Brandon Johnson would probably prefer that we get this part out of the way. Yes, some of his art features a chimp. And yes, this would make for a pretty predictable comparison to the work of Paul Frank whose lines of apparel accessories feature the famous monkey, Julian. But let’s not dwell on the chimp. In fact, the chimp is retired.

Bad Mongo makes his last appearances in an upcoming calendar and in a print called “Die Monkey Die,” where he gets strangled by a sexy, but angry, nurse. And then that’s it for the chimp.

After that, fans of Johnson, whose work is created under his middle name “Ragnar,” will have to settle for the myriad of other pieces he has out there. If you’ve never of heard of him, chances are you will soon.

This year, Johnson, whose work is a mix of digital and fine art, will debut stationary sets, coasters and a journal from Dark Horse Comics. His first children’s book, “Got Your Nose,” will debut in April. He’s also got another book (and possibly a third) debuting later in the year. And of course there are the new prints and apparel.

SARISARI: What or who has influenced your current style of art?
RAGNAR: It should come as no surprise that my interests tent to hover around the middle of the last century. The pin-up artists, the cartoons, the architecture, design and furniture. It’s not part of some grand scheme to cultivate a persona, but rather what simply appeals to me.

SS:You mentioned how animation components are entering the fine art world. Can you elaborate on this?
R:Since its inception animation has to some degree had an impact on fine art. The impact has traditionally been dismissed, or at best marginalized. In the past few decades that impact has become more overt and apparent. So much so that the animation artists that also have fine art careers are making smaller distinctions, if any between their two talents.

SS:You said music is one of your inspirations. Were you ever in a band?
R"I played guitar in a few bands as a kid. I still play a bit, though not nearly as much as I used to, or would like.

SS:How would you describe the girls in your fine art work?
R:My first inclination is to say they are sexy and powerful. You won’t see women in subjugated kind of roles. It’s a modern take on traditional pin-up pieces.

SS:Why are they dressed so provocatively?
R:The most provocatively dressed women are probably the girls in the monster series and, since they are starlets, they dress accordingly. Jennifer Lopez dresses more provocatively at the Oscars. As to the rest, well, I think they’re beautiful and sexy.

SS:Why the monsters?
R:It’s as simple as being a fan of classic horror. It’s treating monsters as traditional movie stars in terms of getting all the girls.

SS:Is your style of animation similar to your prints? If not, how do they differ?
R:I’d say they influence each other, I like to keep my pin-up work on the cartoony side.

SS:In April, “Got Your Nose,” will be released. What’s it about?
R:“Got Your Nose” is the story of a set of twin brothers that take this classic game to a new level. One of the brothers actually does take his brother’s nose and proceeds to inflict the worst smells possible on it. The story is about Horace’s race to retrieve his nose from Borris.

SS:You only use Ragnar for your prints, not for your animated work, right? Why did you decide to use your middle name?
R:I suppose to make a distinction between the worlds, even if that distinction is only important to me. Now that I’m doing less and less animation work it’s not much of any issue.

SS:Describe your other job.
R:I’ve been doing character design and art direction for about six years, either at the very beginning or in redevelopment. More often than not the work I do never makes the air. For me it doesn’t matter. The work is the same. I’ll design the best show I can for the work I’m given, whether or not it makes the air.

SS:One show you’re working on will debut in Nickelodeon in April?
SS:Yes, it’s the first time of done backgrounds for a show and I really liked the challenge. Though I wouldn’t want to do 60 backgrounds in 30 days again.

SS:Now the plan two years ago was to do your fine art exclusively?
R:Yes. I still really like animation and when the opportunity arises to work on a project that is appealing or to work with people I really admire I jump at the chance.

To see Ragnar's work visit his Web site www.littlecartoons.com.