Our resident journalist, Ari Carr recently got a chance to sit down and have a chat with Fifth Dimension Comics co-founder D.N.S. Read on!
Artist extraordinaire, full-time weirdo and all round great guy DNS is one of the core members here at Fifth Dimensions, and without him, we’d be lost. I wouldn’t have my Beasts of Baxley webcomic. There wouldn’t be the awesome art we have on The Magician. Things would generally be less awesome without his twisted insight. I recently interviewed DNS on art, comics, and what makes him tick…
AC: Tell me about your projects with Fifth Dimension.
DNS: The projects… Well so far, most of what I’ve done with 5D went into the Wisdom of Fools book, but other than that, me and David (Brown) plan on following up The Magician so I’m looking forward to getting into that later this year. As for other projects, I’m pretty easy going so if something comes and I think I can do it without fucking it up then I’ll do it and drag my hairy knuckles around the page for a while and try and make sense of it.
AC: What do you enjoy working on?
DNS: I enjoy most of what we have done so far, but some stuff more than others, but that’s natural. I get a kick out of doing Punk N Hood though. It’s so random, it just makes me smile while doing it.
AC: Tell me about the art book you plan on releasing. What’s the inspiration behind it?
DNS: Ahh, okay, the art book! Well, what to tell really… I’d like to say it has some sort of agenda or secret plans inside to give you a better life, but truth be told it’s fairly random things that strike me as fun at the time. In an average day, I maybe draw and finish around six pics so this book is the place to put them for better or for worse.
AC: Do you plan on using Kickstarter or a crowd-funding process to get it made?
DNS: I’m not sure if the book will be in print or download as yet, but I would love to see it go into print. It just depends on how many people wanna see my random scribbles without saying something like “shit man, was this drawn by a kid, or a chimp with better than average motor skills?!”
AC: What sort of art do you like creating the most?
DNS: I pretty much like doing any art I really don’t have a preference at all. If I’m into the subject and I can get my around it or feel I can do something with it, then I go for it. I think most of what I do should have the disclaimer warning ‘results may vary’ haha.
AC: Is there any work you’ve done with Fifth Dimension that you’re especially proud of?
DNS: I’m proud of everything that I have done at 5D since me and David met and had a little dream and thought it could happen and everything rolled from there! So yeah, I’m proud of it all and everything everyone has done for it.
AC: What’s your favourite title you like making art for?
DNS: Favourite title… I’d say The Magician mainly because between us we kinda know where he is going and what he’s about. Plus, I get a kick out of drawing him! It’s cool and he came pretty easily.
AC: Is it difficult to create artwork for the variety of webcomics you work on?
DNS: Ahh, the webcomic! Well as you know, seeing as we do one of them together, they’re fun things to do! I always wanted the ones I was involved to be breezy, that’s why when I approached you, I had the stupid idea to have it limited to three panels a week, so it sorta had that ‘daily strip’ feel to it, though I’m not too sure if that comes across, but that’s down to me and not you haha! But no, to be honest, it’s not hard to do. If anything, they’re more fun, mainly because they’re shorter.
AC: What do you hope to bring to Fifth Dimension with your art book?
DNS: I’m not sure the art book will, or even intends to bring anything other than a look into a bit of my work away from doing strips. Hopefully it will be seen for what it is- a bit of fun! I’d like it to be the kind of book that is taken into the bathroom- y’know, help pass a few minutes a life and maybe puts a smile on your face… Or a frown. I’m good for either!
AC: You have a very unique art style. What has influenced your style?
DNS: I’m not sure on my influence. I kinda magpie things I like, and there’s so much stuff it’s hard ot pinpoint. I love Ash Wood a great deal, but also I really love Bill Watterson, so I don’t know. It’s really hard to pick just one. If something grabs my attentions, be it art, writing, or a song even, I tend to go a bit bat-shit and collect all I can on that person or person’s work, and somehow that all spills out in some way. Whether it’s apparent or not in the work, but it’s all there if you look really close.
AC: Lastly, do you have any teasers about what we can expect from you in the future?
DNS: Hmmm, teasers… Well other than The Magician follow up, there is a story I’ve been daydreaming over for around fifteen years now called Poughkeepsie’s Blues I’d really like to get that out there! Other than that, hell, I have no idea! Probably the same ol’ horseshit from me ‘till someone puts me back in my box and hides me away until I’m needed again, haha.
AC: Do you have any messages for the readers?
DNS: Cheers for the little chat! I would just like to thank everyone who reads the blog and got the book for their support, it really does mean everything to me and all of 5D, so thank you, cheers and beers!
You can get an eye full of D.N.S. on Twitter @portless or visit his kick ass art shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtbyDNS
Need more Ari Carr in your life? Of course you do. Follow her on Twitter @ariellalphabet. Then you must check out her beautifully written comics reviews and discussion over at her website http://myheartliesinfilmandcomics.blogspot.com
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