Interview: Mr. Babies

First few basic questions, who are you, what are you doing, where are you coming from?

My real name is Nick. I grew up in a very small town in west Texas and have been living and making collage in Sedona Arizona for ten years. I make art full time and hike the rest.

How did you start to do collages? How did you start to do them?

I initially started collage because of boredom. I went to the local recycling center and picked up a stack of free National Geographic and went to town.

And then, why you do collages? What does the medium give to you?

I really love the unpredictably of the medium. I hardly ever set out to make something intentional I let my mind wander as my eyes dance over images. Apart from the actual assemblage of the collage I really enjoy the aspect of hunting for materials…which is an art form to itself.

In many of your collages you play with surreal and vivid imagery to create rather trippy ensembles. What draws you to these kinds of themes?

I think I am naturally pulled into these themes and images because it’s what I grew up on. I was always more intrigued with trippy album art and optical illusion books growing up than anything else.

“I have never created a digital piece in my life. I don’t think that I could actually.”

Digital or analog? If analog, then scissors or blade? Glue or tapes? What art supplies do you use?

I have never created a digital piece in my life. I don’t think that I could actually. I like the randomness of opening a book and finding images to slice out. I use a very tiny pair of scissors and xacto knives. I also use glue stick and tape, occasionally.

Do you have favorite source materials, like favorite book or magazine, or do you like the challenge of working with something new?

I always say that I love Omni magazine, but I don’t think that is necessarily true anymore. I love finding new material and challenging myself with different images that still work within my style

How long does it take to make a collage, and do you work on several at a time?

I can take 30 seconds and make something that blows my mind and then, sometimes, I can sit for hours and make nothing. It’s an almost meditative practice and I can create my best work when I am able to shut out the noise or brain pollution.

What’s the best part of the process?

Making something I am proud of and having people connect to my art from all over the world. It’s truly humbling and I am forever grateful

And then, what’s the hardest part?

Sometimes for me…it’s deciding to make a cut or not with some material. I’ve been learning how to sit and meditate with the images before commiting to the scissors. It’s especially tough with really old rare images. I always want to hold on to everything forever.