Robots and donuts have become the bread and butter of artist Eric Joyner. Based in San Francisco you have probably seen Joyner’s delectable pastries and vintage robots that find their way into each of his intricate oil paintings. With his debut RUN First Strike (available exclusively on 1xRUN) Joyner steps out of his comfort zone of vintage robots, to tackle more modern robo heroes as Transformers Optimus Prime and Voltron battle it out in a coliseum setting. Read on for more information on Joyner’s first release and much more…
1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Eric Joyner: Optimus Prime & Megatron fighting in the ancient Roman Coliseum while 2 Voltron lions look on, ready to pounce. The idea came from Rolf Vetter. He has a sofa factory. I bartered with Mr. Vetter for a custom sofa. Cool sofa.
1x: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? What materials were used?
Eric Joyner: No, it was a barter deal. It was created using oil on birch panel. I use alkyd oils mixed with regular oils. Alkyds speed up the drying time.
1x: When was the piece drawn and created? How long did it take from start to finish?
Eric Joyner: January 2015. About 3 weeks.
1x: What is unique about this piece compared to your other work?
Eric Joyner: I had never painted Transformers before. These are modern for me – I usually paint old tin toys.
1x: Why should people buy this print?
Eric Joyner: They should buy this if they like great art, transformers, donuts, Voltron, Roman Coliseums or action in general.
1x: Describe the print in one gut reaction word.
Eric Joyner: Dope!
1x: When did you first start making art? What was your first piece?
Eric Joyner: In kindergarten. Some people and trees.
1x: What artists inspired you early on? What about now?
Eric Joyner: Van Gogh, Picasso, Rockwell, Frazetta, Mort Drucker, Charles Shultz, Norman Mingo, Jack Davis and Ed Roth. The same ones as well as N.C. Wyeth, David Grove, Dean Cornwell, Jeffrey Jones, Bernie Wrightson, Charles Rodriguez and Kazu Sano.
1x: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?
Eric Joyner: Yes, I listen to music – a variety of styles from 1965 to present day. Also some audio books
1x: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? Any deceased artists?
Eric Joyner: Julie Beezy or Oceana Stuart – but wait – I am. They are sculptors making some designer toys for me. For the latter it would be Rodin – so he could sculpt my toys, and John Lasseter, so he could make my robot & donut movie.
1x: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it? The last?
Eric Joyner: I bought a painting my Illustration 6 teacher did – for a charity. Yes, I still have it. It’s of a B1 bomber. The last was an abstract painting by artist Terry Hoff called Elephant Pond.
1x: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Eric Joyner: I’m in some group shows, this August I will be at the Corey Helford Gallery for their 10 year anniversary party/show. Then September 23-25th I will be a part of Life is Beautiful where there will be a group art show at this music festival. I will also have a show of small works at beinArt Gallery in Australia in mid-September. Finally I will have my next solo show in May 2017 at Corey Helford.
1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Eric Joyner: Website – Facebook @Eric Joyner – Twitter @robotsanddonuts – Instagram @eric_s_j
-1xRUN