Aaand, we’re back! Back with more from the man with the mashup plan, the guy who takes a creative razor to the holy cows of American cartoon icons and reminds us all of just how powerful we are when we ignore the rules. Yes folks, it’s time for Part II of our interview with the creative whose surname has no doubt been the envy of his friends since they realised he was blessed with the holy name of the world’s favourite amber liquid - Nick Beery!   SL: You bring a wide range of skills to each project you work on - including fine art, photography, illustration, graphic design and typography. Could you give us a little background on how you developed your set of skills, and where?   NB: I attended Ringling School of Art and Design when I got into college and graduated with a BFA and focus in Illustration. That was the catalyst from which I gained a lot of momentum with my drawing and color theory as well as fundamental traditional techniques in painting and illustration. The faculty was rather incredible but more than that the camaraderie and competitive nature of my fellow classmates was bar none. Most of my friends were in different departments than my illustration fold and it really pushed me to learn everything I could there even while not enrolled in those particular curricula. When I graduated I worked as an art director and lead designer for a an action sports surf company part time. I was also teaching 10-16 year olds college-level drawing courses for a non profit at that time. Also during doing the designing and teaching I was continuing my passion for painting and started procuring space in gallery exhibits.     The culmination of the variety of work that I was able to do straight out of school really pushed me to further each and every skill along the way. With each contract or freelance job I learned something new, some new skill set, or some new media and was able to amass an astute artillery of creative weapons which now sit fully loaded every time I go to the holster. I believe you are better off engraining your passions throughout each and every medium possible to continue to enjoy the inspiration of creativity that is experimentation.   Specializing in one particular medium or style will grow tiring. As an artist it is your duty to push yourself outside of your comfort zone to get the most singular results. This so is also true in life. Respectively and dutifully gain prominence through knowledge and become a general at the forefront of visual art combat!       SL: Here at Springleap have seen your work progress over the past 5 years from your very first submission (Sacred Wild) up to your amazing headphone skinjob for The Kleek. Over the years you’ve refined your style and are now producing some very fine work indeed. What does the future hold for you, and BeeryMethod?   NB: I’ve always enjoyed coming back to submit to the rad challenges put on by the awesome people at Springleap. As usual there is a rather large levy of work at hand for Beery Method Studios. Without giving too much away I’m already at work on a new collection for 2014 and a duo show with one of San Francisco’s premier pop surrealist painters Alec Huxley. My girlfriend and I have started a home accessory upcycle company White Fox which uses recycled and vintage materials and eco-friendly media for our products which will be hitting the online stratosphere sometime next year.   Other than personal projects I’ll be consulting with a new skateboard company and manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest as well as producing new album cover and branding design for several bands and independent musicians. My workload never drops off and I’m constantly burning the candle at both ends. Lots of good creative projects coming down the pipeline for 2014!     SL: Lastly, a question we like to ask to get an idea of the workspace and headspace that creatives work in - when you’re working, what music do you listen to?   NB: My music definitely stirs the blood when I dive into any creative project. For big stencil / graffiti projects I go to my hip-hop head channel and go old school with Public Enemy, Beasties, and Ice Cube. For long midnight oil painting I go to Moderat, Battles, and Demon Queen. For sit-down 10 hour digital work station it doesn’t get any better than relaxing sounds such as Father John Misty, Jesus ‘Sixto’ Rodriguez, or God Is An Astronaut. For all the rest, I let shuffle be the musical cog.   Be sure to check out the Nick Beery Collections on Facebook to keep up with new releases and scope out current and past work, or tune into his website.   (all images ©Nick Beery)