I first met Terry Parr ten years ago at a small comic book convention. He was already in high demand for his hyper-curvy versions of popular superheroines. Over the years, I’ve seen grow into an artist that moves effortlessly between the world of rock art, pin-up, and comic books.
Who are you and what do you do?
I am the dastardly Terry Parr, In the day I am a mild mannered Graphic Designer and at night I am a cunning comic book artist who likes to draw monsters and pretty gals.
Who are your artistic influences?
I have tons of artistic influences but my biggest influence is Adam Hughes… any new pieces of art he does blows me away! I also really adore Steve Rude, Jack Kirby, Dave Stevens, Alex Ross, Al Williamson, Drew Struzan, Alex Raymond, Ryan Sook, Mike Mignola, Patrick Nagel, Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, Travis Charest, Leinel Yu, Brian Stelfreeze, Frank Frazetta, John Romita SR, Frank Cho.
You do a lot of art for burlesque dancers. Does think take a different approach that drawing a fictional character?
The difference between drawing a burlesque dancer and drawing a fictional character is that it takes a lot more effort in drawing real people lol. Whenever I am drawing something that actually resembles a human being I tend to have tons of reference pictures of their face. I think I spend more time on getting the references than the actual drawing… haha. I then try to see what makes this person unique and translate that on a page. When I draw a fictional character I get a little bit more chance of exaggeration… although I tend to base a fictional character likeness to someone I have seen before. The beauty of that is that I don’t need to be 100% accurate all the time.
You’ve done a lot of pictures of Bettie Page. Safe to say you’re a fan?
I think its safe to say that I am a huge fan of hers lol. Although I haven’t drawn anything of her recently. I still do have people come up to me at conventions and ask if I have any new Bettie Page illustrations. I plan on doing more… I swear guys!
Who are some other classic beauties you enjoy?
Mamie Van Doren, Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable.
Stylistically, you’re kind of a punk rocker. Name some punk bands you like?
My all time favorite is The Ramones! Their music is so catchy and just too awesome to describe. Other punk bands that i enjoy are Green Day, Against Me, Screeching Weasel, AFI, Rancid, Alkaline Trio, Anti-Flag, Aquabats, Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls, The Briefs, The Clash, Dead Kennedy’s, Descendents, Lars Frederickson and the Bastards, Living End, Me First & The Gimme Gimme’s, Yuppie Pricks, Minor Threat, Nerf Herder.
What about rockabilly or psychobilly?
I tend to like more bands that are considered Rockabilly than Psychobilly. some of my favorites are The Stray Cats, Reverend Horton Heat, Tiger Army, Nekromanitx, The Cramps, Flametrick Subs.
Do you listen to music a lot while drawing?
I usually have some sort of background noise when I am drawing. Sometimes I will have some movie or TV show playing. I have noticed that I work a lot better when I am actually listening to music. Especially if it is an album I haven’t heard in a while or a new band that I have discoverd. I still have tons of CD’s that I have not put in my iPod… every now and then I will dig through my CD’s and I find something that I haven’t heard in a while… and I will think to myself I can’t wait to draw and listen to this!
How long would you say it takes you to complete a piece?
It really depends on how much detail there is. If it is just a basic illustration (with no technical background) I would say from anywhere from a couple of hours to maybe four hours. This isn’t really including the amount of time of research and sketches of the actual piece. If time allows then I will work off and on for a few days…like this one illustration that I am working now. It has a lot of detail that I want to get right. I should be finishing that one later today. It’s weird to think that I didn’t know how to use Photoshop like 5 years ago…and now I am pretty fast coloring on the computer.
What are some career highlights?
I was a featured artist on the Official Bettie Page website a while back which was a real honor! Went back to college and got a degree… that was something that I would have thought I would never do. I am also really proud of drawing for the cult comic-book Halloween Man. I kind of retired from drawing Halloween Man for a few years but I am back! I am excited to get to draw some more covers and hopefully maybe some pages as well.
You’re appearing at the Dallas Web Comix Expo next weekend. What are you going to be doing there?
Keeping it real… and promoting Halloween Man. I also have prints made for my illustrations and I will be selling them there. This is my first time at DWEX and I am looking forward in mingling with the other guests!
Anything else you’d like to plug?
I have had this idea for a comic for a while now called Gemini Force and I am formatting it for a web comic series. Think of it as Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers meets the Suicide Girls. It’s set in a retro future with two hot chicks battling the forces of evil. I am also doing more cover illustrations for Halloween Man. I am also working on a Album cover for the industrial band X1STANCE for later this year. Also have a sketch pin up being published for a Dusk graphic novel (vol 2), and I will also be appearing at the Dallas Comic Con on the 28th & 29th of August! Bring money!
You can check out Terry online at FB or at his website. You can contact him at shonuff@hotmail.com for commissions.