LMC: What do you find most challenging about doing a likeness?

JF: The Likeness part. Has to look like the character or it is not a likeness.

LMC: What’s your favorite mask done by someone else and why?                                            

JF: Well I need to plead the 5th on this one. I was lucky enough to see a piece from an artist I admire and it was the best thing I have ever seen. Pure genius!  If you read this, you know who you are.....

LMC: What’s your favorite sculpture done by someone else and why?                                     

JF: Same answer as before ....

LMC:

JF: I have a few. I wish I had more but cannot afford it. I plan on having a huge  collection.

LMC: Any favorites in your current collection?

JF: Not yet...

LMC: Talk about the masks you made for Death Studios?           

JF: The first one I did was El Diablo. He came about because of a piece I did a long time ago that was posted on the front page of Death Studios. It got a good response so I decided to resculpt it in mask form. It made it into that years Playboy add.   Then there was Necronaut. The name based on a contest Jeff ran on name that mask.   He too was based on a previous design.

LMC: Do you plan on making more for them?   

JF: Yes.                             

LMC: Any designs in mind, or is that top secret?
 

JF: Funny part of this is it is another previous design.   My monster head I did.  Sooner or later it will be done.  "Sorry Jeff been real Busy"

LMC: What’s your favorite clay? 

JF: My favorite clay......? Tough question because I find myself now liking any clay I try out. First I used Roma  like everyone else. I liked it because it  was all I knew. Then I was introduced to WED.. Instant favorite. It is quick and I get  fantastic detail out of it.  Now I am using chavant for the first time and I really like that. I guess it would have to do with what I was sculpting on what I would choose.

LMC: What sculpting tool(s) can you not live without?                     

JF: I love the small wire loop tools by Ken Banks... Larger tools scare me  : )

LMC: Any tips on creature creating?  Sculpting, molding, casting,painting.                                             

JF: I know this is going to sound dumb and over-played, but Practice, Practice, Practice and when you are done Practicing....... Keep doing it. You can always improve and learn something new. You find an interest in this. Get books, magazines, make contacts.  When it comes to sculpting, try and find something to copy. Get some clay and try and  recreate what you see. Train your eye as well as your hands. Sit down with a ball of clay without ever touching the stuff before, chances are it will still be that ball of clay. Just with what seems to be a mouth and a bunch of eyes.  Learn form and  structure and most of all anatomy. Then comes detail.

JF: Basically what I mentioned before... Most of us had somewhat of an idea  on this stuff. Almost like a sixth sense. We just did not know how to use it.  If you have the slightest bit of talent and you want to make monsters you need  sort of like a jumpstart.   Case in point, I could sculpt but I was far from being very good.  I could make some masks based on the my talent level from practicing and the info  I acquired from reading and asking questions. Then I took Jordu Schells class on Creature creating and that opened all kinds of doors. I was starting to see things I did  not see before. So now I had knowledge on top of some talent. So I practice, and I get better and I am slowly training my eyes to see things that my hands can  follow and I get better.

LMC: Care to share any tips from the class that helped you improve?

JF: The biggest one .. Take the class. You have Jordu Schell over  your shoulder. Form was the key for me . Learning to look at that  made my work so much better.
 

LMC: Any skills or talents you wish you could do better?                   

JF: All of them....

JF: I will talk about one mold experience. It was with the mask I did for Death Studios  El Diablo. I think I hate molding more then anything if I had to choose one. But you need to know it to complete a project. Try to imagine pulling your mold apart only to have it spider crack in more places then you can count, and the only thing keeping it together are your burlap strips  .Not a pretty picture. Crap! Now what?  Freak out a little then start putting it together like a giant puzzle ( Sorry Jeff ) you would  never know it by looking at the mask, and that is one good thing to come of this. I am great at fixing cracks and imperfections in any mold.

LMC: Seems like all of us eventually get good at mold repair
 

JF:  It is essential......Always need that skill.

LMC: What are your near term plans in creature creating?

JF: As we speak, I am getting ready for this years trade show. Having better work to show, and hopefully get that chance I have been searching for since this started...

LMC: Got anything on the sculpting table?

JF: A piece I am doing for Brian Penikas of Make Up and Monsters. I will share when completed.

LMC: How did this opportunity come about?

JF: Making contacts. I write to everyone I can, and Brian was nice enough to give me a chance.

LMC: What makes you happy?

JF: Knowing that I was lucky enough to have been born with such  a Kick ASS talent. I make Monsters.  Also, being with my friends and family

LMC: Any pet peeves?          

JF: Me! Still working @ Target.......... ARGH!