LMC: How did you become interested in sculpting and drawing all these fantasy characters?

AO:  My interest began as a teenager.  I watched horror and and sci-fi movies.  I really wanted to know how those things were done.

LMC: Any favorite movies growing up?

AO:  Return of the Jedi was a great inspiration.  Greystoke I learned all about Rick Baker.  Dracula with Greg Cannom's makeup made me fall in love with vampires, and Predator taught be all about Stan Winston.

LMC: What do you attribute your exceptional talent to?

AO:  I study very much.  I still study all the time because I have so much to learn.

LMC: Where there any artists that inspired you when you were young?                               

AO: My first inspiration was Carlo Rambaldi.   I learned about Rick Baker and Stan Winston in '86 when I first read Fangoria.

LMC: Have you had the chance to meet any of the artists that inspired you?

AO: Unfortunately, no.  If I ever get the chance to go to the US, I will try and meet these makeup artists I admire.  I would really love that.

LMC: Did you get formal training growing up, or was alot of your skill good old hard work?

AO: No formal training.  I learned mostly by myself and still learning.

LMC: Did you grow up in Brazil?  Talk about your upbringing.

AO: I grew up in Brazil.  My upbringing was very hard.  I had no money for materials like clay or latex and no information from books or magazines.

LMC: What did you use when you were young in place of these expensive and hard to find items?    

AO: I will never forget because I always dreamed of having the books and magazines.  I used to study videos frame by frame.  I used to use potters earth or mud, now times are a little better and I can get latex and some clay.

LMC: Is there a lot of work in Brazil for sculpting and drawing? 

AO: Unfortunately, no.  There really is no field for this work in Brazil.  All the work you see I have done is mostly for samples, no commissions.

LMC: What about getting exposure for your work.  Is that more difficult in Brazil than if you were an artist in the States?

AO: Work with sculptures and drawings in Brazil is very hard.  I dream of living in the US, but I would need a sponser.  In the US, I could take classes, buy books and magazines.  In Brazil I can't really do that.

LMC: So if you had the opportunity to work in the US, would you move here?  Do you find it frustrating to have such talent, but not the opportunities you want.

AO: Oh yes.  To me it is very frustrating.  I know in the US I can find all the information I need.  If I had the opportunity to move to the US, I would be very happy.

LMC: What are you and Al Rio teaming up to do?

AO: We are working on concept art for books, companies, halloween masks and movies.

LMC: Is this work within Brazil, or are you hoping to attract clients worldwide?

AO: We are trying to get work worldwide, but I don't know if it will work.  All we can really do is try.

LMC:  Talk about Al as an artist.

AO: Al Rio is amazing.  I met Al in '93, when he was drawing GEN-13 comics.  He works very hard and has amazing skill.  He has drawn for Spider Man, Purgatory, Captain America, DV-8, Exposure, Star Wars.

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