Follow the Path! 25 incredible illustrators and artists have picked their favorite scenes and characters from HARBINGER to give you a taste of Faye’s world. Each week, in the gallery at the Holbrook Academy website, a new illustration will unlock. On March 3rd, all twenty-five illustrations will be shown at the Hive Gallery in downtown Los Angeles. Come join us!

This week’s art reveal is hosted by: The Book Scout

The Harbinger. Artwork by Dave Fass.

SWE: Hi Dave!

I love the eeriness of your piece! The creepy eyes and the vibrant water…can you tell me a little about it?

Dave: I felt like one of the first things that really grabbed me about the story were Faye’s visions and mind reading abilities.  It really adds an interesting facet to things, so I decided that would be a cool thing to try and draw.

SWE: Well, you created a fascinating interpretation of it! Strange and mysterious in a way that makes you want to know more.

What was your favorite book when you were growing up?

Dave: I love A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.  Reading it when I was young, the combination of amazing adventure and cool science fiction was really satisfying.  I need to go back and read it again one of these days.

SWE: It’s definitely one of my favorites too. It was the first time I’d ever read something that combined magic and science and it made a huge impression on me.

Did you always know that you wanted to be and artist?

Most of the work that I do happens in the evening, staring at my computer screen, with some sort of music on. My computer sits at my desk which is a hub for the random accumulation of the etceteras in my life. There are things stuck to other things, and things draped over other things, and I like it that way.

Dave: I’ve loved drawing since I was young, but I only decided to actively pursue making art when I was in college. I wasn’t as interested in practicing science as I thought I’d be, and art was a more natural fit for me.  I started taking a bunch of art and media related courses and the rest is history.

SWE: Feels like such a familiar story…I wasn’t as interested in the day-to-day of science as I thought I’d be either. At first, I was very unnerved by that realization. But I was so glad when I found writing…I’m glad you found art too, because I love your stuff!.

What’s your favorite part about creating art?

Dave: I like to create tangible things from the abstract ideas that pop into my head. I’m a natural introvert, so my art is a way that I can share with other people without using words, which are sometimes scary.

SWE: Wow. I’ve never heard anyone put it like that. I love what you said about sharing without words.

Orangutans or squids?

Dave: Squids for sure. People don’t really think about squids as something interesting–they’re seen as some snail-like creature that just swims around and doesn’t really do anything, but they’re so interesting. They come in sizes from super tiny to the size of a bus, can rapidly change the color of their skin in waves and ripples to communicate with each other, and can live in the deepest parts of the ocean that we’re only starting to explore…how can you not love that?

SWE: You can’t! The size thing really gets me. It seems crazy that the same animal could have so many variations.

Cover Splitting by Dave Fass

What do you do when you are seeking inspiration?

Dave: I don’t really have a formula for finding inspiration. There’s not a specific place or activity that triggers my creative process, it definitely varies. A lot depends on the emotional nature of what I’m working on. My work is pretty heavily influenced by music and the associated feelings that go along with that.  If I’m trying to draw something sad, for example, I’ll put on the music that helps me slip into that emotional state and work from there.

SWE: I heavily rely on music too. It effects my mood in a huge way. I tend to listen to the same music over and over when I’m writing something, as a trigger.

What about people who inspire you?

Dave: Stephen Hawking…the man’s entire life is inspiring.  A brilliant scientist who continues to make groundbreaking contributions to the worlds of physics and cosmology despite becoming increasingly paralyzed due to ALS…the guy is amazing, and that’s not just the nerd in me talking.

SWE: I totally agree!

Can you talk a little bit about your work?

She Doesnt Even Realize by Dave Fass

Dave: I’m probably best known for my design, “She Doesn’t Even Realize”, which has been featured on Threadless for going on 10 years now.  It’s crazy to think that it’s been that long, but they’re still reprinting it, so it must be doing ok.

SWE: I love that picture. It feels a little sad and a little funny and is just perfect.

What have you been working on recently?

Dave: Lately, the 9-to-5 has been taking up most of my time, but now that’s starting to settle down a bit, so it gives me more time to focus on the various art projects I’ve been wanting to do…this is the ebb and flow of art in my life.  Once the whiteboard fills up with ideas, or the little scraps of paper take over my desk, then it’s time to pick one and get working!

Right now, I’m doing a lot of little projects that I can squeeze in after work. Posters for friends, paintings for shows, prints for whatever. I’m trying things out in order to figure out what I want to focus on artistically. I’m working with different mediums and experimenting with what works for me. I’m consistently looking for opportunities to put myself out there in the art scene, which will give me more excuses to get creative and experiment with my art.

She Doesn't Even Realize Threadless Shirt

SWE: Do you have a superpower?

Dave: My superpower is the great and mysterious POWER OF PROCRASTINATION™, with which I can put off even the most daunting task for Future Dave to worry about.  Future Dave must hate me.

SWE: And last but not least…Wonder Woman or Supergirl?

Dave: I don’t remember reading many Supergirl comics, so I’m gonna have to go with Wonder Woman, if only because I know her better.  Plus, Wonder Woman at least has her own thing going on and isn’t just a copy of Superman (yeah, I went there).

SWE: Hear, hear!

Thanks Dave! Check out more of Dave Fass’s artwork at his website, stupidpictures.