Awesome Artists We’ve Found Around The Net: Chris Uminga

March 7th 2020, 12:00pm

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

For years, Awesome Art We've Found Around The Net has been about two things only – awesome art and the artists that create it. With that in mind, we thought why not take the first week of the month to showcase these awesome artists even more? Welcome to “Awesome Artist We’ve Found Around The Net." In this column, we are focusing on one artist and the awesome art that they create, whether they be amateur, up and coming, or well established. The goal is to uncover these artists so even more people become familiar with them. We ask these artists a few questions to see their origins, influences and more. If you are an awesome artist or know someone that should be featured, feel free to contact me at any time at [email protected].This month we are very pleased to bring you the awesome art of…

Chris Uminga

Christopher Uminga is a Connecticut based painter and illustrator. With his two Boston terriers serving as his trusty sidekicks, Chris has spent the last ten years developing a style which is uniquely his own that blends together both the creepy and the cute, with influences from classic movies, Saturday morning cartoons, graffiti and low brow/outsider art all present in his work. For the past few years, Chris has worked on projects for high profile clients such as Warner Bros, DC Collectibles, Mezco Toys, Marvel Comics, IDW, and Disney's Wonderground Gallery.

JoBlo: What got you started as an artist?

Uminga: Old TV shows and monster movies. As a kid, I was a huge fan of the Universal Frankenstein and Wolfman movies. With those movies, and being introduced to the 66 Batman series, I got hooked. I wanted to draw those characters and create my own adventures. Then I discovered Star Wars, He-Man, Scooby-Doo and that was lights out for me. I knew what I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.

Who were some of your favorite artists growing up?

When I was young I didn’t really pay attention to who the artists were that drew the characters I was quickly becoming obsessed with. It wasn’t until middle school and high school that I really started paying attention. I love James O’Barr’s work on The Crow, and Todd McFarlane blew my mind the first time I saw his work. Outside of comics, Blaine Fontana and Gris Grimly are very inspirational. But Joe Mad and Humberto Ramos are my two favorite artists of all time.

Who do you really dig these days, follow on Instagram?

That could be a very long list. I really look forward to seeing the work of Kristin Tereck (Cuddlyrigormortis), whenever she shares new work, Ed Mironiuk (edmironiuk) does fantastic sculptures, CreatureBox, Francisco Herrera (Herrerabox) and Ben Oliver (Benoliverart) all make me want to step up my game and be better.

What advice would you have for budding artists today?

I get asked this a lot, and the best advice I can give is just work. Draw every day, don’t pigeon hole yourself, draw as many different things and characters as possible. And share your work. The internet is fantastic because you can literally share your work with the world with the touch of a button. Don’t be afraid of negative comments because it will only drive you to be a better artist.

Being a fansite, we have to ask you… What are some of your favorite movies/TV shows of all time?

I love the Office, Seinfeld, Curb your Enthusiasm, Family Matters (I’m a BIG Urkel fan) and I watch them on repeat. As far as movies, Jaws, The Lost Boys, Karate Kid, It (both the original and the remake). Frankenstein, The Joker, The Dark Knight, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Can’t Buy Me Love, The Friday the 13th series and of course the original Star Wars trilogy.

Scroll down to check out some of our favorite art pieces from Mr. Uminga as we continue to follow his journey across some of his social media hubs: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook. You can also check out some of his creations turned into action figures on SideshowCollectibles.com.

The "JoBlo" commission

Wanna know how much we LOVE Chris Uminga here? JoBlo himself commissioned the above piece of JoBlo sitting in the middle of a theater filled with his childhood heroes. How badass is that!?

Alien vs. Predator

Batman Villains

Harry Potter

Horror Icons