Q:
How did you discover your artistic style?
A:
My style came naturally to me, so I can’t say for sure. Each artist has a way of seeing things and then interpreting them onto paper. Experience, practice and talent all play into an artistic style.
Q:
How would you describe your artistic style?
A:
It’s a mashup of painterly, expressive strokes, vibrant color and a dash of realism. I typically work in the fantasy and surreal genres and use a combination of my own stories with pre-existing myths and symbolism.
Q:
What’s your process like?
A:
I was classically trained in traditional mediums like oil and acrylic, but these days, most of my process is on the computer. I tend to do my thumbnail sketches for each piece in a little sketchbook using pen or marker and when I find something I’m happy with, I get models and take a lot of reference photos. From there, I start working on the drawing, and once that’s nailed down, I dive into the painting. I use Photoshop on a Cintiq 24 HD, which is great because it gives you the effect of a real brush or pen to canvas.
Q:
How long does a drawing typically take you?
A:
It really depends on the complexity. Some paintings have taken me upwards of 50 hours, while portraits and other simpler work can take around 10. It really depends on if I have a clear-cut idea for the painting.
Q:
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve ever done?
A:
I think most artists would have a hard time with this question because by the time they finish a piece, they tend to only see its flaws. But recently I worked on a few tarot-inspired pieces that were like a breakthrough for me and I’m really happy with the color choices I made. I’m hoping to make more pieces like that.
Q:
Who are your artistic influences?
A:
Personally, I was influenced by Iain McCaig, Moebius, and Brom to name a few. Alphonse Mucha was one of my first influences as a kid in high school that inspired me to pursue a career in the art field. I remember seeing his work in a classroom, and it affected me on an emotional level. His work was so detailed and purposeful, but effortless at the same time.
Q:
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A:
I saw a video a few months ago and I’ve been trying to live the mantra, "Finished, not perfect." As a perfectionist and an artist, it can be a crippling combo that keeps you from ever finishing a piece of art. Sometimes, it's difficult to let go of the notion of "perfect" and just accept something as finished, especially when it’s outside of your comfort zone. You’re going to have successes, but a lot of the time, you’re going to have failures. It’s the failures that we learn from, so I’ve been working to focus on finishing pieces as the positive and see what I can learn from each piece.
Q:
Do you listen to music while you draw?
A:
I listen to all kinds of music depending on what type of mood I’m in. Sometimes, it’s really difficult to focus on a painting if I listen to anything with words, so I stick to classical music and movie soundtracks. But if I’m feeling good about a piece I will listen to bands like Tame Impala, Aurora and Other Lives.
