Sketchy Interviews is a recurring series on Gothamist featuring visual interviews with some of the best illustrators, cartoonists and graphic artists working in the city today. We previously talked to New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, and this week we spoke to Mike Perry, the prolific artist and animator who creates paintings, drawings, sculptures, art installations, books, murals and art for TV—he may be best known at this point for his work on "Broad City," from the opening graphics to the animated season four episode "Mushrooms." His work straddles the line between whimsical and surreal, a colorful and utterly distinct collage of images that brings the city into focus in new and wonderful ways. You can see more of his work, as well as prints, books and hats he's designed, here.
Where is your favorite place to spend a lazy Sunday in the city?
My backyard—it is a tiny nature sanctuary nestled between brick buildings and laundry lines for me, Bass the dog, and bourbon on the rocks.
What's your favorite item of food in NYC?
I'm egg & cheese all the time: warm brioche, cage-free, & Crown Finish Cave’s raw cow Tubby from the basement. But if I’m in a rush, it is the Bagel Pub on Franklin version on a lightly toasted everything.
What’s your favorite NYC wildlife?
Those little birds you find bathing in the dust—the ones with that breakdancing-in-the-dirt-on-their-backs maneuver. The act is so carefree with a very “lemons into lemonade” vibe.
If the rats took over NYC, what might it look like?
They would be living it up like most of us want to without the hang-ups of rent, work, or hangovers.
What would be your utopian idea to improve NYC?
No Trucks! Outlaw the large autos—reduce the noise, reduce the risk!
BONUS: Perry was kind enough to send us timelapse videos of him making the drawings, which you can check out below.
