An Interview With CHEKHOV Designer Matt Bouloutian: Final Postcard/Poster

(ed. note: scroll down for the beginning of the interview.)

JF: We ended up moving forward with the postcard that portrays a top-hatted man with a lizard-tail tracing a face in front of him. The final postcard, however, has some noticeable differences from the first sketch. Tell me a little bit about the changes we made and the new ideas that came along in the final stages. 

MB: The initial sketch was much more simple and reserved, like an icon. So I wanted to up the overall tension. The face made by the tail was only meant to be a place holder so I worked on that first. I drew the face in a more challenging position over the figure. The profile was based on John Barrymore. Once the face was resolved, I needed to work on the figure. Something about it had always bothered me. Plus, Pig Iron requested that the figure be “slightly weirder-looking” and to also change the wardrobe a bit. Both comments were perfect. Making things slightly weirder gave it just the right feel. I referenced the show photos for clothing and posture and was impressed by one of the actor's awkward poses, they reminded me of the artist Egon Schiele, especially the hands. Additonally I allowed more texture into the drawing which gave it a more anxious feeling. Finally, Vivian, my wife and design partner, leaned over my shoulder and told me to try out the title as a brain, I didn't like the idea but when I tried it, it worked great. It's funny how some ideas sound great but when you do them they're terrible and other ideas sound corny, but when executed well are beautiful.

MB: Pig Iron Theatre's groundbreaking reputation, playful marketing materials and the folks I worked with gave me license to think more conceptually. It's awesome to work with clients like Pig Iron, that allow you so much creative freedom-the only thing that holds you back is yourself.