Interview with Professional Artist & Author Victor Pross

Victor Pross is a professional artist born and raised in Toronto now residing in British Columbia. He is known for his “extreme caricaturing”. He has many high profile commissions to his credit including painting Ron Howard’s caricature portrait as a gift for the famous director as well as painting various agents of the William Morris Agency. He has rendered numerous International celebrities and Canadian media personalities for commercial and private purposes. Victor Pross has been interviewed on television shows such as: Canada AM, Breakfast Television, News at Noon and has been pegged by Canadian Media as “Canada’s foremost caricature artist.” He has worked on various posters, comic books and CD covers bringing to each work his own unique style. He is currently instructing an art class as well as offering his services as an editorial caricaturist. Victor’s first book, Icons & Idols, will feature a collection of the artist’s paintings and drawings and is now available. His website is www.victorpross.com.

Welcome to The Writer's Life, Victor. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

I am primarily a visual artist and I have published my first art/humor book called Icons & Idols. So the book is filled with wonderfully wacky—surrealist caricatures of the famous to tickle the funny bone. But the book also includes very interesting text too.


Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?

Sure. Icons & Idols is an eye-popping visual homage and satire of pop culture. It is comprised of my “extreme caricatures” of the famous—such as Elvis Presley, Sylvester Stallone, Marilyn Monroe, George Bush, Albert Einstein—and others icons from the world of film, music and literature. It has over 70 paintings and drawings and it is assembled under one volume. There have been a lot of demands for my work to come in a book forum—so I obliged.


What kind of research was involved in writing, Icons & Idols?

As a painter of famous portraits, I do a lot of research by reading biographies.


Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing?

It was a bumpy ride. But the book is worth it—for me and my viewers and readers.


For this particular book, how long did it take from the time you signed the contract to its release?

I suppose we are talking about three years or so. Icons & Idols was a lot of work for me.


Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?

No, I don’t have an agent, but I suppose it might be a good idea.


Do you plan subsequent books?

Yes, I do. I am writing my first novel, and I do plan on further art/humor books.


Can you describe your most favorite place to write?

At home, hooked up with coffee after coffee.


If money was no object, what would be the first thing you would invest in to promote your book?

Anything internet related and I would travel the world to promote my book, if need be.


How important do you think self-promotion is and in what ways have you been promoting your book offline and online?

It is very important to promote you own book, a writer should never sit on his hands and let others do it all. I gave readings at book stores, excerpts from my book, plus I showed original art work as well.


What’s the most common reason you believe new writers give up their dream of becoming published and did you almost give up?

Some writers feel that perhaps they haven’t the talent if they are rejected once too often. It can be daunting. But I didn’t give up, speaking for myself.


Any final words of wisdom for those of us who would like to be published?

When submitting a book idea to an agent or publisher—review their submission guidelines and do not deviate from it.


Thank you for your interview, Victor. We wish you much success!

Thank you.


Victor will be on virtual book tour all this month. If you'd like to follow his tour, click here.

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