Jose Sanchez Field: Sci-Fi Artist. Website: www.asfa-art.org/Members/JoseSanchez Email: Jose77Sanchez@Yahoo.com Location: Miami, FL Featured Art: Jose's Artwork Page.

The Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Co-President Shawn O'Donnell "BGR" (bgresurrection_1999@yahoo.com) recently spoke with Jose Sanchez (Jose77Sanchez@Yahoo.com), Sci-Fi artist and BSG fan. Jose's Artwork is featured on this site in the Special Features Section of this site. He is also active in the efforts to revive the show.

BGR: What got you interested in doing artwork in the first place?

JS: As far back as I can remember. I was, believe it or not, in kindergarten. Yes, kindergarten! My teacher gave us fingerpaint to start fumbling with on a large, dark board. She just handed me some goop and said: start painting! Being about five years old, I was confused and wasn't sure what to do with it, so she quickly got my hand and started to paint on the board with it in a circular fashion. Right away, I loved it!...and told her, "I like this, give me more! It wasn't until first grade, however, that I started to draw with a pencil...rockets of course! Since then, the rest is history as they say!

BGR: Specifically then...what was it about Sci-Fi artwork that was so appealing to you?

JS: As far as the theme of sci-fi is concerned, I remember enjoying and literally "losing myself in television programs such as Space: 1999 and Battlestar Galactica, but what truly struck me and ultimately had a lasting impression on me, was when Star Wars came out. I remember leaving the movie theater with my mom and brother in a total daze. My brother and I kept asking each other "did you see that?" We were completely stunned and couldn't believe what we had just seen. There was nothing like it, and there still isn't as far as I'm concerned.

I really get a kick out of how "real" a sci-painting can appear to be. Sometimes in the past, I would get comments from people like: "Well, it's easy for you to come up with these ideas, because it's all made up in your imagination". But nothing could be further from off from the truth! You see, in my opinion, I think that the more elements from reality you include in you science fiction art and keeping with the natural laws of nature, the more "realistic" and believable your work becomes. It engulfs the individual..."absorbs" them if you will into a completely different reality. Sort of like a suction-cup effect. For just a moment, you escape to far away places and visit exotic planets with cool looking aliens and robots.

I especially like the women of sci-fi art! They're always beautiful and incredibly built...basically perfect! Especially on the fantasy book covers! I also like the flight aspect of SF/Fantasy. I mean, think about it, can you imagine riding on a Pegasus across a snow-covered mountain?...or flying with a dragon over a huge castle as the fresh air blows through your hair?...nice! I also enjoy technology very much and this is one big thing from me in Science Fiction. I think that because of technology, we live much easier in many respects compared to our ancestors. Just take the often overlooked automobile, for example.

BGR: Do you think that an artist (or writer) can be more expressive in this genre?

JS: Yes, I do think that an artist can be more expressive in the Science Fiction genre. Given a lot of elements and physical rules borrowed from reality. Science Fiction, both literary and artistic, an really work because so much of SF is based on reality. At the same time, a lot can be gotten away with...like the existence of space travel, other environments...a multitude of extra-terrestrial life-forms, etc., etc. In the meantime, much of the technology seen in sci-fi is either close to coming or already with us. Take cell phones (communicators?)...sound familiar?

BGR: Battlestar specific then...you've done some work featuring Battlestar Galactica/and characters...is there a dynamic element that you felt was ready and waiting to be acknowledged?

JS: Definitively, I would have to say that due to the strong resurgence in Galactica interest, and thanks in large part to the internet and Richard's campaigning, now would be the perfect moment in time to bring back BSG with all her original glory, characters and themes of the past. New characters would also add some "spice to the pot!" New technology in the film and television industry is also something to look at! At the same time, I feel more inspired than ever before to create new artwork to help in pushing the whole idea. I also feel this way because of all the 3-D art and covers released lately...especially that of Chris Scalf!...his art is truly magnificent! Artists...at least I can speak for myself...tend to feed off of each other enthusiasm, and as a result, become more creative in their own right during the process. With the next Star Wars episode no due out until the summer of 2002, Battlestar's return to the screen will come as a fresh drink of water in the middle of the desert for many fans! I think not only for BSG fans, but SF fans in general as well. There has been a shortage of good quality sci-fi for quite some time now, therefore I can't wait for BSG's triumphant return! It's going to be exciting!

BGR: I think the reader's would be interested...how/when did you first discover BSG?

JS: I found out about Battlestar Galactica through the T.V. Guide, practically by accident. To my unexpected discovery just a few days before it came out, I was thumbing through the pages and there it was! I saw a black and white illustration of vipers flying over what I think was three Colonial Warriors flanked by an army of Cylons off to one side. Like I said, this was a LONG time ago, nonetheless it was a site! I saw it when it first aired on television. I remember it was on a Sunday night on the ABC network; channel 10 and lasted for 3 hours, probably due to commercials. Ever since, I have always maintained a strong interest in Galactica...and also as a young boy watching Galactica with my Dad, it was a very special treat because it meant that we were going to have home-made Fried Chicken, white rice and black beans for supper that night!

BGR: Any personal favorite's regarding episodes/and why?

JS: Well, to be honest with you, I can't remember all the episodes I saw...and just recently acquired some of my own...but there was one episode that especially caught my attention. It was "The Young Lords". Granted, it was a little bit corny, with Kyle's uniform and those crumbly makeshift strap-on horns used on the wanna-be "unicorns", but I think that the rivalry between Lucifer and Spectre was very funny and even interesting at times. How two droids could actually feel disgust for one another was quite intriguing (I thought only humans were supposed to do that). Equally hilarious was how Baltar found amusement in the two IL series antagonism for each other. And, as always, the Cylons were cool too. This particular episode influenced me greatly when I was in the planning stages for the "Cylon Tribute" collage and yes, if you've seen it, that is definitely Spectre in there, not Lucifer. I guess, in a way, I felt sorry for the old klutz. He really kept on making mistakes one after the other and Lucifer was steaming at his incompetence...even though...strangely enough he kept impressing Baltar with his "spur of the moment" lies.

BGR: Any favorites regarding characters and again why?

JS: Even though I do like popular characters some times, for some reason, I've always found the "underdogs" more fascinating. For example, one of my favorite characters has always been Lucifer. He has a certain "up scale aristocratic flair" to him. Besides being highly intelligent, he seems very much "gentlemanly" in a way. Also, Boomer is very funny when he makes cracks about Starbuck's sometimes childish behavior. Of all the Colonial Warriors, Apollo seems to have his head on straight and has a real sense of direction and purpose in everything he does, which easily doubles for Richard Hatch as well.

BGR: As I always ask anyone working in this field...what personal outlook/advice do you have for people that are trying to break into the field?

JS: All I can say is stick to your guns no matter what or who tells you otherwise. There are too many "well intentioned" individuals out there that will try to steer you away from your goals for their own personal reasons. Jealousy is one of them and plain ignorance is another. I really believe that sooner or later, someone will take notice of your work. Try to send your artwork to different websites that are willing to post your art and have faith in yourself even when others don't. Who cares what they think anyway. We live in a free country and where there's a will there's a way! Also, don't stop practicing...it's only a matter of time before something happens! Granted, people will tell you that there's just too much competition in our field, but what they didn't tell you is that happens in all careers, no matter what is is about. Just keep at it!

BGR: I've got to ask...I'm sure that you've got a few interesting stories to tell regards getting you're work exhibited, feel free to share...and have you published at this writing?

JS: Well, for some odd reason...of which I'm not even exactly aware about, I have tried every art gallery in town...but they wouldn't take my work. They said it was "too different" and "not traditional enough" for them. DUH! Of course it's not traditional...this is Science Fiction we're talking about people! Hello!...Fortunately, for illustrators there's such a thing known as art shows at sci-fi conventions. These shows are a very important part of the convention circuit and take in a large revenue for them, aside from the general admission. So far this year, my work has been exhibited at 25 different conventions across the nation. Sales have just begun to pick up for me, so that's good.

It takes time and effort, but I'm very persistent. I've also different awards at these shows; one for "Best Amateur Science Fiction". Besides having my artwork showcased on this and other sites, all my original paintings are now for sale. Just e-mail about their availability and pricing information. Lastly...I'm still waiting for my "Big Break"...although my art has appeared either in or as covers of various fan-produced publications, such as fanzines and semi-prozines, convention flyers and recently in the OASIS-13 Covention Program Book, a SF/Fantasy convention held in Orlando, Florida onece every year in the Summertime.

BGR: Finally (and going back to a direct BSG question)...what are you're personal outlooks regarding the future of Battlestar Galactica and Richard Hatch's efforts at reviving the show?

JS: It's very clear that Galactica has a strong future ahead of it, if only Universal would take it's blinders off! I mean, I really don't understand how almost 22 years later and after having spawned so many fans, websites, merchandise and interest to a global level, can they continue to deny fans their right to see BSG again! It can and would be in Universal's own interests, even if they were only profit driven motives. Just look at all the BSG stuff going on around you...will ya! In regards to Mr. Hatch, I think that he's very serious about bringing back Battlestar Galactic again in anyway, shape or form and truly believes in the potential it has on a very real basis. If Glen Larson really cared for BSG's return and what it means to it's worldwide fan's, he would've spoken up or already come up with something a long time ago instead of remaining silent for so long.

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