Writers are technically artists, aren't we? I guess, man. Still, I view artists who can bring their work to life both figuratively and physically with a special sort of reverence and envy. Especially when they're able to weave it with an erotica twist, like Jo Koss.
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How long have you been drawing and when did you realize you were an artist?
Oh I believe I have been drawing since I could pick a pencil up. Then of course I didn't really have a plan or an idea of becoming an artist.
When I tried to pursue a professional career in the comic industry back in the days the first doors that opened were of Adult comics publishers. I think every artists I knew back then followed the same path. I started up actually writing adult comics and eventually I drew many of them as well. Writing was much quicker for me to put down the stories that other artists would illustrate. Even though the comics weren't very elaborate you could only draw a few panels a day while for the stories I could write a few over a night.
I understand a lot of your work is based on community requests. What is the craziest request you've received so far?
Oh there are a few every now and then. I guess the craziest ones are when they send me tiny little details oo portion of photos with even the face masked and they want me to draw a portrait. Other times they would ask very elaborate situations that might take an entire day to figure out, unfortunately I have to turn down those requests because otherwise I wouldn't have any time to do anything else. But yes, I get a lot of requests from the various communities and socials.
I draw both traditional and digital. Sometimes I would draw by hand and then add colors in Photoshop. It depends on what I have to draw, how I am inspired, time, also where I am. If I am traveling I might draw on one of my sketchbooks and later scan it or just post it as it is.
Do you have a favorite piece you've drawn?
Quite a few actually. Hard to pick favorites really. There might be a story behind the picture that would make the work special for me, or the way I made the illustration. I sometimes prefer working in black and white but I enjoy using colors. At times I try to experiment a little.
What role has social media played in growing a following for the Jo Koss brand?
Quite a lot, since through the various sites my pics have been reposted everywhere. I realized that some people printed out my illustration to decorate their skateboards or guitars. I also found some people doing graffitis and murales of my art. Some of the recent ones I saw on Instagram where in Russia. Pretty cool I think.
Well, that sucked quite a lot. I had to rethink everything. Start a new site, look for alternative communities. It is still in progress. I have lost touch with a lot of followers and that's a pity but slowly, gradually I have noticed that some of them are reappearing on other communities I signed on. Right now I am on AdultNode, Bdsmlr, Twitter, Instagram, DeviantArt, still trying to find the perfect spot I guess.
I see you've published a couple books. Care to tell us about them?
I have a few more in progress. I have collected all the illustrations I made and posted on tumblr and collected in a nice art book. It went sold out and now I will have to reprint it but in the meantime I have made some more illustrations so I am trying to finalize a volume 2 at the same time.
I am also planning a few exhibitions where the books will be also available.
Any new projects we should be on the lookout for?
Yes, something is cooking but I am still not ready to announce it. Most likely I will post on my social something soon