Beast is by far my favorite. It just 'works' the best. You instantly know what ride it is. It instantly conveys everything important about the ride and why people like it.
As an avid pin collector and coaster enthusiast, I am always on the lookout at amusement parks for new pins to add to my collection. When I’m not at the parks, I spend a few minutes every day searching eBay for older discontinued pins, or pins from parks I don’t get to visit on a regular basis. These methods always worked best for me and helped grow my collection to what it is today. Back in March, however, I found something a little bit different to add to my pin collection.
Finding Fells for the First Time
While looking through the Facebook group, Coaster Appreciation Society, I found a post showcasing a link for a Kickstarter focused around roller coaster pins. I was immediately interested. Up until that point, all my pins were official park merchandise and did not feature any custom designs. I was willing to take a look and see what this was all about. The Kickstarter was called Theme Park Collection and was being ran by 32 year old, London artist, Joseph Fells. It didn’t take me long to pledge. His work is phenomenal and I wanted to add his pins to my ever-growing collection.
Backing Fells' Second Project
Fells’ Kickstarter would go on to become successfully funded, encouraging him a few months later to introduce a second series, with a whole new set of pin designs. That would also successful, meeting several stretch goals in the process. Between the two Kickstarters, nine of Fells pins can now be found in my collection. I’m thinking they won’t be the last!
Throughout these two Kickstarters, I have had ongoing conversations with Fells about his work and the coaster hobby as a whole. Once things slowed down after his Series 2 release, he agreed to take part in an interview here on We Were Inverted. It’s always been my goal to show off the coaster and amusement park hobby from as many ways as possible. I thought Fells represented a different look at the hobby. Not only is he an enthusiast, but his love of coasters is also carried over into his art.
Joseph Fells - The Enthusiast
Favorite Amusement Parks: Phantasialand & Hersheypark
Favorite Roller Coasters: Fury 325
Q. How long have you been into roller coasters & amusement parks?
A. I first visited Chessington in 1994 and it became an annual trip for us until the end of the 90’s. I was still scared of going on rides that went upside down, but on a trip to Australia’s Warner Bros. Movie World in 1999, my sister bribed me with cotton candy on Lethal Weapon – an SLC. Surprisingly, it didn’t put me off and my interest in coasters grew from there.
Q. Do you remember your first coaster? If so, what was it and do you have any memories you’d like to share of the ride?
A. Sadly, I don’t remember. It would have most certainly been Clown Coaster at Chessington, but Vampire was definitely my first real coaster. I have a strong attachment to Vampire and I fondly remember aspects of it from before they ruined/upgraded in 2001.
[My memories] are less about the ride and more about the environment. I remember sitting in the Black Chateau – the restaurant that later became a large themed McDonalds, then Burger King, and is now a generic burger place. Environments and aesthetics seem to stick with me more than the ride experiences themselves, I guess.
Q. Was there anyone who got you into roller coasters, or was it something you discovered on your own?
A. I already mentioned the bribes from my sister, but I guess really I have CoasterForce to thank for being an enthusiast. My mum found their site Googling info on Terra Mitica before we visited in the early 2000’s.
Q. If you had to describe one of your most memorable park/coaster experiences, what would it be and why is it so memorable to you?
A. There’s so many, but I had a real existential moment on Monster at Adventureland. “Why am I in Iowa riding roller coasters? What am I doing?” There’s something funny to be about roller coasters taking me to places I’d otherwise never in a million years think to visit.
Q. How often do you find yourself getting out to parks? Do you have anyone to go with, or do you find yourself hitting them up solo?
A. I mean, it’s 2020 and I haven’t been to a park since… Oh man. Was it Hansa Park last October? But normally, fairly often. Most of my friends were met through theme parks and I do a trip abroad once a year at least. I probably go to United Kingdom parks 3-5 times a year.
Q. What’s the most recent coaster you’ve experienced?
A. I think it was probably Karnan at Hansa Park, over a year ago.
Q. Any upcoming park plans for the future?
A. This year I wanted to do Silver Dollar City and other parks in that region – so I guess that, hopefully next year. Fingers crossed the United Kingdom and United States sort themselves out by then.
Q. Every enthusiast has them. What’s one bucket list park and one bucket list coaster you really want to experience?
A. Honestly, there isn’t really a bucket list coaster for me. Bucket list park is Tokyo Disney Sea. Oh, I thought of a bucket list coaster – Orphan Rocker!
Joseph Fells - The Artist
Training/Schooling - BA (Honors) Illustration
Q. Have you always been artistic?
A. I’ve always drawn since I can remember.
Q. Did you have anyone encouraging you to pursue your art growing up, whether it be family, friends, teachers, etc.?
A. Yup! I was always encouraged to make art, but forever asked why I don’t “paint something nice.”
Q. Are there any inspirations in the world of art that you’ve had along the way?
A. Awkward, but honest answer is, no. What I love is that with social media and the ever more accessible world of print on demand, independent creators can share their work with specific niche audiences. The boundary between art and pop culture is now seamless. And pop culture is what most of us want – not pretentious art for art’s sake on a blank gallery wall. We want kitsch. We want familiar characters, things and aesthetics as art and we want them not just hung on our walls, but on t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.
With the Theme Park Collection, my main inspiration was that every other fandom was doing this already. Fan-artists bridging the gap between the official text and the subtext is my art inspiration.
Q. What made you decide to focus a good portion of your art around the theme of amusement parks and coasters?
A. Theme parks having appalling official merchandise and nostalgia for things long gone.
Q. Do you remember the first coaster you drew? Or some of the earliest ones?
A. I did a drawing of Nemesis dribbling on Alpengeist’s toes a long time ago. Don’t ask.
Q. How do you decide which coasters to use in your illustrations?
A. Almost all of the Theme Park Collection illustrations so far have been “obvious” ideas that will come to me. Like there’s some aspect of a ride that enthusiasts get. There are rides I’d love to do, but no big idea. Some rides just wouldn’t make for a good design.
Q. Have you ridden the majority of the coasters portrayed in your work?
A. All of them. Mako I did before I rode it, but other than that, the whole point is kind of to portray some aspect of the ride you’d only “get” if you know it.
Q. If you had to pick, what are some of the illustrations that you’re most proud of and why?
A. Beast is by far my favorite. It just “works” the best. You instantly know what ride it is. It instantly conveys everything importation about the ride and why people like it.
Q. What have been some of your most popular pieces with your fans/customers?
A. Beast and Fury are the favorites for sure. I made an edit of Fury – so there are now two versions. The simpler one is more popular. This is what inspired me to keep Phoenix, the most recent design, more simplistic. But honestly, I kind of love that over the top 90’s illustration vibe in some of the more complex ones, personally.
Q. Do you have any designs you’re currently working on?
A. The problem is, I often scribble ideas out, but that doesn’t mean they will ever make it to final design. I’m fairly certain, however, Vortex will.
Q. I see you do a lot of work based around Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) coasters. Any plans to do a piece themed to Alpengeist at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW)? That whole yeti theme with snow would probably be amazing. Not trying to drop a hint or anything.
A. Ha! Well, I have ideas for a Busch set.
Q. I found your art through the Facebook group, Coaster Appreciation Society (CAS) during your first Kickstarter. I pledged for five pins, two stickers, and two t-shirts/posters. Needless to say, I was happy to see you do a second Kickstarter and loved all the new designs you showcased. What made you decide to go the route of Kickstarter and how has it been funding these first two projects?
A. The thing is, people often ask for designs or products, but when offered, don’t end up buying them. I learned not to listen to requests. I know that sounds lame, but I could have been investing time and money into something I have more personal love for.
I don’t think people are lying. It’s complicated. I drew Montu in response to a lot of requests, but maybe it’s not what everyone who requested it, imagined it would be. Or when it comes to pins, I think most people imagine and want enamel. I couldn’t make enamel pins from my existing designs. They’re way too complex.
Then there’s the issue of cost. If I price the item higher than they imagined, they probably wouldn’t buy it. Kickstarter gave me the means to lock in pre-orders and actually make the pins a reality.
Editor’s Note: You can see all of Fell’s pins under the Artist/Creators link on this site’s Pin Collection page.
Q. How does it feel seeing people supporting you from all over the globe through Kickstarter and your Etsy shop, Theme Park Collection?
A. It’s kind of surreal, but really awesome.
Q. Speaking of Theme Park Collection, you also sell your remaining pin stock on Etsy, for those who weren’t able to back your Kickstarters. You also offer your art on numerous other types of merchandise. Care to tell people some of the different things you offer?
A. Sure! So on Etsy I have t-shirts, posters, and stickers, along with the pins. I am also on Redbubble and they will print my art on so many things I couldn’t list them here. Do you want a Mako shower curtain? Because that’s a thing you could own.
Q. Aside from coasters, what other types of things do you like to include in your art?
A. Mostly dinosaurs and pop culture fanart.
Q. Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to talk about before we wrap things up?
A. I am looking into enamel pins. The thing here is, I will need to design them specifically for enamel. I’m thinking more generic designs rather than tributes to specific rides. Stay tuned.
Find Joseph Fells & Theme Park Collection Merchandise on the sites & social media platforms below:
