10Qs with Beard Artist and #proveit Queen, Annie Hunter

Meet Annie Hunter, who’s been a devout fan of B-a-B since nearly our begining, why you ask (why not, damn it!)? Well, in her own words: “I love beards. I love mustaches. I love men. I love men with beards and/or mustaches.” Indeed sums us up pretty well, we are in effect a beard porn hub, full of hairy and facial fuzz filled kings among men (and some women). Cheers!

What caught our eyes was Annie’s amazing art (find all of her drawing, paintings and sketches here: www.octodream.com) which personally reminds me of Ralf Steadman's approach (i.e. caricature of the evils within versus the beauty outside) and her dark perspective, coupled with her devotion to facial hair, has yielded some amazing beard porn in and of itself. Really a huge way to #proveit, over and over again.

You can email Annie Hunter directly to secure any one of her awesome art pieces... think about getting all the Best beards in the world suite, we'd like an early Christmas gift, thanks.

1) First let me tell you how awesome your art is... do you have a philosophy that drives your dare I say dark perspective?
Well I have been watching horror movies and listening to Rock and Roll since I was a baby, which is probably the main reason I love everything horror and dark. I also have a fascination with gross stuff and my all time favorite band is Gwar, so I get a lot of inspiration from them.

2) Who are your major influences? Any from our Top 10 Artists with Beards?
I would probably say my main influences would be Alex Pardee and Salvador Dali, I just recently discovered the art of Killer Napkins (http://www.iamkillernapkins.com/) who is amazing. I do enjoy Van Gogh but Dali has a better mustache.

3) Tell us about your site, it's pretty bitchen... and we love us some Tumblr goodness.
I love Tumblr, and I feel like a website through tumblr is, in a way, better than just a regular website because instead of having to bookmark it on your computer you could just follow me and get instant updates on your tumblr for whenever I add a new piece or update.

4) Do you love beards more or less than Gwar?
HA! This is probably the most difficult question I have been asked time and time again. I honestly feel as though this cannot be answered. The only thing that would be better than Gwar OR beards would be Gwar WITH beards.

5) Speaking of bands, which is your favorite musical beard?
It's a tossup between Dallas Taylor from Maylene and the sons of Disaster and Kyp Malone from TV on the Radio. But I couldn't answer this question without mentioning ZZ Top because obviously no band could beat those beards.

6) Of all the beard art you did, which is your favorite? Does Jack Passion win another contest?
Actually although Jack's beard is mighty mighty, I would say my favorite out of the three would have to be Myk O'Connor's drawing I did, mostly because of the colors.

  

7) I think it's safe to say you love beards... what's your favorite beard style?
My favorite beard would be a big grizzly beard with a handlebar mustache. The bigger the better.

8) If you had to kiss someone with a goatee, stache, beard, or handle bar mustache - which one would you pick - and why?
Haha well the handlebar mustache is my favorite but I don't really discriminate. As long as the person who is attached to the beard/mustache is to my liking there shan't be a problem.

9) Have you ever dated anyone with a full face of hair? If so, have you ever felt the urge to cut it off while they slept? How about to put some rogaine on it?
I dated my best friend for a few months and he had a magnificent beard. He was one of those lucky ones that looked good with or without a beard but it would have been blasphemous for me to even think about cutting it off. If you have something so beautiful why kill it? And although the rogaine idea seems enticing I like my men all natural.

10) You RSVP'd for the New York City Beard and Moustache Competition... you gonna compete?
Haha, If only I could grow a beard. I can't wait for it though, I've never been to a competition and luckily NY is just around the corner from me so I'll finally be able to go.

 

10Qs with Myk O'Connor, Hairy Sage of Coney Island BMC

When I went to the 3rd Annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition I'm still not sure what i was expecting, but as i noted in my round up and Wrap Up of the event it definitely helped to see some of my friends from The National Beard and Mustache Championships take home the Fez in categories nearest and dearest to our heart (aka NATURAL).

One such awesome person was Myk O'Connor an awesome natural beardo we first met at Magnificent Specimens exhibit by Dave Mead in NYC, and we haven't been able to untangle us from his beard. Myk took home the Natural Beard championship title at Coney Island, and for the 2nd straight year... as such we sat down with this awesome Brooklyn Beardo... whom, truth be told, can give Mark Krayenhoff - The Brooklyn Beard King a run for his money, and title.

Before we dive into the 10Qs, directly below are Myk's invaluable top 3 tips for beardos everywhere... heed his word!

1. Be true to yourself- if it doesn't look good, then don't keep it.  If your hair grows patchy, try a different look.  Don't let anyone, girlfriends/boyfriends, wives/husbands or job sway what you want to do with your face.  It's yours!

2. Take care of it-  Make sure you are setting aside time to groom your beard.  Wear it proudly.  People are already apprehensive about dudes with beards, at least make the first thing they notice look good.  Trim those split ends and DON'T LET ANYONE LIGHT A CIGARETTE FOR YOU!

3. Be patient- a great beard takes time.  Yeah the first few months suck because its super itchy.  Grab a bottle of Jajoba oil and make sure you are getting to the dry skin underneath your beard.  Don't give up...even during summer months. 

1) How long have you been bearding? Are you competitive by nature or does it increase as your beard grows?
My conscience decision to enter the world of competitive facial hair was in Jan of 2009.  I was told about Beard Team USA by a colleague of mine and thought, "hey this is something I could get into."  By nature I am pretty competitive.  With each competition I have been in I have felt the need to win...there is something special about winning a beard competition.  It's not like winning the Super Bowl...more like winning World War 2. 

 
2) What's people's first reaction when they meet or see you? I think mine was, "hey can i take a picture of you"?

I definitely feel all eyes on me when I walk into a bar or the subway.  I've been told I can look a little intimidating... but then I smile and all preconceived notions of badass-ness are lost. I get the usual reaction of "Hey ZZ Top!", which I can't fucking stand...because they aren't the only dudes with beards and their music sucks.  I've had little Hispanic women bless themselves ad hold their rosary because they think I look like Jesus.  First off if Jesus existed, he wasn't a white dude and second of all, my beard is better than his.  He didn't have a boar hair brush.

3) How long have you been growing your beard and what's your process (if any) in up keeping that massive chin mane?

I've had some form of facial hair at all times, but this is the first time I have let it grow fully without trimming.  I am working on a little over a year and a half.  One thing I have learned is to definitely take care of it, since it's part of your body.  Make sure to get enough vitamin E and keep away from open flames. 

Shower everyday, rinse out all the pollutants and never brush when wet.  I have 2 brushes that I use, one to detangle and the other (boar hair) to shape.  I apply JaJoba oil for shine, moisture and the skin underneath....do a once over with both brushes and I am good to go.

4) Tell us about taking home the local gold in Coney Island... you're from Brooklyn and so that fez must mean a lot...

The Coney Island Competition is a lot of fun.  Drinking and sideshow freaks go hand in hand...but it's even more fun when you throw a Beard and Moustache Competition into the mix.  This is the 2nd year I have competed and taken home the coveted Best Beard.  It's an honor, because honestly you never know how the competition will go.  Ben Davidson had to arm wrestle in order to win....

5) Our thinking the CIBMC was too heavily slanted on the stache side... what are you feelings about the stache as facial hair, being a devout beardo.

Moustaches can either make you look really good, or really creepy.  I tried a moustache once, it wasn't for me.  A lot of people grow one for the "irony"..whatever the fuck that means.  Some dudes look bad ass with a moustache, others look goofy.  It all depends on your attitude and your personality.  If your an asshole, the moustache makes you look like a even bigger asshole.

6) How does such an uber local event compare to your experience at National's?

Local events are always hit or miss with me.  Sometimes the judging is a little bizarre.  If the audience is the judge then the criteria may be "longest" beard...instead of the "best looking".  Size doesn't matter, it's girth...right ladies???

But I also find the local events have a charm about them, where we are all packed into one space, meeting new people and making real connections.

7) How'd you like Bend? could it ever replace Brooklyn for you?

Bend is fucking gorgeous.  I love Oregon period.  Honestly I am not really cut out for big city life.  I wanna live in the outskirts of a small town surrounded by mountains or the ocean.  Bend also has a shit load of breweries...and I love beer.  Who knows...maybe one day.

8) You've competed in the World's as well, what's it like? How can you face (THE) Jack Passion, or even share a stage with him (when he's not MCing that is)?

The World Competition of 2009 was my first introduction to facial hair competitions.  I didn't know what the fuck was going on...except that I was having the time of my life.  After meeting those dudes for a week, we all made lasting relationships.

Now competing against Jack...we haven't had that opportunity yet.  But I've told him many times that I have the ability to take him down.  I know a lot of dudes want to, but I have the stamina and my beard grows really fast. 

Myk, Burke and Jack at National's9) What'd you think of Dave Mead's exhibit and launch party? I believe that is where we first met... and what was the deal with your 'brother'?
Ha!  Honestly, I was drunk before we even arrived.  I was doing interviews with a documentary crew ad they followed me around all day and I just kept drinking...by the time we arrived I was all emotional because I saw all my friends pictures hanging up all over Chelsea Market and was just in awe.  The pictures tell one side of the story...but no one will ever know all the great times we've all had together. 

My "brother" Kris Payne is truly my brother in a lot of ways.  When I met Jack and Burke in Alaska they told me I reminded them of him and that we would get along well.  During our parade in downtown Anchorage this dude comes up behind me and says..."You must be Myk."...and I said "You must be Kris." and right then we became long lost brothers.  From loving BBQ, beer, hardcore and shit talking, we get along like no other.

10) You've now been immortalized in art from Annie Hunter (of www.octodream.com)... it's very zombie-esque... does your beard crave brains?
My beard craves the beards of lesser men, both alive and dead.  It's like highlander...damn that sounds familiar...I hope Jack didn't already say something like that....fuck it, my beard will rip the pouch off a kangaroo if given the chance...that's better.  

Annie is so talented and I am very honored to have her immortalize me in that manner. 

Any parting words? loose hairs, split ends worth of sage advice you want to bestow onto our hairy readers?

If you come out to a local beard event, get ready to party.  I am putting together the NY Beard and Moustache Competition in the next few months to benefit The Feal Good Foundation....details to come soon!

Don't vote for a president until they have a beard.