You have passion, you have ideas, all you need now are the guts to go for it! Anthony Bozza, former journalist at Rolling Stone and author of several influential rock autobiographies including “The Life and Times of Eminem”, tells us how he gained success as a writer by finding his voice, following his passion and most importantly trusting his instinct.

Anthony, how did you originally break into music journalism?

My first and only real job was at Rolling Stone magazine where I started as an intern in the now-defunct book publishing division, then I was a research assistant in the library. Yes, Rolling Stone has its own library, which is pretty cool! And finally I was an editorial assistant in the Music Department.

From there, I worked my way into the magazine by volunteering for any unclaimed writing assignments. Whether that meant writing captions, tracking down members of Sly and the Family Stone to talk about “Hot Fun in the Summertime” – not an easy, but definitely rewarding task – or interviewing bands of the week for the Charts page. I then graduated to writing and editing the “Random Notes” pages and finally got my big break writing about a white rapper that I’d been begging my editor to let me cover since the first time I heard him, which was about a year before he was signed by Dr. Dre. His name was Eminem.

What did you do at Rolling Stone to make yourself stand out from other writers?

I’d always tried to bring something new to whatever I did at Rolling Stone magazine. Growing up, I didn’t read the magazine regularly and I hadn’t been to a journalism school, so I think I approached writing for Rolling Stone a bit differently than my peers.

During my tenure as a research assistant I spent more time reading the frail, yellowed, original issues I found encased by plastic in ‘The Vault’ than doing what I should have been doing, such as compiling data for advertising sales representatives.

I wasn’t earning myself any gold stars in the eyes of my boss, the head librarian, but I did get a primary source education in magazine and history of pop culture writing. Rolling Stone really was the institution that started it all, bringing together the rebel energy and idealism of the hippie generation with the idea that politics, music, art, lifestyle and strong opinion should exist within the same pages.

Anthony’s collaboration with comedian Artie Lange, Too Fat to Fish, debuted at number one on the New York Times best seller list

Other magazines like Playboy had done this in a more mainstream way, but none had taken the Rock & Roll, counter-cultural stance at a national level before Rolling Stone. In those issues, the subject matter may have been dated, but the spirit was still inspiring. Reading Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” as it originally appeared in those pages was amazing. It was also incredible to read Cameron Crowe chronicling the 70’s, Chuck Eddy’s incendiary pieces from the 80’s, as well as Kurt Loder back when he was still a print journalist – something I hadn’t realized watching him on MTV.

It sounds like you thoroughly researched the magazine and really understood its history and point of view. Tell us how you made your mark on the magazine and what value you added?

When I got the chance to write my first cover story I wanted it to be as exciting as the articles were in the magazine’s hey day. When, as Cameron Crowe depicted in Almost Famous, reporters were in the thick of it. I’m lucky to have landed an assignment that unfolded precisely that way.

Anthony’s first book was Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem. Illustration by Robin Boyden

I caught Eminem just at the top of the roller coaster, and we got on well enough for me to be able to report on the real Marshall Mathers, just as he greeted the world. My experience with him was great material, but I still had to put it out there for all to read. I wanted to do it justice and and in doing so, I took a bit of a risk – I turned it in without showing it to a mentor of mine who had up until then, seen everything I’d written for the magazine before I turned it in to my editor.

This mentor helped me get assignments and prepped my writing for publication but as I got more confident I started to realize that a lot of the changes this person was making weren’t so much to suit the magazine’s style because they were tailored to read as if they had written it, not me.

Anthony joined forces with Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, for his autobiography Tommyland.

How did you deal with the pressure, especially as this was your first major assignment?

The week I wrote my first cover story was harrowing to say the least. I went right from my time in Detroit in the freezing cold, to covering the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York City. That night is a story that deserves its own chapter. In the issue where my first cover story appeared I also wrote an extensive feature on the ceremony as well as Random Notes, meaning that I was responsible for about half of the full length articles in the magazine that issue.

Paul Rosenberg Eminem’s Manager, David Saslow from Atlantic Records, Dennis Dennehy Eminem’s publicist and Anthony Bozza

I was scared because it was more pressure than I’d endured and more writing than I’d ever produced for print in so short a time. As nervous as I was, I was also determined to succeed on my own. So rather than show my mentor or anyone else my first cover story, I turned it to the music editor exactly the way I wanted it. And, aside from some minor tweaks, that is exactly the way it was printed. It was a huge success and if I had to choose one moment that made my career, that would be it.

I remember Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner coming out of his office with the issue in his hands and coming up to my desk, saying, “You’re Anthony right? This is the kind of story we need more of. Excellent work.” He said it loud enough for the entire department to hear, which was completely embarrassing but awesome at the same time.

I’ve written in many styles and in many other people’s voices since then, but that moment taught me to never, ever doubt my instincts when it came to writing.

You’re now a very established writer, what has been the most important factor in developing your writing skills?

The most important lesson I learned was finding my own voice. I think it’s the most important facet of any creative art. There are some artists who come out of the gate knowing exactly what they want to do and how they want to do it, but that isn’t typically the case.

A young Anthony Bozza

Back in school I started to realize that, unlike many of my friends I really liked writing essays and I liked reading whatever was assigned even more. I’d also write for myself, mostly in journals, which piled up as I got older. I still have a few boxes of them and if I ever need to be reminded of the importance of honing your craft, I can open any one of them to any page.

So once you discovered your voice and started developing your writing style, how did you overcome the fear of ridicule, in order to publish your work?

I’ve only taken one creative writing class in my life. It was a continuing education class at New York University. The class I joined was taught by a man who had published a number of paperback mystery novels. I don’t remember the story I wrote but the observations and pointers he and my class mates gave me, as well as the writing shared by my fellow students, obliterated any fear I may have had.

A number of them had been published and although my work was more or less torn apart, I knew that no matter what they thought of it, considering what I thought of their writing, I should have no problem getting published. It made me feel that there must be somewhere out there for everyone in publishing. It was definitely a good exercise to have my work dissected in front of me, in this case, by a room of people I didn’t feel that I had much in common with.

Click here for Part 2 Of This Interview where Anthony describes quitting his job as a journalist, setting up on his own and writing his first book. He shares his thoughts on the impact of the internet and the benefits we can gain by using it effectively. Plus he gives us even more details on this cut throat industry, including getting slapped in the face and having a fire lit under his ass!

Check out Part 2 Now…

Are you stuck, crippled by negative comments like “stop dreaming, you can’t making a living from your passion”? That’s exactly what Geoff was told. He was once a floor sweeper with ambitions above his station. However, he didn’t let their dismissive comments deter him. He wrote his first book on the toilet with no money or resources!

Read on to learn how you can move forward with your goals if you’re willing to pay the price and use your 24 hours wisely.

Geoff after winning his BAFTA with wife Sharon

So who is Geoff to give you advice on success? Well he went from sweeping floors in a factory to the brawling nightclub doors, to standing on stage winning a BAFTA in front of the worlds glitterati. And more importantly he did it with fewer resources than you have at your fingertips RIGHT NOW! As well as award winning script’s, he’s the author of over thirty popular books and was polled the number one self-defense instructor in the world.

Geoff, thank you for inviting me to your lovely house. Lets jump right in. What inspired you to become a writer?

I had lots of depression when I was younger. I had this particular bad depression and it kept visiting me. I think it was because I was root bound. I had all this creative energy and I wasn’t placing it anywhere. Every time I tried doing something with it people would say “Who do you think you are! That’s not for the likes of us. Just be grateful for what you’ve got”.

I had a lot of fear and I didn’t know why. I read a lot to figure it out and none of the books told me what I wanted to know. They were written by people who seemed to be frightened to actually say why they were scared. I thought if I ever discover what this is, I’m going write it down and tell people.

The spot light is on Geoff

So you didn’t find the answer in the books, how did you combat your fears?

I thought I’m sick of this I’m going do something about it. I decided if I can overcome all my fears I won’t be frightened anymore. So I wrote all my fears down on a pyramid and systematically confronted them one by one. My final challenge was to face my fear of violent confrontation. I became a nightclub doorman and that’s where everything started.

“Bouncer” artwork by Julian Kimmings

Before we go into your experience on the doors, lets back track a little. You say you had a lot of depression when you were younger. Tell me about the things you used to do as a child, what were you interested in?

I was one of those strange kids who would go off on my own and dare myself to do challenges. What I was really into as a kid was climbing trees. I had to climb every tree on the estate and they were huge oak trees. I would climb right to the top. I didn’t want to hammer nails in and give myself foot holes. I wanted to find my own way up, a different way, so it’s always been in me to do that.

I used to go scrumping on my own, climbing over garden walls and pinching peoples apples. Sometimes I would be terrified that I’d get caught. I’d be overwhelmed and panic, but I would still go and do it all over again.

“Scrumping” artwork by Julian Kimmings

Was this in your own neighborhood?

No I never stayed on my own estate. I was one of these people that enjoyed going off and breaking the boundaries. Hanging around miles and miles from where I lived. I was never comfortable just staying where I was. I always thought there was more. I wanted to break out of that cast and experience all sorts of different things and meet different people. I was overwhelmed at times and I was completely out of my depth, but that excited me.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a world class goal keeper. When I got to senior school I changed my mind and got into martial arts and put all my energy into that.

Geoff is a black belt in several different martial arts

What initially sparked your interest in martial arts?

Bruce Lee, I watched him and that changed my life. I’m still grateful for that now. He liberated me. It gave me an outlet for my energy and I heavily immersed myself in it. In fact it was like an obsession. It ended up becoming my career. It even took me to the world stage and I arranged to give up my day job, just so I could train and tour.

What job did you have at the time?

Oh god, loads, everything from selling carpets to laying roads and making pizzas. I also worked at a chemical factory, hod carrying, brick laying and floor cleaner at a factory. And then working on the doors.

A scene from Geoff’s film “Clubbed”. Actor Mel Raido who plays the lead character Danny

You mentioned earlier that things really started when you worked on the nightclub doors. Why was that?

Doing it changed my whole life. That lovely saying by Nietzsche, “You have to be careful that when you hunt the dragon you don’t become the dragon”. I went from being a scared kid and hating bullies to becoming hugely violent and using violence as a problem solving tool. I had become the dragon and I was justifying that. And it was only when I started to write about it that I realized I was in the wrong place. Well, I was in the right place originally, but I’d stayed there too long.

A scene from “Clubbed” actor Mel Raido learning fighting techniques

It was very perceptive of you to realize what was happening. What was your next move?

I left the doors and that’s when I started teaching. But it was that experience of mastering myself, facing my fears straight on, that’s what completely changed my life. That experience has been my reference point ever since. I remember occasions when guys were attacking me and trying to kill me. I then think, “doing an interview on national TV might be scary, but it’s not as bad as someone trying to kill me. What’s the worst thing that can happen? I’m not going to get stabbed, my life isn’t at risk” and it puts everything into perspective.

Geoff teaching fighting techniques to actor Mel Raido

Talk me through the process of writing your first book?

When I was working the doors, I was still sweeping floors and would sit in the canteen and tell the lads what happened the night before. It was either very funny or extremely violent or shocking. One of my friends said, “This is great stuff, these stories are amazing, you should write them down”. Of course I’d wanted to be a writer since I was a kid.

“Inspire” artwork by Julian Kimmings

I would get my work done and then go into the factory toilet and just sit there and write. Interestingly my other friend, who also worked at the club, was going to write a book about the doors too. He had masses of experience and was going to call it “Watch my back”. I said, “that’s a great title”. So I used it as a temporary title. Then when I went to get the book published, I had to ring him and ask for his permission. He said “Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever write mine” and he never did!

A scene from Geoffs film “Clubbed”

It’s a shame that people have dreams and never take any action on them. What was your next step after writing the book?

I had it typed and it must have sat on the shelf for a long time. I then met a friend of mine called Ian Mclaina, he was one of those guys who can spin twenty plates; he believed you could do anything. He said “We’ll get it out” and although he didn’t get it published he got my momentum going again. I sent it out to quite a few big publishers and didn’t get anything back.

Geoff hanging out with the actors from his film “Clubbed”

I then took it to The Telegraph where Sue Lawry said “Before I read it, I want to tell you. There are fifteen reporters upstairs ALL of them want to write books. They don’t want to be journalists. But they haven’t taken any action. You’ve already gone and done it”.

After reading it she told me “There’s some really nice stuff here. You have an original voice, but it needs expanding, more description”. I went away and followed her advice. I then sent it to a small publisher. It turned out they were actually two lads working from their dads living room. They had just left University. But I was given the impression they were some big conglomerate. At that time they had only published one book. Now, they’re a multi-million pound business.

A scene from Geoff’s film “Clubbed” actor Scot Williams who plays Sparky

They had obviously marketed themselves well to give you that impression of professionalism. How did things move forward from there?

They told me “We don’t think it will make you lots of money and we’re only a small publisher. You’ll get royalties but we can’t give you an advance”. I didn’t care I was just excited about being published.

They published it and suddenly my whole belief system changed. I was thinking, “right so people like me can write and get published”. Everyone had told me I couldn’t do it. Then the floodgates opened. I wrote five books in a year. I’ve written over thirty since. I thought ”I can do anything”. That’s when I went into writing plays and journalism, everything I fancied doing I would go for it. It was really exciting.

A scene from “Clubbed”

How long did it take to publish your first book and how successful was it?

They had it for about 18 months and it sold quite well. They ended up with five hundred left, which they were just going to sell over time. But I said “Look I think I can do more with this, will you let me buy the copyright back?”. And they did which I think they’ve regretted ever since because it’s sold over a hundred thousand.

I reprinted it in hard back. I put it out and started doing courses and teaching and I started printing other books as well. I’d decided to self publish my other books. I looked at what they were doing, and the unit cost of printing a book. I thought, “well I could do this myself”. If I printed it myself and sell it, I can make much more money. I’ve self-published ever since.

Click here for Part 2 Of This Interview where Geoff tells what it actually takes to be successful and the questions you need to ask yourself. Plus how to combat stress and what he does to ensure both his mind and body are in top shape. Also don’t miss what this martial arts expert has to say about food and how he maintains a healthy diet whilst still eating cake and curry.

Check out Part 2 Now…

Billy performing with Steven Tyler, photo by Mike D

Billy Morrison has performed with legendary musicians….. Slash, Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler, Lou Reed…. to name drop just a few. He is a principle member of the supergroup Camp Freddy who keep appearing on US television shows including Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, Sharon Osbourne and Carson Daly. But being in one band is not enough for Billy. He is also red hot band Circus Diablo. And some background info. He was a former member of the internationally successful rock band The Cult.

He currently writes, produces and records music for various television shows. And if that isn’t enough he also hosts a weekly radio show, as well as being an artist and an actor. And did we mention he produces video blogs and runs and manages three websites. This was one successful person we wanted to talk to….if he stood still long enough.

He’s a busy guy but we tracked Billy down to talk to him about his career, over coming fear, and getting his work out to the world. His candid response and advice make inspiring reading for anyone with ambition.

Photo by Wendy Bird

Billy your career seemed to really take off when you made the decision to move to LA and join the notorious rock band The Cult, what was the most challenging thing about this move?

The absolute 100% not knowing how its all gonna pan out. That was the hardest thing to cope with on a daily basis. I didn’t move to the States with a Green Card (legal requirement to live and work in the USA) or really any place to stay. But I had had enough of trying to pretend I was happy in England.

Rock music was not really getting much play at that time (this is before the Killers/Darkness etc) and I had been asked to audition for The Cult. So I just took the proverbial bull by the balls and sold everything. Jumped on a plane with a few bits and pieces in a shipping container and took a leap of faith.

Obviously I got the job, got the work permits and everything took off from there. The most challenging aspects of the whole process were the ones of my own making. The ones in my head, telling me it would never work out, and why should anything good happen to me. It takes courage and faith to ignore all that shit and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Were you encouraged by the people around you initially to follow a career in music?

Absolutely not. I was not encouraged at any step of the way!. Now, my folks kinda get that playing music and the entertainment business can earn someone a living. I think they are just so happy that I’m not shooting smack into my neck that they accept anything. But back then, I was told by everyone to stop dreaming and start thinking about a career.

How did you find it starting out as a musician, did you always feel like you could do it?

My path as a musician was colored for many years by drugs. Actually, colored is the wrong word. Let me think……FUCKED UP is a more apt phrase to use here.

Although I held guitars and was in and out of bands, some pretty cool, some just rubbish. I was oblivious to the hard work and dedication necessary to actually pay the bills in this job. In fact I didn’t have any bills because I wasn’t that responsible yet.

Photo by Hugh Hamilton

Did you experience any barriers or situations that held you back from your goals?

In the UK especially, society was previously set up to create many barriers that would hold creative types from achieving their goals. In school I was told “how dare you dream; get a job, get married, have kids, have a pension, then die”.

Anyone that liked a loud guitar or a tattoo was subversive. Anyone who enjoyed a different kind of sex (not the fucking missionary position) was considered deviant.

Everywhere I turned in my formative years, I was presented with reasons why I would never amount to much. I was told, I really should become an electrical engineer, or consider a career with the Post Office. “Great benefits there, you know, luv”.

Did you set any specific goals when you were setting out?

Oh the whole thing has been on a wing and a prayer. I have realized that I am not in control at all. When I make plans, God laughs. Honestly, these days I just put the footwork in and stay away from the results. And how would I know when I was 22, that I would move to Los Angeles, join The Cult, tour the world, get happily married and form a huge covers band.

I was winging it from day one, with only one goal in mind. Don’t give up on the dream. As long as I smile, as long as I’m happy, I’m gonna enjoy the ride, no matter where it takes me.

Billy Morrison and Slash, photo by Wendy Bird

So you were winging it from day one, tell me about how you initially got into music?

Probably when I was around nine years old. I was really into Glam Rock; Gary Glitter, Slade, Sweet, and my parents bought me a cheap electric guitar from Woolworths. That soon got upgraded to my first Gibson guitar when I was about 11.

You started at an early age, what were you like at school were you one of the popular kids or a bit of a nerd?

Well I definitely wouldn’t have thought of myself as one of the ‘cool’ kids!. Most of the other kids stayed away from me cos I was always in trouble. Smoking, exploring the school (in places I wasn’t meant to be), playing truant a lot, I was more one of the ‘weirdos’ than one of the cool kids.

Billy Morrison and Billy Idol photo by Wendy Bird

Sometimes there isn’t always a clear path and it can be very confusing, did you have anyone offer advice and guidance?

I have a few people that hold an important role in my life, although they might not know it. Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols (who is now a close friend) is the reason I play guitar. The Pistols changed my life and showed me that anyone could do it.

Nick Marsh and Rocco Barker from Flesh For Lulu, put up with me following their band around, hanging out, asking questions, giving me bits of work, letting me soak up the ‘music business’ atmosphere. And Billy Duffy from The Cult actually gave me my job in The Cult and encouraged me to move properly to LA. These people have definitely played big roles in my musical life.

Talking about established musicians who are your inspirations, what have you learned from them?

Well, my inspirations have been The Sex Pistols, William Burroughs, David Bowie, The Wildhearts, Wasted Youth (look em up kids – middle 80’s UK band), The Velvet Underground, Jamie Reid, Vivienne Westwood and a whole load more. These are some of the artists that have inspired and informed, what have I learned from them? Just do it yourself and stay true. Have fun.

Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Morrison

Did you have any obstacles that you had to overcome to get where you are today?

I had every single obstacle. Of course, I have a few of them now. But how much do you want it?. If it was easy, they’d all be doing it!.
The common misconception is that you form a band, shag birds, get drunk, sell a million records. HAHAHA, some of that happens. But usually after a 7.00am start with emails, phone calls, a midday photo shoot, more emails, more phone calls, an interview or 7, sound check, gig, more interviews, bed at 2.00am. Oh yeah, and first you’ve got to learn to play an instrument, get good, practice, write a decent song and dodge all the daily lunatics who will tell you, it’ll never happen. Like I said, you gotta be prepared to overcome all that shit.

Have you learned to come up with great ideas at will or do you have any special methods you use?

For me, creativity just comes. Sometimes I’m playing a video game and I have to stop cos I need to play guitar. Or a great example is that right now, I am in the middle of writing a screenplay and I just stopped answering these questions about three questions ago and wrote a scene for the script. Then I came back to this interview. I find that I am creative in so many areas that each day avails me something for that part of my spirit. Its a great life.

How do you keep your energy levels up with such a hectic schedule?

I do an hour of cardio every day and three hours on top of that of Pilates every week. But its pure vanity, I gave up smoking after they cut a chunk outta my vocal chords a couple of years back, and ever since then I’ve been battling.

One of these days I’m gonna stop caring and open an ice cream shop on the beach in Maui. Energy levels just seem to be there for me. And when I eventually run out (about three or four times a year) I jet off on vacation, go scuba diving with my gorgeous wife, and turn the phone off.

Click here for Part 2 Of This Interview where Billy reveals his opinion on fear and the things which really scare him. Also how he puts himself in life threatening situations. We discover the mistakes he’s made and the trouble it caused him, and how he turned his life around to become the sort of person successful people are now keen to work with.

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Photo by Timmy Hwang

Artist, animator and master of the weird and wonderful. Chet has designed and created prosthetic effects for top movies like, The Grinch, X Men 3, Fantastic 4, The Ring, Hellboy, Men In Black II, Planet Of The Apes and Batman An Robin. Often working intense schedules, he knows what it takes to come up with world class work on demand.

We pinned down the LA artist who not only taught us his visualization technique, but told us how to obtain advice from the top person within your industry and if you want to be successful you need a good plan, he had one from the age of 12.

“Addicted To The Good News”

Chet has also collaborated with good friends rock band “Tool” on their critically acclaimed video ‘Stinkfist’ and every consecutive video since. Mr Zar’s is also a highly esteemed painter whose disturbingly dark and arresting paintings have been exhibited in every hip gallery across California and attracted an extensive online international fan base.

Your paintings are very dark and sinister and pretty scary, but what are your thoughts on fear. Does it help or hinder you?

I feel that fear is an obsolete emotion left over from our primitive past. I can’t think of one time where I thought, “I sure am glad I didn’t do that thing I was afraid of doing”. At this point in human development, it seems like we should be using our own judgment and intuition to guide us through life rather than fear.

How often do you find yourself doing things that you’re afraid of?

I mostly do things that I am afraid of out of necessity. Everybody has the natural tendency to avoid the things that they are afraid of. I did a live painting show with Alex Grey and some other artists and that was pretty scary. But I have always had that kind of ‘what the hell’ attitude when it comes to things like that. I just agree to them and dive in when the time comes.

“I Want You”

Did you always feel like this career choice was the natural path for you and was the transition easy?

I always felt like it was my destiny, really. When I was in the first grade I remember having visions of what my art studio would look like, so I knew all the way back then, that I was an artist. But that still did not make it easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is.

So you knew what you wanted to do, did you make a plan of how you were going to achieve it?

I had a plan since I was about 12 years old that I was going to create monsters for the movies. So I spent my teenage years studying and learning that, on my own, with the intention of building a portfolio of my work and getting a job that way. I got work right out of High School in that field (make up effects). After many years in that field, I decided I wanted to be a painter and focus on my own fine art. So I taught myself how to paint and learned as much as I could about that industry and started showing my work around in any underground art shows that would have me in Los Angeles.

“Cancer Face”

You mention teaching yourself, but did you ever go out and actively look for help and advice from people in the industry?

Sure. It all started when I was getting into makeup effects as a kid. I used to write letters to Dick Smith who is the Godfather of makeup effects and is known in the industry for being very open and helpful to people starting out. He gave me all kinds of great advice and that stuck with me. I try to do the same for other younger artists who write me. But people should not be afraid to ask for advice. You will get ignored sometimes, but there are plenty of cool artists out there who are willing to share.

Debi Jacobson (owner of L’Imagerie gallery), Chet Zar, artist Robert Williams, Suzanne Williams, James Zar.

When people first start out they often come to a standstill when faced with a lack of money, time, confidence and resources. Did you experience any of these problems?

I had all of those problems, with the exception of the confidence part. I had and still do have moments where I lack confidence, but overall I think I am confident in my ability and confident that if I am not good at something, I can learn how to do it.

I think the best way to overcome all of these pitfalls is to work around them. This is where naturally resourceful people should really have an edge. It’s all about coming up with creative solutions to problems, working hard and being tenacious. Somebody said “90% of success is just showing up” and it’s true. A lot of people complain about a lack of success but never even tried. You can’t expect anything to be given to you.

Artwork by Chets father, James Zar

You do have to be very proactive and get out there and do it, but as you said, there are people willing to help, did you have any particular people mentor you?

My father, artist James Zar, was a big influence on me. I grew up watching him paint and work hard at perfecting his craft. My mother as well. She taught me that I could do anything I set my mind on. I also worked with an amazing sculptor in the film industry named Mitch Devane who really encouraged me and taught me a lot when I was considering going in to fine art.

Chet Zar his Father James Zar, LC (L. Croskey – Artist plus founder and creator of Cannibal Flower) and artist Delphia, Photo by Valentine Reitblat

Lots of people helped me out with advice and support while I was coming up such as L.C. from the Cannibal Flower group shows, Gary Pressman from CoprNason gallery. My friend Adam Jones from the rock band Tool also has given me a lot of support by collecting my work and giving me plenty of encouragement.

Click here for Part 2 Of This Interview where Chet teaches us a great visualization technique for being more productive more often and how it can help you realize your goals. Plus he talks to us about the lessons he’s learned from his heroes and why he doesn’t mix drugs and business.

Check out Part 2 Now…