Los Angeles Firm Inc. Magazine March/April 2016 | Page 76

LOS ANGELES FIRM INC MAGAZINE

THE MANIPULATOR

MARCH / APRIL 2016

RODNEY

PIKE

How did you assert yourself to
become so well known on the internet? I know others try but
can’t bridge that gap.

Louisiana’s own Rodney Pike, arguably the world’s best digital illustrator and photo manipulator, presents fans with graphic designs that are insanely talented. With a whopping
3 million plus followers online, Rodney is well-known for countless amounts of graphics
on subjects like Mr.Bean, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Pink, Phil Donahue, George Bush, Obama, Al
Sharpton, Robert DeNiro and a host of many politicians, television personalities in what
is referred to as humorous illustrations. While Mr. Pike has a lifetime of experience, his
hit show “Distorted Reality” drives his creations to another level of graphics. We found
Mr. Pike to be a special and rare talent that we could not pass up. We absolutely had to
grab the opportunity to interview such a talent. We often speak highly on the many talents
we feature here at Los Angeles Firm Inc. Magazine, but this work speaks volumes, so we’ll
just sit back and let you be the admiring judges.
Do you consider yourself to be a
funny person?
What are some of the compliments you
get on your work?

I guess most of my friends would say
so. I don’t take life too seriously
and have my silly moments. I’ve always been a bit of a prankster and I
like to have fun. I guess I’m better
at making funny images than actually
being funny though. I never could
tell a good joke.
What was your favorite cartoon as a
child?
I’m not sure I had a favorite cartoon
as a child. I wasn’t much into TV.
I was at a very young age, studying
Norman Rockwell’s work as well as JC
Leyendecker and copying cartoons from
Mad magazine. I guess my favorite
characters, not necessarily cartoons
were from illustration which has been
a lifelong love of mine.

I think one of the best compliments
I’ve gotten from my work are when
people tell me that my finished caricature looks more like the subject
than known images of that person. I
guess the goal of any caricature artist is to capture the essence of that
person and exaggerate it so that the
thing that makes that person unique
is intensified. I’ve also made the
cover of several magazines which is
always flattering. There was also one
that sort of stood out. I did a movie
deal with Catchphrase Entertainment
and New Coast Productions which was
a lot of fun. They surprised me with
a 100% bonus at the end of the job.
I guess they were happy. That’s the
goal!!
Where are you originally from?

Who recognized you and gave you the
break you needed to become recognized?
I was doing Photoshop contests on a
website called FreakingNews.com just
for fun. After only a few months
practicing in Photoshop and experimenting with caricatures, I was approached by FHM Magazine in the UK
and offered a 5 page spread of illustrations. I was totally shocked as I
was just having fun but realized then
that it may turn into something much
more. I’ve since done illustration
for many more large companies around
the world.
What made you want to become an artist?

I was born and raised in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana which is not the ideal
place for an artist to grow up. I’ve
since traveled the world and most
recently lived in New Orleans and
now in Mandeville, Louisiana. A much
better art market here. I’m happy
where I live now. I just bought a new
house with the love of my life and am
looking forward to our future here
together.
Do you have other interest besides
art?
I love music, some good Cajun cooking, traveling and just going out for
a good time. Art is my passion though
so I’m a gallery hopper at heart.

The first time I saw a Saturday Evening Post cover by Norman Ro 6