A DREAMY INNERWORLD ILLUSTRATED:
INTERVIEW WITH DUNKEES CREATOR
In speaking with the Venice-based illustrator, Off Radar touched on subjects such as the Dunkees creator’s artistic process and influences.
Written by Katie Karp
Venice Beach is a place for dreamers, making it the perfect spot for Dunkees, Daniel Militonian’s art store. Militionian has been drawing since he was a child, but it wasn’t until he was in his twenties that he realized he could make a living from his surrealist pieces. Some of his artworks are lighthearted and explicit spins on familiar Western cartoon characters, while others tap into his deep spiritual insights and appreciation for music, nature, and art. For his viewers and customers, Militonian offers an immersive experience of his art by providing a pair of 3D glasses that help bring such animations to life.
Two walls of his shop are filled with the colorful and imaginative creations of the Venice-based illustrator and painter, who sits behind the register with his sketchpad in front of him and his canvas behind him. Dunkees looks out upon the peaceful ocean, the talent-filled skatepark, and the busy boardwalk, where bright-eyed tourists and local dreamers walk. Existing on Venice Beach for two years, Dunkees brings people into Militonian’s inner world that is as animated, trippy, grungy, and hopeful as the outer world his shop faces.
On July 14, Off Radar stumbled upon Dunkees and had the chance to speak with its creator.
Off Radar: Where does the name Dunkees come from?
Militonian: Daniel Militonian is my full name, and Dunkees comes from a long time ago. I was trying to come up with an artist name and name for the shop, and somebody in my life at the time asked me, why don't you name it after yourself? My name in Russian is Danelle, and I played with the name until I came up with Dunkees.
Off Radar: Which piece of art is your favorite?
Militonian: It's actually on the wall. There are a couple of originals that I keep the paintings for myself, and this is one of them. I painted this after trying to get into this art competition but couldn't because of this one judge. This water and the tanks are your inner strength and what makes you who you are. We can inspire other people who try to drain us. They're always climbing on top in a way that's trying to drain you, so you have to catch it and not let it get to you.
Off Radar: Are you originally from Venice?
Militonian: Originally, I'm from Russia. I'm Russian-Armenian. My parents brought me in '91.
Off Radar: Is Venice a big inspiration for your art?
Militonian: My feelings are probably the biggest source for my ideas, but Venice gave me the freedom to express those feelings and actually be where I want to be.
Off Radar: What made you want to incorporate glasses into your art?
Militonian: That happened by accident. I went to this rave party kind of place and everybody was tripping on all kinds of drugs, and I was just high. They gave me these pairs of glasses to trip on the light and give me an idea of the trip.
Off Radar: What kind of music inspires you?
Militonian: I like everything. Music is a frequency that tunes you to different feelings, so it depends on how it makes you feel.
Off Radar: What is your process for creating your art?
Militonian: I'm working on a piece right now, but its process is backward. My works all start with a feeling and idea at first, and I go with that and try to sketch and bring that to life. I'll find a picture and start thinking about what I will do and how to lay it out. I do basic sketches until I finalize something. Once I have this, I go digital and color it on the computer. But I did it backwards this time because I did it on the computer first. Now, I'm painting it as an actual painting.
A look at the development of the piece he is currently working on, from rough sketch to fully developed image to canvas