Review Fix chats with artist Donny Gillies, who discusses his new book, ““Pinball Wizards & Blacklight Destroyers: The Art of Dirty Donny Gillies.â€
Review Fix: How was this book born?
Donny Gillies: This is actually my second art book. The first was published by Gingko press and is since sold out.
The new book is published by Schiffer books. It’s my current work, everything from the last five years and my favorite stuff to date. When I designed this book I had a lot of time to think about the flow, photography and images. I didn’t want it to be like a giant flip book. I wanted to show my work in its element. Photos of the Snap-on Funny car about to take off from the starting line. My ’73 Dodge custom van that I hand painted. My friend Eric Clay shot that on Mount Davidson in San Francisco right by my house. We did allot of that, capturing the art in its element. Trips to the screen printers to show the printing process, photos of the model kit boxed, not just the art itself. There is allot of art too but I wanted to break it up and make it interesting for the reader. Allot of love and care went into it. I also learned Indesign, that was fun and I think the best part was being able to sit down along and slowly build the book.
Review Fix: What makes it different?
Gillies: I’m very stoked about is that it retails for under $35 US. I want this to be available to everyone. The next thing to me is the hardcover and editions of a 6 color spot color cover. Basically, I got to make a fluorescent color cover that looks like one of my posters. We also added black flocking (black velvet) for that retro blacklight poster effect.
Review Fix: So many people have been affected by this art. What was it like to hear from them?
Gillies: I’m glad now people can get all my new stuff in one place, this book. I’ve gotten a lot of love from family and friends, fans.
Review Fix: What have you learned about yourself through this book?
Gillies: It was really nice to collaborate with a few friends, Eric Clay shot allot of photos, Jay Watson shot allot of the product and I had world famous street photographer Ricky Powell shoot my author photo. It was great hanging out with Ricky in NYC. I just had him out for the book signing in SF. He did his slideshow, that was amazing.
Review Fix: Bottom line, why should someone pick up this book?
Gillies: I try to make my projects, fun, bright and so dope you really don’t need it but you just gotta have it. There is a little bit of everything in there for fans of pop culture.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Gillies: Just following my heart, accepting fun protest and being stoked people are asking me to do art for them. Hopefully more pinball machine art too.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Gillies: It was great to work with Schiffer, they are releasing my coloring book that will be out sometime in 2017, spring I think. The clients in my book, the companies, the bands, everyone, it has been a great experience working with everyone. It’s been 20 years of full-time art, it’s been a long road, not always easy but each year got a little better. I’m stoked every day to be doing what I’m doing and humbled by the response my art has gotten over the years.
Leave a Reply