Hello and welcome to what I hope will become a regularly scheduled article on the site. We here at GLAHW have met so many amazing and talented people out in the big wide world (you know, OFF the internets) and thought it was high-time we introduced them to you. Who knows? You may end up discovering a favorite new artist, photographer, writer, or all-around awesome human.
Let’s get things started with one of our favorite artists, DON ENGLAND.
GLAHW: How long have you been painting/drawing?
DE: As long as I can remember. My mother painted so she taught me things before I went into grade school.
GLAHW: Why did you choose the horror genre?
DE: Just something I’ve loved since I was a little kid. I grew up on Saturday afternoon Creature Features and they’ve stuck with me all these years.
GLAHW: Were you inspired by a person or event to begin your artistic career?
DE: Well, I can say that as soon as I’d seen American Werewolf in London, when I was in sixth grade everything changed. I knew at that point I wanted to make monsters!
GLAHW: Does your family support your creative endeavors?
DE: My family is very supportive with everything I try.
GLAHW: What is your creative process?
DE: I’m all over the place. For the most part it’s “do something everyday” which leads me into trying different things.
GLAHW: Where do you see yourself, as an artist, in five years?
DE: Hopefully being an artist full time! Day jobs can bring you down but they do pay the bills.
GLAHW: Do you have a job outside of painting/drawing?
DE: Yes, design for a decor company.
GLAHW: How often do you paint/draw?
DE: EVERYDAY! Practice practice practice!
GLAHW: Do you keep a list of ideas for future projects?
DE: Yes, I have a list at my drawing table, sticky notes all over, and a bigger list in my head.
GLAHW: Do you paint/draw outside of the horror genre? If so, what else have you done?
DE: Yes! I do comic book work also although most is horror related. I do enjoy comic superhero stuff but mainly horror.
GLAHW: Horror related images/monsters/etc. can be pretty terrifying. Have you ever seen a psychiatrist, or has anyone ever thought you might need one just because of what you create?
DE: It’s been discussed! Actually when I was in grade school, maybe first or second grade, my mother was called to school because I was drawing “dark things”.
GLAHW: What do you think makes good art?
DE: Tough question because everyone has different views on what they think is good! I’ll say passion!
GLAHW: What piece of art, if any, most influenced your life – and why? Are there any artists (living or dead) that you would name as influences?
DE: Every page in Wrightson’s Frankenstein! Artists that inspire me, well here’s a few: Bernie Wrightson, Frazetta, Richard Corben, and Vince Locke.
GLAHW: What are you working on now?
DE: Ha! The cover for the next Erie Tales for you guys.
GLAHW: What have been some of your favorite pieces (that you created)?
DE: I did a pen and ink of Kinski as Nosferatu that I think came out fantastic. My cover for last year’s Erie Tales, Alice reading a book. And lastly the horror collage I did a while back.
GLAHW: Where can people find your work?
DE: My work has been featured in Horrorhound magazine, Erie Tales covers, Deadworld soda, and Evilspeak magazine to name a few. I have a site www.donaldengland.com, Facebook page, and I attend many midwest horror cons.
Now for some probing into other areas of your life. We’re surprisingly gentle with the rubber glove…
GLAHW: Tell us something interesting about your past.
DE: Hmmm…
(Peggy’s Note: Based on Don’s non-answer, I can only assume he’s hiding his past days when he worked at the Bouzoukis Club, dancing under the name Candy Sprinkles.)
GLAHW: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
DE: Baseball player, artist, and drummer. I was only good at art though!
GLAHW: Are you religious?
DE: Hahaha! No.
GLAHW: Give us three “Good to Know” facts about you. Be creative. Tell us about your first job, the inspiration for your art, any fun details that would enliven the page.
DE: 1) First job: party store stocking the cooler with beer and pop. $2.25 an hour.
2) I was interviewed by Channel 7 news for a feature when I was 16 about my art. They didn’t air it because they thought it was not the most appropriate thing to promote, some kid that draws gory monsters!
3) The inspiration for my art is the child inside me that never grew up and never will.
GLAHW: What truly scares you?
DE: Not a fan of spiders!
(Peggy’s Note: No one is, Don. No one is. I SAID NO ONE.)
GLAHW: What sort of hobbies are you into?
DE: Movie poster collection (not the cheesy floating head photoshop stuff that they call posters now. The ones from the days long past). Monster model kits also.
GLAHW: What else do you want our readers to know? Consider here your likes and dislikes, your interests, your favorite ways to unwind – whatever comes to mind.
DE: Likes: Cooking, Friday night movie night with the kids, Mexican food, my dog, talking with my friends about movies we watched, oh and my wife!
Dislikes – Ethiopian food, rap, Kanye West, M. Night Shamalamadingdong’s last ten years’ of movies!