What have your illustrations been used for?
I have worked for several companies creating interactive educational materials for reading, math, and science. I also work for companies which create online or other video games. I've created several book covers for both young adults and adults. I also have designed/redesigned company logos, and worked on several additional projects for friends and family, such as artwork for special blogs or small businesses.
When did you think you’d become an artist?
When did you think you’d become an artist?
I was never really sure I would be able to use art as a profession after finishing school, it’s just something I got behind and pushed as hard as I could. It appears all that hard work paid off.
Did others think you’d become an artist?
Did others think you’d become an artist?
I’m never really sure what others think. Some probably doubted my ability. Some probably said I could be an artist when I grow up, but maybe didn't take it all that seriously.
How much is natural ability and how much is talent?
When I hear people talk about ‘natural ability’ or ‘talent’, it sounds all the same to me. It sounds like they are implying that somehow someone has been born with some kind of ’super-power’ everyone else hasn't been ‘lucky’ enough to be born with. When people tell me they wished they had my ‘talent’, what I think they really mean is they lack motivation to invest the time to develop a skill. Being creative, being able to draw or paint, interpret something I see in an interesting way, or convey emotion through an image, really boils down to work, study, practice, and more work. The finest piano players or baseball players weren't born with these abilities. What they did instead was aquire an insatiable desire to play a piano over and over again, or swing a bat over and over again, all the while ignoring the amount of times they pressed the wrong note or struck out, all for the chance of making a beautiful melody once in a while or hitting a home run. The more often I play the piano, or the more often I swing a baseball bat, the better I’ll get at it. The most important thing, I feel, is not the end product, but the desire to work through hard things to get where I want to be.That desire, or driving force, is what really determines where I am and how fast I’m getting there. -and as for being where I want to be, it never feels that way. That’s why I probably continue to push myself.
What have you done in the past as work?
How much is natural ability and how much is talent?
When I hear people talk about ‘natural ability’ or ‘talent’, it sounds all the same to me. It sounds like they are implying that somehow someone has been born with some kind of ’super-power’ everyone else hasn't been ‘lucky’ enough to be born with. When people tell me they wished they had my ‘talent’, what I think they really mean is they lack motivation to invest the time to develop a skill. Being creative, being able to draw or paint, interpret something I see in an interesting way, or convey emotion through an image, really boils down to work, study, practice, and more work. The finest piano players or baseball players weren't born with these abilities. What they did instead was aquire an insatiable desire to play a piano over and over again, or swing a bat over and over again, all the while ignoring the amount of times they pressed the wrong note or struck out, all for the chance of making a beautiful melody once in a while or hitting a home run. The more often I play the piano, or the more often I swing a baseball bat, the better I’ll get at it. The most important thing, I feel, is not the end product, but the desire to work through hard things to get where I want to be.That desire, or driving force, is what really determines where I am and how fast I’m getting there. -and as for being where I want to be, it never feels that way. That’s why I probably continue to push myself.
What have you done in the past as work?
I covered this a little bit in an earlier question, but to be more specific, I've designed a lot of interactive educational games and activities for Waterford Research Institute. These could be learning games about math, reading, or science. I would also create animated videos and books for them. I worked for American Legacy Publishing creating cartoon illustrations for a monthly publication focused on math. Working in the educational field is very challenging due to the often strict criteria required to teach a particular subject, but it often results in the most creative stuff I've ever done. I worked for Sensory Sweep, a large game company which unfortunately no longer exists, and collaborated on and created several illustrations for the video game: The Tale of Despereaux.
Where did you receive your art training?
Where did you receive your art training?
Would you recommend this to others?If you mean ‘art training’ as being instructed by another, then I would start in High School and then list BYUI (formerly Ricks College) and USU. Being under the tutelage of someone with more experience is always the faster way to learning. That said, I am always seeking to learn something new, whether I have a designated teacher or not.
Would you recommend others become artists?
Would you recommend others become artists?
I would recommend that people follow whatever dreams they have most often. I read some wise counsel once about a boy asking his father about what he should be when he grows up. His father replied something to the effect, “What is it you think about when there is nothing else to think about? That’s what you should pursue as a career and will make you the most happy.” In other words, if I couldn't get enough of insects, then I would pursue some kind of career that involved insects. If I dreamed of cars and trucks all the time, I would seek a career in that direction.
What irritates you that non artists believe? Why do you supposed they believe this way?
I think what frustrates me most is the lack of understanding I often encounter when people don’t understand how long, or what level of skill is required, to create a painting, a book cover, a business logo, etc. Just because I can draw something up in a couple of hours (or several days), doesn't mean it doesn't take energy to do so. It also respects all the time I went to school, not to mention the time I take every day outside of work to keep up my abilities. I think part of the problem is that painting or drawing isn't a ‘ visible’ ability. Most of my development takes place behind doors and out of sight of the public. People have more appreciation for a sports player because they know they practice every day to develop the skill they have. Every skill or ability, just like a muscle, requires constant attention and diligence. I can tie my shoe in a flash because I've been doing so every day for the last 30+ years, but do you remember how long it would take you the very first time you tried to tie yours? I have the level of skill I possess because I have been daily developing my skills for just as long.
Why do you feel that art is important?
What irritates you that non artists believe? Why do you supposed they believe this way?
I think what frustrates me most is the lack of understanding I often encounter when people don’t understand how long, or what level of skill is required, to create a painting, a book cover, a business logo, etc. Just because I can draw something up in a couple of hours (or several days), doesn't mean it doesn't take energy to do so. It also respects all the time I went to school, not to mention the time I take every day outside of work to keep up my abilities. I think part of the problem is that painting or drawing isn't a ‘ visible’ ability. Most of my development takes place behind doors and out of sight of the public. People have more appreciation for a sports player because they know they practice every day to develop the skill they have. Every skill or ability, just like a muscle, requires constant attention and diligence. I can tie my shoe in a flash because I've been doing so every day for the last 30+ years, but do you remember how long it would take you the very first time you tried to tie yours? I have the level of skill I possess because I have been daily developing my skills for just as long.
Why do you feel that art is important?
I think art is important on several levels. It helps in communicating an idea. It helps share an idea in a new way. It helps to reveal something in different way, to a different understanding. It can help define things in a simpler way, or accentuate harmonies previously not perceived. It can stimulate imagination and creativity.
What do you believe is the definition of art?
What do you believe is the definition of art?
I think the definition of art(or at least my definition) goes hand in hand with the answer to why I think it is important (answered above). If it inspires, educates, enlightens, amuses, emotes, or in someway communicates a new idea, then I think it’s on the right track.
Do you continue to learn new techniques and how?
Thank goodness for the internet! The internet has really been a boon for artists around the world. Whether I am shopping for new art books or looking up blogs of artists whose artwork I admire, there is an overwhelming abundance of things the share and learn from one another. I am learning every day.
How do you practice now?
Do you continue to learn new techniques and how?
Thank goodness for the internet! The internet has really been a boon for artists around the world. Whether I am shopping for new art books or looking up blogs of artists whose artwork I admire, there is an overwhelming abundance of things the share and learn from one another. I am learning every day.
How do you practice now?
I watch art videos and practice what I watch. I find artist’s work I am most interested in and study from them, even taking time to copy or paint what they are doing, just so I can understand their choices and techniques better. I have several sketchbooks I take with me and try to sketch things from life when I can.
The articles, as they appear now, can be found at these two links: (at least these are the one's I've found so far)
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