The world of John Malta is in another realm. His shaky uneven lettering, his colorful yet dark and eerie illustrations, his fascination with punk shows and pet lizards - they all make for something that's weird and wonderful at the same time.
To this day, John's cat doodle (I'm still not quite sure if it's really a cat but I love him anyway), which you can find inside our DA coloring book, remains as one of my favorites.
For his feature, John answered a few questions for us in doodle form. His answers, as you will see, are full of character, full of texture, full of awesome. He also sent over some photos from inside his studio in NYC, where he is living now.
Moldy Magic. That's how he refers to his work. And really, I couldn't have come up with a better pairing of words to describe John Malta and his sultry craft. It's bound to grow on you, if it hasn't already.
Q: Introduce yourself.
Q: How old do you think you are?
Q: Tell us something.
Q: What animal represents you?
Q: What do you picture yourself never doing?
Q: What's your favorite place?
Q: What's your must-have appetizer?
Q: What's a really good word? Draw it.
Q: Dog or cat? Or other?
Q: Show us your most-used tools of the trade.
Q: Define happiness.
Q: What do you want?
Q: Plans tonight?
It doesn't end here! Have a fun peek into John Malta's studio before you go.
Hugo Seijas (@hugo) / 09/01/2011 @ 11:50am /
This was a very fun interview. So fun to take a peek at the working of your life. Thanks for sharing!
C M Carter (@C M Carter) / 09/01/2011 @ 1:13pm /
Awesome stuff.
Helena Gonzalez (@mhelena) / 09/01/2011 @ 4:45pm /
Awesome
Anna Jane McIntyre (@Annatwotwo) / 09/02/2011 @ 8:12am /
o my GOD!!! I totally love You John Malta, your work is TOOOO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!!!! sorry for yelling
Dick-James Hall (@Dick-James Hall) / 09/02/2011 @ 9:42am /
LOVE IT! John Malta just seems like a really fun guy who incidentally makes illustrations too! LOVE IT!
SIRIN THADA (@[SIRIN.THADA]) / 09/04/2011 @ 7:48pm /
radness
Lisa Currie (@OPPY) / 09/05/2011 @ 10:02pm /
this is awesome! love john malta. love this interview. thanks for sharing!
Bradley Fishbaugh (@Brad) / 09/08/2011 @ 10:07am /
Amazing, can look at this for hours. But I am at work.
Kye Sangha (@Kye Sangha) / 09/15/2011 @ 1:39pm /
I love how you went bald for years to torment a crap principle. Sweet attitude problem!
Birdman (@BC // AG) / 09/16/2011 @ 4:30pm /
Great work
Sam LaValley (@Magic Purple Cat) / 09/19/2011 @ 12:29pm /
ahahaha lawl
J Muzacz (@jmuzacz) / 11/04/2011 @ 8:43am /
ims headn big innit!
Matthew Wade (@Matthework) / 11/09/2011 @ 10:18pm /
Super interesting work. I'm into it!
ll cllr (@kunstverk) / 11/12/2011 @ 12:42am /
tots fun!
Tommy Kane (@tkane9) / 11/30/2011 @ 11:26am /
We share the same insanity.
Kevin Harney (@buddhaman-one) / 01/19/2012 @ 11:36am /
great work!!!
Draw Me Something (@DrawMeSomething.com) / 02/13/2012 @ 11:31pm /
love your style sir
Brenda meade (@Brenda) / 03/25/2012 @ 10:05am /
Loved reading the chart comparing yourself now to age 18. Great great idea! enjoy life John M!
Gabriel Burge (@Flaco) / 04/20/2012 @ 2:28pm /
Dude this is amazing. Im sad that you dont skateboard that much any more.
tractmusic (@tractmusic) / 08/07/2012 @ 3:09am /
So cool! Your 18/23 question really made me think... Would be interesting to see a 23/30 question some time in the future.
Joanna Whitney (@intuitiveart) / 08/12/2012 @ 6:28pm /
hella cool - I graduated Illustration 1985 SVA so nice to see they are doing this MFA program reminds me of Robert Weaver my former prof there - very nice
Pauline Chandler (@Nomadicrose) / 09/13/2012 @ 6:15am /
Hey John love yr doodles, yr story, and yr work space I love to thrift shop too... it's awesome when you find a cool deal. I'm new to DA just joined and looking forward to seeing everyones doodles and figureing out what I'm suppose to do next :-))
Jessica Stapp (@jdarling) / 10/20/2012 @ 9:03pm /
I really enjoy looking at your doodles.
wamblekyou (@kyou) / 12/14/2012 @ 1:25am /
i like the form of Q&A
Phil (@phildraws) / 04/03/2013 @ 5:02pm /
nice work!
Jasmine Bunga (@jsmndhk) / 06/17/2013 @ 7:26pm /
great!
Shawna Svacina (@artamuk) / 07/07/2013 @ 10:20pm /
So raw and refreshing. Love the style.
Roxane Levac (@Sharpiequeen75) / 08/13/2013 @ 8:47pm /
Good work :) I'm a rabbit cat that's the animal I characterize myself as :)
Ana Kotar (@ANATHE4EYED) / 09/30/2013 @ 2:40pm /
Dude! this is dope-love the style
Nina Leth (@Flyingwall) / 10/23/2013 @ 2:51pm /
Fun. Now I know why boys get punk hair. I had that too some 20 years ago, starting with bald head like you..
zrinka ramone (@zrinchy) / 09/24/2014 @ 2:38pm /
love it!
Ruth Calvert (@Ethel) / 10/18/2014 @ 9:34am /
Too cool! I really like your stuff ;-)
gaby manno (@gabymanno) / 11/23/2014 @ 3:29am /
love it!
Selena Rosales (@selena200) / 04/10/2015 @ 11:20am /
love this :)
Selena Rosales (@selena200) / 04/10/2015 @ 11:20am /
love this :)
Cecilia Scarlett (@doodleislife125) / 06/23/2015 @ 8:41pm /
I really love your style of art!