| Interview with James Gilks By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Wow...I'm going to be honest here; I never knew
a Serial Killer Calendar even existed. Tell me about yourself and
how you became interested in this particular concept?
a Serial Killer Calendar even existed. Tell me about yourself and
how you became interested in this particular concept?
James Gilks: In 2005, I had the incredible fortune of meeting
one of the world's greatest true crime artists, Mr. Nico Claux.
Nico's paintings range from stunningly photo realistic to truly
disturbing. Not surprisingly, his full color caricatures share one
morbid similarity. Each painting in the "Human Predators"
collection displays a different notorious serial killer.
one of the world's greatest true crime artists, Mr. Nico Claux.
Nico's paintings range from stunningly photo realistic to truly
disturbing. Not surprisingly, his full color caricatures share one
morbid similarity. Each painting in the "Human Predators"
collection displays a different notorious serial killer.
As a graphic designer with a life long fascination in the macabre, I
was instantly drawn to both Nico's work and his remarkable
personal history. You see, Nico not only paints killers, he was
one. He began painting while serving time in a French prison for
murder. Since being released, the notorious "Vampire of Paris"
has made a name for himself as one of Europe 's most
interesting underground artists, directing his dark side into a
creative outlet. In mid 2005 I was hired to design Nico Claux's
official website. It was during this time that we began to toil with
the idea of promoting Nico's work through a variety of unique,
unconventional products. We decided that the 2007 Serial Killer
Calendar was to be that production. When designing this item, I
wanted only to use images that where not offensive. To us, the
calendar is in no way a tribute to what these men and women
ever did. Nor is it meant to glorify them or capitalize on the
suffering of others. Rather, it represents a gallery of artwork
done by one of the most talented artists I have ever met. The
calendar medium makes the body of work accessible to a mass
audience.
was instantly drawn to both Nico's work and his remarkable
personal history. You see, Nico not only paints killers, he was
one. He began painting while serving time in a French prison for
murder. Since being released, the notorious "Vampire of Paris"
has made a name for himself as one of Europe 's most
interesting underground artists, directing his dark side into a
creative outlet. In mid 2005 I was hired to design Nico Claux's
official website. It was during this time that we began to toil with
the idea of promoting Nico's work through a variety of unique,
unconventional products. We decided that the 2007 Serial Killer
Calendar was to be that production. When designing this item, I
wanted only to use images that where not offensive. To us, the
calendar is in no way a tribute to what these men and women
ever did. Nor is it meant to glorify them or capitalize on the
suffering of others. Rather, it represents a gallery of artwork
done by one of the most talented artists I have ever met. The
calendar medium makes the body of work accessible to a mass
audience.
Blissfulviolet: Have you come across any outraged individuals that are against your business? Any interesting
situations you wish to comment on?
situations you wish to comment on?
James: There are always a handful of people who seem to devote their life to being outraged. Overall though,
we have had very little negative feedback. To the contrary, most people seem fascinated with the idea. One such
example happened to me while I was flying back from a horror convention in Chicago. I happened to be sitting
next to a state trooper from Texas. He was a typical, religious, uber-conservative cop and when our conversation
finally got around to "so what do you do for work" I was a little nervous about telling him. But when I showed him
the calendar and other merchandise, he was delighted. He actually bought one on the plane before we landed
and we spent the rest of the trip exchanging stories about killers we have dealt with in the past.
we have had very little negative feedback. To the contrary, most people seem fascinated with the idea. One such
example happened to me while I was flying back from a horror convention in Chicago. I happened to be sitting
next to a state trooper from Texas. He was a typical, religious, uber-conservative cop and when our conversation
finally got around to "so what do you do for work" I was a little nervous about telling him. But when I showed him
the calendar and other merchandise, he was delighted. He actually bought one on the plane before we landed
and we spent the rest of the trip exchanging stories about killers we have dealt with in the past.
What certain people fail to understand is that we are not, in any way, attempting to glorify these individuals. Our
merchandise is certainly not a tribute to their crimes. Unlike the countless books and films that depict their actions
in gruesome detail, our products simply display a talented artist's rendition of the killers and a collection of quotes
which we hope may shed some insight on to the madness that made them kill. We have nothing but the deepest
empathy for those who have way been harmed by such vile crimes and can personally attest that we know what
they are going through first hand. For I too once lost a dear loved one to the actions of a depraved killer.
merchandise is certainly not a tribute to their crimes. Unlike the countless books and films that depict their actions
in gruesome detail, our products simply display a talented artist's rendition of the killers and a collection of quotes
which we hope may shed some insight on to the madness that made them kill. We have nothing but the deepest
empathy for those who have way been harmed by such vile crimes and can personally attest that we know what
they are going through first hand. For I too once lost a dear loved one to the actions of a depraved killer.
I'm sure that there those who are disgusted with the idea of merchandise that features convicted murderers but I
strongly believe that freedom of speech should never be limited to that which is not taboo. If we begin to regulate
what can and can not be made based souly on how others will react to it, than we open ourselves up to a level of
censorship that verges on fascism. Art is and should always be, one of the truest forms of self expression. I
shudder to think what kind of world it would be if artists where not allowed to display their work simply because it
might offend someone else.
strongly believe that freedom of speech should never be limited to that which is not taboo. If we begin to regulate
what can and can not be made based souly on how others will react to it, than we open ourselves up to a level of
censorship that verges on fascism. Art is and should always be, one of the truest forms of self expression. I
shudder to think what kind of world it would be if artists where not allowed to display their work simply because it
might offend someone else.
The reality is, as a bottom line, we chose to do a Hollywood version, a PG-13, that anyone and everyone can
consider. We refer to Nico as a real life Hannibal Lector for that reason. The rendition of the characters and the
characterizations have an awesome appeal.
consider. We refer to Nico as a real life Hannibal Lector for that reason. The rendition of the characters and the
characterizations have an awesome appeal.
To me, art, possibly more than any other medium, forces the viewer to look inward at themselves and then
outward either towards or at society in general. A gifted artist questions social taboos and confronts the audience
with a reality not only outside their own lives, but possibly beyond the normal realm of perception. That's exactly
what our artist's work does. These renditions stare back at you with cold and uncaring eyes that mask an insanity
that few could ever fathom. They present you with a complicated and unpleasant truth about the human condition
and reflect a side of mankind that most of us would rather pretend does not exist at all. The reason that many
people find these monsters appalling is the very same reason that millions of others find them fascinating. They
represent a dark side of our society that lies just beneath the skin, the Hyde to our collective Dr. Jeckles. Without
question, they represent a historical relevance that never fades from the collective conscience of memory.
outward either towards or at society in general. A gifted artist questions social taboos and confronts the audience
with a reality not only outside their own lives, but possibly beyond the normal realm of perception. That's exactly
what our artist's work does. These renditions stare back at you with cold and uncaring eyes that mask an insanity
that few could ever fathom. They present you with a complicated and unpleasant truth about the human condition
and reflect a side of mankind that most of us would rather pretend does not exist at all. The reason that many
people find these monsters appalling is the very same reason that millions of others find them fascinating. They
represent a dark side of our society that lies just beneath the skin, the Hyde to our collective Dr. Jeckles. Without
question, they represent a historical relevance that never fades from the collective conscience of memory.
Blissfulviolet: Well thought out statement, I totally agree. The artworks featured on your calendars definitely
give insight into the world of Serial Killers. Tell us how you go about choosing what work gets featured?
give insight into the world of Serial Killers. Tell us how you go about choosing what work gets featured?
James: We get dozens of art submissions a week and only accept the best artists. To date we have almost 20 of
the best true crime artists in the world (Nico Claux, jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Gerard Torbitt, Johnny
Machine, Marc Stinson, Matt Verges and many more). Obviously we can only fit a certain amount of artwork in
each product and it is very difficult to choose whose work gets selected. But we try to only offer our customers the
best of the best.
the best true crime artists in the world (Nico Claux, jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Gerard Torbitt, Johnny
Machine, Marc Stinson, Matt Verges and many more). Obviously we can only fit a certain amount of artwork in
each product and it is very difficult to choose whose work gets selected. But we try to only offer our customers the
best of the best.
Blissfulviolet: How do you keep your calendar fresh and interesting for your usual buyers?
James: With over 500 pieces of artwork in our collection and a history of well over 5000 known serial killers, I
doubt our material will be getting stale anytime soon.
doubt our material will be getting stale anytime soon.
Blissfulviolet: Yep…I’m sure the interest in Serial Killers will never fade.
James: Thanks for the interview. James.
I’m sure you have run into all the various artistic and photographic calendars that are out on
the market today; you probably have one hanging on your wall. When purchasing a calendar,
you can just about choose anything that fancies your interest; from your favorite sports car,
pet, artist, pinup girl and serial killer. Yep that’s right, the estranged world of serial killers has
been depicted in this unique and artistic calendar, full of quotes that take you further into their
mind of madness. James Gilks, the creator of the serial killer calendar shared with us the
story behind his business.
the market today; you probably have one hanging on your wall. When purchasing a calendar,
you can just about choose anything that fancies your interest; from your favorite sports car,
pet, artist, pinup girl and serial killer. Yep that’s right, the estranged world of serial killers has
been depicted in this unique and artistic calendar, full of quotes that take you further into their
mind of madness. James Gilks, the creator of the serial killer calendar shared with us the
story behind his business.