Hello Kitty meets Mr. Toast

Watercolor by Dan Goodsell

Meet The Artists Party @ Three Apples this Saturday! thatsitmommy.com caught up with one of the featured artists Dan Goodsell, creator of Mr. Toast. Dan will be at the exhibit Saturday night from 7-8pm. Check out his blog for a sample of the artwork that will be available for purchase at Three Apples.

Q&A with Dan Goodsell

thatsitmommy.com: What or who was the inspiration behind Mr. Toast?

Dan: The first character I created was Joe the Egg.  A little while after I created him, I saw a photo in the newspaper of a guy dressed as a piece of bread as a promotion for a bread manufacturer.  I did a simple cartoon drawing based on that photo and then I named him Mr Toast, inspired by all the classic advertising characters like Mr Bubble and Mr Clean.

Is your favorite meal breakfast?

Dan: I am a huge fan of breakfast.  I would eat french toast everyday if my system could survive the sugar rush.  I have also been a giant fan of breakfast cereals and their mascots like Tony the Tiger and Cap’n Crunch.  I think of Mr Toast as an extension of those classic characters that were so well designed and continue to live on today.

Hello Kitty just turned 35. How do you feel about the pop icon?
Dan: I remember as a teenager going to the Sanrio store in Orange County.  It was a tiny store but it was packed with so much unbelievable cuteness.  I used to buy Tuxedo Sam stuff.  And I think that pure simple design aesthetic really seeped into my subconscious and plays a role in my own artwork.

What advice do you have for young inspiring artists?
Dan: Draw, Draw, Draw and Paint, Paint, Paint.  The more you do the better you get. Also study art.  The more you know about all forms of art from ancient art to art deco to abstract art, the more you will understand that it is all connected and all relates.  Then when you create something you are more in tune with what it means and what you want it to mean.

Any new projects in the works?
Dan: Right now we have a line of t-shirts coming out, hopefully getting into stores real soon.  We will have a number of new dolls next year.  I have a little art show at Monkeyhouse Toys in Silverlake in December and I will be set up at DesignerCon in Pasadena on November 21 and UniqueLA in downtown LA on December 5-6.

The IT girls give Mr. Toast a thats IT! seal of approval.

BONUS!  Stay tuned for our fan appreciation giveaway and our Artist Party review! Both coming on Sunday.