Its 2012 and we may only have one year left, so why not make it count!  A lot of illustrators/artists/brands are featured on this blog.  While we talk about and display their work, I often feel like there are a few questions about the artist in particular that go missing.  In 2012 you will see a lot more interaction with your favorite artists, giving you an inside look as to what inspires them, what drives their work, and an overall peek into the some of the most creative minds featured on this blog.  Kicking off 2012, we got in touch with Josh Slater, an artist we adore for his creativity in combining the worlds of architecture, history, imagination and art.

Drawing inspiration from ancient architecture and the idea of being a city planner on another planet, Josh Slater uses angular shapes and 3D structures to create his art.

One of the things I love most about exploring artists and the things that inspire them, is that more often then not, their imaginative process is as free and uninhibited as a small child.  Anything is possible, they dive head first into the rabbit hole and tell the story of their journey in the form of their work.

Mixing concepts from science, astronomy, and architecture, Slater works with various mediums.  His works have been featured on graphic tees, large billboards across Manhattan for brands such as Dossier, in both MGMT music videos and on his own Vimeo page.  I really enjoyed viewing his drawings, they were predominately symmetrical, structured, and until you take a closer look, simple.  I contacted Slater recently to ask a few questions and get a peek inside his imaginative mind:

D2G: First time you picked up a pen/pencil?

Josh Slater: Too young to remember, but I do recall being obsessed with drawing snakes and Dinosaurs (I as also more of a Magic Marker kid).

D2G: You utilize various mediums but seem to have a core affinity for angular shapes and architecture. What inspired this interest?

Josh Slater: History Books, architecture of ancient cultures, and the thought of being a city planner on another planet.

D2G: Favorite place to find inspiration?

Josh Slater: That moment and place in your brain when you’re both concentrating on an image and at the same time letting your subconscious roam free.

D2G: What has inspired your most recent works?

Josh Slater: The concept of a stone age construction site.

D2G: Most creative time of day?

Josh Slater: Around 3pm to 10pm, when that third cup of coffee kicks in.

D2G: How would you describe your personal style?

Josh Slater: I hate to say it, but whatever I was wearing the night before.

D2G: Favorite article of clothing?

Josh Slater: Probably whatever is most oldest, most worn in flannel.

Slater is currently working on another video piece and a series of new painting which will be available in a few weeks.  Follow his blog in order to stay up to date.

Here is what Slater has to say about his latest video  piece, Heavy Rays:

“Heavy Rays is a video piece based on a sculpture I fabricated.
Even though it may appear like computer animation, the center piece of that video is in fact a three dimensional structure made of plexiglass.

I wanted to take a drawing of mine. Bring it to life and then put it in it’s own universe.
My friend sahra motalebi created the original sound track.” Josh Slater