Have you ever found an image online and it resonated with you, but you had no idea where it came from? Well, the same happened to me when I saw the amazing Disney-esque style of a group of young steampunk-attired ladies at a tea party. It looked like a sepia, tea-stained promotional still of a cartoon I’d love to see. But as was the nature of the internet, I could not find the author attributed to the art. Then, as the days went by, I kept seeing this style of art all over the various online groups I stalk… I mean keep tabs on for you readers, of course.

I came to discover the artist behind much of the art I had been taken with was, in fact, a Disney story artist, Mr. Brian Kesinger, who has his own website. He has been producing some amazing prints of ladies out for tea, steampunk adventurers, and lovely prints and tees of things as amusing as walking one’s pet octopus, as well as steampunk versions of the Avengers. It makes me wish we could see a fully animated feature in this style with Brian’s lovely women protagonists at the forefront. But I digress; the good Mr. Kesinger was kind enough to spend some time having tea with me and sharing his thoughts and processes with you, my lovely readers.

Doctor Q: ​Brian, thank you so much for the chance to sit and chat with you. Let’s begin with the ubiquitous question, what is steampunk to you?

Brian Kesinger:​ Thank you doctor for the kind introduction. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about my work.  The definition of steampunk to me is a community of artists and dreamers who imagine objects and worlds of fantasy inspired by the past. Now I’m sure I could get a lot more specific as to what specific time periods influence what and what the difference is between the sub-genres of steampunk, but rather than jumping into to the dangerous subject of “what is or what is not steampunk” I will instead offer that steampunk is a mindset that is aesthetically inclined and intelligently devised. Steampunk is what the community makes it and it is for that reason that I find such inspiration in the genre.

Q: ​How were you first exposed to the steampunk subculture and when did it begin to influence your art?

BK:​ I think I was exposed to steampunk without knowing it. Working on both Disney films, Atlantis and Treasure Planet, I was surrounded by paintings and references that showed brass fittings and submarines, sea creatures and adventurous heroines. In fact, on Treasure Planet there was a rule that guided every element in production. That was the “70/30 rule.” That meant everything in the film had to be 70% historical and 30% fantastical. I have tried to apply that to all my Tea Girls since the beginning. Working on those films gave me a basic understanding of costumes and props but it wasn’t until many years later while researching another project that I had found proper steampunk photos and sites. It was an exciting time because everything was new and it continues to be to this day. For, at any minute, a new piece of steampunk work will inspire some other person to create and so on and so on. 

Q: It came as no surprise to learn that you’re also employed by Disney; can you tell us about your background and your style in general?

BK: I started at Disney when I was 18, literally a kid out of high school who was fortunate to have his dream come true. I thought the hardest part would be just working to get the job but that was the easiest part of my last 15 years there. Every day since then has been a new day of school being surrounded by so many talented artists. Part of being a good animation artist is being able to adapt to a film’s specific style. Because I have spent the majority of my career there [Disney] I have never thought of myself as having a personal style. It isn’t until now that I have a few of the Tea Girls side-by-side that I see a similarity of works and for that I am excited because I see a pattern that is developing that is fun to play with.

Q: I like how you’ve even posted a film on your process from start to finish (embedded below), and it’s a lot of fun. What was the inspiration for that?

BK: I always liked those kinds of shows when I was a kid. Anytime they showed someone drawing on TV I was hooked. I feel that art is kind of a magic trick in that you create something out of nothing; the difference is that the public sees a painting and drawing after the “magic” has happened. The fun part about drawing and painting for me is the process, from thumbnail to composition studies. With the video I wanted to share that process with others so that they can see what it looks like to have something appear on the page and so they can see some of the decisions I make moment to moment in the creation of a piece.

Q: So tell us about your “Tea Girls?” Is there one you’re most proud of?

BK: I think whichever one happens to be my latest, because I am always trying to develop my drawing skills and I build up more references and ideas to try to make each piece as strong as it can be. That being said, I think the “Happiness” piece might be one of my favorites, I love the energy and spirit of her and it is a piece that I felt a real connection to even from the first sketch that I did.  The other piece that is a standout is “Walkies for Otto.”  That piece seems to have resonated with a lot of steampunks and I have even heard that one person is having it tattooed on them! I can’t think of a better compliment.

Q: In addition to your Tea Girls, you’ve also done other pinups and steampunk versions of comics and cartoon characters, were those on a lark or were they commissions?

BK: Well, it all feels like a lark but in fact, they were commissioned. “Walkies for Otto” was a contest winner for a website called welovefine.com. They really seemed to like my work and commissioned the Darth Vader and GI Joe pieces for t-shirt designs. They have been great to work with and I must say, as a longtime film geek, having the opportunity to do officially licensed Star Wars artwork is pretty cool! 

Q: So, if you had it your way, what would your dream project be?

BK: Well, it’s funny because when I started doing these it was completely devoid of a narrative. I wanted each of these girls to exist as stand-alone pieces of gallery art. But the way my mind works I couldn’t help but come up with stories and interactions within the world of the Tea Girls, in fact, I’ll take this time to announce that I have started work on my first Tea Girl comic! The title is “The Intrepid Molly McGuinness” and it is about a crypto-entomologist who risks life and limb to restore a wayward butterfly back to its native habitat. It is just a short eight page story but it has been super fun and as far as a dream project, it sure would be fun to develop this idea and direct a film one day either in animation or stop motion!

Q: Out of curiosity, do you take commissions? If so, how would one go about commissioning their own portrait as a Tea Girl or fine Dandy Gent?

BK: I do in fact take commissions. They are fun to do and if someone is interested in placing one they can email me at bluenitro@homail.com

Q: Well, we’re about done here. Thanks so much again for your time. Do you have any parting thoughts you’d like to share?     

BK: Just a thank you for your time and great questions! Thank you to the readers as well, I hope I have offered up some useful information as a small token of appreciation to the great group of steampunks out there that are a constant source of joy and inspiration!

Well, the tea is done, the scones are gone and our sit-down is at an end. I’d like to thank Brian Kesinger for the chat, and let you all know that you can follow him at his website, or his Facebook page, and be sure to purchase a print or commission this amazing artist. If you’re like me, the thought of a fellow steampunk deep in the bowels of Disney makes me happy to know that someday that we may see more than a simple pin collection out of the Mechanical—I mean Magic—Kingdom.  Feelf ree to enjoy the slideshow I've compiled full of art from Brian's portfolio he was kind enough to share with us.  Enjoy! 
 

Doctor Q is the Media Editor for Steampunk Chronicle. He fancies himself an acoustic arranger of music, art appreciator, and is Co-Founder of the Artifice Club.