Conversation with Artist Christina B.

A Conversation with Shadowness Artist Christina B. "Surehuinel"




AUTHORS NOTE: The Shadow of the Wind-

I encountered Christina on Deviant Art where I lurk, awaiting new victims to Interview and new and great talent to Feature. If you've ever met one of those people for whom you've felt that there is just "something about them", then you know why my eyes fell on this Artist. Her gallery left me in no doubt that my intuition serves me well.

Her chosen Moniker is no mistake. She is every bit, "The Shadow of the Wind" in all of the best possible ways. You have to know her to know this. She moves in an out of her Internet haunts like a silken shadow, and she casts a noticeable and unmistakable mystique. A perceptive and intuitive person gets the sense that she is like this naturally, and cannot ever be pinned down in any way unless she allows it. A most intriguing personality indeed. But the keen intellect of her mind is equally intriguing, and I'd like to present here my talk with her about her Art.

My presentations are seeking a new level because I am unhappy with the cookie cutter Interviews I've been reading with Artists. It doesn't tell me who they are, or from where these brilliant creations spring. For myself, I want to find the Heart of Art, not it's technical tools. But the Heart of Art is in human beings, and the origin of creation is their souls, and it's difficult to give that insight to anyone.

I've edited, with her approval, some of her most poignant answers because her responses can be short and seemingly vague to the minds that require details. This is because of her nature, and a fellow is left to establish for themselves what her full meaning is once she has spoken. Some elaborations are my own for clarity in this Interview and not hers.

Here is our conversation-

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Name/Artistic Moniker: Christina B., "Surehuinel"

Gender: Female

Age: 23

From: Greece

Primary Mediums: Photo-Manipulation, Digital Painting

Secondary Mediums: Photography, Traditional Art

Preferred Genre's: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Futuristic and Conceptual

Consistent Theme: Mild to Moderately Dark Art

Garapan:
Hi Christina. Thanks for speaking with me. I guess I'll begin with the basics. When did you begin creating art? Why?

Christina:
Hey there! Thanks for taking the time. Well, I started very very young. My mother used to draw sketches. I guess I took it from her...I never took class lessons or anything like that. I used to draw little things for my friends. I started getting serious about it when I turned 20. I bought books on anatomy and traditional painting.

Garapan:
That's really cool. You know, certainly carry a great mystique.. Part of it is intentional as a means of protection on the Internet, I get that, but most of it is natural to you. Am I correct that you do not seek fame and fortune through your art?

Christina:
Fame? What is fame ? I guess it's a name that through the years gets carried away by the wind. Money - Its a piece a paper with no value. The times of gold have passed away and we live in the world of "stock currency". I feel like "a whole person" when I create. Everyone has imagination. I decided to give mine shape .

Garapan:
Alright. So tell me, why do you tend towards darker art?

Christina:
Maybe because there are scars left from my childhood that haven't healed and things that I want to fix in the world and I don't have the power to change. My original sketches on paper are happier but when I re-paint them digitally they go darker....

Garapan:
I understand this. There is much catharsis and expressive release of hidden things in an artist's art. Do you think that pain is necessary to art? So many artists seem to be broken or scarred people in some way, and so much expression "appears" to spring from bad experiences as opposed to good.

Christina:
I'm not sure to tell you the truth in psychology we have categories of expression. Our mind works differently math, linguistics, art, craftsmanship. I don't see pain in architecture though the architect may be very a sensitive person. You don't need pain to create, though artists are more sensitive in certain things.

Garapan:
Great response. Respectfully putting aside all specific Religion or religious context, there seems certainly to be a generally "Spiritual" aspect to art. Agree or disagree?

Christina:
I think the findings suggest that Art began in the caves, fueled by the haunting of the night, where we felt we had to make portrayals of the animals, denoting which are dangerous or which are good for other uses, or attempting to name or identify (and perhaps even take power over) those hidden fears, even while endeavoring to apprehend and categorize the connections regarding who exactly haunts whom on a more metaphysical level.

And yes, there may have been some attached cultic belief that, just as how a photograph was occasionally thought by some tribes to be a device which captured the soul, a painting or life-like rendering can also harness or tame the strength/power, spirit/essence of the animal. Perhaps later it evolved to incorporate an avenue to praise the "gods" whom these animals were eventually seen to represent. And again later, when the "gods" became one "God", I think there, too, we see changes in the communal perspective of Art.

Garapan:
This is an interesting observation. You appear well informed. Do you have a degree in anything?

Christina:
I read a lot of Literature; from History, to Poetry, to Sci-fi and Romance books, Articles, Research Notes on outer space, etc. And yes, I do hold a degree as a Graphic Designer in the Typography field- Logos, Cards, and the like. But now I'm thinking to study something else. I just can't decide what.

Garapan:
Ah, I'm familiar with self-education through reading. Ok, on to the next question-

You are an attractive female with the slender grace of a model and you have modeled a little, I know, I have the pictures from the web. Have you ever considered utilizing it (modeling and self-portraiture) as a useful tool to make original Photo-Manipulations by shooting exclusive stock images of your own? Because, in your gallery I see some retouched images of yourself in plainer form, but no "self-modeled" manipulations like some Artists so skillfully put to great effect.

Christina:
Haha! Thank you, but I haven't modeled. I posed for a friend who was studying photography. I thought about using self-portraits, but every time that I start creating one it feels weird, as if I'm praising myself too highly, or like I'm elevating my ego, so I stop. I might make one, but will destroy it, or even mar and distort my "image" as a "second self" of destruction.

Garapan:
That falls in with another question I had about whether conscience and humble self-assessment play a part in your creations. Cool. So what does "Surehuinel", your 'Artist's Handle', mean?

Christina:
Surehuinel means - The Shadow of the Wind.

Garapan:
Well chosen.

Christina:
The story behind the name- It's from D&D. Role-Playing Games. I"M A NERD, hehehe!

Garapan:
I know the game. I've played many times, so we are both nerds, haha! Ok, So you took interest in art with your moms influence. What made you feel that it was for you, as opposed to something else, like writing or music?

Christina:
It wasn't exactly my moms influence. She still doesn't really understand art. And it wasn't my father. I have an artistic side. I love music, for example, and I used to sing when I was in school. I was confused for some years, you know, like those times when you want to learn everything and do everything all at once? Well, eventually I decided to start with painting and digital arts. After that we'll see.

Garapan:
Ah, ok. Have you identified any key moments or influences which begin the inspiration to create a new piece?

Christina:
Usually it's my mood; anger, happiness, pain- it helps to give shape to things. Or the city, things that happen in the City. Sometimes I just sit and start to paint with no basic idea of what I am going to do. Or when I read books, a lot of things come from that.

Garapan:
Alright, Christina. Next up, artists display their work for several well known reasons. Recognition and notoriety can possibly accompany a great artist. This is a given that must be weighed before putting ones self forward publicly and presenting one's craft. But you don't appear to respond to either approval or recognition. So why do you offer your art?

Christina:
Its a way of expression. If someone likes it and it gives something to him I'm glad to offer that. I also like to read critiques on my creations. They help me to become better and fix my mistakes.
I could keep everything in my computer but why not show it to those that are interested.

Garapan:
That just answered my next question. It had to do with meaning. So following that, what do you think it can give someone? What do you hope it gives someone?

Christina:
You can inspire someone to follow digital arts. I started digital painting because I loved the art department in the gaming industry and started to research it. I loved it, but I didn't know how to do it. They showed me a way to create using different tools. I feel I can show others the same things. Why render a photo and make the model prettier when you can change everything about it?

Garapan:
How awesome. Ok, so is art a luxury or a necessity?

Christina:
Neither. It's my need for expression.
But its a luxury.

Garapan:
So it's both?

Christina:
And a necessity.
Yes.

Garapan:
Yes.

Christina:
Hahahah!

Garapan:
Ok, you asked me this earlier this week then we ran out of time, so I'm returning this question back to you- Is art important in the 21st Century?

Christina:
Hmm...

Garapan:
Complicated, isn't it?

Christina:
Yes. Art used be very important the old days of history. Now its business. There are plenty of amazing artists and just a few are known...
...hmm. Nice question. What is art? Society these days works with something that sells. That’s not art, at least the 90% of it.

Garapan:
I think art is any creation utilizing audio or visual display which reflects and expresses some emotion or thought(s) passionate within a human being. Yes. Today's art is largely just a product. Nevertheless, is it still as important as it used to be to anyone unpolluted by commercialism? Or in other words, is there enough importance left to help it remain important? You didn't answer the whole question...

Christina:
No its not that important unfortunately. Yes, there is some importance left, but it doesn't impact the crowd as it used to.

Garapan:
I'm with you. But I needn't agree to print your answer, by the way.

Christina:
People come and go, they watch plays in the theater or the cinema, they look at art exhibitions, but at the end of the week they forget about it. They might remember it in a year but not the names involved, only images. But when you look at Michael Angelo 's work its something unforgettable. Imagine in those days when people walked in and saw that painting.

Garapan:
Truly. That's a great reference. I'd walk into the Sistine Chapel and die of awe. You are adept at Digital Painting which means you have great hand-eye skills. Do you make traditional art at all?

Christina:
I used to but now I don't have my own work space for it, so I work with what I have.

Garapan:
So, what medium do you prefer out of Digital Painting, Photo Manipulation and Traditional?

Christina:
Can I choose all three?

Garapan:
Yes, haha!
Now, I'm certain you've heard it said by prejudiced Traditional Artists that Digital Art and Photo Manipulation isn't real art. What would be your argument against that kind of thinking? Or in other words, what would you say to those who demean digital art, saying it isn't real art?

Christina:
I can't agree nor disagree with that. Photo Manipulation originally came from photography, and digital painting gives you more freedom with your work space, but both artists are doing the same thing they paint something from scratch. They are both children of the old painting. We needed a way to create a portrait without painting it so we created the first camera... In other words, things evolve. When that happens some go against it.

Garapan:
Great point. Many resist new technologies in whatever field.
If there were a great chance that no one would ever see your art, would you still make it?

Christina:
Yes! I would still have the need to give shape to the things in my head.

Garapan:
Brilliant. What is the most important thing you would say to new Artists?

Christina:
Don't try to be someone else. Have your own signature. Don't copy. Also, never give up. Art is a very hard labor and you need to chase it! It's difficult to find our own 'signature', but when you do, doors open.

Garapan:
Is there anything else you would add, anything I haven't asked?

Christina:
I think you were thorough. Only one thing- I thank the Deviant Art artist's who upload tutorials. I 'm really grateful for their help. These people create talents without even knowing!

Garapan
This is precisely what I was thinking. Deviant Art Artists are astounding and generous people. Ok, awesome. I think we're done. Thank you so much, Christina.

Christina:
You too, man. It's been a pleasure!


You can find Christina on her Pages at

Deviant Art http://surehuinel.deviantart.com/
On Shadowness http://shadowness.com/surehuinel
Or message her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Surehuinel

Aug 2nd