Thursday, 6 March 2014

Interview With Victoria Fox Creator of Foxtoons

Image provide by Victoria Fox by Scott Cole Photography
I was looking on Instagram and came across these wonderful pin up drawing by Fox Toons. I instantly fell I love with them. This combines some of my favourite things, pin up girls, 40’s/50’s style, art, women, beauty and more. I looked a little deeper and found out more about the incredibly talented lady Victoria Fox, the creator of Fox Toons.

Fox Toons are colourful pin-up cartoons boasting their own unique theme, ranging from naughty princesses to peek-a-boo pirates.

Sexy, mischievous and kitschy, Fox Toons are hand-drawn with Prismacolor pencils and retouched through Photoshop.

My illustrations are heavily influenced by WWII-era pin-up drawings and elaborate tattoo art. The work of other pin-up artists, including Gil Elvgren and George Petty, are my continuous sources of inspiration, while not forgetting to hail the stylistic contributions of enchanting icons like Betty Page and Marilyn Monroe.

If you would like a Fox Toon created in your likeness (or someone elses), please contact me for more information, as private commissions are always welcome. 

For those who crave a more permanent piece of art, I also design a variety of tattoos, many of which have been published in Total Tattoo Magazine.


When not immersed in illustrating, I'm a makeup artist, glamour model, and body painter, participating in a range of high-profile events including London Fashion Week, British Independent Film Awards, and Kanye Wests UK tour
.

I have interviewed the lady behind the toons Victoria Fox to learn more about the brand and give you all the inside info!


Images of Victoria by Scott Cole Photography. See his Facebook page here

Image provide by Victoria Fox by Scott Cole Photography

Image provide by Victoria Fox
Tell us a bit about yourself and how Fox Toons started? 
Hi, I'm Victoria Fox, the creator of Foxtoons pinups. I guess officially Foxtoons started 2 years ago, but I've been drawing all my life, both my parents are very artistic so I guess it's only natural progression that I too would take up an interest in art. My work has always been figurative and more recently specific to pinup art.

Who would you love to draw?
A Foxtoons ethos is 'Anyone can be a pinup, so anyone can be a Foxtoon' I love to draw mainly women, but on occasion I have drawn a few fox boys. I have a love in 40's and 50's era pinup art so I would have to say that to be a major influence in my work, so the modern day pinup is always a delight to draw.

You have drawn pin up picture of pin up legend Masuimi Max. Who else have you had the pleasure of drawing we may recognise?
I have indeed, I have been a massive fan of her work for years, so it was a complete pleasure to draw her, as she is a modern day pinup, and I'm proud to say she's a fan of my work. Other models I have drawn include, Anne Lindfjeld, Madzilla, Jenna Jameson, Arabella Drummond, Amelia Nightmare to name a few.

Image provide by Victoria Fox
What is it you love about pin up girls? 

I just find the image of a powerful, yet sexy woman so inspirational, from original pinup art of the 20's to the colourful silver screen stars of the 40's and 50's. I love the juxtaposed idea of imagery evoking sexy but playful, sweet but strong, cute but deadly notations.

Do you have plans to expand into other product ranges such as tote bags/canvasses/notebooks/hoodies etc? 
Absolutely! I currently sell, poster prints, postcards, key rings and more recently phone cases. But expanding to clothing is certainly on the agenda for the future.

How would you describe your own style?
I say it was quite mixed. I wear what I like regardless as to whether is trendy or not, and it guess as I have gotten older, I'm more comfortable in my own skin. Strangely though I do get told I look like my drawings, which it guess is somewhat common in figurative artists.

Where do you like to shop for yourself both in store and online?

I love geeklachic.com they have some really cool clothes and merchandise. I'm also a big Disney fan so they do some really cool takes on Disney princesses that are printed on t-shirts and hoodies etc. 

Do you have much of a customer base in the UK?
I'd stay my client base is quite evenly spread between, most of my customers are either from UK, Australia or the States, but I always find it fascinating to see who's buying my work, and where they are from. Social Media has a lot to answer for in terms of making the world seem so small!

Image provide by Victoria Fox
Who would you love to have as a customer?

Probably my idols, either Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield or Bettie Page.

You have designed tattoos for people, how many have you designed now?
I've lost count! I also get tagged in endless pictures of people who have used my designs to have tattoos, and I guess that's the highest form of flattery that someone has loved your artwork that much to make it a permanent fixture on their body.

What type of tattoos do people ask for?
Well as my work tends to be mainly pinup that's what I tend to draw the most. As that's where my passion lies, I would most likely recommend another artist if someone wanted me to draw something that wasn't particularly my style.
Where can people see examples of your work?
I have a website, www.foxtoons.co.uk and various social media sites. Taking over the world, one toon at a time!

You have tattoos yourself, how many do you have?
I have two sleeves, some work on my back, shoulders, legs and foot! So a fair collection. I've been getting tattooed now for 12 years so it's reflectively an evolution of life in pictures.

Image provide by Victoria Fox
What tattoos do you have?
Most of my tattoos are bold, colourful and pretty! One of my favourite tattoos is definitely my collection of my chihuahuas. It's started when I went to Vegas for the first time! and got two of my dogs tattooed on my one of my favourite tattooists Jime Litwalk and then I've added my recent puppy additional so my arm is almost a family tree of pets!

When you’re not illustrating you’re busy with a number of things including being a make-up artist. How did that come about? 
I originally trained as a makeup artist when I left school, and I have been doing it ever since. I am fortunate enough to work for a great company that has given me some wonderful opportunities to travel around Europe working on various makeup and media events, including London Fashion Week, Paris Couture, Kanye West's UK tour to name a few. I see working as a makeup artist as an extension of my creativity, and it's reflected in my toon work and vice versa.

What are your must have pieces of make up? 

The perfect foundation! My favourite is MAC Studio Fix Fluid, it's an everyday essential. Other favourite products include false lashes, eyeliner, lash curlers and mascara.

What’s your top make up advice you can offer our pin up girls?

You can never be too glamorous. When we create our public face, it creates a certain confidence to go out into the world and feel gorgeous. So why would you not want to feel that every day.

Image provide by Victoria Fox
How do you wear your own make up each day?

I tend to keep it fairly neutral in colour, I love a subtle smokey eye, with a blended, blown out liner around the lash line and a wash of colour over the lid and buffed out through the socket line. Always foundation, a touch of bronzer curled lashes and mascara, if I have time lip balm too.
What’s your favourite perfume?

Hypnotic Poison by Christian Dior.

You’re also a body painter! How exciting! Tell us more about that part of your job?

Yeah it's certainly fun to paint people, again it's just another extension. I like to have multiple sources of creativity and body painting is one of them, keeps the day job more interesting!

What kind of events does body painting take you to?
I've done body painting events in Paris, Cannes, Greece, Barcelona and London so I'm very lucky.

What are the best and worst things about running your own business?

Definitely not having enough hours in the day to do what you need too! I'm always tired from working too much, but I would never change anything. I love my work, and find it completely satisfying, I thrive under pressure, I guess it drives me to keep moving forward. If you can dream it you can do it!

So what can we expect to come from you next?
An expansion on my t-shirts line! Watch this space.


Image provide by Victoria Fox
Image provide by Victoria Fox


























I would like to thank Victoria for her time with this interview. I hope you have enjoyed learning all about Fox Toons. If you would like to place your order click here.

xoxorecline and relax in –just
as those stars of Hollywood did in the 1930’s to 1950’s old
fashioned films did!recline and relax in –just
as those stars of Hollywood did in the 1930’s to 1950’s old
fashioned films did!recline and relax in –just
as those stars of Hollywood did in the 1930’s to 1950’s old
fashioned films did!recline and relax in –just
as those stars of Hollywood did in the 1930’s to 1950’s old
fashioned films did!

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