FRANKIE B WASHINGTON - THE MAN. THE MYTH. THE ARTIST.

According to the 19th century Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh, 'Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well'. And do you know what? He's right you know! Love does make you perform better. Just check out the following interview, and you can see what I mean.


Frankie B Washington on Amazon


1) What are your own origins, Frankie? Plus what path did you take in life prior to getting to where you are today?   I am a son of Boston, Massachusetts, growing up in the city of Jamaica Plain. My drawing skills came out around the age of 8. I remember being young and my mother giving me a pencil and scraps of the paper bag she brought groceries in. I would draw at the kitchen table and it really made me happy to do it.

2) What inspired you to become an artist?   The animated and live action shows that I watched in the 70's into the 80's were really imaginative. They didn't try to talk down to kids and there were so many options to watch. This led to my getting into comic books and eventually various novels that focused on horror, fantasy, and science fiction.

There was a program called 'Creature Double Feature' which came on at noon and would last two movies. And it was here where I learned about the Japanese monsters of Toho and Daiei Motion Picture Company as well as the classic Hammer movies.

Saturday morning cartoons were played on all three networks (NBC, ABC, CBS) and during the weekdays. I had morning and afternoon shows, which pretty much kept my young creative mind captivated.

3) Can you tell us briefly about some of the project’s you’ve worked on?   Well after I graduated art school in 1991, I found it difficult to try and find work in the art industry. I remember in my frustration, pleading with the universe to just give me a break. And if it came, I would never look back at my 9-5 existence which I'd done for years. 

The chance came at a small production studio called Robbins Entertainment, whereas I was given the opportunity to storyboard a film called "Squeeze", and then from there worked with Brad Anderson on his film "Next Stop Wonderland".

The film work was fun but I was still hungry to push my abilities and really wanted to be a part of a more visual creative atmosphere. This led to my freelancing period with Olive Jar Animation, where I was surrounded by some of those gifted and skilled artisans. Like a sponge, I picked up various techniques, ways to expand my own style and some really great friends.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and I really needed to make some money. So a fellow classmate from my art school days, suggested I go the advertising route. I listened and made an impressive career working for various agencies, big and small, in Boston and other cities across the United States. I really got a kick in those early days watching ads that I had worked on, suddenly appear on the TV or in print. My bills were getting paid and I was content in doing the work. Advertising taught me the power of marketing and the ability to sell myself and my skills to potential clients. I am truly blessed to have gotten in when I did.

Now during all that time, by the creed of the freelancer rule-book, I was also working for various game companies like Iron Crown Enterprises (SpaceMaster Privateers RPG Book); Spartacus Publishing (Battle Dragons RPG Book); XID Creative (Providence The Book Of Wird); and Fantasy Flight Games (Disk Wars Game Cards).

My work now appears in a few issues of Cemetery Dance Magazine (Issue #53, #57 & #67); Once Upon A Time Machine; Voltron United and Drawn; plus sketch Cards for licensed properties (Marvel Comics, Transformers, King Kong, Voltron, Archie, The Greatest American Hero, Lady Death etc).

4) If your style of art could be represented by a song, what song would it be and why?   Even though I'm not a native New Yorker, this song is universal to me. Bobby Womack : Across 100th Street.

5) If you could get a celebrity – either living or dead – to promote your wares, who would you choose, and why would you want to choose this particular person?   I would want Jack "The King" Kirby to be my agent. He represents the ideal of an artistic creator who perseveres to tell his story. I'm sure he would be the best to get my name and skills out to the masses.

6) What have you learnt about yourself whilst being an artist? And were their any unforeseen obstacles you had to contend with along the way?   I've learned that I'm a lot more mellow towards my work now. Maybe it's because I'm 44 years old and have been on the field for a bit. But I don't have the "Impatient-Know It All Attitude" I had when I started out. I love communicating with people and it really helps to be level-headed when dealing with clients and their expectations. I've found this to be an even greater ability than my drawing skills. There will always be obstacles on the pathway of life and YES, I've fallen a few times in some really big pot holes. The key thing is that I learned how to climb out relatively quickly and continue forward on the path.

[ Frankie B Washington on Amazon ]

7) During your time in this field, what is the one thing that has kept you in good stead?   My passion for my art is the constant therapist sitting on my shoulder. When life seems to only want to paint everything a blue hue, the inner child that started it all, forces me to pick up the other colors in the crayon box and grab that blank sheet of paper. Reminding me that another picture can be drawn with brighter shades.

8) If you had a personal motto, what would it be?   "Never allow your fears to limit your potential".

And on that note, dear reader, I'd like to thank Frankie for telling us about his time as a freelance artist, as well as direct you towards his website, facebook, DeviantArt, and Twitter pages.