We had a chance to chat with the fabulous Gregg & Megan Deal of Modern Bird Studios about their awesome creations, thoughts on design, and little known facts on the dynamic duo. Read on for the hilarious interview- and please check out www.modernbirdstudios.com to see their awesome pieces.

So first off, let me say I’m obsessed with the concept behind Modern Bird. What lead to this awesome creation?

Gregg: Can we say that we’re sick of seeing people who have even a little bit of talent but that suffer because they can’t pull it together, or the stars aren’t aligned. It’s like Jamie Foxx in the soloist, sans the mental disorders. I’ve got an ability and I’m sickened to think that I can’t use my god given talents to provide for my family. It’s like what The Notorious B.I.G. says, “either you’re slingin’ crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot.” I’d like to think I’ve got the wicked jump shot.

Megan: In case you have no idea what Gregg just said, here ya go. Desperation! Gregg was laid off from his job, and I was at home with the kids. We got fed up with waiting on companies to start hiring again, so we decided to take some control and go for it. We came out swinging because we had nothing to lose! The economy sucker punch us, and we pimp slapped it right back. He actually created the ‘first’ Modern Bird piece about 3.5 years ago of our daughter. At the time we didn’t even think to try to provide for our family from it. Funny how creativity starts flowing when the situation demands!

How many different methods did you try until you perfected the process?

Gregg: Quite honestly, 3 times. It’s the magic number. You know what else is magic? Me.

Megan: Gregg is magic.

What is the craziest request you’ve come across from a potential client?

Gregg: Jeez…can I even talk about this ::looks sideways at wife::. We don’t really get crazy requests, per se. Crazy customers, however, there have been a few, for sure. In the end, you just have to do what people paid for. We had a guy once that ordered natural wood and black for his color scheme. He was mad that the wood had grain on it and that I didn’t tell him that the wood grain had any kind of prominence at all. He insisted we do a new piece. Really dude? Really?

Megan: We haven’t had anything too crazy, but we did put together a really cool image for an interior designer in San Francisco of David Bowie a la Ziggy Stardust with the San Fran skyline in the background broken up into 8 12” x 96” pieces. We have gotten in some ‘awkward family photo’ (http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/) worthy photos from people who were joking around with us, but other than that, nothing too crazy.

If you could have your art displayed in any one person’s home, who would it be?

Gregg: I think I’d have a few people. Right off I’d say Shepard Fairey or Banksy because it’s ironic. As a fan of Pop culture, I’d say Mike D of the Beastie Boys, Lance Armstrong, or Tom Cruise. Not really Tom Cruise, but most definitely in Suri’s room or something. Beck. I’d like Beck to be into my work. Hey, wouldn’t it be weird if Kim Jong-iL was into my work. Weird.

Megan: Good question! At this point, I would have to say Nate Berkus. He’s got amazing taste, amazing hair, and he has a show starting up in September, and we wouldn’t mind him telling everyone how insanely awesome our work is!! An endorsement from him would definitely help us pay the mortgage and feed our starving children, ya know?!! Basically anyone rich with power and influence.

Who or what do you think has the biggest influence on the world of art right now?

Gregg: I think the biggest influences right now are unconventional within the art world. Shepard Fairey has put the art world into a difficult position because they’ve had to make a change to the cannon of art. The odd thing about that though is that Fairey isn’t the first to question traditional mediums, and cross over art/design an aesthetic purpose. Using graphic design elements to make up your art is something urban/street artists have done for decades. People like Fairey were just in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. Regardless of that fact, the lines of art and design are not defined anymore, and the things that are considered fine art have changed. Despite my ability to paint mediums that would be considered traditional in art, I’m pretty pleased with that change that allows me to do what I love to do, while still maintaining my identity as an artist.

Megan: Gregg said it better than I could. I totally agree with what he said. Also sprinkle in some influence in fashion, and I think that is what is driving art and design these days.

What is your favorite website?

Gregg: ModernBirdStudios.com. Is that an answer? Can we whittle it down to some specific types? I dunno, this is a really broad question. I’ll just list off a few. I like http://www.smonkyou.com/ and http://www.cargoh.com/ and http://www.harpershappenings.com/ and http://www.kala-studios.com/. I visit those regularly to look or to read. Oh yeah, and http://twitter.com/.

Megan: Weather.com. I need to know how hot it is going to be so I have to check it several times a day. Okay, so not true…partly not true….not fully true, but kinda. There are SO many websites I love so this is tough! Perhaps http://www.chiasso.com/ because it is chock full of so much cool.

Any favorite design blogs? (Besides Studio M of course, he he)

Gregg: I like http://www.ironicsans.com/

Megan: This is a tough question to narrow down since there are so many amazing design blogs out there. Studio M definitely rocks!! For humor, I LOVE http://www.moggit.com/ and http://www.designblahg.com/. I think http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ and http://design-milk.com/ are pretty fantastic. Geez, this is not even the tip of the iceberg of amazing blogs. Pick any #Nateday blogger, and they belong on this list. (We agree!!)

What is your favorite room in your home & why?

Megan: Definitely my son’s room because of the colors and the boldness. I designed it and painted it while I was carrying him so a lot of love and excitement went into the creation of it. I’m quite certain Gregg will say the bedroom because of something lame like ‘because that is where the magic happens.’

Gregg: The Bathroom. It’s mostly because a lot of love and excitement goes into it. Ha, ha, that’s not true…but it’d be pretty damn funny if it was. The master bedroom. It’s all white, and super modern…like an Ikea showroom. I just love how cool it is. It’s also where the magic happens.

What are three random facts about you?

Gregg:
1. I used to compete snowboarding in the pro circuit
2. I’m half Native American from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
3. I shave my legs. (I’m a cyclist)

Megan:
1. I’m deathly afraid of snakes.
2. I did a non-stop 50 mile hike once. ONCE. I’ll never do it again.
3. I was voted Class Clown and Most Athletic in high school. I used to be someone.

Here are a few of Modern Bird’s great creations–awesome, right?

–Michelle Jennings Wiebe, Florida Interior Designer