You have an interesting name. Could you tell us about its creation, and what inspired it?

TON comes from my mom & dad's first names: MINnie and TOM. When people see my name they think I'm Asian, when they hear me on the phone they think I'm White. When they see me in person they realize I'm neither.

What is your background growing up, and where did you go to school?

I grew up the only Black kid in all-White small towns in Minnesota. I was raised under a strict Christian household but was as hyper as all get-out. Being in sports year round gave me an abundance of extra energy so I'd often get caught wrestling in the halls and sat down in a teacher's office before the opening school bell rang. I wasted 2 years in St. Peter at Gustavus Adolphus College playing football and breaking track records while majoring in Physical Therapy with a minor in Art. I initially wanted to attend an art school in Florida, but my parents opposed it and advised I get a 4-year degree before going to art school. After Gustavus, I blew 4 more years at MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art & Design) earning my BFA: Media Arts-Animation. Despite a few noteworthy teachers, the only worthwhile things I got from both institutions were irreplaceable friends. I finally received some great training at the American Art Institute in North Hollywood. I learned more from Karl Gnass and Phil Mendez in 2 semesters than 6 years of overpriced colleges combined.

What motivated your combination of an Art major with a Physical Therapy minor? Has the latter come into play at all?

Art was my true passion, but Physical Therapy offered hardcore information through Anatomy and Physiology classes: info I wasn't getting in art classes at the time. I still use the info from anatomy and physiology class on a daily basis... calorie-counting class, not so much.

How did you get involved in animation? Did you receive encouragement from anyone, or were you on your own?

I was such a psycho for animation growing up I'd cut up my comics just to reenact action scenes I loved. All the super dynamic action poses would get cut out and arranged by degree of intensity. Then I'd use them in a show I put on for my stuffed animals. My parents always encouraged my doodling and bought me an endless supply of sketch books. Also throughout grade school my friends and I would make degrading but hilarious drawings and comics of each other. It was more important to make the funniest comic instead of acing a science test. I liked to entertain, make people laugh and see emotions in their face because of my drawings. My first animation gig was in Minnesota at Reelworks Animation: a dream job because I got to actually design, cel paint and use an Oxberry. It was mindless commercial work, but painting on cels and watching it on TV gave me the concrete conviction I needed to go for broke and never look back.

How did your work in comics, illustration and design come into play?

My first and last passion will always be animation, but being poor and impatient I didn't want to work in a studio for years and years on shows I had no desire for. So I took up freelance design and animation jobs and started developing my own properties. I started doing more comics, illustration and design products to create property awareness, sharpen my artistic and business skills, and discourage rip-off artists. I also began to notice it wasn't just animation I loved, it was storytelling. The more stories I made the more I realized they all don't fit in a nice neat box for a televised series. Some are more bizarre and require a different medium.

What do you think you bring to the table that is unique or notable?

For 3 months I worked as a DJ at a transsexual nightclub then went to church the next day. I've been homecoming king but also sent to the principal's office for getting caught urinating on the steps of school for 2 weeks. I've broken school records, my knee and promises to friends in Brazil. I've helped teach English in Japan and got approached a few times by a pedophile during my paper route when I was 12. I create various properties to appease the numerous personalities and moods created by all these different situations, experiences and people. Some are fluffy, some a bit bizarre, but each is essential to my sanity. In short, (I bring) my lust for originality, appeal and freshness.

As a concept designer, you've expressed a desire to develop your own series, features and game properties. Anything on the horizon you'd care to talk about?

For every concept I create the end goal is animation. Series, gaming, shorts or otherwise. So all the properties, art shows, and products are constructed with that end goal in mind. To kick things off I have a solo show at Meltdown Comics on October 20th, 2007 from 2pm-6pm. It's called "All Flavors Welcome" and is the first formal presentation of the Yum Yum Chocobuns property. Apparel, activity books, accessories, stationery, paintings, and posters will be available for sale along with lotsa free drinks (non-alcoholic) and grub. Also you can nab a free gift if you bring a flyer for the show with you. I'm working on some Yum Yum animated shorts to be distributed on the net, a gaggle of Yum Yum products and a few online playable demos for Yum Yum and 2 other properties that are slated to have their own shows in 2008.

Could you explain the name of your company, Jupey Krusho?
www.jupeykrusho.com

It's secret, and a boring one at that. So I'll explain the origin of Yum Yum Chocobuns. On a Sunday night last year I was starving. My roommates were out of town, there was nothing in the cupboards or fridge and I was broke: checking account overdrawn with, literally, 36 cents to my name. My cell phone was out of minutes so I couldn't call a friend to mooch and my car was slightly below empty so I wouldn't be able to get there anyway. Light-headed and fatigued I lay on my bed and started to drift away. Before I passed out I remember wishing I was made of chocolate so I could eat myself. All I needed was a few nibbles, maybe a hand... creamy milk chocolate. My fingers would be chocolate and vanilla. I'd taste so good. I then began to think what flavors my friends would be. Friends started flipping through my mind until I finally drifted off giggling. I woke up early the next morning and started designing a world of friends, foes and what flavors they would be. So Yum Yum Chocobuns was born when I felt like dying. I feel hope when I see his face. He reminds me that great things can come from tragedy.

What is a question that you're always asked, and hate to answer?

"Are you sure you're not gay?"

What is a question that you're never asked, but would love to answer?

"What would you do with a time machine?"
(I'd) go back in time and steal all the Rainbow Chip frosting before it got discontinued. Seriously... I miss that stuff.