If you read our regular blog features or visit our quickly growing Facebook page, you know that the creation of our statues, action figures and other collectibles is a truly international process. From the design and sculpt, to the manufacturing and distribution process, these little heroes and villains have traveled much of the world before they finally land on your bookshelf, display case or desk.

Therefore, it seems pretty appropriate that today’s spotlighted sculptor is pretty well traveled himself. Jack Mathews was born in Japan, went to school in India and Kenya, and now calls Rhode Island home. Jack’s perhaps best known for his work in our DC Comics Cover Girls line (several of which you’ll see below), but he’s also sculpted many of the action figures in our ever popular DC Comics – The New 52 line.

It’s clear Jack enjoys his work—it’s visible in the final product!—but if you’re curious about what else he enjoys, read on…

What’s your full name?
John Gabriel Mathews

Where were you born?
Kamakura, Japan

Current city?
Barrington, Rhode Island

Where did you go to school? What’s your education background?
High school in India, Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Nairobi, Kenya. BFA and BID (industrial design) from Rhode Island School of Design.

When did you know you wanted to be a professional sculptor?
Since I started whittling into bars of soap as a toddler.

What are you currently working on?
DC Comics Cover Girls Wonder Woman by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau and some Comic-Con craziness.

Do you have a pre-sculpt ritual?
Sleep?

Digital or traditional?
Traditional now, working on digital.

What sculpted piece are you most proud of?
I have a soft spot for the Adam Hughes Catwoman Cover Girl.

Why do you sculpt as opposed to creating 2D artwork?
I'm more touchy than feely.

A piece that you’ve worked on that you wish you could go back and redo?
I'd love to go back and tweak everything....

What kind of DC Collectibles product would you like to work on?
It would be fun to continue the classic animation maquettes line.

First DC comic book?
Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns was the first one I bought new.

Who is your favorite comic book character and why?
The Flash, cause speed counts.

What was your first toy?
Must have been LEGOs, because I remember choking on the bricks...

Do you have a favorite DC Comics artist?
I'm a fan of Adam Hughes’ pencil work.

Favorite color:
Sunset

Favorite comfort food:
Samosas, Ben and Jerry's Blueberry and Graham Greek frozen yoghurt—it's a pint of blueberry pie a la mode.

Favorite video game:
Pong

Favorite team:
Team USA!

Favorite season:
Spring

Three favorite cities:
New York, Hong Kong, San Diego!

Last thing you ate was:
Oskri coconut bar with pineapple chunks.

Last book you read:
Our Mathematical Universe

Do you do any impressions?
If accents count, I lived in India for eight years...

Do you like roller coasters?
YEAH!

Day or night?
Transitions.

Introvert or extrovert?
More intro than extrovert.

Name something you’re really bad at…
Accounting.

How many books do you own?
Lots.

Where is the farthest from home that you’ve gone?
Most recently, Mombasa, Kenya.

What skill do you wish you had?
Flight!

Do you sing in the shower?
No.

How many pillows do you sleep with?
One.

What do you hear?
A whirring hard drive.

What’s bothering you right now?
Pins and needles.

What’s the best gift you’ve received?
Healthy kids.

What’s something about you that would surprise people?
I'd rather not sleep.

What are your words of advice for aspiring sculptors/creative designers?
Lose yourself in your work, be reverent in the expression of form and remember to invoice.

Are you big into social media? If so, where can we find you?
Not really, I’m a Facebook refugee.