From the Dead, For the Dead.

So this is my stupid blog. If you're reading this I'm stoked because I'm pretty sure no one will. Basically I made this to document crap I do with my art, talk about stuff that interest me, and hopefully make some sense in the process. In case you haven't checked out what I do, visit chrisraimoart.com and check it out. I've been an illustrator for as long as I can remember, and I say illustrator instead of artist, because I wouldn't classify myself as such. There is too much of a stereotype and negative connotation that comes with the title of an "artist." My friends like to consider me the "anti-artist artist," and I kinda like that. I'm no better than anyone, or have any kind of sad sense of ego, because I stuck with something I've been doing since I was old enough to hold a pencil, and have developed it past other people's abilities. Everyone can do it, but few stay with it I believe. I just had this drive to create, plus it kept me occupied during classes I should have been paying attention to. When I was younger we lived in an area where it wasn't really safe to go outside, so I kinda stayed indoors and made my own world. I got hooked on the Batman, and Ninja Turtle movies and used to watch then over and over wishing I could be in that world. Thus sparked my obsession with comics and superheroes, which I still don't care what people think about me, I still love reading comics now in my mid-20s. I've always been fascinated by the idea of putting pen to paper and letting my mind wander without any kind of filter or fear of what people will think. I have been called odd and weird my entire life for liking darker things, and drawing strange creatures and people. In my opinion, why draw stuff that already exists? I'd rather make something that has never been seen before, but lurks somewhere hidden in my mind. I like watching people's faces light up, or have their jaws drop, or just have a look of complete confusion when they look at my pieces. I like for them to think "what the hell goes on in this guys head?" and try to figure out what I'm trying to say or where this idea came from. There's a lot of secrets and hidden themes in my pieces, and if someone figures them out I'll be amazed, but I'd rather have the viewer conjure up their own reasons or story about what's going on. Isn't that the whole point of making art? To elicit a reaction, whether it's positive or negative? I think so. Well that's enough babbling for now, I'm in the process of making some models of my characters for an upcoming show, till next post...stay alive.