razed in Black, Vixtrola, Android Lust, M Manson, John Carpenter soundtracks and lots of Gary Numan. I also like to put on classic stuff like old Alice Cooper, Gary Moore, Bowie and even new Annie Lennox.

KK: The most difficult artwork (to realize) in your production...??

MB: hmm.....that's a hard call because it varies on what style to approach with and how complicated the concept is. For instance often I may get a very involved concept from a commission that I'll have to sort thru a page of text to arrive at a do-able image solution. So sometimes its the up-front planning that is more crucial than the finishing stage. Mostly, I try to avoid the whole charging armies thing.... yunno, demons vs. angels thing.... that can get to be quite involved with all the bodies...but that's just an example.

KK: Favorite colors?
MB: hmm... I like the brown, orange, yellowish tones....nice usage of black and some swampy Green. (in my art, I mean). Burnt Sienna also has a nice mid tone.

KK: The message you want to give with your art...
MB: That not is as it seems..... that there is a fantastical place that we all share filled with visions beyond our belief. That the words mundane, typical and repetition are things that we don't have to accept...that nothing has to be as grey as what's in front of us. Look beyond into potentials and rise to meet them...... In a nutshell, i hope my art gives some sense of this release of normality.

KK: We have something in common, the word Chaos...
Yes, glad you noticed that.... um.... "the order of chaos will rise"....or something like that.

KK: Your opinion about the actual horror-films scene.

Support your local film-maker and rent a horror movie today! I tend to think it has moments of greatness and others that are embarrassing to the genre. I'm not an expert of Hollywood, but I do hear alot of stories of original visions getting skewed and lost along the way. This is unfortunate... Though there is a great effort for inventiveness that occurs in 1 out every 8 films or so... Those are the prized moments. Formulas tend to get beaten to death with kills new ideas.... Though its the new ideas that seems to shine in recent films... basically a good script, with good actors and a purpose. There is though alot of crap to wade thru to find them sometimes. Some of the Asian cinema perspective that has been brought over is generating great things. Personally I'd really like to see more of that surreal, artsy, grungy feel like presented in the movie "The Cell" brought more into films. Though please without the whole....Jacobs ladder...woke up from a dream story line..... that been WAY overdone and is getting somewhat cliqued. I thought recent movies like "The Ring", "Audition", "Frailty", "Identity" "Below" and "Session 9" were quite brilliant and very fulfilling in that sense. Bottom-line a good scary / unsettling movie always leaves an impression. Perhaps filmmakers need to seek out more artistic visionaries for consultation on new endeavors.... (hint, hint)...just a thought.

KK: Do you think there is too much form and less concept/idea behind art nowadays?

Oh, ya..... the age of the here and now generation has arrived. everyone wants their piece, but get a little lost in the translation. What I mean to say is...... It's flattering to have new generations of artists trying to achieve and emulate your/our particular style...but I see alot of work that gets pumped out without alot of substance from them. Now every piece doesn't always have to have a monumental message or universal perception...but I think if you are presenting 10 images in your portfolio and 9 of them are the ever-popular texture on face visual (and that's it) your selling yourself short on a potential to move into a professional market. That kind of thing takes 5 minutes in Photoshop......and most of the illustration world knows this. Instead, try and present / illustrate a particular metaphor or emotion or perception on a theme..... that's more of giving something back to your audience. Just a thought........ I know from reading that Dave Mckean has been trying to recommend this way of thinking for years. A solution for me was going back to school to learn more about art, its history and ways to use the tools.

KK: What are you preparing at the moment?

MB: 1)chicken-salad Sandwich.... 2) trip to Aspen 3)juggling while blind-folded...... um..... no, just alot more of the same. Keeping the images coming, thinking about clever ways to approach new interpretations, maybe even trying some more art classes to get some new ideas. Beyond that, I have future projects that will require alot more motion generated imagery, production design maybe and whatever challenges present themselves. A few art books finished as well waiting to get published. My passion and enthusiasm for this stuff is still very strong..... so with that its on to new horizons.

KK: Would you make a music-clip if asked for?

MB: no.... maybe..... it depends on what for and why....

KK: Do you live by your art or you need to do a job?

The jobs allow me that comfort to relax more, not worry about bills and the freedom to create. I haven't got to the point where the jobs outweigh my time to do them....... I think in general as just being an illustrator, the work signifies success and accomplishment, that keeps one inspired to keep going on and producing. But with that being said..... you have to really "WANT" to produce, create and imagine.... the work/jobs are just the result of a successful conviction to your craft. If your forcing it, it really becomes apparent. If your hating it, then stop and take a break....because its likely that your vision will become blurred. I don't know, I think at the end of the day, an artist is really trying to capture "something" and share it with the world. And if that says something to someone, then you achieved a connection on some level.

KK: Your hidden dream? Is there any artist you'd like to work with?

Oh man, I've always dreamed of winning the lottery so that I could someday afford to commission time to intern with some of my favorite artists. Right off the cuff i would have to say Marshall Arisman, Dave Mckean, Miran Kim, Russell Mills or Robert Rauchenberg. They all have these great visions, styles and special ways or creating that could be inspiring and educational. there are also great filmmakers who I could also be equally inspired by, thru there process

KK: Ok, tnx for your time Mike, hope it's not been too boring, last words...

MB: Keep an open mind into the aspects of the unknown regions that we tend to forget about to never get too far-gone to believe in the amazing!. ....close your eyes, not your minds.