Interview With A Pixel Artist Part 25: Khasper1010

Who are you? Where are you based?

My name Is Kate Rodriguez, and I'm from Lincoln, California. 


When and why did you first start making your art?

I started making Perler bead art about two years ago. I wanted to make a few sprites from the game Doom. 


What inspires your artwork?

A lot of my artwork is largely inspired by retro video games. But I make a little of everything 

Do you remember the first piece you made?

I do indeed remember the very first thing I made. It was a Doom logo. That was before I knew of the masking tape method and I totally destroyed it when I attempted to iron it. 


What's the biggest piece you've ever made?

The largest piece I've made so far is life sized Faye Valentine. Measuring 47"×31" (119cm×78cm) 

What is your art workspace like?

I turned my dining room into my art workspace. It's pretty basic. I have a computer for music and/or something to watch while I work. 


What are the tools of your trade?

The tools of my trade are interlocking pegboards, tweezers, masking tape, parchment paper, an iron, and Perler beads. 


Do you use any software/apps to design your art?

I use 8 bit photo lab to make designs. 


Do you have a preferred brand of beads, or do you mix?

I exclusively use Perler brand beads. 

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Can you talk us through your creative process? How do you go about planning and creating a piece?

A lot of my work is commission based. When a client requests something I'll search for images that I know will pixelate well. I always encourage the client to let me go as large as possible with my design to ensure a highly detailed, quality project. I find several images for the client to choose from and send various renders. Once a size and image has been agreed upon I get to work. 


What are the most common questions you get asked about your art?

I think the most common question I get asked is how I have the patience to do what I do. 

What's the most time you've spent on a project?

The most time I've spent on a project was about 140 hours making life sized Triss+Yen. 

Have you had any art-related disasters?

The only piece I ever destroyed was the very first thing I made. Before I knew the importance of the masking tape method. I watched some YouTube videos and haven't had any mishaps since. 


Do you have a dream project you'd love to make, but haven't been able to yet?

My dream project would be to make something very large for id Software. 

What was your most recent project?

My most recent project was nude Faye Valentine, from Cowboy Bebop. 


What are your favourite experiences you've had as a result of your art?

My favorite experience I've had as a result of my artwork was selling artwork to the creator of Doom himself, John Romero. I recreated his head on a stake, as seen in Doom 2. I posted it on the Doom fan page on Facebook that I am an admin of, and his wife Brenda contacted me. I shipped it off to Ireland, and he later tagged me on IG with it. Definitely one of my proudest moments. Gregor Punchatz, an artist hired by id Software to create sculptures for the Arch-vile, Mancubus, Revenant, and Spider Mastermind, is another one of my best customers. 

Do you have any projects in progress or in the pipeline right now?

I'm not sure what I'm going to make next. I still need to tape and iron Faye.


Do you sell your art? If so, how can people find it?

I do indeed sell my art. You can find me on Instagram at khasper1010 or also on Facebook by searching my name, Kate Rodriquez. 


Anything else to share? Shoutouts, words of wisdom etc?

Bead and iron, until it is done.