Q1: Let’s start with the common question, if you can kindly introduce yourself.
Okay, hi! My name is Allie, and I’m an 18 year old artist currently enrolled in the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, OH, USA.
Q2: How did you get into the field of your work?
Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always just really liked drawing and making things. My first art class didn’t happen until 3 years ago when I was a junior in highschool, so I’m mostly self-taught and still go mostly by what I’ve learned that works for me.
Q3: Do you have any current favourite artists, photographers who may have influenced you to become the artist that you are?
I don’t have many influences that have gotten me to my current point, but some artist’s I’ve recently discovered that inspire me and will undoubtedly help shape my progress as an artist include Steven Assael, Auguste Rodin, and the photographer James Nachtway. Those are just a few I’ve looked into recently, but I keep finding new stuff that interests me all the time and compile them into an inspirational heap in the art vault in my head!
Q4: What are the main tools of your trade?
I’m a traditional artist and mostly do a lot of drawing, so graphite, scratchboard, and charcoal.
Q5: How was it for you to learn the process of that? Did you teach yourself, take classes or learn from other existing artist’s tutorial?
Almost all of my drawing, I taught myself. Taking actual art classes in high school and college helped me refine it, and gave names to techniques, but the only thing I can credit with being able to do what I do is the ability God gave me.
Q6: Do you think its possible for you to describe the process of your art style, what are the do’s and don’ts, the important aspects you set yourself to achieve your style of design?
Haha, actually my artistic ‘style’ is something in the works right now, so there aren’t very many ‘don’ts’ because I’m in a phase of experimenting with everything! However, a lot of what I do is naturalistic work, or ‘realistic’, and when I’m doing stuff like that I just make it a point to be as precise as possible, don’t be afraid of contrasting dark darks and light lights, and never call a piece finished until I’m happy with it. I’ve found that doing your best work all the time and being proud of it is one of the only ways you can get comfortable enough to venture outside what your best working style is and branch out to claim even more.
Q7: What are the biggest struggles you encounter as a digital / traditional artist?
As a traditional artist, especially a young one, just finding work (and if there is none, staying motivated) is probably the biggest struggle. There’s always projects you can do for yourself, but personally what keeps me going is when I know someone is looking forward to a piece I’m doing and I have expectations to live up to. Goals I set for myself don’t feel nearly as important, because one of the main reasons I enjoy art is because other people can get enjoyment from it. If I’m just doing it for myself, I don’t feel like there’s much point in doing it.
Q8: Do you have any other future plans that don’t involve creative art? Would consider working outside that field and into something new?
Well I would definitely consider working outside of the art world, I’m still trying to decide if art as a profession is even right for me. I don’t really have particular plans yet, I don’t know what I really want to do, but I’m hoping that I’m slowly getting different experiences enough to figure that out.
Q9: Do you have any personal mottos, quotes or existing quotes that motivates you to do what you love doing? Can you share it with us?
The other day I just came across a phrase that was simply “Do more of what makes you happy.” I think that’s a pretty good one to go by.
Q10: To round off the last question, where can your fans and new fans find updated news and progress from you, – Where can we find you?
Right now the only website I have running for my artwork is my deviantart account, http://epicturtlecataclysm.deviantart.com/.
I also put a lot of my work on my personal facebook page, found here http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=841943204.
Also importantly, through either one of those, I would love to take commissions if anyone is interested!
