Tyson Beck carries past card experience into Project 2020

Tyson Beck is a name that collectors might know in the hobby beyond the Topps Project 2020 lineup of artists re-creating memorable cards from the past.

How? Well, he's actually worked with the company for several years now with Topps Fire being a brand that has been a home for a ton of his creations. However, this time around some perhaps previously un-imaginable demand for Project 2020 cards has led him to sell his own -- autographed copies that he bought from Topps and then signed. And that's something he's turning that into capital to pursue even more leads in his creative career.

"225 autographed cards sold so far today. You're really changing this guy's life for the better," Beck tweeted on Sunday. "I cannot thank you enough! Best believe I am re-investing these funds into a license to get NBA products rolling. Stay tuned."

Before that, though, Beck took some time to field a few basic questions about the release that has many a collector talking and has sold roughly a million cards since March 25 -- and half of that has come in just recent days.

Keep reading for a Hobby Q&A with Beck.

Beck's 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. card sold 3,707 copies -- a record for the series at the time of its release. It was the first to top 3,000 sold.

It seems you have the most card experience of the Project 2020 artists ... do you collect any sports cards or memorabilia?
"I believe I'm the only artist of the 20 who's made trading cards and memorabilia before and also worked for Topps. So that alone made me feel extra-special because Topps wanted to bring in a new wave of artists and still had the vision to include me. To me that was special. I grew up collecting NBA and Pokemon cards hard. Also Tazos ... not sure if the U.S. had Tazos or not." (From Buzz: Tazos are essentially pogs.)

Beck previously designed cards and wall art for Topps under its Topps Fire brand.

What were your thoughts about designing cards when you started with Topps Fire? How did it compare to this?
"Yeah this is a big difference to Topps Fire. When I initially was approached to be the artist/designer behind Topps Fire they wanted me to go all out, like my other client work. But it ended up being much pulled back as there's tight approval with sports leagues. What we wanted to achieve couldn't be done, but the product still came out great. It was targeted more at the youth and broke the enigma of sports cards being conservative and simplistic. It's great to see seven years on it's still going strong."

Tyson Beck's Sandy Koufax card arrives on June 2.

Of your Project 2020 cards out so far, which is your favorite? And what are your thoughts about your rarest card being the worst seller initially ... but then one of the biggest ones now value-wise?
"I've only created six so far. Honestly my next, [Sandy] Koufax, is my favorite. I feel like I have been upping my game like most artists have card by card. I love that I have the lowest print run. I can forever hold that crown and have the least-completed artist sets. To me that creates greater value in my cards. I'm not phased by the print run — it's largely due to timing, not the art itself. Since Project 2020 has blown up, I haven't had a card drop where as most artists have had two. My high print runs are ahead of me when I get the chance."

His 1959 Bob Gibson sold 6,757 copies and included elements from the back of the card as part of the design. 

How would you describe your style?
"My style is the origin of how I became an artist. I started scrapbooking, cutting things out, doodling and simply playing around with stuff in school instead of doing homework. So this is what I wanted to bring back. A scrapbook/collage-style art to really tie nostalgic vibes into it. I don't think there's an artist that is doing similar to mine across the 20. I think most of them are quite differentiating."

Card No. 12 was Beck's debut for Project 2020 -- and his 1985 Dwight Gooden sold a series-low 1,065 copies.

How does a card come to life for you? Can you take us through the steps for your Gooden?
"For the Gooden card, I simply applied my scrapbooking approach to how I would have possibly recreated the card if I was in school playing around instead of studying. I wanted to keep key framework and elements of the original card but put my own twist to it."

His 1975 George Brett added even more color to the original and sold 1,992 copies.

Have there been any surprises working on Project 2020 or anything you’d like to add?
"Anyone would be lying if they say they saw how big this would be. This has shocked us all."

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>> MORE Project 2020 Q&A here 

>> Check out the entire series here

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