Look who kitty brought home! Lisa Petrucci!

I met Lisa a few years ago. I had ALWAYS been a fan and when OMP told me that they were good friends and we were heading out to her party I almost fell over. I was SO nervous meeting her. She was the biggest sweetheart ever! Lisa is so sweet and thoughtful and just down right nice.Geez, I hope I'm not ruining her street cred. She if full of sass, which gets high marks in my book!

Your work is amazing! How did you get started?
Thanks! It wasn't always that way! I've been making art since I was a little kid. I used to draw pictures of Snoopy and Woodstock and the Archies in elaborate scenarios. I went to art school for graphic design then got into painting at liberal arts college. I worked in art galleries in Boston and New York for most of the 1980s, and got into painting pin-ups and cuties in the early 1990s.



What's new in the world of Lisa Petrucci?
My book Kickass Kuties - The Art of Lisa Petrucci (which is published by Dark Horse) came out in April! It's an overview of my pop paintings on wood and other projects over the years. So that was really exciting for me. I've been laying low this past year and have just done a few groups shows here and there. I'm actually in a transition phase with my art, I plan on taking it in a different direction once I've used up all the wood plaques I have! Other than that I'm mostly working on our video business, Something Weird Video. OMP will tell ya, I'm usually making dvd cover art for our packaging. We have a new catalog supplement coming out in the Fall, so that's keeping me busy!

I'm also participating in a fancy-pants pop surrealism survey show entitled "Apocalypse Wow" at MACRO (the museum of contemporary art) in Rome this November. It will feature the usual suspects with an emphasis on apocalypse culture.


Do you have any advice for the masses?
Don't take any wooden nickels? Keep your hands clean? Um, as far as being an artist goes, I'd say to constantly look and learn, but keep true to your own vision and aesthetics. There are way too many copycats out there nowadays. And every artist should have a website gallery of their art. More people get more exposure on the interweb, although nothing will ever beat seeing art in person at an art gallery or on a collector's wall.

You have an amazing collection of dolls-do you have a favorite?
My Liddle Kiddles from the 1960s! I love them all!


Who are your favorite artists?
Margaret Keane and anonymous illustrators who did adult paperback pulps in the 1950s and 60s.
I also dig Glenn Barr and Aaron Marshall's paintings.



BONUS QUESTION!
We both have a love for bad "B" movies. Which one would be the story of your life?
It would have to be a combination of FEMALE TROUBLE, COLOR ME BLOOD RED, and SPIDER BABY. Now figure that one out!

If Lisa is visiting a gallery near you, make sure you stop by and say hello. Also check out her book, it is amazing! If you are the crafty type, she also did patterns for Sublime Stitching and they are CUTE! Thank you so much Lisa! You are so dear to my heart and I'm so glad to call you a friend (you still need to come down for a visit!)