Q1: Let’s start with the common question, if you can kindly introduce yourself.
Hello, my name is Clinton van der Nest. I am a Graphic Designer fromCape Town,South Africa. Been here my whole life and love it here.
I’m an abstract, fractal and psychedelic artist. Been publishing my artworks only over the past 4 years or so. My stuff is pretty ‘out there’ and very personal to me. I have a beautiful fiance and a little sausage dog as a kid – who gets treated like a human child 
I love viewing life at different angles, and thinking outside he box. There are soooo many things that interest me!
Q2: How did you get into the field of your work?
ummm…I never studied after school. All the programs I use, I have taught myself. And knowing the software luckily landed me a job in Graphic Design. Working in this industry, I get introduced to new and amazing programs, and gives me the practice I need. The artworks I produce though, isn’t the style I use at work, so it’s nice to get home and put on my headphones and space out doing my artworks. Its a nice break from such energy consuming days.
Q3: Do you have any current favourite artists, comic artists, photographers who may have influenced you to become the artist that you are?
No, not really. There are however artists like H.R. Giger and Salvador Dali who I have the upmost respect for. It might sound strange, but I create my artworks according to the music I listen to. I’m VERY much into my psychedelic trance, and when I listen to dark-psy, my artworks become very fragmented, twisted and energetic. Whereas ‘early morning’ psy, there are lots of blending colours. It gets quite dreamy, energetic and flowing. I can’t pre-plan an artwork, because my artworks evolve as I create them, and look 99% different to how I first imagined it to be. So it’s difficult for me to have a favourite artist as I don’t focus on what others have created, but rather my subconscious visions.
Q4: What are the main tools of your trade?
There are several…3D, vector, and fractal software, but Photoshop CS5 is my main tool. For fractal software, there are many. 3D software is DAZ Studio/Poser, Maya, Groboto and for vector its CorelDRAW x5. Im learning how to use Illustrator at the moment. I wish that I had a Mac, but PC is my engine.
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?
In the beginning, I started doing pencil drawings of symbols and star signs in a Dali style. In the computer world, I’ve learned from trial and error, I have my own techniques. I’ve been through a lot frustration lol, its been a lengthy but enjoyable journey.
It’s very rare for me to follow tutorials. I played around with Space scenes for a while which I needed tuts for though. But that style only lasted 2 pieces, so I’m back to my fractals and all.
Q6: Do you think its possible for you to describe the process of your art style, what are the dos and don’ts, the important aspects you set yourself to achieve your style of design?
The process I use self-created. Learning the shortcuts and editing shortcut keys can save a lot of time, and leaves you with the same mental path of your artwork without distractions of menus etc. Design BIG. Most of my artworks are 6000px at its shortest side. Its more time consuming, but quality is very important to me. Even though I’ve learned many shortcuts, my piece’s take 2-3 months to complete. Even though the main design will be complete in a month, I take a long time on the finishing (its the part I enjoy most), and often end up with hundreds of layers in Photoshop. Light and colour balance is very important. The ‘don’ts’ is to rush a job or piece. Artwork isn’t necessarily something you just do, but rather for your body and mind to create, explain your translate your thoughts. So take your time and take it very slowly.
Q7: What are the biggest struggles you encounter as a artist?
The biggest by far, is that programs coming out these days, are being used to create ‘fashionable’ or cliche artworks. If you look through magazines etc, the style of artworks are very much the same. I don’t like to create artworks that look like the next. Life is about being an individual, and creating ‘cliche’ artworks is difficult to me. So staying ‘with the times’ is difficult in my profession, but inspires me to expand my knowledge and occasionally incorporate it somehow into my designs.
Q8: Do you have any other future plans that don’t involve creative art? Would consider working outside that field and into something new?
I initially wanted to do 3D animation, but dreams can change. One day I’ll more than likely end up in that career path. It would be freelance though. As one day my fiance and I will have a Bed & Breakfast. My artwork will always be with me. I will continue to create for as long as I am alive.
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 or provide words of wisdom from your experiences for those who look up to you?
You have to love and have a passion for the art you create. Im not a person who stays within the constraints of society’s perception of ‘normal’. I know and have learned that times change and the people I meet all have a impact on my day to day life, and living by motto’s really isn’t my style. I think that to create different artworks, your life has to evolve, and the transformation will come across into your art. It is important to be different, and don’t be shy to do it either lol. If you lose touch with the artwork and you half way through, stop the piece…you can always come back to it. I have many unfinished projects, that I will complete when the time is right. Things happen when they are meant to, so don’t just finish something because you want it finished, take your time Don’t rush things and pay attention to the fine details, it’s those little bits that keep the viewer captivated. It’s taken years for me to have the understanding and knowledge in my atyle. Practice does make perfect, and I practice every single day, and still see so much more room to expand. If you get unmotivated, try a different style of art you enjoy, and you will find your groove. Think about what you are doing and learn to incorporate programs with each other. Also, remember that you have no boundaries in art!
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?
Im not very professional in that area lol…ummmm…there is: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Psychedelic.Peter.Pan
And DeviantArt: http://peterpan81.deviantart.com/
Soon I will have a proper website, so follow me on Facebook, where I at least have an option to send out a note to everyone.
