I'm a huge fan of your work!

Matthew Waldman(MW) First, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Pendleton Ward(PW) I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. I loved comics and animation from a young age, and started drawing animations on Post-it notes as soon as I could hold a pen. I graduated from CalArts (a fine arts university founded by Walt Disney) in 2005 with a degree in Character Animation, and my first job was a project that would become the prototype for "Adventure Time." I still vividly remember using my first paycheck to buy a sword with an emerald scabbard and a bundle of cobra heads online!

MWI'm a huge fan of your work. It feels like you playfully blend pop culture with physics-defying themes. What are your inspirations and motivations for your work?

PWI remember crying when my mother banned me from watching "The Simpsons" as a child because I loved it so much, especially Lisa. Come to think of it, Lisa and I are both vegetarians. But I was so engrossed in the show; watching "The Simpsons" made me laugh and feel so happy, and I wanted to create something similar for children today. I want to create memories that will make today's kids say, 'I remember that character!' when they grow up.

NOOKA x "Adventure Time" Collaboration!

MWWhen we first made contact, you were on vacation in Tokyo, right? And we actually met at a restaurant in The Standard hotel in LA. You also gave me a tour of your studio at Cartoon Network, we had drinks together in Los Feliz, and then you visited our NOOKA studio in New York. We've met in three wonderful cities: Tokyo, LA, and NY. What are your impressions of these three cities?

PWHmm, it's hard to put into words, but if I had to describe all the cities in one word, it would be "Awesome!" In Tokyo, I became quite familiar with the Yamanote Line and learned the word 'atsui' (hot).

MWHow does travel influence your creative process? Do memories from Tokyo or New York find their way into the world of "Adventure Time"?

PWFor example, when I traveled to Mexico, I sketched a sculpture of a woman with her heart and veins exposed, and that sketch was incorporated into the heart monster character in an episode called "Enchiridion." And when I traveled along the California coast, I photographed fog drifting over the mountains and expressed it in animation. But those are about the only two travel memories I can recall.