ToyCyte: Toy Culture Collected

Normally when someone mentions donuts I think of coffee, policemen, and whatever the opposite of a phallic symbol would be. That is unless you’re talking about artist Eric Joyner, who is most noted for his paintings of donuts doing battle with robots in classic American surroundings. Not your standard pairing, but it’s what makes Eric’s world a sort of twisted Rockwell. I was lucky enough to meet with Eric at his studio and talk about Dark Horse, Comic-Con, and the future of retro ‘bots. Itching to just see his work? Check out the never before released images at the bottom of the article!

ToyCyte: So how long has the war between robots and donuts been going on?

Eric Joyner: Roughly 8 years. The origins are shrouded in mystery. Some say it began with a baking experiment gone horribly wrong. Others say the donuts invaded from outer space in search of oil and food.

TC: You borrow a lot from tin and windup robots of the 40’s and 50’s. Which is your favorite?

EJ: I have a few robots, maybe 30 or 40. Some ships too. My favorite is the one I don’t have - Mr. Atomic. I like the design and glass dome on top as well as the graphics and color.

TC: Have you ever thought about turning original designs into toys?

EJ: What a timely question…yes, I started sketching robot designs a year ago. Mindstyle has expressed an interest in producing a line of robots for me. The first one will probably be the one…tentatively called Titanticus (top image). I [also] have some very rough sketches.

TC: What shows or events do you have coming up?

EJ: I have two big solo shows in September at the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City and one in Brooklyn NY at McCaig Welles.

TC: I saw your picture as part of the Heroes and Villains show (also featuring Ron English, Shepard Fairy, and Seanna Hong). How did your involvement with that project come about?

EJ: The Photographer had seen my work and asked me to pose for a book. It was a little awkward, taking orders from a professional photographer! That shoot was at the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, CA.

TC: How does it feel to be put in the ranks of those other artists and designers? Where do you think your work fits in?

EJ: I’m happy to be in the company of such great artists. I fit somewhere perhaps in the realm of fantastic realism. The look of a Rockwell on mushrooms or the thinking of some kind of a geek scientist.

TC: Who are some contemporary artists that you’re into right now?

EJ: I like what James Jean is doing, as well as Gary Baseman, Jon Foster and Adam Rex.

TC: Let’s talk about the book you have with Dark Horse. How did this project come about?

EJ: [My agent] Jeff Krelitz gave a presentation to Mike Richardson, the owner. He had a bunch of my paintings printed…in a room at DH. Richardson liked the ideas & said something to the effect of ‘where do I sign?”

Eric’s Muses at work

TC: Is the book all previous released work, or did you do any projects specifically for this?

EJ: All the work is previously released but…most have never been in print though. There are some that have never been seen.

TC: Now that you’ve seen an advanced copy of the book, what do you think?

EJ:I think Dark Horse did a fantastic job. The editor, Shawna Gore was very helpful, enthusiastic, creative & professional. I look forward to working with her again someday. Keith Wood, the designer, did a stellar job.

TC: How did you connect with Steve Molaro (The Sneeze) for the forward in your book?

EJ: He started visiting my website in 2002…and asked me to do a painting involving Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots. His website is very fun and creative. I sent him photos of the painting in progress [and] he posted them for his viewers.

TC: So you’re not going to make it to Comic-Con, right? Have you done the comic convention thing in the past?

EJ: Yeah, the printer missed the deadline. I’ll be there and at WonderCon in 2009
I have been to maybe five Comic-Con’s. They used to give me a free table but then stopped offering it to make more room for the cafeteria.

TC: You were showing me some animation that someone had started doing based on your work. What can you tell me about that project?

EJ: The company is called Happy Trails Animation. They make animations for advertising & more artistic endeavors as well. I am always amazed at what they do with my paintings. I am very honored that they want to make my pictures move.

TC: What can we expect from you in the future?

EJ: I’ve got more ideas than I have time to execute them and I’m sure they will be as big a surprise to me as anyone else.

TC: By the way, how’s Sparky?

EJ: Sparky is fine, vacationing in the Crab Nebula. A lot of people think he was hanged, but at the last second a cowboy from a spaghetti western shot the rope.

The Last Temptation of Sparky

Work In Progress at Joyner’s downtown studio

Exclusive peek at The Final Touch

Exclusive look at Lazy Day

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