I
first discovered the artist known as Merrypranxter a few years ago at
Christmas. I was looking for a background for Needless Things, but no
mere scene of reindeer cavorting would do. I needed something that
not only celebrated the holidays, but stated “I am a massive dork”
as well. So I Googled “Christmas Dalek” because sometimes that
sort of weirdness actually works out. Sure enough, I found this:
Now,
this was 2009 and Doctor Who was not what it is now. I wouldn’t be
surprised to walk into Walmart and find Dalek wrapping paper this
year, but four years ago Who-themed merchandise was still a surprise,
let alone something as gleefully absurd as gift wrap featuring the
deadliest species in the universe.
I
have no idea how I ended up connected to Merrypranxter through the
social networks. I vaguely remember maybe talking to her at
Dragon*Con while she was in her awesome Zardoz Exterminator costume, but I
honestly can’t say for sure. Many things about Dragon*Cons are a
bit fuzzy. I do remember at one point thinking, “Oh, shit! That’s
the Christmas Dalek girl!”, but I don’t know if it was in
response to her Twitter handle or what.
Maybe
I need to drink less.
Anyway,
I contacted the lady to see if she’d be interested in doing a Q&A
and putting over some of her stuff. She was and here it is:
1) What are your top geek passions?
A)
My first & greatest love will always be Star Trek. I remember the
first time i watched it. I was in the 2nd grade, flipping channels,
and suddenly i saw the most beautiful face i'd ever seen. It was
Wesley Crusher. (Yes. Wesley Crusher. I know.)
I
was hooked from day 1. I got my first Starfleet insignia pins for my
6th grade birthday. I read all the books, bought all the schematics.
I
also love to cosplay. I only really ever get to go to DragonCon, but
it is a tradition! I'm no Yaya Han by any means, but i have so much
fun with it.
2)
What was your favorite toy when you were a kid?
A)
I never really had a favorite toy. I was that kid out jumping on the
trampoline, or catching frogs & lizards in the yard. I made
puppets & put on puppet shows, sewed handmade dolls, made clothes
for my dolls out of old socks. That's what i did for fun as a kid.
3)
What is one album everybody should own?
A)
Weird Al Yankovic's Food Album. It's a classic. If you don't like
Weird Al i don't want to be your friend.
4)
Who is your favorite wrestler and why?
A)
Lol! i know nothing about wrestling. (Sorry!)
5)
When and how did you discover you had a talent for creating?
A)
It's just something i've always done. I was always doodling in class,
or making something. Like i said, that's what i've always done for
fun.
6)
If you could pursue any project, what would it be?
A)
I wish i could make money just drawing and making anything i want.
7)
If you could live in any city in the world, where would it be and
why?
A)
As much crap as i give my hometown of Anniston, Alabama…. I'd have
to say i'm pretty happy here. I mean we are one of the most polluted
cities in the country… and everyone is conservative and there
aren't a lot of options as far as places to shop or things to do…
but everyone i love is here. All of my friends are here. My friends &
family make it home… If i moved anywhere else, they wouldn't be
there. And that would just suck. I love them all & they are each
special in their own way and totally irreplaceable. If i had to move
i'd go to Atlanta. It's close enough to drive back and forth for fun
times, and is where we here in Anniston go to shop and do things
anyways. It just makes sense.
8)
What's a favorite con memory?
A)
oh god, just one?
Picture
it. DragonCon 2012. Sunday afternoon. I'm hungover, drinking a little
hair of the dog… dressed as a Zardoz exterminator. My buddy Dave &
i decide to hit up the autograph room. I put my mask on, grab my
airsoft peace bound shotgun & in we go. Eventually i decide i
just wanna catch a glimpse of the TNG cast lineup, bc the lines are
long & i don't feel like waiting. So i edge up to a column &
have a clear view of Jonathan Frakes. So i'm watching him interact
with a fan when he sees me standing there, & i shit you not he
PUSHES the fan he's talking to to the side & totally smiles &
starts giving me the "creepy Riker" eyes. So i get giddy
and blow him a kiss through my mask & he winks & i pick up my
mask & wink back. He blows ME a kiss & then my head explodes
& i run away giggling. Dave saw the whole thing. I have a
witness.
Also
2011, Thursday night before con begins, I'm dressed as Pris from
Blade Runner. My buddy is dressed as Jesus. We've both been drinking
& suddenly some guy RUNS INTO ME in the lobby by the Vortex. And
I look up & i'm like "Dude. YOU'RE WIL WHEATON." It was
Wil Wheaton. He steadied me back upright & said "and YOU'RE
PRIS!" and then just kept running. Pretty much made my whole
weekend that year.
9)
Which actor do you feel like you could sit and watch for hours no
matter what they were doing and why?
A)
Patrick Stewart. Because Patrick Stewart.
But
really… i think the hundreds upon hundreds of hours i've spent
watching TNG proves that i can't get sick of him. And Deputy Director
Bullock in American Dad?? Pretty much the best part of the whole
show. He's so sexy & rugged & british & distinguished..
and that voice.. and that bald head. I love bald guys. He's probably
why. I'd pretty much pay money to watch this man read the back of a
cereal box.
10)
What inspires you to do what you do?
A)
Anything that happens to inspire me. Sometimes it's a funny line from
my favorite movie. Sometimes it's something obscure i feel hasn't
gotten enough attention. Sometimes it's a person. Sometimes it's a
feeling. It really just depends.
11)
What is something you cannot wait to see or have more of?
A)
Anything I like. I suck at moderation.
12)
Is there a movie that should never be remade and if so which one?
A)
There are a lot of them. I wish Hollywood would start writing NEW
GOOD MOVIES again and leave my childhood alone. But if i have to pick
i'd have to say (The message got cut off here and I didn't have time
to contact the lady again before I posted. A message has been sent,
though. I'll fix it when I can. Until then I'm gonna guess she said
Zardoz.)
13)
Closer – what are your recent projects and where can people see
them?
A) I
have my t shirts and other things for sale in my shop on redbubble:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/merrypranxter
Patterns
& other prints are here: http://society6.com/merrypranxter
My
Deviant art is http://merrypranxter.deviantart.com/
Go
check out this lady’s stuff and buy some art. She just did that
Star Trek piece and I really dig it. And I still need some Dalek gift
wrap.
-Phantom
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