Interview by Rachel Gottesman
Hello Jean-François! Congratulations on your first print!
I wish I could read French, your comics look hilarious but I can only laugh at all the funny faces as opposed to story lines. That's OK, though.
Anyway, are you a comic artist or are they more like awesome sketchbook doodles?
I draw comics for fun. Then i put them on my website or in 'zines. Each time I try to do the most stupid comic I can imagine with characters who talk nonsense and do rubbish.
Otherwise, I am a salmon trainer in a circus. I train them to jump through a hoop on fire. It is very difficult because they only understand Norwegian. I currently work on a show for Céline Dion, it will be called "Céline Dion and the Salmons" and it should be great. I hope the salmons won't be frightened.
A lot of your work has Disney and Warner Brothers references in it. Are you a fan, or do you just enjoy making fun of these characters?
I don't really like Disney but his characters are so innocent, it's funny to make fun of them. I must admit it's not very original but it makes me laugh.
I also enjoy drawers who use Disney's code to make dirty stuff like Robert Crumb or Winshluss. I prefer Tex Avery to Disney because all of his cartoons are so exaggerated. However Disney has inspired me for a show with the salmons, it was called "Walt Disney and the Salmons" and it was great.
Most of your Threadless submissions are made of these bright pinks... like salmon...and yellows. It's all really eye-catching. What's your favorite color?
This question is too difficult. It reminds me of Monty Pythons' Holy Grail...
Um... Yes, exactly. Agreed.
So, Where do you come up with your ideas? Does anything inspire you?
In chicken's viscera, mainly. I'm very curious and try to digest a lot of influences in movies, books, comics, flyers, posters,etc.
I have often used trickery to find some tips when I draw because I haven't got many technical knowledge and it's funnier like that. I like when it's nonsense with a childish side. When I make a comic I enjoy to use ordinary situations and turn them into something totally surrealist and dumb.
Do you have any plans to publish your comics in a book? If you are can I have a copy?
I've already made a couple of 'zines and of course I can send you free copies, but it's in French, sorry :) I've also been published in 'zines with other people like Gru who is registered on Threadless too.
Rad. I'll be keeping an eye out for those 'zines. Thanks for chatting!
Interview by Rachel Gottesman
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