1999: How do you accurately sum up the whole of yourself in "500 words or less"? I'm a 27 year old, gay artist who originally registered to vote as a Republican, because I didn't know any better. I'm a graphic designer by day, because it pays my rent and the bills (most of the time). I'm secretly (not so secretly) an aspiring comic book artist, who is currently working on several stories that I'm hoping to have published soon. I am (to an extent) a product of my environment: I was raised in New Jersey, and currently live just about fifteen minutes away from Manhattan (close enough to enjoy the view, but far enough to enjoy the silence). My immediate family is small. My father's side is (was?) Cuban "aristocracy". He came from one of the few wealthy families who were not deeply involved in the island's politics during Castro's "revolution". My mother was born in Cuba, but her family has Spanish roots, supposedly with a dash of gypsy blood thrown in for flavor. I have an older sibling, a sister who was also born in Cuba, but arrived in the United States while still just a few months old. She's married now, and has two daughters of her own. I consider myself to be a deeply spiritual person. I believe that life is circular, and that the energies we send out towards others always return. I believe in life. I believe in love. I've been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. My mother has saved most of my early "works". The first drawing I ever did was of my uncle (and godfather) playing his guitar... or was it supposed to be a chicken? I was two.

Maybe it was a chicken playing a guitar? What was your first work-for-hire?

I did two enormous murals for a huge aquarium that used to be on Kennedy Boulevard near that huge cemetary. I was still in high school at the time, I think. I got a little over $1,000 for it, and a fish tank. They're closed now. I spent the money buying stuff for my fish. The fish are dead now.

2010: Did I need to use "500 words or less"? The above definition, at its core, is still accurate, except that I am now 36. I'm still a graphic designer because it's fulfilling, and not just practical. The dream of being a comic book artist was put aside for something greater... PANDORA magazine™. The dream of PANDORA magazine™ was put aside because of circumstance. So, I am once again left with what I started... me. I'm very comfortable with the "me" of now, though... despite the odd, and infrequent accusation that I carry myself with the occasional air of an aristrocrat ~ in my mannerisms, my glances, and my stance, assuredly. I'm an "old soul", and I've never doubted it. In truth, I think I actually have always enjoyed that classification.

1999: I'm a big geek. I love role-playing games (RPGs). My best friend, Mabelyn Arteaga, introduced me to Dungeons & Dragons when we were both still in high school. Since then, I've played a whole bunch of other RPGs, including a few live action role-playing games (LARPs) like Vampire: The Masquerade, and Changeling. I'm also a big fan of computer role playing games, especially the stuff being put out by the people at Interplay Entertainment and Blizzard Entertainment. I'm currently working as one of the artists for an online sci-fi strategy and RPG game called Trinity, being developed over at Battleatlantis.com.

Is this your first RPG work?

No. I have previously done some preliminary race sketches for a game called Intrepidus, being developed by The Fellowship: Gamers of Legend Online.

What was that about?

Some of the members were putting together their own pen & paper RPG. I was approached to do some of the preliminary drawings. I agreed. I didn't get much information other than what I needed to know to be able to produce the sketches, and then eventually the finishes. It felt very "James Bondish". Unfortunately, I ended up dropping the project because my schedule and their deadlines didn't mesh. We parted on good terms.

1999: No one has ever asked me that before. Celtic music inspires me, as does anything atmospheric and instrumental. Dark and moody music is relaxing and helps me really focus. Like all big queens, I love listening to Cher.

What is your favorite Cher song?

Dov'e L'Amore.

1999: All of the above, but I'm actually not much of a drinker. I don't have the "thirst" for it. When I do go out, I'll usually just ask for an Amstel Light or a Frozen Strawberry Margarita, and I'm good to go.

You realize that when you're rich and famous, this answer will come back to haunt you at gatherings where people want to buy you drinks.

Everyone will buy me just Amstel Lights or Margaritas? Perhaps, but when I'm rich and famous, I could always be persuaded to do commercials for them.

1999: You mean "9 to 5" jobs? Nothing too glamorous. When I was a kid, I worked at my father's grocery store, and then a nearby pharmacy. In high school, I landed a position as an intern for PH Promotions, a small NJ advertising agency. After college, I worked at my brother-in-law's office for about a summer, until I landed a job at a Spanish newspaper as a entry-level designer. I stayed there almost two years, before moving on to The Village Voice. I just recently left that job too.

Do you think professional page layout has influenced your art?

Most definitely, especially my web design. Page layout is page layout, regardless of the medium.

1999: Honestly, I don't know. A lot of my friends have websites, I guess... I wanted one too. At first it started out as just a place to showcase my portfolio. Then I put my journals online, followed by some of my poetry, and then a photo gallery. The Lounge evolved shortly after that. It still has a long way to go, but I'm happy with the direction it's taking.

1999: First, I need to pay off my Discover Card. Then, I have to learn how to drive. Once that's accomplished, the road to world domination should be easier to navigate. I will infiltrate suburbia, start posting thousands of Azodnem.com banner ads on free webspace throughout the internet, and... once people are hooked... start charging a fee... yeah... then... then I'll show porn.

Will loyal servants get free ice cream?

No chocolate. I'm allergic.

1999: I'm not really sure. It effected my education in art. I went to high school in NJ. My art education began there. I can't honestly say that I feel art was actually taken as a serious major there, however. It wasn't until I attended The School of Visual Arts (SVA) that my art truly began to evolve.

When did you attend SVA?

1992 - 1996, but I took two summer courses during 1990 and 1991.

1999: Not difficult at all. It's very affordable. Corporate support is not a necessity. In fact, I've done my best to keep banners on Azodnem.com to a strict minimum. When banners are present, it's usually because (A) I have no choice (such as on the Bravenet services, for example) or (B) I actually like the product or the website it's promoting.

Is the goal to break even?

Finance is not part of the goal or the equation. Azodnem.com is a means for expression, not profit. It's an avenue for me to vent my frustrations, display my artwork (or that of my friends), and/or just goof around in my spare time.

1999: The medium has outweighed the art. Its accessibilty has made it gaudy. So many sites are just about having an internet presence. We spend hours at our keyboards and terminals, constructing the internet, reconstructing it, making it better, quicker, adding to it, making it grow and expand. We serve the internet, and like so many other little moths, we get trapped in its web.

With high speed internet access becoming more common, do you think that sites will start doing broadband versions which are more filesize intensive?

The internet porn industry, at least, would benefit from the smoother flow of traffic. So I would say "yes".

1999: Yes. I enjoy science fiction, goth and horror too, but there is jsut something about the fantasy realm and genre that is simply more appealing to me.

Is it the "magic" aspect?

Most probably. Yes. Into every life a little magic must fall.

Do you believe in magic?

Life is magical. The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is magical. Every breath we take, every other second that we live, is magical. A dark midkinght sky filled with stars is magical. The sound of the ocean is magical. There is a beauty and "magic" in everything around us - and as cliché as it may sound, I never stopped looking at the world with a child's wonder. The answer to your question, is "yes".

1999: Ass.

With or without Nutella?

Any type of spread will do.

1999: Actually, I think the web is a great medium for storytelling purposes. The ability to incorporate sound and animation, as well as the interactivity can give it a whole other dimension unavailiable in print, while still mainting a "page" concept.

Is there anything that the printed page provides (aside from portability) that can't be duplicated on the web?

The tangibility of it, perhaps... the ability to "share it" has a different feeling when it's a physical book. The ability to collect it, to keep it and store it somewhere. Imagine how different comic book conventions would be if they became all digital.

I have to pause for a moment and envision that serene moment... ok... never gonna happen.

1999: I've been to a few where I just awkwardly linger for about an hour or so, but I prefer toy conventions, honestly.

What kind of toys?

I like Star Wars stuff, X-men, and all things Wonder Woman, of course.

1999: I would have to say Star Wars: A New Hope. It was the first movie. It was complete in and of itself. Effects were kept at a minimum, but were ground-breaking for the time. The plot was primary with the eye-candy being secondary. It has an innocence most sci-fi movies today lack.

Hmm... most people (myself included) would have picked Empire. Was it the optimism that edged it out for you?

Don't get me wrong - I love Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi too. I have three huge curios in my living room full of toys dedicated to the films, but my favorite is the first.

1999: Actually, I'm not fond of movies translated into comics. Those comics are usually released before the film, and end up reveaing a lot of what happens in it. (2010: Obviously, I lack the sufficient willpower that would prevent me buying them until after I had watched the film. LOL.)

What about ones that are loosely based on the film?

... eh...

How about videogames loosely based on comic books loosely based on vampire legends?

Blood-sucking's cool.

1999: Vampires and all things gothadelic. I've been an Anne Rice fan for some time. I've always been attracted to the darker, and romantic images often present in her work.

What did you think of the movie adaptation of Interview With The Vampire?

I loved it. Kirsten Dunst as Claudia was amazing.

Kirsten Dunst is always amazing. Is she one of your favorite screen actresses?

Yes.

What do you like most about her? Don't make me hit you.

Hit me? Why would you want to hit me, Ed? Do you often fantasize about hitting people, or do you just want to smack the shit out of poor Kirsten?

I wish no ill upon Kirsten, nor do I have a particular wish to hit you, Robert. Answer my question.

Honestly, my first exposure to her was in Interview With The Vampire, I was incredibly impressed with her acting ability especially because of her age. She was great as Claudia, and stole the moment everytime she was on screen. - Happy now?

Um, yeah... moving on...

1999: (I was only teasing. It wasn't irritating. I guess that's the problem with e-mails, you never really hear the tone of someone's voice.) As for as the answer to this question, I'm not really sure. It's takes a lot to actually irritate me.

How about "What's it like to be a gay artist?"

Ugh. Is that your best shot?

No, that was a softball. Hit it.

I'm not certain how to answer that. During high school, I was one of two openly gay artists/students that I knew of. While attending The School of Visual Arts (SVA), I knew only 5 other gay artists. So, I guess the answer is "lonely".

Do you think this helped you focus on your art?

I don't think my dedication to art can be attributed to the lack of homosexuals attending The School of Visual Arts in 1996.

1999: 6

Without biting?

I never bite a Tootsie Pop.

Whoa! How long is your tongue?

The secret is in the duration and thoroughness of the lick.

1999: Simplicity... sitting at home on my futon, some candles lit, incense in the air, and just sitting back watching some tv or listening to music and forgetting that the rest of the world exsists.

(B) If you could have that situation without having to worry about a source of income at the price of losing your creativity, would you choose that situation? Why or why not?

No. Without my creativity, I wouldn't be the same individual. My drives would be different. My definition of self, and of what would bring me peace would be different. There would be no peace at the cost of one's self.