We’re here with artist Eric Carbrey, who did interior illustrations for “An Honest Lie, Volume 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child.”

Eric, people often say art is a metaphor for life. How do you feel this applies to your own craft?

I feel as though my art reflects my inner self and thoughts. That what I put down on the paper has always been in me, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself to the world. Art is a reflection of a person in a given time.

In that way, your art could be said to be a chronological image of you as a person. How far back does your record go? When did you begin as an artist?

I have been an artist my whole life. I remember being a youngster, I spent a lot of my time drawing and painting, coloring in color books, never within the lines. I have always been interested in what art is and what art has to offer, the more time passes the more it consumes me.

So you’ve been at it a while. Have you chosen a favorite medium?

I enjoy all mediums. If I had to pick one I would say painting. But so often in my work the line between mediums has been blurred. I enjoy the fluid aspect of painting, things seem to keep going with or without you.

Tell us about the art you created for “An Honest Lie, Volume 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child.”

The works I completed for An Honest Lie were a bit taxing. They did require an afternoon or two of brainstorming with my thinking cap on tight.

So you’ve mentioned drawing and painting … what other areas of the arts do you explore?

I really enjoy learning about new mediums and techniques, different ways to do old things, old ways to do new things. Right now printmaking has my interests piqued.

Eric, do you believe in magic?

Magic? Ummm maybe. I am pretty sure that someone can not make a helicopter appear out of thin air without some sort of smoke and mirrors, but I would have to say that there are things that cant be explained and maybe for the better. Is that magic? Maybe.

Definitely. How about this: Have you ever considered suicide as an alternative to procrastination?

Suicide as an alternative to procrastination, I think not, I have that whole procrastination thing down, and need no alternative.

Good answer. And what do you feel about quantum mechanical theories involving cats in boxes or rather sharp razors?

It seems like to me the deeper you get in to quantum theories the more the scientists sound like old tripped out hippies. As far as my thoughts on the quantum mechanical theories that involve cats, boxes, and rather sharp razors, I remain blissfully ignorant.

Back to reality, then. What other projects are you currently working on?

Always continuing my art, and pushing myself in my craft.

Ah, the neverending project. And who or what would you say inspires you as an artist?

I am inspired by the things I see and experience. I look at things and think about them, narrow in on the simple shapes, colors, and feelings in my life.

And a really important question. What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything?

Sometimes I think that the meaning is that there really is no meaning. Or perhaps your life, and living it to the fullest is the meaning, I am pretty sure that the meaning is a personal thing that is different for everyone. I think that people seek answers and cannot accept that sometimes there are no answers, so they make things up so that their questions will be answered.

And who would you say is your personal artistic hero or heroine, and what does this person mean to you?

Small time artists that are hanging their works in local coffee shops and galleries are usually the ones that I find inspiration in. Also any sculpture that is done on a large scale.

And finally, Eric, how do you encourage the delinquency of your inner child?

By making sure that I do not listen to any sort of supposedly “reasonable voice” in my life that is contradictory to what I really want to do.

Eric Carbrey currently lives in Wichita, Kansas along with his lovely wife of five years, and three of the finest dogs Kansas has ever produced. Eric spends most of his time living his life, and making art. He is only a couple of semesters away from finishing up his BFA from Wichita State University. One of Eric’s biggest hobbies is eating homemade sandwiches in very busy public places. “There is a very gratifying feeling of having a homemade sandwich in public. I often think that people are jealous, or at least are wondering about my sandwich and how good it looks when I am eating them in public. You should go ahead and try it out, that way you fully understand what I mean.”