Hey, I hope your Thursday is going well. I am hoping to make it a bit better by giving you the 411 on UK artist, Rich Davies, aka – Turksworks. As with each new member of the Poster Posse I was excited with Rich agreed to participate in our Pacific Rim Project. He absolutely delivered the goods and NOW we get to learn more about the man behind the incredible art. Sit back, eat your waffles, (that means you Chris Garofalo!) and enter the world of Rich Davies.
BLURPPY - How long have you been creating art in the pop culture scene? How did you get started?
RD - I’ve probably been doing it for about 2 years now. I just wanted to do something a little more creative from my day job at the time so it all started there.
Personal work. This is my own take on the classic movie poster of Blade Runner. It was also an exercise in digital painting and composition. – Rich Davies
BLURPPY - That “creativity bug” is hard to ignore. (Much like the soundtrack from Disney’s Teen Beach Movie.) Is art your full time job? If not, what else do you do?
RD - I’m a graphic designer by trade, I have been for over 10 years. I do have a background in drawing and painting though so sometimes the two merge.
Iron Man 3 – by Rich Davies
BLURPPY - There was a sensational Seinfeld episode about what happens when ‘worlds collide.’ In your case we get some pretty fantastic art so I say let the colliding begin! Whose work do you admire or collect?
RD - Well I’ve always been a huge movie fan and as a kid, the poster art was just as important as the film. I love Struzan of course but also the likes of Roger Kastel who designed one of the great movie posters, The Empire Strikes Back, Bob Peak and David Grove. I also love the work of Gary Pullin, Jason Edmiston and Jock too – all supremely talented artists. I just wish I could afford to collect some of their work!
The Empire Strikes Back – by Roger Kastel
BLURPPY - Nice group you named there. I was blown away by the solo show that Jason recently put together for Mondo, Gary ALWAYS brings creepy magic to whatever he touches and don’t even get me started on the brilliance of Jock. My biggest disappointment of this year’s San Diego Comic Con was that I missed meeting him! NEXT YEAR! What one print, by another artist, blows your mind?
Battlefield – by Tsuyoshi Nagano
RD - I love a particular piece (Battlefield) by Japanese artist, Tsuyoshi Nagano. He creates these huge, epic pieces of art which I could look at for hours, there’s so much detail involved. Its just technically flawless and it has a nostalgic feel to it. Amazing.
BLURPPY - You aren’t kidding about the detail work. Pretty exquisite stuff. With so much art being produced these days, how do you keep things fresh?
RD - With each project, I’ll try something different to what I did previously whether it’s a technical aspect or maybe theme-wise. The beauty of doing a lot of film posters is that each film is different so you can experiment with styles or colors that you’ve never tried before.
French film distribution company SND approached me to produce a new poster design to promote the blockbuster movie, Looper starring Bruce Willis. The design went through a few different versions until they settled on a retro, ‘pulp-like’ feel. It’s currently being used to promote the movie internationally online. – Rich Davies
BLURPPY - If you aren’t moving forward you are getting left behind right? Besides working on BLURPPY’s Poster Posse Project, what is your dream project?
RD - Well it doesn’t really get any better than the Poster Posse Projects really does it? If I had to pick a close second it would have to be working on a big Hollywood movie poster for someone like Ridley Scott. Not too much to ask really! 
Universal Horror Classics – by Rich Davies
BLURPPY - First off, thank you for the kind words. Secondly, given your talent, I really DON’T think it’s asking too much! I’ve gotta get you two together. Now where did I leave Ridley’s card….? If you weren’t creating highly desirable works of art for adoring fans, what else would you do?
RD - That’s a tough one. Being creative is the only thing I’ve ever imagined doing but being such a huge movie obsessive, I’d say a film director.
BLURPPY - The more I reach out to you artists, the more that desire comes to the forefront. What movies are you excited to see this year/ next year?
This is an entry for the Space Exhibition, part of the Cardiff Design Festival 2011. It was displayed in Cardiff with 20 other entries as part of a competition organized by design agency Staziker Jones. Credit: Stock model courtesy of Marcus Ranum. – Rich Davies
RD - I’m looking forward to Thor: The Dark World and the new Hobbit film later this year, Godzilla and Chris Nolan’s Interstellar next year. 2015 should be interesting year for movies too!
BLURPPY - Well I can let you in on a little secret. This is an exclusive reveal. You have just touched on a future Poster Posse Project. I’m not going any further with that but there you have it. Let the speculation begin. So, what is your favorite print from your portfolio and why?
RD - My favorite is always the most recent one so I would have to say my Pacific Rim poster at the moment.
Pacific Rim (Poster Posse Project #3) – by Rich Davies
BLURPPY - Well I’m mighty fond of that one myself. Actually….I can’t WAIT to get mine framed! (Yes I am bragging people, it’s not attractive but I had to do it because that piece is AWESOME!) What’s your biggest pet peeve about the pop culture art scene?
RD - One thing I have noticed and I’m sure some of the Poster Posse would back me up on this, is the constant copying of an artist’s print and then reselling it online. I’ve seen some of my own work and other PP members’ work for sale on eBay for instance. It’s so difficult to stop this and can be incredibly frustrating to find your work for sale like that. Ok, rant over…
Star Trek- Rich Davies
BLURPPY - No, No, No….I hear you. Matt Ferguson has been getting bombarded with this recently. I only wish I had bought the Pacific Rim t-shirt with his image before he sent a cease and desist to the website that was selling them. That HAS to be frustrating for you guys. It’s great when your fans have your back though and bring it to your attention so you can deal with it. (Note to fans, keep up with the watchful eye!) What has been your best experience to date, in the pop culture art scene?
RD - I know everyone says it but it has to be being invited to join the Poster Posse. It just gives me a platform to showcase my work and also a sense of being part of something special with such talented and generous artists so thank YOU too Don.
Twelve Monkeys – by Rich Davies
BLURPPY - Believe it or not, I’m blushing. I believe that great art deserves to be seen. The crew on the Poster Posse has delivered fantastic work on all three projects to date and I ABSOLUTELY appreciate what YOU guys do and can’t WAIT to see what folks deliver on Poser Posse Projects 4, 5, 6 and beyond. (Oh yes people, they are on the calendar and ready to go. Again, let the speculation run amok as to what we will tackle next. Rest assured, it shall always be worth the wait!) What is the best interview question you’ve ever been asked and what was your answer?
RD - It wasn’t an interview question but I was asked by a client once “How much do you want to be paid?” I think I’ve been waiting all my life for a question like that.
The Wolverine – by Rich Davies
BLURPPY - Hahahahaha…Please tell me you did your best Dr Evil impression, put your pinky to your mouth and stated, “One MILLION dollars!“ What do you have on tap for the rest of 2013 and don’t give us that B.S. line, “Lots of stuff , just can’t talk about it yet”
RD - Ooh lots of stuff! I’m working on a series of portraits based on a much loved TV show at the moment, have a couple of new film posters due out soon too. I’m also planning something special for the Doctor Who 50th anniversary celebrations too. Plus in the middle of all that I have a trip to Vegas to fit in!
Game Of Thrones Prints – by Rich Davies
Whoa wait a minute, Vegas? You GOTTA find time to shoot over to California! You will be so close. I can take you to some great food spots, show you the sights of Orange County, we can sit in endless traffic on the 5 freeway, it will be great! We need to talk further on this…
Ok, you survived the phase 1 of the interview, now it’s time to see if you are up to phase 2. I’m gonna ask you 10 quick questions, all you have to do is simply tell me the first thing that pops into your mind.
DC or Marvel?
DC. No question.
Most Desired Super Power?
Flight – it might help me overcome my fear of heights.
Who is your favorite Star Wars Character and why?
Han Solo of course.
Best movie snack?
Munchies
Growing up, what was your favorite TV show?
Doctor Who and Thunderbirds
What’s the best way for fans to keep up with all you have going on?
My website, www.turksworks.co.uk or alternatively I try to keep my FACEBOOK and TWITTER accounts up to date.
What’s your favorite pop culture event?
Always wanted to go to San Diego Comic Con.
Who is your favorite fictional character of all time and why? (Can be comic books, movies, literature, etc)
As a huge Neil Gaiman fan, it would have to be The Sandman.
Would you rather design the poster for an upcoming Star Wars movie or the upcoming Blade Runner prequel?
Seeing no one other than Struzan could possibly do the Star Wars poster then Blade Runner it is.
Star Wars – Rich Davies
Ok, there you have it and as always I have a couple of things to touch upon. First up, just as Yoda said, “There is another…” I have a feeling we DO have someone in line to do the next installment of Star Wars Posters and they are part of the Poster Posse!
I think Rich SHOULD make it over to Cali whilst he is in Sin City and I think he needs to book his ticket to next years SDCC PRONTO! Ben Whitesell can attest to how amazing it is as he just went to HIS first SDCC THIS year.
Huge thanks to Rich for his work with the Poster Posse AND for taking the time to chat it up with me and let folks into his universe. Stay tuned folks, he is locked and loaded for Poster Posse Project #4 which hits the Blurppy-sphere on October 21st!
Tagged: Blade Runner, exclusive interview, Game of Thrones, Iron Man 3, Jock, Looper, Pacific Rim, Poster Posse, Rich Davies, Ridley Scott, Star Wars, The Wolverine
