Ruling "the universe beyond the grave" – that's what Dylan Protus loves most about making art, he tells RAW playfully. Be sure to catch his photographs live at the RAW launch in San Francisco at the Minna Gallery on Thursday, August 19th! 

Tell us about yourself. 
Tall guy, weird clothes. First you see him, then you don't.

How did you first get started making art?
Like I told my last wife, I says, "Honey, I never drive faster than I can see." Besides that, it's all in the reflexes.

How would you describe your aesthetic?
Just remember what ol' Dylan Protus does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Dylan Protus just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
All I know is, this Lo Pan character comes out of thin air in the middle of a goddamn alley while his buddies are flying around on wires cutting everybody to shreds, and he just stands there waiting for me to drive my truck straight through him with lights coming out of his mouth!

What do you love most about what you do?
You can go off and rule the universe from beyond the grave.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art?
Now I'm not saying that I've been everywhere and I've done everything, but I do know it's a pretty amazing planet we live on, and a man would have to be some kind of fool to think we're alone in this universe.

Medium of choice?
The wings of liberty, may they never lose a feather.

What sort of techniques do you most like working with?
A brave man likes to feel nature on his face, and a wise man has enough sense to get in out of the rain.

Are there any artists or art movement, past or present, that strongly inform and influence your work? 
The First Sovereign Emperor of China, that mad monarch who federated our seven warring states, defeated Lo Pan and imposed upon him that horrible curse of no flesh in 272 B.C. A lot of Chinese kids hear these things when they’re little, then when they grow up, they pretend not to believe them.

Any previous exhibitions/collaborations that you are particularly proud of?
I used to work for Evel Knievel, testing his bikes before big jumps. He would do the jumps first to make sure they were safe and then would come in and get all the glory. After a while I said, "To hell with that. I want the credit I deserve." So one afternoon, I set out to jump ten milk trucks. I nailed the take-off and finished with an even smoother landing.

Any accomplishments/goals you hope to achieve as an artist in the future? 
I plan to jump out of my castle and defeat an army of 1,000 wizards, then marry all their wives.

Why showcase at RAW?
I'd rather die than live in a world where there is no RAW.

Favorite thing to do outside of your craft?
Gallop into a wooded glen, and punch-dance out my rage.