If you’ve done some work for Timo Maas, been invited to submit some paintings for an exhibition, made skulls laugh for Bobby Burns, done some rad illustrations for crew 11 and still have time for illustrations, paintings, animation, coffee and Swedish snuff, then you’re probably heading in the right direction. We talk about his inspirations, future plans and also about being stranded on an island… and Pete Sampras… go figure.

THE PERSONAL BIT

Name: Gustav Dahlberg
Age: 24
Country of Origin: Sweden

THE SERIOUS BIT

FM: What’s it like being Gustav?

GD: I guess it´s a bit of a struggle at times. I try to keep doors open in many different directions, and that can be very confusing. Part of me tries to socialize and part of me just wants to sit in an empty room by myself and draw. But most of the time I think it´s really great to be Gustav. But I haven´t really realized that myself yet. Haha, sounds a bit schizophrenic, I am starting to scare myself.

FM:Everyone asks this question, and I guess I can’t get away with it because it’s such an important question for readers, so here goes: At what age did you start dwelling in art and when did you realize that it would become your career path?

G: Really late in life I would say, I guess that I have been drawing since I was very little, but nothing serious, I didn´t really make any progress. So I would say that it is in the last 4-5 years that I have
discovered a lot of new things and begun to develop my skills. And now I just look forward, I feel that there is so much more that I can do.

FM: Another FAQ: Where do you draw your inspiration from? Do you take ideas/concepts from other designers, or does it come from a higher realm [god given talent]?

GD: It depends, When I work on the computer I look around a lot on other stuff. When I draw I try not to be influenced by to many other things. But I think that I pick up things from all over the place, could be anywhere, It´s small details that catches my eye, like how a line is drawn a certain flow, a certain curve. But also I read a lot of old Phantom Comics. I really like b/w comics with a lot of detail.

My favorite piece, the squid by Gustav Dahlberg

FM: Have you ever done street art/doodling/stickers/graffiti? Would you like to? [if no]

GD: Yes!

FM: Looking at your portfolio, it seems that you’ve messed around with a large array of mediums, from illustration, to paintings, to animations to motion projects: have you settled on one form or are you one of those people that are just darn good with everything? Which do you prefer the most?

GD: Well I think it´s part business part pleasure. Most of the computer stuff that I do is for my survival. I work as a web designer, and that is what puts food on my table. But I do enjoy it, not always though. But really enjoy drawing and painting and developing that on my free time. Hopefully in the future I can survive on my own work. that is my future plan.

FM: So what’s next for you now? What projects you are currently working on now? Are you trying out any new stuff?

GD: I just started a new job, so that takes up quiet some time, but apart from that, I will probably keep on exploring my mind and see what comes out.

Bumblebee shading?

THE RANDOM SECTION

FM: David Beckham or Pete Sampras?

GD: Pete for sure, More skills less Glamour.

FM: I should have said Eric Cantona instead of Beckham. My bad. Coffee n ciggies or milk n cookies?

GD: Coffee and Swedish snuff.

FM: If you were put on an island with no electricity, what’s the 5 things that you’d bring along?

GD: Guitar, barbecue, horse and personal stylist.

FM: How come nobody ever wants to bring their girlfriends along? Whose your favorite artist? Ever copied his style before?

GD: I really like Hans Lindahl (cartoonist) And I love Ernst Haeckels “art form in nature”. But then there are so many great artists around, that make you feel very small.

FM: Star Wars or Star Trek?

GD: Star Wars, no contest!

FM: You should see my collection. I have over 30 1978 figures. [gloating moment -ed] What are you currently reading?

GD: Newspapers, at the moment.

FM: Recommend 5 websites to us please.

www.fecalface.com
www.danskdynamit.com
www.underspray.com
www.feedmecoolshit.com
www.iwantyourskull.com

FM: Ever been to Asia? Coming anytime soon?

GD: Actually I lived in Vietnam for 4 years when I was young, So I also visited Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia while living there. I Really loved it.

FM: Nice, if you ever make it back here, do hit me up so we can have a mug or two! Cheers mate!

Do check out his website for more images. There’s tons of neat stuff there that you sure don’t wanna miss.