When she’s not too busy being a mother to her two children or attending events with her famous husband (bassist Robert Trujillo of METALLICA), artist Chloe Trujillo – who grew up in Paris – is all about creating interesting works of art and showing us all that creativity is only limited by ones imagination. She is most well known for a pyrography (woodburning) design of the Aztec Calendar she did for her man, taking ‘art on instrument’ to a whole new level.
The Metal Den’s Randy “Rocket” Cody recently conducted an interview with
artist Chloe Trujillo for his loyal army of Den Headz worldwide.
Rocket: What bands first drew you to heavy metal music?
Chloe: I remember my dad had “Killers” from Iron Maiden (which by the way inspired me to draw Eddie on people’s school stuff… I was very young), AC/DC, and of course he would listen to Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. I got into it and then I remember my parents sent us to a summer camp in upstate New York where one of the workers just got the brand new “Kill ‘Em All” album. It was the craziest thing I ever heard.
Rocket: Do you recall the first heavy metal concert you attended?
Chloe: AC/DC in the early 80’s.
(Photo: Rebecca G Wilson)
Rocket: Cool. When did you first get into drawing and making art?
Chloe: As soon as I could hold a pencil. My parents as designers, especially my mom, used to draw constantly. I always loved drawing. I used to draw my surroundings all the time. I actually found yesterday an old watercolor I must have done when I was a teenager in our old country house. My notebooks used to go around the classroom during school. I kept those, they have comments from old classmates… good memories!
Rocket: Can you tell me the story behind your artwork on the “Aztec” bass played by
Robert Trujillo of Metallica?
Chloe: I wanted to make a bass that would reflect his heritage and his personality on stage. I thought about an Aztec warrior at first, but then I really liked their calendar(and with 2012 coming up, it’s very much in fashion…), the details and the round shape I thought would look good. We were in Paris and I found my old woodburning gear in my dad’s cellar, perfect for a blank wooden bass. I worked on it while on tour and finished it back home.
Rocket: Which others of Robert’s basses have you done artwork on?
Chloe: There’s an eyeball bass that’s hand painted, and he (Rob) wanted a second Aztec, so I did that too-it’s slightly different of course, but same subject.
Rocket: Are you going to do any other new art on Rob’s bass guitars that you can
possibly tell me about?
Chloe: I just finished a Psychedelic-dias de los muertos-painted bass.
Next the Aztec warrior bass is finally going to come to life.
Rocket: What is your favorite Metallica song?
Chloe: For a long time it was Seek and Destroy and Whiplash,then Leper Messiah, For Whom The Bell Tolls and then Dyers Eve, but they keep adding to their repertoire, so how can I keep my favorite the same song? The End of The Line? B B and S?
Rocket: Are you a religious person?
Chloe: Spiritual, not religious.
Rocket: How do you get inspired to create your artwork?
Chloe: I start working on an impulse. Something needs to come out, so I get my canvas, my colors and I start. I translate visions I get at that particular moment. It’s very intense.
Rocket: Exactly how can fans who want to buy your artwork go about doing that?
Chloe: My artwork can be bought via paypal online through my website,there one can also see where it is exhibited and go see it in person and purchase it as well. Or come to one of my openings and share a drink with me.
Rocket: You also perform in a musical group, correct? What’s the band’s name and when
will you be performing next?
Chloe: Yes, I am actually part of a lot of different projects right now. I still perform once in a while with my old band in Los Angeles. I just performed in a rock opera. I sing backups for a few people. I am planning a few gigs in the bay area sharing vocals with a fellow female singer. All info is on my website chloeinart.com
Rocket: Do you enjoy any of the old school death metal bands?
Death, Carcass, Obituary, Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, Entombed…love them!! Grindcore, love that stuff! I remember going to all these shows in small Parisian clubs like le gibus and l’espace ornano… Morgoth, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse…don’t get me started, I won’t stop. My favorite still is Death – all of their albums!
Rocket: Right on. So do you have any other art or musical projects that you’re working on?
Chloe: I am writing an album right now, some crazy fusion stuff. I am also illustrating a children’s book and soon about to paint a surfboard for my lovely husband.
Rocket: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?
Chloe: Hopefully having achieved most of the things written on my to-do list and having more goals, it’s all about the journey and not the destination… and to have fun. Wherever I am as long as I have my loved ones around and that I am happy and healthy.
Rocket: Thanks very much for your time. Best of luck with your artistic and musical endeavors. Go ahead and give thanks out to your biggest supporters.
Chloe: Thank you very much, Rocket! And big thanks to all who have supported me and my work, those who are about to do so and the rest. Love.
http://chloeinart.com/
Great interview!
I will second that! Wow, Rocket!! You are rocking!!!