“I like to stay simple, pencil, pen, and paper with iTunes going.”
Derek Eads is a self-taught artist and freelance illustrator. He’s collaborated with Jessica Martins at Assorted Hearts. He currently resides in Indianapolis.
FROM YOUR DESKS: What are you some of your recent favorite films?
DEREK EADS: It seems this past year hasn’t been that great film wise. Inception of course is probably the best one that’s been out there so far. And Toy Story 3, it’s so great to see such a groundbreaking franchise end on a high note. Definitely a movie buff. I’ve been a huge fan of films all my life. It seems this past year hasn’t been that great film wise. Inception of course is probably the best one that’s been out there so far. And Toy Story 3, it’s so great to see such a groundbreaking franchise end on a high note.
There’s an amazing collection of Bill Murray art out there now, and I’m excited to contribute to it.
FYD: It seems like your work as evolved over the past year. Did you change your way of creating?DE: My work does seem to be in a variety of styles. I’m just always interested in different ways of drawing something and I want to have a whole arsenal of styles with me as I progress in illustration. I like to think no matter what kind of illustration I do, there is still my own individuality in it. My way of creating has always been the same since I was a kid. I can be doing something random and an image will just pop in my brain. As I go about the day, that image gets tinkered with and by the time I get around to sketching it out, it’s usually how I want it to be, however I’m never afraid to crumple it up and start from scratch. As for the actual illustrating part of it, I’m starting to come around to the computer side of things. I tried to fight it for a while and mess around with paints, but I prefer the coloring you can do with your image after you scan. I always draw and ink everything on paper and I don’t think that will change.
FYD: Bill Murray. He crosses generations. My dad loves Stripes and Caddy Shack. I’m more of the Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation Bill Murray. My siblings love the Wes Anderson Bill Murray. Collectively, Ghostbusters is the most quoted film in our family. What is your Bill Murray story?DE: I love all of the classic Bill Murray films, but my favorite would have to be a tie between Lost in Translation and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
FYD: Has Bill Murray entered hipster status to the extent he warrants illustrations? DE: He’s become more appreciated by a younger crowd. New audiences are starting to see how consistently funny he has been over his entire career, and I don’t think there are too many actors out there today that have done the same. It’s great that so many illustrators have taken a shine to him. There’s an amazing collection of Bill Murray art out there now, and I’m excited to contribute to it. As for the Wes Anderson/Sofia Coppola films, I can personally say they gave him a new status in my eyes. He’s not just a funny character, he’s a terrific actor.