Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christopher “Warlok” Stephens. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Christopher “Warlok” , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
That would be my work entitled “AntiVirus”V2. I have been a loyal and devoted follower and admirer of the late Swiss Surrealist H.R. Giger since I was a kid. The first time I saw his work I could feel it in my soul, I was completely mesmorized by the images And I would go into the bookstore in the mall and grab Gigers Necromomicon and sit in there for hours on end, enraptured by the images and I read everything there was to read about him at the time as well. NO other person in my entire life has had even close to such a profound and lasting impact on me. About 15 years ago after more or less worshipping Gigers work, legendary lifestyle and perception on all things as well as being very intimidated by the idea of any attempt to recreate the style of visualization he so effortlessly accomplished, I decided to try it. My first attempt was not necessarily “bad” but I thought it was too ordinary and Not at all what I intended to accomplish. I felt confident with the “concept” I had visualized, I just basically had to learn “how” to materialize this concept into a tangible work of art. I revised the original design and proceeded to repeatedly rework and revise the design many times over the years, learning and evolving my own creative process as well as my perception of the world around me and my interaction with it. In 2014 the saddest and worst day of my life came upon me on May, 12, 2014… My master had died. I was “NUMB” for a very long time, and I still grieve this loss in many ways. I wanted to do something as a tribute to the Master and his works and I chose to recreate one of his concepts but In a much different way. I always loved his work entitled “Birth Machine” an image consisting of the cut out internal workings of a pistol (a German Walther P38) and the bullets were tiny babies with goggles and ray guns.. It’s a very well known and epic work. I decided to create my own “take” on the image as “Homage to the Master” and so I used the çutout internal workings of a 1911 .45 caliber ACP, a truly American icon and the King of handguns. And I chose to use fingers for my bullets because I had a very specific statement which I intended to express through this work. I began some sketches and looking through countless reference sources for the gun and hands and fingers, which I inevitably used “my own”+5 fingers for reference and that’s how I solidified my composition, which became my work entitled “Condemnation” and my own Very personal tribute to my Artist Messiah! I was extremely pleased with the way this piece came out and I could tell how much I had learned from Giger and his style and perception. I felt that I had thoroughly accomplished my goal of trying to recreate something so Uniquely original as were his concepts and visualizations..Upon completion of that work I was even more determined and confident in my aspiration to successfully create a “true and original biomechanical composition” I never had a need “more badly” to accomplish a goal and a challenge in my life and I could not resist the idea of actually succeeding with my ambitions. 5;years later I found myself with an unanticipated and seemingly “endless surplus” of free time.. Via Covid shutdown.. So I began what would be my last and final revision and interpretation of this lifelong goal and vision quest of which I was spellbound under..and it would become entitled “AntiVirus” V2, my most difficult challenge yet in my art career and also probably my finest and most complex work. I finally reached a new pinnacle in my evolution as an artist and gained a tremendous amount of confidence and understanding in what I actually could accomplish and the will and drive to do such. It was a truly life changing event for me and I have more respect and appreciation for my gifted skill and hard work than ever before. I will never forget the wizard who paved the way for me to follow as well. Thank you Master and you will always be remembered and missed.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Im a natural born artist. I’ve been doing it as far back as I can remember. My Granny was an artist and painted aircraft bombs during WW2 in a bomb factory which I always thought was awesome! My Grannie and my Mom always enrolled me in any art classes they could find around town in order that I may gain more knowledge and further progress, which I continually did. All through school I was in art classes and Advanced Art in Jr. High and High School then went to a technical school and got an Associates in Graphic Design. I spent many years after this married and raising kids and worked as an Electrician and Sous Chef and devoting my off time to working on art projects and contracting small art jobs doing assorted projects like sign painting, window ads, logos, menus, sticker designs, t shirt designs and flyers for bands. I won various art contests that I entered and received lots of encouragement to pursue my art further. I started getting tattoos in the mid 1990’s and at some point I was told by a friend that his friend owned a tattoo shop in Ft. Worth, Texas where I was living And he would ask her about maybe giving me a chance to learn the trade considering my art skills and interest in tattoos. I was offered the opportunity and it began a career in tattooing of 16 yrs. I tattooed in 4 states and countless Tattoo conventions and I designed tattoo flash, merchandise and took on custom art commissions along with it. I had a great time with tattooing but I didn’t get to do what “I really wanted to do as far as subject matter and dimensions” as much as I wanted to. I eventually decided to go Freelance as an artist and start my own small business making and selling art. I did this for several yrs and in 2012 I got a registered Trademark and started an official business under the name “Manifesto” which later became “Mephisto Visual Creations©” which is currently my small local art business I run in Austin, Texas. I sell Hi-Resolution art prints online and framed Original works as well, and I plan to release a line of Merch. by the Spring of 2025. I also showcase various art shows and events throughout Texas and I plan to start doing some touring throughout the U.S. beginning in 2025 and attend shows, galleries, conventions and other events in other states as well. I’ve had the opportunity to have some digital exhibitions in European galleries and Dubai as well and received acknowledgement as an “International artist” which I’m really pleased with and definitely plan to travel abroad and attend some art shows and gallery exhibitions “in person” very soon. I was recently invited to become an artist/member with DarkArtMovement.com which is an International Non profit group which consists of a collective of amazing artists from all over the world and all work with “strange or unique” styles and subject matter. I’m VERY excited about this and consider it an honor to have such an opportunity as well! My work spans multiple genre and styles and I’m always evolving and incorporating new skills, tricks and applications. I’ve even started learning and using A.I. apps as well, as a new “tool” to add to my work place. There are many very useful and efficient applications that A I. offers an artist to be used for many areas of the creative process, especially editing and alternate versions for printmaking.
I exclusively create “Unusually Original” artwork and it usually reflects my interests in Horror films, BioMechanical art, Occult inspired works, Thrash Metal, Old school Punk , Tattoo influenced designs, Pop art, Skateboard art and Hot rod art. My first love is black and gray works using Graphite, Ink and white pencils or pens for highlights, especially with my photo realistic Horror and Rockstar portraits. I also excel with hyper•dynamic color works as well, using acrylic, watercolor, sprays, Inks, Prismacolor pencils and markers as well as Alot of experimentation with many “unconventional”mediums. I am always open for collaborating with other artists on ideas I like.
** I always encourage anyone to contact me regarding private commissions for artwork as well and have done many of these!
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Mephisto-Visual-Creations.square.site
Instagram: @mephistosdeal & @1texaswarlok
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes very much so. I plan to leave a legacy for my grandchildren to inherit, which even in the event they don’t become artists, hopefully it will inspire them in other ways as well as being an already established “passive income” for them to have help with in their ambitions and life. Long term I plan to release a full line of exclusive merchandise and open a retail store/studio selling original works, prints, T-shirts, hoodies, stickers, hats, posters, skateboard decks, custom Vans shoes (with endorsement), and other assorted merchandise. Keep an eye out for this to happen, it will!!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I get to live “my dream” and despite however I may still struggle or need something or lack “Recognition”, or have fame or wealth, these things are NOT what motivates me to do what I do. My art is extremely therapeutic for me and has always kept me grounded as well as providing an essential means of “escapism” for me as well and I consider it my “Magic” in my Warlok path..
Contact Info:
- Website: mephisto-visual-creations.square.site
- Instagram: Instagram/@mephistosdeal & @1texaswarlok
- Facebook: Facebook/MephistoVisualCreations
- Other: ••fineartamerica.com/profiles/christopher-stephens ••Find me on Google &Google business profiles ••rawartists.com/MephistoVisualCreations ••Paypal Seller: paypal.me/@mephistoarts
