1. Who are you and what do you do?
Val Freire, as that is straight forward and preferred. Valerie De Lourdes Freire if you're checking ID at the door. Anna-Val if you're a blood-relation that's disappointed with me for not visiting the homeland often enough/if at all.
I'm a Story-Teller. Rarely but sometimes with words, other times with illustrations, mostly with adventures. But Best with a liberal mix of all three.
Drawing fictions got me out of being bullied in the 2nd grade. I feel my every experience stems from that early life-lesson. I once drew an elemental mythos on discarded wood that now decorates a schoolroom for developmentally challenged children. I also apprenticed as a tattooist for two years before sharing my under-aged status, which I feel no guilt over since the shop wasn't expressly 'legal' either. For one summer I read books aloud in a stairwell for patrons of a Liverpool café with a three-story walk up, was paid handsomely for that too (in that I mean with booze + board). I've acted as muse to 2 New Times Best Selling Authors, but to be honest I'm prouder to be their bootleg bartender for five consecutive New Years Eves. I perpetually attend classes in schools I've never registered in. In fact, I've never finished school proper; too busy teaching, learning and doing, which is probably my most valued skill set. I practice radical honesty, I'm quick to apologize and I always mean it. I guess that's what I do. I think the quote 'ancient amateur' is best paraphrased here.
2. What's the origin of your artist name?
Far-Eviler is an anagram of Val Freire. It's also easier to pronounce/spell.
3. What has been your biggest challenge with your art so far?
Possibly giving up the prospect of being an Architect because Maths gave me panic-attacks. But that's more of a defeat than a challenge.
...In middle-school I never completed a self-portrait. It's the only art assignment I've ever flat-out failed. I continued to fail at it for a few short lifetimes, which I guess makes sense since I don't think I was me yet. I've done four this year alone, and not for school or work but just cuz.
They're sorta awesome!
4. Who or what is your biggest influence?
Creatively? Beatles, van Goph, Dali, JD Salinger, hell Chris Corner even. And every great little idiot who creates with abandon and the world said it was ass. Especially if its ass, cuz if you're going to be an ass for anything it should be for art's sake.
...Oh, my sister's kids + my little cousins. I live to amuse them. If at the end, I've nothing more to account for than that, then I'd consider it'dve been well-lived.
5. What is your wildest story?
Life. Although I suspect a twist ending...
6. What is the last book you read?
Right now I'm reading Artemis Fowl; the Atlantis Complex, The Poison Eaters, The Dead-Tossed Waves, Midnighters, Cards & Magic Tricks, Dragon Soul, Geektastic, Light Before Day, Interfictions Vol I., White Cat, Dear Theo; The Auto-Biography of Vincent van Goph, Changeling and Faust.
...Last week I finished Forrest of Hands and Teeth, nick and norah's infinite playlist, Magic or Madness, Scarlet Fever, The Thief and Feed.
At this point, it feels right to concede I have ADHD and a twice-loved library card at the ready.
7. If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be?
Oh, no, none of that, please.
8. What couldn't you live without?
Caffeine, it calms me. I get the DT's without it. [I should reference again the ADHD]
9. What is your secret talent?
I fix things. I never mean to; mother boards, plot holes, dangling participles. If it isn't reliant on numbers, it's a thing I can fix. I've a keenness to repair whats broke.
10. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
I don't really remember dreams. But sometimes, upon waking, I get a sense I spent the night talking to Becca. She passed away Oct 8th 2008. I miss her always.
11. What are you craving right now?
Jeesus H. freakin' Coffee!! Always, with the coffee.
12. What was the last song you fell in love with?
On my iTunes [@ random]; Stars by The XX. I dig the overlapping 'girl vs. guy' vocals and I'm sweet on the IV Legend Remix.
On HitRECord; Weeping Lily By Neha Ska, it's succinct yet rift with promise in the way I think everything here is.
13. Can you hula hoop?
Used to, can't imagine why not.
More importantly can you dance? I can. I fox-trot, meringue and mosh like a mother fuck. Not expert level by any means but I often feel people who don't dance can't be trusted. There is something soulless about dividing motion from rhythm. It makes me very sad.
14. What do you like?
Laughter. Not quiet and polite niceties either, but that infectious one that gets you in hella-trouble in middle of church. Yeah, that one.
15. What do you dislike?
Officious Administration; queuing at the DMV, waiting to be called at Jury Duty, worse yet filling out medical/legal forms, in triplicate. Boo to that.
16. What's the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
"If it's not fun, it's funny." - Eddie Vedder
...oh, and when in doubt, quote Oscar Wilde.
17. How and why did you start RECording?
What's the expression, long time watcher, first time caller. Or something very like it.
