BIO:

Justin "Squigs" Robertson makes art that celebrates the theatrical and whimsical. He loves sushi and swing music, and his favorite song is "It's Only A Paper Moon." He grew up in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley and now resides in North Hollywood, California.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1.  What goes into your process?

I gather visual reference – seeing the show and/or subject and making sketches in person, photos, video, even other eyewitness accounts – and I do plenty of little rough sketches. As I play with composition and flow, I eventually "tighten" the pencil work – making it more specific.  When I'm satisfied, I put it on the light board and do an ink tracing.  Sketches of individuals and smaller groups are usually drawn in one piece while larger compositions might be created in numerous pieces then scanned into Photoshop where I assemble, adjust, and clean.

2. How did you become interested in caricatures?

While I've always been a chronic doodler, I think the first time I attempted a caricature was in high school while I was laid up with a broken leg. I drew my brother. Then while studying theatre in college, I became aware of Al Hirschfeld's amazing and enduring work. I was intrigued by the way one man documented decades of popular culture in such a stylish way. Then, in 1993 I was gathering my first paycheck for a theatre gig (a $150 gas stipend). I was ecstatic and I wanted to show my gratitude to my show family.  I created my first show sketch, and the positive feedback I received bit me just as hard as the rush I got from being onstage.  Since then, I've sketched almost every show I've been in. My performing and my illustration go hand in hand, and the adventure continues.

3. Who are your artistic influences?

I still constantly geek out over Hirschfeld's work, and I hope you’re able to see his influence in my stuff.  I'm also a big fan of Robert Risko, John Kascht, Steve Brodner, Jack Davis, Miguel Covarrubias, and the list goes on and on.  I try my best to have and develop my own style, but I often give little (and not-so-little) nods to my illustration heroes.

4. How did you get into promotional illustration and design?

There are three folks who are particularly responsible for this developing facet of my career. Roger Bean of Steele Spring Productions was the first person to ask me to create a logo to promote a show – his travelogue revue Route 66 – and we've worked on more projects over the years. In 2003, Peter Filichia of TheatreMania.Com reviewed a production I was in (Good News! at Music Theatre of Wichita). Along with a lovely mention, he referenced the closing night sketch I presented to the cast. David-Edward Hughes of the fledgling Showtunes Theatre Company in Seattle followed the link in the review and asked me to create poster art for their production of Do I Hear A Waltz?. Then I began creating fresh art for them for each full three-show season since then (four seasons at this writing).

5.  Did you come from an artistic family?  Is show biz in your blood?

My Dad had a lot to do with my drawing abilities.  He is very artistic in many ways and for quite a while taught art, wood shop, and drafting (his second job while putting us kids through private school).  My folks aren't performers (although they both have lovely singing voices and Dad has dabbled in church plays), but they have been very encouraging of their kids' interests, getting us lessons (piano, painting, etc.) and giving us support on many levels.  Grandma also tells me of a distant Uncle Johnny who traveled the country playing the spoons in vaudeville circuits which is an interesting connection to the show biz.

6.  How much do you charge?

This is a hard answer to nail down, because I treat every project individually. It is very much dependent on how much time it will take at the drawing table and what the art is to be used for.  The work I’m most known for, the entertainment caricature, usually begins at $500 for simple caricature portraits of individuals and goes up over $2000 for large casts.  Promotional graphics (logos, branding, graphic packages, etc.) are handled on a case by case basis.

7.  Why “Squigs”?