Born in 1967 in California, Chet Zar is an artist who was first known for his work on Tool's graphic universe, but who's more and more noticed for his paintings. Thus, after years in make-up effects for Hollywood, he took the advice of author Clive Barker and decided to pursue his true passion.

Salival : How do you feel your own art ? When did it start ? Do you have a specific goal with it ?
Chet Zar : I've been drawing, painting and sculpting since I was a little kid, around age 3. At around age 12, I got really interested in doing make up for movies, so I studied that on my own until I graduated high school. Then I got into the business. In around 1998, I got a computer and began learning 3D when I realized it had great potential for fine art. So I began thinking about that, doing animations, and started painting, with the goal of starting a career in fine art.

What brings you inspiration ? Do you need any special conditions ?
I'm inspired by other artists doing great work. Every time I go to an art show that has great work in it, I'm immediately inspired to go home and paint. Also, music inspires me a lot.

Do you have a favorite form of art in what you're doing ? Is there anything you couldn't do until now and would like to ?
I love oil painting, but I also love 3D work, both traditional and digital. One thing I'd like to do is direct a film or music video, but the opportunity has not come up yet.

What was your best experience when you worked for a movie, and in general as an artist ?
I think the best experience creatively was on the Tool video "Schism". There was just so much cool stuff to make in it. It was really a lot of fun. It was also the hardest I ever worked on anything. I did my longest non stop work day ever on that, 36 hours straight ! The films I work on are generally not very satisfying. The films themselves almost never turn out very good. I'd have to say that all of the work for Tool has been the most satisfying creatively.

Was the release of your DVD (Disturb the Normal) an easy thing to do ? What are your other projects ?
The DVD was extremely difficult to do . Digital 3D invloves so much work, and I have a day job and a family, so it was a lot of long hours when I could find the time. Luckily, I have a very supportive family. I also did all of the audio, which was a big chore in itself.

What do you think of Tool : their music (and its evolution), their concerts (and the use of your art during them), and in general their career ?
I think artistically Tool is at the top of the list of any band out there. They are musically great as well. They never but out anything bad, and you can tell that they really care about what they do. It's really exciting seeing my animations playing at their live shows. I saw them once in Irvine, CA, and when different animations came up, the crowd would roar. It's very cool to be a part of somehting like that.

How did it start to work with them ? Do you have any projects with them ?
I met Adam before the band was together. We were both working in an effects shop. We became friends, and he left the business to start the band. Years later, he got in touch with me to work on "Stinkfist", and we've worked together ever since.

What's your opinion about the other artists working with Tool ? (Cam De Leon, Alex Grey, Spiral Eyes, Osseus Labyrint)
Tool always has top notch artists working for them. I met Cam through Adam, and I'm a huge fan of his work, and he's now one of my closest friends. I think he should be a lot more famous than he already is. He has influenced a whole generation. Alex Grey is great, I was a fan of his before he was hooked up with Tool. Spiral Eyes has a great vision, and I look forward to seeing what they continue to come up with. Osseus Labyrint are amazing to watch. They are starting to get some big recognition here in the States. I was just reading an article on them the other day in the L.A. Times. All of these artists are all very cool people as well, and I'm proud to be associated with them.