The Mentor Program here on Shadowness have several mentors (and students!) up for grabs who delve into different areas, mediums and have different kinds of experiences. This interview series which will come out every Monday (instead of Monday Feel Good) will let you know a bit more about each mentor on the list.
If you find an interviewed mentor interesting, don't hesitate to send them a private message and if they say yes contact me so I know who's mentoring who! You can of course sign up as a mentor and/or student in search of a mentor, on the list, by sending a private message to /Caja
By day a wild Serial Entrepreneur with delusions of grandeur who by night becomes an obsessed creative with a lot of talent but a fear of making a career of it, and in fact a longing to do exactly that. I have been a medical illustrator, animator, graphic artist, and many other "creative" careers but have always fallen back to my technical skills (programming) when it comes down to the rubber meeting the road. Beyond painting and drawing I do a little 3D, play the guitar, drums, saxophone and have built an extrusion 3D printer and a 4 axis CNC milling machine while teaching myself electronics... Many people find this as an enigmatic quality, I see it all as part of a continuum of constant engagement and personal development. I think any artist has to have a deep inner need to discover new truths and understand the universe at its most basic level. I love to learn and seek out new experiences and new concepts.
What does ART mean to you?
Constant exploration of new ideas, discovery and challenging the status quo.
What is your art form? And how long have you delved in this?
Primarily digital painting, as it is an extension of my greatest strength in art, painting. I have been working digitally since the mid 1980's when I used a Koala pad on a Commodore 64. Today I have a Wacom Cintiq on a Mac using primarily Photoshop but I often delve into 3D with Blender and zBrush I also like to explore the fusion of electronics and technology with art jumping playing with the audience in a direct sense. I did a series of interactive sculptures that subtly trained the audience to be angry and then surprised by the last sculpture they met.
Was there anything or anyone in particular that prompted your choice of art form?
Timing... I have been drawing and painting from a very young age. I work in oils, acrylics, ink, and watercolor. Digital is the only place I get to use the best techniques of each and the "Control Z" ability lets me attempt things without worrying about wrecking a piece and having to start over. Also the lack of drying time etc. keep me working rather than waiting.
How would you describe your art to someone who haven't seen it?
My "art" is meant to make me laugh, sometimes at the expense of the viewer but more often in the inner story I create associated with the scene depicted. There is a wonderful sense of inclusion that occurs to anyone who "gets" the story. It is like being let in on a a secret or being part of an inside joke, the people involved have a deeper connection to each other.
Have you had education in art or are you self-taught?
Both, I have a ton of formal training but much of what I do is self taught. I have a bachelor of Fine Arts.
I started with Architecture but after 2 years of never leaving the studio I switched to Fine Arts and Computer Science. I'm constantly trying new things and a desire to see how everything works. I have a vast collection of DVD's and videos with other artists working. I like to see what other people do and try to sample from their experiences as well.
Who and/or what inspire you?
Life.
What is the greatest lesson in art that you've learned?
NEVER be afraid to fail.
What can you teach others?
Technique and the "rules of engagement", and by that I mean the tricks you can use to engage an audience.
What tips can you offer to better oneself in his or her art?
Always try news things, in life and art. I learned more about art by learning to play the guitar than I ever would have by sitting in my studio painting, life experiences.
Is there anything you'd like to add?
Never let anyone else define you. I am neither a tech geek nor a graphic artist. Words have a limiting factor and definitions eliminate options.
The Mentor Program here on Shadowness have several mentors (and students!) up for grabs who delve into different areas, mediums and have different kinds of experiences. This interview series which will come out every Monday (instead of Monday Feel Good) will let you know a bit more about each mentor on the list.
If you find an interviewed mentor interesting, don't hesitate to send them a private message and if they say yes contact me so I know who's mentoring who! You can of course sign up as a mentor and/or student in search of a mentor, on the list, by sending a private message to /Caja
Fourth out is: /ChristianHammer
Who are you? Tell me a little about yourself.
By day a wild Serial Entrepreneur with delusions of grandeur who by night becomes an obsessed creative with a lot of talent but a fear of making a career of it, and in fact a longing to do exactly that. I have been a medical illustrator, animator, graphic artist, and many other "creative" careers but have always fallen back to my technical skills (programming) when it comes down to the rubber meeting the road. Beyond painting and drawing I do a little 3D, play the guitar, drums, saxophone and have built an extrusion 3D printer and a 4 axis CNC milling machine while teaching myself electronics... Many people find this as an enigmatic quality, I see it all as part of a continuum of constant engagement and personal development. I think any artist has to have a deep inner need to discover new truths and understand the universe at its most basic level. I love to learn and seek out new experiences and new concepts.What does ART mean to you?
Constant exploration of new ideas, discovery and challenging the status quo.What is your art form? And how long have you delved in this?
Primarily digital painting, as it is an extension of my greatest strength in art, painting. I have been working digitally since the mid 1980's when I used a Koala pad on a Commodore 64. Today I have a Wacom Cintiq on a Mac using primarily Photoshop but I often delve into 3D with Blender and zBrush I also like to explore the fusion of electronics and technology with art jumping playing with the audience in a direct sense. I did a series of interactive sculptures that subtly trained the audience to be angry and then surprised by the last sculpture they met.Was there anything or anyone in particular that prompted your choice of art form?
Timing... I have been drawing and painting from a very young age. I work in oils, acrylics, ink, and watercolor. Digital is the only place I get to use the best techniques of each and the "Control Z" ability lets me attempt things without worrying about wrecking a piece and having to start over. Also the lack of drying time etc. keep me working rather than waiting.How would you describe your art to someone who haven't seen it?
My "art" is meant to make me laugh, sometimes at the expense of the viewer but more often in the inner story I create associated with the scene depicted. There is a wonderful sense of inclusion that occurs to anyone who "gets" the story. It is like being let in on a a secret or being part of an inside joke, the people involved have a deeper connection to each other.Have you had education in art or are you self-taught?
Both, I have a ton of formal training but much of what I do is self taught. I have a bachelor of Fine Arts.I started with Architecture but after 2 years of never leaving the studio I switched to Fine Arts and Computer Science. I'm constantly trying new things and a desire to see how everything works. I have a vast collection of DVD's and videos with other artists working. I like to see what other people do and try to sample from their experiences as well.
Who and/or what inspire you?
Life.What is the greatest lesson in art that you've learned?
NEVER be afraid to fail.What can you teach others?
Technique and the "rules of engagement", and by that I mean the tricks you can use to engage an audience.What tips can you offer to better oneself in his or her art?
Always try news things, in life and art. I learned more about art by learning to play the guitar than I ever would have by sitting in my studio painting, life experiences.Is there anything you'd like to add?
Never let anyone else define you. I am neither a tech geek nor a graphic artist. Words have a limiting factor and definitions eliminate options.Previous:
Photo mentor LUX
Comic artist mentor Soulspline
Digital artist mentor Wagner Apr 2nd, 2012