Artist Questions MEME

When did you get into art?


I've been drawing since I was a toddler. I was an only child, so drawing was a good activity to do when I spent so many hours alone. I also had lots of stories and characters in my mind, and since I couldn't write yet, I expressed them through pictures. 


Show us your oldest piece of art you have on hand:

Solaris - 2007 - photoshop

I was really proud of this one at the time. For some reason, it didn't bother me that I didn't finish drawing the leg or the second wing, haha. I'm still not really a perfectionist, but I would definitely "finish" an image completely now. Even though this is digital, I feel most comfortable working traditionally. 


What defines your artistic style?


I'm influenced by anime/manga and the Japanese aesthetic, as well as the voluptuous style of the women in Fathom comics. My inking is also heavily inspired by art nouveau/Mucha. One of my older influences is Brian Froud. I love Arthur Rackham's art as well, though I only discovered his work a couple of years ago. 


Do you practice other styles/have you tried other styles in the past?


I'm always trying new things. Tedium makes for a bored Sasha. 


What levels of artistic education have you had?


Quite a bit, actually - though I must say that my abilities are mostly due to my own practice over the years. And my art teachers have never really been fond of my style of work anyway. I took a semi-private portfolio building class for two semesters outside of high school, many many many life drawing classes over several years, and painting and illustration classes in university. I also took a lot of design and typography classes. 


What is your favourite piece that you have done?


Generally whatever piece I'm currently working on! :P 

A Midnight Stroll

This one (above) is definitely one of my favourites, and was even published in an art book last year! :)


What do you like most about your art?


I love my characters, and the secret stories they tell. I love to draw the magical little details, strange outfits, and haunting atmospheres. In the piece above, for example, I loved doing the line work on her tights, shading her hair with grays, and dotting the stars in the background sky with my white gel pen.


What do you like least about your art?


Lots of things haha. I feel the expressions on my character's faces lack emotion (or are just bitchy) - the poses are stiff and face forward because I want to feature the clothing/hair - my colour pallet could be more sophisticated... maybe more minimalistic and desaturated... so many things haha!


What would you absolutely refuse to draw?


Anything I don't feel a keen interest in. I only draw things I'm passionate about. For example, photo realism, people's pet portraits, still life, etc... I also don't generally use any photo references, and don't enjoy projects where I'd have to. 


List at least one of your “artspirations.”

I would say Kmye-Chan is my all time favourite artist. I don't like to peg myself down, or committing solely to one thing, but I have to say her art is a huge, huge inspiration to me. I love the mood, textures, fashion, line work, pretty much everything in her art. If I ever owned an original piece of her work, it would be my most treasured possession (aside from my child hood teddy bear. yes I am sentimental like that haha). One day!


Other inspirations include: Stephanie Law, Nati Peirandrei, Arthur Rackham, Brian Froud, Kelly McKernan, Audrey Kawasaki, and many more!


Tag people!


Erin Kerr & and other artists out there! Send me a link if you fill this out! :)