Randy Fung

[johnnYYac]

I think Randy deserves his own thread!  I've been in touch with him quite a bit lately.  What an extremely nice and humble dude! 

After completing my MMJ/Burwell collection (but for one), I turned to completing my MMJ/Fung collection.  Seems like it will be a never-ending quest.  Each time I think I've got 'em all, he creates new prints (look for something to surface soon for the boys' adventure down under). 

When last we "spoke" via email, I decided to ask a few questions and create this thread.


johnnYYac: Randy, have you ever been interviewed, discussing your poster art?

Randy Fung: I've never been interviewed before...just usually answer questions
whenever people ask me via e-mail...but that's about it.

jY: I'd love to hear a description of either the process of
connecting with a band like MMJ or what fuels your inspiration? You
incorporated the Circuital "eye" into a few pieces this past year, and
iconic images such as Pooch and Denise in the Burlington 10 or the boys
themselves in the Seattle 11. Do you have any favorites? I'd love to
hear anything you care to share about the process. Even better would
be if you'd let me share it with the forum folks. We love your work.
I believe you've posted there before.

RF: I'm more than happy to chat with ya about the MMJ posters I've done. As
you know, I don't really do these for a living and it's still an
ongoing learning process for me. Just like anything else, I learn a lot
and gain a little more confidence with each poster that I get under my
belt.

It's a lot of fun working on an idea from start to finish, spending
hours refining, trying to get it just right...but also a little
nerve-wracking wondering how it's going to be received by the band's
die-hard fans like yourself. Is it going to sell alright or flop? The
band's been kind enough to afford me these opportunities and I really
don't want them to be stuck with a bunch of posters that don't sell. I
know there have been a few. On the flip side, it's really nice to hear
when a poster is, for the most part, well received...at least judging
from the increased amount of e-mail requests and kind words from people
like yourself. I'm always very appreciative of all the support and
encouragement.

What fuels my inspiration? Hmmm, that's a good question. I guess I'd
have to take the easy way out and say the band/music. When I'm trying
to come up with an idea for a poster, for the most part I try and pick
a theme/image that somehow relates to the band and/or gig
location....and also something that ties into their most current LP. To
start, I usually try and come up with a few rough directions for Tom to
review. He'll give me his thoughts and other feedback as well. Once we
figure out a good direction, I'll refine, send back to Tom, get more
feedback and go from there until it's finished. He's really fun to work
with and always has such great insight. The band and management have
always been good to me as well... I'm grateful that they continue to
let me work with them. It's definitely helped my portfolio!

I actually do have a few current faves (they often change)...I think
the Seattle '11 (nesting dolls) would have to be up there.



I'm not really an illustrator and spent countless hours struggling with this
one, but was pretty happy with the way it turned out. I believe the
band really liked that one as well.

Some others...T5,



LA '10 (skull boot),



and Bonnaroo '11 (peacock).



As I mentioned, I just finished one
for the upcoming OZ tour... I think that actually could be my fave of
all the ones I've done so far.

Anyway, hope that answers some of your questions. Let me know if ya
have any others.


Thanks, Randy, for sharing some thoughts and creating some cool art for this great band!  Can't wait to see your all-time "fave" OZ print!

Here are some links and other prints.  Each image, except the New Multitudes print, links to the Expresso Beans listing. 

Click here for the full Expresso Beans listing of Randy's work, including MMJ and others.

Some of Randy's MMJ prints, in not-quite-chronological order...

























Other links:

http://www.myspace.com/randyfung

http://www.gigposters.com/designer/65009_Randy_Fung.html

http://www.pauseculture.com/news/rockart-randy-fung

[BigHerm]

Great thread Johnny. I don't have a Randy Fung yet, but bonnaroo 11 is high up there on the list of posters I will acquire next. Seattle 11 is great and his T5 has always been my favorite of the T5 posters.

[headhunter]

Great and interesting thread.  Thanks John.

[deathstick]

You should tell Randy that I think I still have a contact high from his Merriweather poster! Love his stuff, too. Thanks for the Q and A John!

[ericm]

You should tell Randy that I think I still have a contact high from his Merriweather poster! Love his stuff, too. Thanks for the Q and A John!

;D  You and me both, but glad to say I have that New Multitudes poster, and not even a little buzz from that one. ;)
Having said that, I have seven of those Fung posters,and always enjoyed his work.

Nice thread John, and enjoyed the read. Thanks for posting this.  

[Sweet Nothing]

You should tell Randy that I think I still have a contact high from his Merriweather poster! Love his stuff, too. Thanks for the Q and A John!

Great thread Johnny, i agreed with you that Randy is one of the nicest guys and humble person! 

Yea me too, any one need an extra one of Fung's MMP poster?  I have a few Fungs myself and yes they are the strongest smelling prints/posters i owe. 

[CC]

the oz poster:

[johnnYYac]

Thanks, CC!

[mahg33ta]

Thanks CC - looks good!

[wolof7]

Great stuff here...love my MMJ/M. Ward tour print and have always meant to pick up several of his others.

I wish I was a better artist and could pick up poster making it seems like such a fun way to express art in an open way within a context of the music. Anyhow, thanks for reaching out Johnny...seriously you should work for the band and be one of their correspondents or something.

[headhunter]

love that poster!

[johnnYYac]

So, is that "PB" jar peanut butter pudding surprise?

[subinai]

that poster looks great. i can smell it through the screen!

[Sweet Nothing]

the oz poster:

Think this is a nod to Nintendo's Marble Madness?  Any one else think so or have another game they think it might be? 

[Jon T.]

I first thought about Q*Bert, but I can see some Marble Madness in there.   

Damn we had some cool games.  I could go for a little T&C Surf Design right now.

[Crispy]

That poster is referencing a classic, Crystal Castles (click to play it):

[ralph]

Roll Callers were able to get a poster signed by the band which was nice.  I think I shall have it framed with the setlists I scored from both nights (thanks again Carol for the Sydney one!)

The run was 150.

[Sweet Nothing]

That poster is referencing a classic, Crystal Castles (click to play it):

Great find and the game has been found, thanks as i am not familiar with that one.  Thanks for the link to the game,..when i looked up Marble Madness on the web i played a game too, still as hard to control that ball on the computer as it was on the remote control for the system. 

[Jahmazed]

Great thread Johnny thanks!! 

[johnnYYac]

With a little help and luck, I've now completed my Randy Fung/MMJ collection, including the New Multitudes but excluding the OZ 12.  I really love the Houston 11, Burlington 10, and LA 10, but they're all great.