UV: Do you make any distinction between illustration and fine art?
AP: No, whether its hanging in a gallery, painted on a train, or printed in a magazine, art is whatever you want it to be.

UV: You have made a career as an illustrator. Has it been a difficult path?
AP: I was lucky to have made contact with an older experienced illustrator who encouraged me with some tips on how to get started. His advice led to my first illustration gig for Wired magazine, who is still my main client. I have a full-time job and freelance on the side. It's a challenge making time to do what I like to do. Eventually I want to illustrate full-time.

UV: Your style is really distinct and sci-fi/futuristic themes seem to be at the heart of your work. Explain how you developed your style and who/what your biggest influences have been.
AP: It all started out with my unnatural obsession with robots. My arsenal of robots had gotten out of control. Eventually they took over, forcing me to draw them, building an unstoppable fleet that will someday take over the world. Luckily the obsession became a career that lead me to see that today the relationship between man and machine is closer than ever. Some of my biggest influences are: Japan, Electro, 1983, graffiti, junk, and industrial areas.

UV: Are you worried about the future of human existence?
AP: Yes, I am worried that we will become obsolete.

UV: In what year will we be contacted by extra-terrestrials (if it hasn't happened already), and what will be the outcome of this encounter?
AP: The first extra-terrestrials came in the form of television at first. But they are much smarter now. Today they are cell phones, PDA's, and computers. Soon they will be microscopic.