What influences your art?

What influences your art? Is it the Masters from the past? Is it a popular artist right now? Is it family, environment, circumstances, the boss, the voices in your head, the dog, comics, TV, movies, runny nose, lack of coffee, the next door neighbor who likes to sunbathe nude, the shoe that's too tight, the hard drive that never has enough room, that pencil set that is always missing the black even though you've replaced it three times, the monitor that keeps flickering, the lamp that keeps blowing bulbs, the shade of wall paint that offends your eye, the mouse cursor that keeps jumping to the upper right corner for some ungodly reason, the paint that dries too quickly, the phone that won't stop ringing, the phone that just stopped ringing 3 days ago, etc. etc. etc.

Short answer - yes, it all influences our art. However, we are in control as to what degree the influence. I think a successful artist is able to shut off distraction, and when that is impossible it's time to switch gears - work on something else for awhile. I know with my work, I have several different types of art I can work on. Some require alot of thought, and others not much thought but alot of skill.

I believe that we are not successful artists until we can deliver under less than perfect conditions. Am I there yet? I don't think so. I still have a tendency to say 'screw it' and do something else. My wife's pissed-off shrill voice pierces my brain and makes me wince. If her tantrum is for an extended time, I am effectively rendered worthless anyway. Sometimes my sons need my undivided attention, as they deserve. Sometimes the dog needs my undivided attention,....after the tenth time, I put her in the cage - gotta draw the line somewhere.

Life happens. Live it. Draw it.

How Do I Know Which Artistic Medium To Use?

OK, so I've got my idea. How do I let everyone else see it? This is probably the hardest question to answer, and the more skills you learn harder still. Short answer - depends.

It depends on whether you are under a deadline, and if so, how tight a deadline. Will it be printed, and if so, what is the printer's requirements? If it is digital, what resolution is necessary, and will a higher resolution possibly be asked for later? Etc. Etc. Etc.

If you are under a tight deadline, of course a more time consuming medium is out of the question. If the final is to be a digital file, maybe you shouldn't paint on canvas and have to foot the time and expense of scanning. If you are designing icons for an OS interface, perhaps you shouldn't make the original file at 4 feet by 4 feet at 300 dpi - that's just going to slow you down.

So, asking a few questions will speed things up:
1. What will the artwork be used for? Multiple uses?
2. How long do I have to deliver?
3. What format does the client need it in?
4. Can I give my client exactly what they want in a faster, cheaper manner?

I hope this helps you answer a question that doesn't really have to be a difficult one. And always try to keep expanding your arsenal of capabilities. Your clients will keep coming back if they feel confident in your versatility and flexibilty.

How did you get started in art?

I had an edge that most won't. My father is an artist, and I grew up exposed to the creative process. He was constantly drawing, painting and laying out ads. And back then, he was adamant about NOT having a computer. So everything was done by hand. Naturally, I wanted to spend time with him so I tried my hand at whatever he was doing. And again, naturally, it sucked. So, art never really took hold while I was living at home.

Then I joined the Air Force. And suddenly had a whole lot of nothing to do. Night shifts with no one to talk to led to scribbling, and eventually to my first pieces of artwork. I had a long way to go though. Shortly after leaving the Air Force, I started landing jobs illustrating for the Small Press. While nothing glamorous, and nothing anyone now would ever see, it was valuable experience.

I started setting up at comic conventions to sell my artwork. I would be sitting next to big names like Joseph Linsner and Neil Adams. Of course some sneered, some smirked, but others like Joe were very nice and even helpful. (I had the pleasure of seeing Joseph Linsner again at Megacon this year.) And again, very valuable experience was gained. Even the brutal remarks from a shallow professional were useful in shaping my career. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

There came a time, I knew that if I didn't leave my day job to pursue graphic design professionally, soon it would be too late. So, I walked away from a high paying job with full benefits for my entire family to work as a graphic designer. My wife, the staunch supporter and bill payer, made it my decision. Eventually, things would get back to normal.

We moved to Florida just before the travesty of 9-11, which screwed up everything. Luckily, landing jobs online was my only salvation. Now, I work for a major large format printer in Orlando. I use Photoshop and Illustrator every single day. My wife works for the Mouse, and life is good.

Now I pursue my art after work hours at my leisure. There is no pressure, so the creative process is uninhibited. Do I lack focus? Maybe, probably. Am I having the time of my life? Definitely. Don't preach to me about success and the keys to get there. Frankie said it best, "I did it my way!" -Dave

What's This Blog Thing Anyway?

So what do I write as a first entry - my first foray into blogging? I am what most would consider old school. My experience with art began with strictly traditional disciplines, and much later integrated digital work. In recent years, I have been reluctant to delve into new internet technologies like Instant Messaging and Blogging. Stop laughing, it's new to me. Anyway, the old dog is learning new tricks and here is my blog (cue the heavenly music.)

I am the son of a career commercial artist, now retired. I have been pursuing my art since 1985 - my first year in the Air Force. As my skills improved, I began trying to get published in the Small Press (an underground distribution of fanzines and homemade newsletters - kudos to Janet Fox.) I picked up a used Amiga 500 in 1989, and started playing with digital graphics including 3d. My wife has always been a staunch supporter of my work, and has always found house money to fund my desire for different mediums. I have experimented with pen & ink, marker & pencil and digital painting to name a few. The most fun, however, is to be had from mixing medias.

Whether it be scanning pencils or inks and coloring in the computer or printing a photo and finishing with rapidograph and paint, mixed media can be very gratifying. 'Aeris and the Chocobo' was scanned as a sketch and colored in Photoshop. It was then composited on a Bryce 3d background. Shadows and color correction rounded out the process. I really enjoyed this one.

Lately, I have picked up photography with earnest. I've been shooting for years, but the film processing thing always seemed to drag it down. I STILL have rolls from 10 years ago I haven't processed. Now I have a DSLR - film no more. I started shooting models in October (07), and have a portfolio on ModelMayhem. I find that professionals seemed to feel threatened by me, and models always want to shoot again. Must be doing something right. Bottom line is - art first. If the shoot has no creative direction, I'm bored. (Group shoots I have no control over.) I will be integrating my model shoots into my art.

I have also rediscovered fractals. One of the programs I am currently using is Apophysis 3d. It's an amazing little program and very powerful. Here is an example:

I intend to share my artwork here, and share the process as well. There will also be an occasional tutorial posted as well. I am constantly asked, "How did you come up with that?" Well, read on. I'll update when I can. And check out the rest of my offerings on

Thanks, -Dave