This Milwaukee native illustrates for a load of publications. He's represented by 4Wall in London. Great work. Age? Location? Worst thing in the world?
27, I live in Milwaukee, Wisco. The worst thing in the world is hate.

If you did the college thing, where did you do it at?
I went to the University of Wisconsin Stout for graphic design. I spent most of my time in the screen printing lab.

You ever see the film, The Iron Giant (I hope you have 'cause it's a classic). Anyway, some of your work reminds me of that film. Did you almost cry when you saw it? I did.
Yeah man, I love that film. I picked a copy up at Target the other day for $14. It was on sale. I really love the whole 50's sci-fi theme. I thought it was sad, but the ending is perfect, so its all good.

On your site you have a long list of influences. I was feeling a lot of them (Blue Collar neighborhoods, talking shit to my good friends, Nick Drake, The big lebowski & the Cohen Bros., etc...), but had to ask you about "homeless people". How are you influenced by Homeless People?
Because it's the bottom. It's an interesting sub culture. Up here there are very few in the winter, most of them are transients. So in the summer they set up camp under bridges and things. I always have awkward moments running across them with my dog.

If I were to come out to Milwaukee for a visit, where would you take me? What kind of stuff would we do?
Oh shit, we'd go out to the Riverhorse for the Get Down, a soul and funk dance party. Its right down the block from me. Lots of punks and unique folks come out and get loose to these old jams. By 12am everyone is dancing. Other nights we'd go over to my chill spot Jamo's and have drinks. We'd get some indian food for lunch, if you like indian food, and then go record shopping. If you've got a bike, bring it. Coffee in the morning at Fuel Cafe. Milwaukee also has a great art museum on the lake, so you would have to check that out.

Last place traveled? Did you get lost on the trip? Anything interesting happen?
I drove down to the University of Illinois to visit a friend in grad school. I used Mapquest so I didnt get lost. For some reason I ended up climbing a tree at like 3:30 in the morning. Its a huge school, lots of folks to meet. We got rowdy.

Ever almost die that you were aware of?
I choked on a piece of chicken at a chinese restaurant. I got it out by pounding myself in the chest. It was the scarryness.

What's your process for creating a new piece?
Most of my pictures start out as little scribbles and titles in sketchbooks. I'm a big time sketcher. If I put a movie on I'll sketch all the way thru it. After I have a good idea scribbled, I'll draw in on a board and paint it. Or I'll scan it and use photoshop or something. Whatever the picture calls for.

Last piece sold?
I sold a gouache painting in London this month. 4Wall is my representation over there, we just had show. 4wall.co.uk is their site, check em out.

How do you keep yourself alive money wise?
I do illustrations, sell art, and supplement it with design work. I do design work for a commercial printer. Its the best cause I get huge sheets of paper for free. The only paper I buy is sketchbooks.

Daily Routine?
Get up, make some coffee, check email, do computer work and run errands. Hopefully I'll have dinner or lunch with my gal. Maybe take my dog for a walk or ride my bike. I get in the studio as soon as possible, I'll always take tea or coffee with me. I paint and draw my best at night listening to records.

I don't think we interviewed an artist that doesn't work at night. What do you think is up with creative people getting their creative juices flowing at night?
I think it's because all the days obligations are behind me, its easier to concentrate on the work. My best work usually happens at around 3 in the morning, when everyone else is asleep.

Is there anything that you're listening to that you just have to tell people about?
Lately I'm really into Colin Newman, the lead dude in the band Wire. His early solo records are really awesome and experimental. I love the dirty old analogue synths.

What's your take on the internet these days? How much time do you spend in front of a computer?
I spend too much time in front of these machines. I try not to, but its the nature of the beast. Especially doing design work. I love the internet though, there's crazy shit waiting to be found.

What kind of stuff do you have coming down the line?
I just did tour merchandise for the band The Warlocks, a 7" sleeve and shirts, those are just getting printed now. I'm working on a couple magazine articles and on shirts for two companys, Graniph in Japan and a new american company Exoh. I also have some work going into the Arkitip currated print show in Copenhagen, Denmark. I think thats in May.

Shout outs?
To the moms and dads keeping it real.

*For more info on Ric, check his website: ricstultz.com {moscomment}

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