Q&A with Stefan G. Bucher

My name is Stefan G. Bucher. I make all of this and all of this and then also this.

How did you get started in art? What is your background?

My elementary school teacher just reminded me that I hand-lettered a blackletter awards certificate form for a third grade breakdance competition, meaning that I've done this stuff as far back as I can remember. I had my first published drawing in a fanzine at 12, and by 15 I was going door to door selling newspaper ads to stores in my hometown. Along the way I got a degree at Art Center, and briefly worked at Wieden & Kennedy and Maverick Records, but it's always just been me at my desk, really.

What tools and materials do you use for your work?

Fear, anxiety, lots of fiddling until things start feeling right. Also pen and pencil and paper and CS6 on a Mac running 10.6.8, so I can keep using Quicktime Pro.

What are you working on now?

I just opened a retrospective of my life's work from my first published piece in 1985 to my mysterious disappearance in 2075. Now I'm working on a crazy-ass children's book for a celebrity client I'm not yet at liberty to disclose.

What is your ideal work environment?

The one I have now, but with bigger budgets and zero-calorie snack foods.

Where are your favorite places for art?

Everywhere!

Who are the creatives you admire most?

Sagmeister, Niemann, Marian Bantjes, Ralph Steadman, Ronald Searle, Hans-Georg Rauch, Frazetta, Queen, the Beatles, Underworld, Tomato, Terry Gilliam, Patton Oswalt, Maria Bamford, Horse Meat Disco, Hall & Oates, the Commodores, Jamiroquai, the Jackson 5, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Mark Ronson… and so many more!

Creative Inspirations: Stefan G. Bucher, Designer, Illustrator, and Writer