Iam the guy who paints Presidents riding dinosaurs, fighting gorillas, tigers, etc. I'm also known as Sharpwriter AMA!

Jason, would you care to comment on my own President-Picture-Predilection?

Teddy Roosevelt

Also, love your work.

SO.AWESOME.

Can you paint a picture of Snowden punching Obama in the face? I will pay for it.

I'd probably get a visit from the CIA if I did, get taken away to some undergound base and experimented on. They may even turn me into some alien human hybrid.

BUT that would be an awesome painting.

well, how about Snowden punching a MIB in the face instead?

That could work.

Can you draw a picture of Taft, stuck in a bathtub, on top of an elephant, covered in stars and stripes, piloting a drone?

That may break the internet if it I do that.

True... Can't plunge the world into darkness... just yet.

I should have uploaded it at midnight on December 21, 2012 and if it did break the internet people would have thought the world was ending.

I just want to start by saying that your paintings are awesome. Where do you find your inspiration?

I've always gotten inspiration is history, myths, stories etc. History has so much room for interpretation that I can start with a real story and by the time I'm done drawing it I have a photo of JFK on the moon riding a robot unicorn.

What was your first Presidential drawing? Doodle... finished product... whatever?

http://sharpwriter.deviantart.com/art/Washington-Vs-Tiger-156878597

That would be the first president I painted, but theres so much wrong with it.

You had just read "Life of Pi", didn't you?

haha nope.

Damn, there went my karma train. Ben Franklin vs Zeus is my favorite of your work btw. Just because I know Ben wins. He can only be brought down by his one weakness...women.

Where do you think all the greek gods went?

Ensenada, Mexico

Oh I guess that makes sense.

Please paint a picture of George W. Bush in a Mechsuit shooting a flamethrower at the Loch Ness Monster. which in turn has lasers shooting from his eyes.

Oh, and GWB MUST have a lightsaber in his other hand.

This. This is an idea I can get behind.

I think you should do Hillary next. Maybe with her fist in a yeti's face.

She can have frost powers like sub zero and freeze him and punch him into a million pieces like what happened to the T1000.

What is your opinion of Jon McNaughton who does controversial presidential art?

ie. http://www.occupylv.org/sites/default/files/Obama%20standing%20on%20Constitution%2083013_n.jpg

obligatory

HAHAHAHHAHA

I've seen his work before its very well rendered. As far as his message a lot of seems to go for shock value.

http://religionandpolitics.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/0725-Morgan-McNaughton-one-nation-550x358.jpg

Paintings like that also do not reflect what the founding fathers wanted, they wanted a country of intellectual people not christian zealots. I'm all for religion and freedom of it but painting Jesus as the savior of America is wrong.

Well said. As a right leaning (non-religious zealot) I think his messages are insulting.

Agreed. Well executed painting but insulting message.

How much to get a painting done with me riding a monkey fighting Stalin?

PM me and we can talk details.

I don't want to sound queer or nothing but your paintings are bad ass.

Seriously Unicorns kick ass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2n2VVTUXHgA#t=10

Love the President series, and have used them as backgrounds on several occasions.

What are you working on now, and what sort of projects do you have planned for the future?

Right now im actually painting some breaking bad art with a twist. Should have it done thisbweekend. After that I'll get back to compiling my alternate history book which will tie all the pieces I've painted so far.

You should send it to Bryan Cranston's people and see if he'll sign a print.

I would shit in my pants if that happened. How does one even get in contact with his people?

Oh just send me a bunch of originals, man. I'm very good friends with Vince, Bryan, Aaron, the whole gang! Don't even worry about it, you're welcome.

Not sure if serious....

Where do you get your inspiration? Also have you painted any with Teddy Roosevelt? The reason I ask is that he was so bad ass, that there would seem to be no situation you could put him in that wouldn't leave me saying, "Sure, that probably actually happened," which would seem to defeat the purpose.

TR has been painted though it was my third painting and it has a lot of flaws IMO. I want to redo a proper a TR now that I've grown as an artist and make it more badass.

Also, your Paul Revere/Tron painting is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Thanks for that.

I love that one too, I learned a lot while doing that.

Do you paint for the spiritual gratification, or for dem bitches?

I paint because I can get to zone out and go into my own little world, what i get the most satisfaction from is making people laugh and happy with my crazy art.

Big fan of your artwork, i have all of your presidential drawings saved as my desktop backgrounds. Any chance you'll be doing one of Richard Nixon, or maybe CYBORG RICHARD NIXON!!!???

Here you go---> http://sharpwriter.deviantart.com/art/Richard-Nixon-fighting-a-Saber-Tooth-Tiger-382282422

enjoy :)

[deleted]

You can download them all at wallpaler size on my deviantart and I've seen a few imgur albums but I can compile one.

Have you ever considered drawing one of the presidents no one knows (say, Benjamin Harrison), just to see people's reactions?

absolutely, Millard Filmore is on the list strictly because of his name, Andrew Johnson as well since he was pretty much the most useless president in history.

I'd love to see Filmore riding a mallard.

haha a horse sized mallard right?

downvoted because i am an actual fan of A-Jacks. be easy with your criticism mannn :(

Edit: missed a viwel

Johnson, You read that wrong Andrew Jackson was a badass, except for the trail of tears.

first your Bill clinton lady killer is my favorite peice of art ever http://th04.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2013/062/b/f/bill_clinton_the_lady_killer_by_sharpwriter-d5wx11h.jpg

Thank you!

I think you're fucking brilliant! Would you ever allow someone to use your work as a tattoo or be down to commission a design?

Yeah, a guy is getting Reagan Tattooed on him. Feel free to tattoo any of my art on you and I'll send you some free art.

I do also take commissions but at the moment I am super busy with a child about to pop into this world.

I feel as though Volition should be using you to make Saints Row IV art.

I feel the same to, Maybe Saints Row 5?

Maybe i'll make a petition on the white house website and see if i can get 100k signatures.

What is your process like? Start thumbnailing,then research? What program do you use and do you make your brushes?

BTW, I think the Ben Franklin one is spectacular.

My process changes everytime for the most part. I'm very ADD but typically thumbnails then once I have an idea I like I'll take it into photo shop and start cleaning up the line art and the rendering. But some times ill sketch lines and values in black and white then clean it up and add color. Its kind of hard to explain and easier for me to demonstrate I have a few hundred hours of footage of me painting that I need to condense down and add to youtube.

do you currently have a youtube channel with painting/illustration videos?

Nope, but I do have a lot of footage of me painting I need to mash it down and post it.

what is the most disturbing one you've done to date?

None have been really disturbing, some of my first ideas are quite disturbing though. I was apprehensive at first of painting FDR in a transforming wheel chair because I wasn't sure how'd people take it, but I thought it was badass and everyone seemed to like it.

Disturbing to me is sometimes how long these take me to do since I constantly am not satisfied with what I do and often end up redoing a lot of work to get it right.

have you ever done one of Harrison just looking at a calendar with the grim reaper standing behind him? that would be bad ass

Not yet, but I dont plan on stopping anytime soon and if I get ambitious I may do a painting of all the presidents. I'd have to carve out a few months of my life though.

Have you ever received complaints from anyone who thought your paintings were offensive (maybe some loonies who sanctify the founding fathers)? What's the weirdest response you've received from your art?

Great Question!

Never had any people get offended, I did have someone say I was racist for the painting of Thomas Jefferson though. Thats it.

Weirdest response is this, hands down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLvKB-YQXaU

Apparently Obama is the anti-Christ and you're able to tell through my art. I'm also part of the Illuminati apparently.

I also had some girl that wanted to marry me based on my art, wasn't sure if she was trolling or not but it was like something from r/creepypms.

Thanks for doing an AMA, I am a big fan!

I was wondering about your stance on the fact that your art is reposted and used all OVER THE PLACE:

• What is it like seeing your work used all over?
• Do you take it as a compliment or do you find it insulting that you are often not credited?
• Do you find that you wish you were able to get compensation for it more?

I always wonder this about popular artists, given the nature of the internet. Thanks again for taking the time to do this!

1. Its weird for me, its like seeing someone you know on the news. Its the "I know that! I've seen that before!" kind of feeling
2. I'd like to be credited more but I know how the internet works, people crop and change stuff so by the time a lot of people see it they have only ever seen the cropped version and they repost that and it keeps going and going and going. Really though I like that people like it enough and enjoy it so much that they share it. The best feeling for me is making people chuckle and happy so for me its worth it.
3. I sell prints as it is so I'm not super concerned with it. If people buy prints...awesome. If they just download them and use them as wallpapers and don't want to buy em that's fine too. As long as I can make a living, support my family that fine. Now that's not to say I'd be fine with companies using it for advertising or in anyway making them money that's not cool with me.

Have you ever considered expanding into other political heads? Such as British Prime ministers? Churchill riding a T-Rex would be pretty sweet. Or David Cameron being eaten by one...

Churchill for sure. That guy was a badass

[deleted]

I'd pretty much say all my art is Kitsch and thats what makes it art I suppose.

I don't really get held down by definitions though, and I pretty much paint what I think will be funny and epic.

[deleted]

Thanks :)

In your painting of Bill Clinton spraying what looks like an Uzi, there is an object in the upper right hand corner just above lady liberty's torch. What is that?!

And why Ronald McDonald?!

Its a ufo.

I was watching Ancient aliens when I painted, then I watched the debunking ancient aliens after.

Dirty Ron was originally going to be fighting along side Clinton but his coloring was waaaaay to distracting so I put him in the background.

Thanks for the reply!!

No problemo :)

hey sharpwriter, do you plan on making more of these? i find them really entertaining and would like to see more!! :)

Yep, no plans on slowing down. An Art/alt history book is next where I'll compile them all.

awesome!! thanks for the reply

Anytime!

Are you self taught? Also you're pictures are awesome. I used to have one of your paintings as my background!

Thanks! I went to college for art but in pencil illustration, digital painting was all self taught.

Can you paint one of LBJ and his general disregard for anything in his way?

Driving a dumptruck through a group of people?

If he can piss on the Secret Service's show, I wouldn't put it past him assuming the dump truck is full of Congressional bills that he wants passed by dinner time.

hahaha

Your paintings are really good, do you ever do any unusual paintings surrounding horror movies?

EDIT: Are these done through software or do you do do them the ol' fashion way? If software what do you use please?

EDIT 2: So yeah, Rampart..

No horror movie paintings yet.

Most of these are done totally in photshop, but sometimes I draw with pencil then color it in PS. Below is a process shot of a chick I painted for work. http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/299/8/8/kalashnikov_walkthrough_by_sharpwriter-d5j1e3m.jpg

That's fucking crazy, you're really talented. I'm a huge horror movie fan so if I had your talents I think that's the route I'd definitely take.. Do you take requests for this sort of stuff? I imagine you've got a lot on with this AMA n'all

I'm always up for crazy ideas and I do take commissions Im just uber busy at the moment so it would take some time. I appreciate the compliments as well :)

I love your work and it makes me bust out laughing every time I see it. What was your inspiration for all this? And also, I was wondering what the gator with the nuclear launch button and the McDonald's arch in the background had to do with president Clinton in his picture. That always confused me.

The gator has a name tag named Hillary. Instead of him having a briefcase with the nuclear football hes strapped it to a gator.

My inspiration is people like you that enjoy it, and get a kick out of it. Its also a small business I run (selling prints of them) so its also a way for me to support my fam and hopefully one day I can be my own boss.

That's awesome! I guess I never looked too close. I had no idea it had a name tag. And hey, I'd buy from you ;)

its hard to see in the digital version its the 24x36 is when its easiest to view all the details and stuff.

Props man. I love this stuff. Do you have any plans for Jimmy Carter or Ulysses S. Grant?

Yep, both of them. U.S. Grant was a badass.

Just wanted you to know your poster of Ronald Reagan riding a velociraptor is framed and hanging above my bed. Just yesterday I said to my ladyfriend (in a joking manner) "I always pray to Ronald for Liberty before I sleep."

The question: Any chance of getting the Lincoln Matrix poster without the movie stuff added? (i.e. just as a cool picture, not as a movie poster)

I can find the PSD and do some tweaks and make that possible. Shoot me a message on etsy for a custom request and I can get it started for you.

haha and I'm sure Reagan appreciates your prayers.

Awesome! Thank you.

Anytime. :)

Thank you for being a constant source of joy for my boyfriend! He loves your stuff SO much.

I'm pretty sure you are more of source for joy for him but thank you! :)

How do you determine which president gets to fight/ride which animal?

I do research and read up on who I'm gonna paint then decide from there. To be honest most of the times its random and whatever I think would be badass at that moment in time.

Some people think that the best art is photo-realistic. But I think that's just technique. I think art should show us more -- something that can't be photographed -- because it doesn't exist except in the mind of the artist. What, if anything, are you trying to say through your art?

To be honest I don't have much to say I'm more an illustrator rather than a fine artist. My art is for the viewer to decide what they take away from it. I could make something up about having some political message to say and what not but that's just not me.

Any tips for an aspiring illustrator?

Never be satisfied with what you create, always be trying to improve with your work.

Grow thick skin and start getting crits, if you're new they will be harsh but its the way to learn. I still have a lot of stuff I'm not good at painting but its the drive that keeps me going and keeps me improving.

What kind of illustration are you wanting to get in to?

Concept illustration, very similar to your work (from what i've seen). I've had a fairly large exposure to how the art world works ( I used to work with illustrators), so I'm used to the critiques they give out.

perfect, also be sure to check out Gnomon workshop they have many good videos that are super helpful.

no question just wanted to say that i have very large not easily visible tattoos and whenever anyone asks me what they are i say abraham lincon fighting some bears. not sure if you drew that just thought i would share.

can you post a picture?

haha its not ACTUALLY abraham lincon, its a bunch of flowers but when say a bunch of flowers i feel like an idiot so its my go to lie. edit: i get tired of people asking me the same questions so i make up answers on the spot. i broke my thumb and told people it was run over by a jet ski, that i caught it in a basketball net when i was dunking a ball, ect. its quite fun

haha well get it covered up with Lincoln on the bear.

yea i figured if i got bored of it i could change it to slash fighting bears at some point

well if you ever do and need some art get ahold of me.

cool thanks. are you really a redditor or did you just make an account to do an ama?

Redditor, been here for a while. I dunno what else to do with the internet now.

no other part o the internet understands my sick sense of humor or love of debate haha. plus it really has EVERYTHING.

Reddit is like the borg, resistance is futile.

I'm a bit late, but just wanted to say: You're a badass.

its never too late, Im doing my best to respond to everyone. I appreciate the compliment sir/ma'am.

Sharpwriter, you're freaking awesome. :D what's something that you'd like to draw involving our political overlords?

I have a good idea for George W. Bush but I feel like the internet would take up their collective pitchforks against me if I in anyway way painted him.

why?

Because its fun and awesome.

[deleted]

I'm flexible on cost but thats super low for a commission.

How much to commission a piece? Seriously.

PM me with what you'd like and we can discuss.

[deleted]

Definitely a good idea to have a strong base of traditional art I recommend that. After you have the basics form,color,anatomy, etc then move into digital. I've been drawing all my life and went to art college for drawing but as far as digital goes that's all self taught.

[deleted]

Everybody has what it takes to be an artist, as long as you continue to stay focused on improving and busting ass you'll do it. You have a good base but it takes a lot of work its not something that happens over night. Keep it up and you'll make it, and feel free to contact with if you ever need any crits or help I'd be glad to offer my assistance as much I can.

Thank you for your advice and wisdom, I appreciate it very much.

No problem.

Why no love for Joe Biden?

I may paint him standing on a firebird with no shirt on.

Pulls credit card from wallet How do we make this happen?

Put your information below credit card, SS number, etc and I'll email my contacts in Nigeria to get it going.

Seriously though hes on the list to paint so really its just a matter of time.

With a double barrel shotgun

quadruple barrel shotgun.

But nothing automatic or a handgun because that would be hypocritical of him

He should have a bow and arrow.

Can you do writers next? Hemingway, Firzgerald, Percy Shelley, Burroughs, HunterSThompson, Asimov, etc

Im gonna eventually spread out into historical figure writers are a great idea. Thank you.

Why are you so gay Jason?

haha because I'm so joyous and happy I get to draw and paint stuff all day.

No question here. I just want to let you know that I bought 4 of your prints a few months and they are now prominently displayed in my living room. Nothing starts a conversation like looking at a picture of Jefferson showing a gorilla what's up with the Declaration of Independence.

Keep making crazy stuff.

Will do, thanks for the support.

Wow, you have some great work. Btw, we're you the mastermind behind this piece of patriotism? http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/256996/Stephen/

That was not me but its awesome!

Of those which you've painted so far, which is your favourite? Additionally, is there something that you have wanted to create, but haven't done so yet?

Love the Colbert painting!

My favorite at the moment is between Nixon and Clinton. The Nixon painting is the first that was done for the book. Time travel can be very tricky.

I've got this idea that involves Jesus and Dionsaurs but it will piss off every Christian I imagine haha.

Would you consider making some shirts? I'd buy them, I bet other people would too.

I have a full line of shirts coming out for christmas 2014 through the mountain, the company that makes the 3 wolf moon shirt. They're gonna be awesome, I believe JFK is already on their online store.

[deleted]

I'd have to talk with my print shop and see. I can say for sure it probably wont be cheap but it would be epic. Are you thinking just on photo gloss paper or canvas?

[deleted]

alright shoot me a message on etsy for a custom order request and I can get the ball rolling and see what I can do for you sir.

You might want to go over to /r/Murica and do an AMA over there. I know they love your work. You may want to ask the mods first though.

But question time: What go you interested in drawing and art?

Will do.

There wasnt anything in particular that made me want to draw I just started when I was able to hold a crayon. TMNT definitely kept me going since I constantly was drawing them when I was little, my mom also was very supportive of my desire to draw and always made sure I had what I needed to get better. When I got older Greg Capullos illustrations in spawn were what started me on my detail kick, I loved drawing all the bits and pieces thats most people left out of their final drawings.

Are you planning on eventually doing a painting for every President? Also I came here from the Ron Paul AMA would love a Ron Paul painting!

Its a lofty goal but its something I'd like do for sure that includes the RP piece.

Could you draw a picture of one of the founding fathers writing my username on the deceleration of independence

haha I can do a sketch but I'm on my way to work right now I can do it in a few. Paging A Wild Sketch Appeared.