Interview With Shawn Farquar

I did a little interview with Shawn Farquar and here are my questions and his answers! 

1. Why are you so into card magic above all the other types of magic?

To be honest I am not “so into card magic”.  I love all magic, well good magic.  I am least capable of presenting mentalism and coin magic but for two different reasons.  Coins because although I know it is limiting, I somehow have that feeling and it is hard to work on something when I find it limiting to myself.  Mentalism is hard for me because you have to take a serious approach and I about as far from serious as anyone I know.  Cards are just easy to access and the number of great moves, effects and flourishes that already exist seem limitless.

 

2. What/who inspired you to start magic?

 My Father was a magician and it is through his direct influence I chose this as my path.  I had a local school friend, Wilfred Lucky, who also liked magic and together we pursued the dream, well until he discovered girls.  I was a late bloomer!

 3. Whats your favorite trick that you did not make?

 I love the illusion Origami by Jim Steinmeyer.  It was the first illusion to truly fool me completely when I first saw it performed by Doug Henning.  When David Copperfield did it to the music of Peter Gabriel I fell in love with it all over again.  I sometimes wish I had less ethics in magic so I too could present the illusion using that music, but then again that would be wrong.

 4. Who is your favorite magician?

I think this question is too broad.  I have many favorite magicians depending on the style of magic.  I love Lance Burton for his FISM version of the bird act, Greg Frewin for his too for completely different reasons.  Mac King is the funniest and Dai Vernon was one of the finest examples of a great magician.  If I had to pick a magician living today I would say Johnny Thompson.  He is in fact a brilliant historian, sleight of hand artist, comedy magician, manipulator, creator, consultant and in fact more than likely the best magician living today.

 5. How long have you been doing magic?

 I’ve been doing magic all my life.  My Mother says that when I was born the Doctor slapped me and I said “pick a card!”.  My serious study of magic began when I was about 12.  I had been doing it long before but by 12 I knew I was going to do this for life.

 6. What was your first trick?

 My Father taught me sleights before I learned tricks.  The first sleights I learned were with a coin and involved shuttle passes and the french drop.  The first real trick I did in a show was the vanishing Banana using a flip over box … pretty exciting huh?

 7. What are your other hobbies and interests?

 I really don’t have other hobbies or interests.  Yup, I’m a magic geek.  I like computers but not really playing games.  I also like video production and stuff like that I guess.  Most of my activities however revolve around magic.

 8. Which is your favorite trick out of the ones you invented?

 I love my deck switch as it can be used for so many things.  For the same reason I love MatriXpress because I use the gimmick for lots of stuff too.  Recently I release my “Torn 2 Pieces” which has been a jealously guarded secret of mine for years.  Geez I guess I can;t say I have a single favorite … they are all like children to me ….

 9. What inspires you to make magic tricks?

 I love to create and to find new ways to do old effects.  I just have a desire to create and learn … everything!

 10. Does anyone else do magic in your family?

 

My Father was a magician, as was my Grandfather and Great Grandfather but they have all passed on.  Hannah, my Daughter, has shown an interest in magic and has in fact been in my full evening show since she was nine months old.  When she grows up she can be anything she wants, as long as she is a magician! 

11. What is your favorite thing about being a magician?

 

I love that magic can do more than just fool people.  I love how what we do can connect people, express emotions and in fact can change the world we live in by making people believe in our own abilities.  I love the sense of community and friendship that comes with magic.

 

I really enjoyed my Q/A with Shawn and be sure to check out his blog, YouTube Channel, and website.

 

Cheers,

~TheMagicPros