Its not often you see a great portfolio full of retro art work, urban art work and custom vinyl toys. Jason Kochis started off designing t-shirts for an apparel company and has now moved on to become a freelance designer and artist. I luckily managed to get an interview with Jason Kochis to learn more about him and his great art work.

Hi, Jason. Thank you for taking part in our second interview of great artists. Let’s start from the beginning. How did you get involved in the apparel design industry?

I called a company I had interviewed with once before and let the Art Director know I was moving back to Atlanta. The company was expanding so I was hired soon after.

When and why did you change from an artist in the apparel industry into an urban and vinyl toy artist and freelance designer?

While working my full time job during the day, I was moonlighting as a freelance artist and doing gig posters for bands like Superdrag and Daniel Miller. After the birth of my son I started freelancing fulltime. I actually still design quite a few t-shirts, but now I also get to do other stuff like paintings and custom toys. I began making custom toys after I read a post by Frank Kozik. I emailed him and he pointed me to Near Point Toys. From there, I helped round up gig poster artists for a custom SwearBear show at CBGB’s in New York City. A trip to Toy Fair and I was hooked.

When did you do your first ever custom toy and what inspired you to do it?

I did my first toy about a year ago. It was a custom Munny figure based on the BigJaw character I created.

From your website I have noticed you have some great retro style art pieces. Tell us a bit more about them and what style you prefer to work with?

What can I say… Retro is so hot! At least that’s what I’m told. It’s been that way for 6 years now. The style is easy for me, because I like retro art and tattoos. I like to create both urban and retro art. It keeps me from getting bored.

What goes through your head when you are about to start a new design?

I like to think about the audience. Who will view the piece? What do they want to see? I’ll do a few initial sketches. Then I look for references on the internet or in my own collection of materials.


I noticed that you designed the latest cover of Roctober magazine, how did that come about?

I actually did a few illustrations for the magazine a few years ago and the owner asked me to design the next cover. I sent him a few concepts and he liked two of them. So, I designed the back and front covers, including the fonts. [visit Roctober to buy the latest issue]

What is your favourite art piece you have created so far and why is it your favourite?

That’s a tough question. I would say it’s a tie between my BigJaw Munny and a portrait I painted of my son on a Munny. I like the BigJaw Munny, because, he was the first one I did and he’s what I would ultimately want mass produced. I like the other Munny, because I really feel I captured the look and excitement my son brings to my life.

If there is one artist you could do a collaboration art piece with such as on a vinyl toy or any other medium, who would it be and why?

Where do I start? I would love to work with Joe Ledbetter, Frank Kozik, or KidRobot. Joe’s stuff is so clean, cartoony, and brilliant. Frank, for obvious reasons and KidRobot, because I really love their Dunny and Munny figures.

What will we be seeing from you in the future? Are there any secrets you can slip out?

I will be in a number of up coming shows and I hope to someday release a figure of my own.

What do you want to see more of from other artists in your field? Where do you see the whole urban art and vinyl toy scene in the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, I would like to see artists like Blinky, Bil BetsOvic, Moodude, Squink, and Daniel Damocles Wall become as popular as say Joe Ledbetter, MadL, or Sket One. It would be awesome to see each of them have their own mass produced pieces.

What tips can you give to all young artists that are trying to make it in the urban art and vinyl toy scene?

Be careful. There’s a lot of people out there looking to take advantage of you.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?

When I designed artwork for one of my favorites bands.

If you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you want with you?

I would take my wife, because she’s an incredible woman and I wouldn’t be able to make it without her. My son, because he’s so fun and cute. And finally, some Ramen noodles to feed my two decades old addiction!

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

I wish I created Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes. I loved the crazy adventures he had and his facial expressions were great too.

Thanks again for your time Jason. Good Luck in the future with all your projects and we hope to see a lot more of your great art and vinyl toy customs.

[visit the official Jason Kochis website to see all of his art work]

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