"About Me"

A little mischievous, artistic prodigy. . .even then I had monsters on the brain!

Me at 13 years old

My lil' sister Cheryl and I

Preschool. . . .can you find me in this picture? Hint: my twin brother is also in there. . . . . . . . . . . .and what the hell are we wearing!?

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Funny pictures, huh? I have no idea what my mother was thinking, dressing my brother and I in sailor outfits for "picture day."

My name is Marque Terrynamahr Strickland. I am a Pisces with Virgo rising, born on St. Patrick's day in the Year of the Dragon (March 17th, 1976). . . . .that's a little fun info for all of you astrology buffs out there.

I am an artistic workaholic, who only just had his first girlfriend, recently. Women flip when I tell them that, because I'm 30 now, but it's true. However, it was a short lived relationship, as I'm a true artist and quite a pain in the ass, not to mention, moody as all hell! It's difficult for someone, who loves their work as much as I do, to find a suitable partner. I will NEVER AGAIN date another non-artistic/non-ambitious woman! NEVER EVER EVER!

There was one person in high school that thought she was my first girlfriend. . .I might have thought so too, but my hindsight tells me differently. The amount of times that I saw her in over a year, I can count on two hands. My "GIRLFRIEND," I think not! I was just too young and inexperienced with dating to know any better (I still am-the only difference now is that I'm comfortable with it.) Besides, she was a self centered bitch (bitch with a capital B!), who was three hours late for prom, the f_ _ _ _ _ g slag whore!

My first girlfriend was a sweet woman, but it ended quickly, because, at this point in my life, I'm self centered, and the only thing I'm concerned with is ME, my work, and where I'm going in life. Don't fret, I am a nice guy, but if you're not someone I can relate to well, I'm quite a piece of work and very difficult to be in a relationship with. I look at it like this, as far as we artists go, NOT ONE PERSON in the world, believes you can succeed, except you-with odds like that against you, YOU BETTER BE SELFISH!

Anyway, other than my first girlfriend, I've only met a lot of superficial girls. They want guys with white shirts and ties, and health insurance, who can provide security for them. Nobody wants to date the little "art boy" who they believe is never going to make a dime. . . .. .Mu hah hah hah. . . . . .they will ALL be very, VERY sorry.

When love comes my way, I will know. But for now I have no time for the trivial. We artists, can't afford to be lazy, because when opportunity comes our way, we have to be ready. Those artists who think they can sculpt their future into something beautiful, and still have time to go out partying every night, are due for a VERY RUDE AWAKENING. Those who are serious about what they do and what they want out of life, will give their gift every single breath they have.

Inspirations: First and foremost, Gottfried Helnwein, the god of all painters (In my eyes, at least.)

Miles Teves and Jordu Schell, two monster making gods! ; H.R. Giger (the best freehand airbrush artist EVER); Sebastian Kruger ; Daniel Merriam (the most splendid thing to ever happen to water color paint); Rodney Matthews; Wes Benscoter; Simon Bisley; Brian Froud; Wendy Froud; Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell; Brom; Todd Schorr; Carl-W. Röhrig (the 'Ecstacy of Form and Colours' section of your book is my absolute favourite); Joshua Taylor; Chihiro (Audrey-Kawasaki); Chris Mars (you're a magnificent artist); Justin Bua; Drew Struzan (you are siiiiick! There has never been a finer movie poster artist.); Stephen King; William Shakespeare; J.K. Rowling (Jo, I love you like nothing else in the world!!! Harry Potter is the greatest thing to ever happen to me!!!); Dante; Neil Gaiman and Michael Chabon (two of the best writers in the f@#$%*! world!); J.R.R. Tolkien; The Brothers Grimm; El-P (the best underground producer in the world); Bjork; Tori Amos; Beethoven, Bach, Carl Orff, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Mussorgsky, and all the other classical greats; Gris Grimly (I adore your work); Polish Master, Zdzislaw Beksinski (you will always be a major source of inspiration to me); Jill Willich (you are friggin' amazing! I love you.); and of course, the beautiful, amazing, brilliant sculptress (and my best friend overseas), Clare Gladding-you know I adore you, sweety. . . . . . .

. . .Peter Rubie, hopefully I will get to meet you sometime soon. It is because of you that I am gaining a mastery of my craft. Editors and agents NEVER write personal letters, so I am deeply grateful to your employee, Caren Johnson, for complimenting my talent, telling me that "You are well on your way. . . ." ! That made my life so much more bearable. I love you both.

. . .and last, but not least, my friend NAOTO HATTORI (This kid has nasty skillz!). . . . . . . . . . . .also, SAS and COLIN CHRISTIAN (I adore their work-it's nothing less than breath taking.)

What you all do, adds even more fuel to a very intense, burning flame that resides deep within me. I truly love you all.

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