I thought i would do something different and try to find some good up and coming artists and designers to interview. One artist I came across was Bil BetsOvic who’s art work initially caught my eye. Being a big fan of cartoons his artwork looks very cartoon inspired with a little bit of a urban and adult twist. However I then noticed that Bil BetsOvic has a great collection of custom Designer Vinyl Toys. So I contacted Bil BetsOvic and asked him a few questions. Here is what he had to say;

Q) Hi Bil BetsOvic thanks for taking time out for the interview. First question I have to ask is about your name. Is that your real name? if not how did it come about?

No, Bil BetsOvic is not my real name, I wanted an alias and heard another famous artist name and it sounded real nerdy so I wanted a real nerdy artist name as well. I used to write graffiti so I had to put a 33 in my signature and that�s the 2 b’s in my name….not to exciting (laughs)

Q) How did you get involved in the whole vinyl art and designer toys scene?

I sell a lot of little art pieces on eBay and somebody had a custom dunny on sale. I thought it was an awesome idea and I have always loved drawing characters it just called out to me and now the whole vinyl scene has taken over my life.

Q) What inspires you when you are creating a new piece? Are there any artists you look up to?

My inspiration usually is cartoon characters I kinda go on alien mammals most of the time I don�t even know what they are dog? cat? bear? rabbit? I try and combine em all into one a lot. There are a lot of people I look up to in the whole art community Huck Gee, Honk, Zoso, Jason Kochis, Ed Zepln but most of all is Blinky. he�s kinda like my mentor he�s got me in a few art shows in Cali. He�s the man…..

Q) Briefly describe a normal creative day?

Usually its Sunday with Ed Zepln we call it munny/dunny day we just sit in my
art room and paint a lot of vinyl toys mostly just coat the toys a couple times with acrylics to get the base color so we have a few to work on at once. Then we just start drawing faces on templates or blank pieces of paper to get ideas or we have existing ones from last week and we start right after they dry. On other days I go back and forth from a painting to a toy as they dry trying to bust out a couple things a day.

Q) If you were not doing this what would be doing instead?

Graffiti….. That�s the only thing that used to keep me busy now this is way better and I make good $ off this. Graffiti just got me thrown in jail (laughs)

Q) What do you hate about vinyl art?

Sculpting. A lot of people just sculpt stuff on the toys and think they�re so great. Don�t get me wrong I love sculptures but on vinyl toys I think u should also have drawing skills along with it not just sculpt on a previous platform. Also price of toys is crazy there�s some do it yourself toys that cost over $100 that hurts the pocketbook if u cant sell it.

Q) Where do you see yourself and the whole designer toy and vinyl art scene in the future?

Hopefully taking it over (evil chuckle). I hope the scene stays around for a while and isn�t just a little faze for the world. I hope to be recognized as a good vinyl artist and be invited to a lot of shows. I�m in a few here n there but not nearly enough.

Q) As the art scene moves forward what is your biggest ambition for the future? Maybe having your own toys?

I want to be a featured artist like Frank Kozik. He�s got a little dabble in every field, he�s worked with all the major toy companies or has a featured design with them. I�d love to make my own toys because I see a lot that sell really good that aren�t the best design, I really just want to be able to draw all day for my job and live comfortable.

Q) Finally if there was one famous character (cartoon, comic, video game, etc) you wish you designed who would it be and why?>

WOW that�s a tough one actually….. I�d say probably the Simpsons they have been my favorite for a long time and it like one of the longest running cartoon ever which means people must love it.

Thanks so much Bil BetsOvic for your time and we look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.


Take a look at Bil BetsOvic website to see more of his work and support a great up and coming Urban Vinyl Toy designer.

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