Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek (D-Wrex) Zimmerman.
Hi Derek (D-Wrex), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2001, after a top secret mission, I moved back to my hometown in Ohio and started working for a local sign company doing graphic design work. I was playing in a band and I would create all the show flyers and promotions for the band. Soon enough, other bands saw the bad-ass flyers I would make and they would get me to do flyers for them. Eventually, the flyer work turned into doing album art, t-shirts, and whatever else bands needed artwork for. I did that for a number of years, never making a great deal of money from it but I enjoyed it. The work in the music scene is how I got started doing art for a career. While I was working at the sign shop and doing freelance band artwork, I was still doing my own art and painting and participated in some art shows in the area. In 2011 my friends (who live in LA) convinced me I should move to Los Angeles. I made the move, and after a while I started doing artwork for bands in LA, along with a variety of artwork for different projects ranging from logo design, concept artwork, character design, storyboarding and custom illustrations.
I’ve had the good fortune of doing artwork for bands like Mike Watt, Jesus Lizard, Truck Fighters and All Souls in addition to creating cartoon storyboards and illustrations, concept art for video games- things I may not have been able to do had I not made LA home. I’ve also always been a bit of a movie nerd and with the recent resurgence of movie poster collecting, I decided to start creating alternative/reimagined movie posters from old classic and cult films I enjoy. Those movies don’t get the credit they’re due. So for the past handful of years, I’ve been creating alternative movie posters and I really enjoy it. That work has been rewarding and is getting a great response from movie and art fans around the world. I’ve had artwork featured at ComicCon in San Diego and participated in gallery show from LA to London and back. It’s been pretty fun. I also continue to do artwork for whatever other cool projects fall in my lap.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say a career as an artist is easy. I spend most of my time creating. I’ve been lucky and feel rewarded by the work. I also just have fun with what I’m doing. I’ve always just made artwork that I enjoy and am constantly trying to develop and learn new styles and techniques to implement into my art. I just try to have fun and create what I like…and sometimes other people like it too.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, I guess I got known for doing concert/band flyers and that morphed into doing movie posters and all other sorts of cool artwork.
As for what I’m most proud of and what sets me apart from others? , Well, I once successfully rescued a bunch of hostages from the 30th floor of a skyscraper on Christmas Eve….. no, that was Die Hard. Never mind.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My pals Lisa, Silas, Sean and Matt for encouraging me to move to LA
Contact Info:
- Email: info@d-wrex.com
- Website: www.d-wrex.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_wrex/
Image Credits:
Me at a bigfoot museum Humanoids from the Deep movie poster The Way of the Gun movie poster Surviving the game movie poster Illustration from the movie Ready or Not Lambda Lambda Lambda poster Created for Gallery 1988 fake gig poster show Total Recall poster Created for AMP’s 30×30 Gallery Show Reese Witherspoon from the movie Freeway John Carpenters The Thing
