Jeff Riggan, Monster Art Studio
Jeff Riggan is a Florida-based artist with over 30 years professional experience in drawing and painting. Riggan has created large-scale murals and sculptures for Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Tijuana Flats restaurants. He periodically appears as a vendor at festivals, providing body painting, performance art, and mask-making tutorials. He is the creator of the Monster Art Studio.
Q. You’ve done a lot of large-scale projects for theme parks. Do you agree with the phrase, “the bigger the better”?
Well, bigger is better for my wallet, for sure. Big projects let me spread my wings.
Q. You work in 2D and 3D, and in many different mediums. What’s your current favorite type of project?
I just recently figured out how to make felted dolls. I saw a book on needle felting. I made a little zombie head and partial torso; I poked a pile of wool with felting needles, not understanding the felting process. I felt like I was wasting my time, then like magic the more I worked that pile, the more it took shape. As of today, I have 20 deranged dolls designed from my sketch pads. I’m hooked, creating drawing-to-3D free standing characters that I swear move around when I’m not looking….
Q. How does it feel to drive around town and see your art on businesses and walls from a distance?
I have to admit, I feel like a PIMP sometimes. It gives me great satisfaction to share my artistic vision with the general public, especially when some of my art makes people uncomfortable. Most of my public murals are conservative, but every now and then I get a chance to creep folks out.
Q. If you could meet anyone in the world, alive or dead, who would it be and what would you say?
Sid and Marty Krofft. “Thanks for opening my mind. When do I start??”
Q. When are you at your best?
When I have a new project, especially when I have full creative control.
Q. Love at first sight, or love at first bite?
Bite please!!
Q. What is in your Netflix/DVD/CD/Mp3 player right now?
Captain and Tennille, muskrat love, ha!
Q. Did you ever consider another career? What was it?
Merchant marines appealed to me for a bit, now I’m just a zombie art pirate.
Q. Anything else you want to talk about that I failed to mention?
If you love art, go support local art. Then, pick up a pen or a brush and liberate thyself!! It won’t hurt you I promise….
To learn more about Jeff Riggan visit his website or Facebook page.
