Very much so. The first acknowledgment came as a surprise from the 89th Issue of WebDesigner Magazine. They had a feature article ENTITLED “2004’s Most Influential Designers” in which I was listed amongst some of my personal favorites such as Rob Lindstrom from Design Chapel, Mike and Katie from Tado and Gregoire Poget from Tetsoo. I was having doubts if I should continue with UrbanCowboy, and it was a much needed confirmation that I was on the right track. That evening it was a free round of whisky for everyone.

2. Dear Sheriff Patrick Boyer, of all pseudonyms, why Urbancowboy?

I was in the process of moving to New York with a girl friend of mine, who had just been accepted to Columbia. I decided I needed some sort of exciting personality or pseudo identity (cause normal just isn’t fun enough). I used to wear a funky cowboy hat to the bars, and a photographer friend of mine took a picture with me before I left all decked out in urban styles. The company name materialized from there. The look has more or less been consistent since (minus the platform shoes).

3. You started out as a designer and art director in 1998. In 2001, you formed your very own independent design studio in a small bachelor apartment in the east village, NYC. What preparations did you take to have the confidence to start out on your own?

No one would hire me, so I had little choice but to have the confidence. I had moved to NYC during the time of September 11th. It was an unstable time for everyone, and all the sweet jobs were put on hold, leaving slim pickings. I turned down a few undesirable offers and decided to try being a solo agent for a while, at least until I figured out what to do next. It meant working under the table, but I really liked the independence.

4. Heavy baggage of responsibility and expectation for “creating exceptional artwork for a diverse range of international clients and projects” has been embedded in Urbancowboy since becoming the leading illustrator in the realm of design. Art and beauty, per say, are subjective. Define “exceptional.”

The Quote came from Practical Web Projects magazine, after designing the issue’s cover. They did a very flattering write up including the usage of “sheriff”, which I totally fancied and try to use whenever possible. Exceptional is subjective and art and beauty are based on personal preferences. Do I think I do “exceptional work”? I guess that is up to others to decide. I enjoy what I do, and if I feel that I’ve personally done “exceptional work” for lack of a better words, it is when I can look at something I’ve created and truly feel that I’ve raised the bar on what I’ve already accomplished in the past. Then I think it deserves a nice gold star, pat on the back and a shot of Jack.

5. Your clientele includes Aldo, Corel, Casio, Highbury Entertainment, Flash in the Can, Banzai Sushi, Dex, Madam Music, Tension, Point Zero, Engine, Blend of America, Sex Book Project, Peace Signs, Naturalpath, Northen Flava, Java u, Golden MovieXpress, San Babila and your latest, Motel 7, a clothing line. Heard that Motel 7 hit the streets in April 2005. What was your role for Motel 7? Did you design the apparels, just the campaign or both?

Both. It’s been kind of an experiment for me. I was to develop a brand (image) for a new line, inside and out. I created the identity of the company, including the name and market it should target. I design the visuals for the apparel, the fit, graphics and the campaign. If I were smart, I would take the experience and carry it forward to my own future line.

6. Were you governed by a concept in Motel 7 or did you direct the flow of it?

Motel 7 was a name/concept I wanted to develop for a simple smaller tee-shirt line over a year ago. The idea of Motel 7 was this mysterious location, “where in the hell is Motel 7?”. and to develop this desire to visit this deviant environment filled with all of life’s sinful luxuries. I carried the concept over to present emerging line. All the campaigns and parties will happen in random hotels.

7. On the first of April this year, you were donned in a dapper mod suit and white tie for a NEW BURINING HOT HEAT video. And you get to rock with the real deal Stones in the 60’s. What is this video all about?

Well, I never did get to rock out with the Stones (I wasn’t born in the 60s), but that would have been crazy fun. I always wanted to steal one of Keith’s scarves. The video was a two day video shoot in the rain. It is all about everyone disappearing leaving the singer “In the Middle of Nowhere” which is the song title. I think it marked the end of my short term interest in being in music videos unless they’re indoor or on a tropical beach.

8. You are recently collaborating with Osmosis Agency to develop a brand new men’s cosmetic package called SMIRK. You have to an illustration of your washroom. Why YOUR washroom? And are you going to be given a make-over by SMIRK?

Sadly, the project folded part way through. No hard feelings towards anyone as these things happen. I chose my washroom initially because it was readily available and they wanted a “stereotypical male bachelor’s” washroom. I’m male, and, well - I’m also a bachelor. I made sure not to draw everything. A make-over huh, I wouldn’t say no. They could go to town with my eyebrows. Give me some crazy 1980s patterns or something.

9. Are you a metrosexual or the grungy kind who thinks 3 day-old stubbles is sexy and masculine?

How about a grungy metrosexual?

10. Describe your room in 20 words.

First impression is messy with a tropical Asian décor. Clothes everywhere from the night before and scattered half empty glasses of water to help the hangovers go away.

11. Your projects consist of magazine and CD covers, profile, logo, design tutorials, book and review. And also a retail campaign for San Babil Campaign/Ad. I saw the ad for Elle Canada. The ad is portrait driven. Do you do photography, too?

I do, which I’ve sadly put off for the past year or so. The campaign was shot by a good friend of mine, Steve Button, a photographer from Martha’s Vineyard. The stuff I enjoy is a bit more raw and not necessarily commercial, but we did manage to have fun with this one (behind the camera).

12. You are now the ambassador for Corel Draw Graphic Suite 12 and the ads have gone international. Now that you are the public figure and have been voted as one of the world’s top 5 illustrators, do you mind yourself more and preserve opinions?

Lol, amazing…the ambassador for Corel Draw… I love it. Corel for me is the neighborhoods software company, with the main office not so far from where I grew up. It was one of the first programs I ever learned because it was so readily available. Today, I use Corel to create the foundation for most of my designs, whether they are for clothing or illustrations. I use it as a basic tool to draw. I guess I decided to stick to my guns as I’ve become so comfortable with it and I’ve learnt how to use the software to best suit my needs.

13. How has this recognition affect your way of life?

Of course, as Corel is the underdog when compared to Illustrator and Freehand, not too many recognizable designers use it, so I’ve had the advantage to stick out because of it. Often when I’ve been asked to do tutorials or interviews, I am asked, “Why Corel?” But all being said, I think it helped me develop my own personal style.

14. You were very excited on the launch of Golden Movie Express. Are you a movie buff? What is your all time favourite movie and why?

I haven’t owned a TV in years, but Movies I love. I can’t say there is one all time favourite, but True Romance is classic feel good movie that pops into my head. I mean it has all the right actors (Brad Pitt, Christian Slater, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer as Elvis, Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman). The movie was directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino. It’s a romance with drugs, sex and violence. It’s got my heart already.

15. Urbancowboy’s main character, One Eyed Willy, has been given a storyline with a character development complete with sound effects. You mentioned that One Eyed Willy is a character montage of roles from Kill Bill, The Crow and Clint Eastwood plotline. Was the story invented on any significance or reference to your own personality/profile?

Art is always a means to profile yourself, or more so, elements you find interesting and desirable that you wish you could expand on. It is a way of communication. Willy is a fusion of what I think I would like to be, and characters in the past who I particularly liked and thought were cool. The story line was supposed to be developed further into a pitch for either a video game and/or animation short. I guess he’s been placed on a backburner for now.

16. From the likes of Kill Bill, The Crow and Sin City, can I say that you are into the genre of goth, punk and the dark side?

I do love the deviant dark side. I guess everyone has a muse or certain genre they tap into to get creative. I’ve experience all these genres before and feel that normality is the breading grounds for the unimaginative. Nothing helps creativity more then a healthy dose of insanity.

17. Have you considered building a character of Alex from Clockwork Orange?

No, but what a great idea!

18. Someone asked you if you are going to be sued by the music artists because you did a few caricature designs of them. You are in the process of asking permissions from all the artists which you have used. How has the progress been?

It’s always hit or miss. Some artists reply right away with kind words and remain in contact. Others aren’t so easy to get hold of and you can only cross your fingers, give them full credit and hope for the best.

19. When you did those caricature designs, have it ever cross your mind that you CAN get SUED?

I try to paint them in the most favorable light, which matters very little in the long run. Maybe that’s to much of a laid back response, but it is all for the sake of creativity and in return promoting the artists as well.

20. Most designers or people from the creative fields are nocturnal beings. Caffeine will soon have no effect on us sooner or later. What is your remedy to keep yourself wake when work warrants you to?

Alcohol is known to keep people awake. Maybe it’s all the sugar used in the process. That helps amongst other forms of luxuries. Staying up comes naturally, especially when you’re really into something your passionate about. Music is always essential, especially when wearing listening to it with earphones (those retro 70s style ones). Blocks all possible distractions.

21. Urbancowboy.net will be having its e-magazine soon; titled “Visual Stimulation through4Play.” What can your fans expect from the e-magazine?

The e-magazine is a concept created with a photographer friend of mine Van Tri Lee based on playful sexual behaviour. We both have similar styles even though we work with different mediums. The e-magazine will bring together visually stimulating photography and illustrations with various “sexually playful” themes (hence, I love 4 play). With each theme, we ask 5 designers and 5 photographers to contribute to the issue’s theme. The issue will later be printed on folded postcards and made available as coffee table conversation pieces.

22. You used to work in NYC but are currently stationed in Montreal. Which of these 2 places do you think suit your lifestyle better?

The two cities have many similarities, both very creative and full of life. I would have to say, as an artist, it is much easier to live in Montreal (especially when your client base is international) and considering the US’s current political status. Montreal is very unique for a North American city, being really multicultural and European. The city has been dubbed the city of sin and also the city of festivals. There are really only two seasons here, the winter season (work season) and the summer season (play season). All being said, I would love to move back to New York in the future.

23. 50 years from now, how and what would you like people/fans to remember you by?

Either by my stylish moustache or my drunken river dance.

24. Quote and unquote, “It’s nice to see dreams materialise into reality. It hasn’t always been peaches and cream, no doubt, it usually never is, but most definitely it’s been sweet and nutty. It’s who I am; I mean I even got the boots and hats. But I only wear them together on special occasions.” As a professional and well-respected designer, Patrick Boyer aka Urbancowboy, any last words of encouragement for the budding artists out there?

I guess to expand on the quote, if you really love what you do, then give it an honest go. Life as an independent artists isn’t easy, and if it means tightening your belt for a while until you find your own creative niche, then so be it. Artists are made to suffer right? Learn from others, get inspired, experiment and find yourself in your design. Give it time, as it won’t happen over night. You may not drive a Porsche for the first while or mostly likely never at all, but you’ll love waking up in the morning to fresh brewed coffee, half drunken glasses of water and some amazing work created the night before.

;)