Feb 16 2022

Wassay Kahn #spotlight

Please give a warm welcome to Illustrator Wassay Kahn

I am an Illustrator and Concept Artist, I am inspired by Frank Frazetta I have worked in the field of Games, Film, and Advertisement.

I am passionate about visual storytelling and world-building. Primarily using painting techniques, I’ve been involved in a wide range of productions providing a variety of work such as concept art, card illustrations, character design, environment design, and matte painting.

I am doing designing the last 8 to 9 years, and I have advice for beginners to be passionate hard work never disappoint, one day you will achieve your goals.

Dec 9 2021

Graphic Designer Natasha from DAZED designs #interview

Please give a warm welcome to graphic designer Natasha from Dazed Designs

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I am a Self-taught graphic artist from Australia who currently resides in Tropical North Queensland. I have a beautiful family for who I would do anything. This little family includes three children, one husband, and one Neapolitan mastiff. I love reading, all forms of art (outdoor sculpture and installation art especially), heavy metal music (my music is my happy place), spending time exploring the world around us with my family (mainly locally because I am also not fond of people I don’t know LOL), beaches (not in North Queensland though because I don’t have a death wish – yes we have crocodiles, killer jellyfish, and big sharks everywhere) and dreaming of perfect Gothi/Gypsy inspired interior design.

Hand Painted Suspenseful CONTEMPORARY

Have you always wanted to become a graphic artist?

YES! I started painting and illustrating around 5 years old. It was here that I told my Aunt and Cousin (whose home I was staying at for a play date) that I wanted to be an artist! I was promptly informed – not for the last time either – that “artists don’t make any money, you will be poor your whole life”. I kept painting and illustrating anyway, and started my first art business in primary school – grade 5 (I was 11). I started illustrating game and TV characters onto canvas, painting them, and selling them to the other students for $5 each (not very smart in hindsight as the paint and canvas cost me about $10 hahaha). I was once again told in High School (when I was about 14 or 15 years old) that I would never make money from art unless I became a teacher. By this stage, I had started to believe it myself, so I started focussing on a teaching career instead. That didn’t last long. About 2 years into my degree (which I started AFTER I had my three children because I was never very interested in it) I started my business, by accident. An author friend of mine needed art for a cover. I drew her something (very basic) and she employed another designer to digitize it for her – they charged her AN ARM AND A LEG – so I got angry on her behalf, and taught myself photoshop in 2 days. The rest is history 😀

Hand-painted 3d image manipulation SCI-FI/Fantasy

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I cannot cope without my music. A lot of my inspiration comes from the lyrics and music of my favorite artists, and you will find that a LOT of my premades are based on my favorite songs. I also absolutely LOVE Pinterest. If you go to my PINs you will see all kinds of cover art, mood boards, and digital art grouped together in quite random ways. This helps me visualize an overall LOOK as opposed to falling into the trap of stealing ideas vs borrowing inspiration. I am also connected to some fabulous online communities that give us tutorials, inspiration, feedback and overall advice on art. My main go-to is Photo Manipulation OFFICIAL, the artists from that group are some of the best in the world. I also rely heavily on the photos themselves to speak to me. Because I specialize in both contemporary and fantasy-based art for all genres of books, I use a lot of photorealism, photo manipulation, hand illustration, overpainting, and some 3D art. So, the areas I find inspiration may not be the same as other people.

Photomanipulation DARK CONTEMPRARY

What are you working on now?

Today, I am working on a branding pack (logo and marketing material), and after that is done I am planning a three-book series for a historical fantasy saga. I am super excited about the covers. They will feature key elements from each of the books and an overall theme that includes apothecaries. This one will be an object cover, and as such will have no models.

3D image work PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Do you have any quirks while working?

Mood music and coffee are a must. I cannot function without those. I HATE being interrupted. It throws my creativity off massively. I actually have alarms set for everything now, including taking the children to, and picking them up from, school. I have accidentally forgotten to pick my children up from school (don’t worry, I was only 10 minutes late). I have forgotten important appointments, food breaks, and all kinds of things while being in the craziness that is my “mode of concentration”.

Hand-painted photo-based CONTEMPORARY Fiction

Do you have any advice for new graphic artists/Cover designers about the publishing world?

BE TRUE TO YOUR MORALS. If you know something is illegal, or against your policies, don’t give in due to peer pressure. KNOW YOUR WORTH. Do not let people take advantage of your generosity. If you do something for someone you deserve to be paid. KEEP LEARNING, ALWAYS. Never think you know it all. In the art world, we are always changing and developing our skills. This means, unless you do too, you will be left behind. DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY. Some people are just not nice people. don’t take their word or actions personally. This is JUST a job. If someone doesn’t like your work, that’s ok! Everyone has different opinions. If someone lies to you (which they will) TRY to ignore it and move on. This industry can be toxic, it can also be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. You will possibly get to create art for some of the BEST authors or musicians in the world. I am so lucky that my current clients are the most beautiful, understanding, and talented group of authors you will ever meet. But I have, in the past, had some less-than-ideal clients. If you let these people win, you will never succeed. Do this for you and your family, keep it all in perspective, and move on.

3D and photo Manipulated sci-fi

What are your hopes for the future?

I am hoping to have enough time next year to start creating some more original artwork for sale, start winning commissions for more book illustrations, write and illustrate a children’s book with my kids, and start learning 3D creation software so I can start designing for designers as well as authors and artists.

Photo Manipulation PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

I absolutely adore you all. if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here, living my best life, doing what I love. Thank you for letting me show all those people who said you “can’t make money with art” wrong. Thank you for letting me show my art to the world.

DAZED design graphic art

Some of the amazing work Natasha has done for me and friends.

May 2 2020

Graphic Designer Kellie Arts #interview

Please give a warm welcome to Kellie

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hello. My name is Raquel A.K.A Kellie Arts, and I am a professional digital artist from Argentina.

Have you always wanted to become a artist/designer?

I guess the right answer is a big yes. Since little I loved drawing. I’ve always been quite quiet and artistic… I’ve started my current job as a profesional book cover artist as a hobby back in 2012.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I find inspiration in my favorite artist such as Jessica Alain, Wesley Souza and Ana Cruz, too name just a few. I also think stock photography sometimes can be very inspiring. Like, you just know what you have to do!

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on custom book covers and lots of personal and premade book cover art… My favorite genre are Fantasy and YA, so I’m doing lots of those.

Do you have any quirks while working?

While working I enjoy drinking “Mate” which is a drink characteristic of Argentina!

What are your hopes for the future?

I hope to always keep learning and improving my skills and work on tons of fantastic proyects.

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

A huge THANK YOU for your support. I always smile at each comment and that people like what I do is very meaningful to me. Thank you!

Website

Facebook

DeviantArt

Mar 31 2020

Photographer Michelle Lancaster #interview @Lanefotograf

Please give a warm welcome to Michelle Lancaster/Lanefotograf

Tell us a bit about yourself

This question could be answered a million different ways.. I was born, I lived, I’m still here… ummm when I was 10 I poked 4 holes into my earlobe and my mum said don’t come running to me when it hurts.

I guess I’m a sensitive introverted extrovert who grew up loving images and fantasy worlds for escapism and creativity. I always loved rebellion and being naughty and listening to other people tell me about horror stories I was too afraid to watch.

Have you always wanted to become a photographer?

I think so yes. I strayed for a while and became a music teacher but I’ve always come back to art and imagery throughout my life. I gave up in high school because I think I was waiting for the digital era. Being in a darkroom was really only good for one thing in my opinion.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I find inspiration within the human I’m working with.. the way we interact and connect.. I see a light in them and want to capture it. I also like to imagine a story line in my head to go with an image. Like I might say.. “ok you’ve been waiting for your lover to come home and she hasn’t arrived and it’s driving you crazy.. show me what that looks like”

What are you working on now?

I’ve been working through recent shoots with Mitchell Wick, Lochie Carey and Tommy Fierce. I’ve also been writing… dun dun dun dahhhh..

Do you have any quirks while working?

I often bash my head into running ceiling fans when I’m standing on a bed taking photographs of a model. I often walk backwards into things and smash my knees on furniture. I’m just waiting for the day I slip off the sides of a bath tub and break my neck. All the injuries are worth it for the right shot.

What are your hopes for the future?

Right now it’s just the ability to shoot again.. this virus is ruining the world and I hope we stamp it out fast with isolation. Stay the fuck home. I’m addicted to photography so this is cold turkey at the moment. And photographing flowers ain’t gonna cut it.

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

I fucking love you. Especially the cheeky authors, I’m endlessly entertained by the things they say to me. I’m in awe of their talent and I’m so grateful to have fallen into this magical sexy world with them.

Cover Queen of Hearts

Here are some covers by Michelle.

Mar 6 2020

Graphic Designer HarleyQuinn Zaler #interview #HQArtwork

Please give a warm welcome to

HarleyQuinn Zaler

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a stay at home mom to my crazy four year old. Happily married to my wonderful hubs. I’m still pretty new to being a graphic designer! But I love making covers. I put a piece of my heart and soul into each and every cover I make.

Have you always wanted to become a artist/designer?

Oh gosh no! I never used to be able to draw. I would make fun of myself, saying I didn’t have one artistic bone in my entire body. I can’t even draw stick figures! 😂 It just happened accidentally to be honest.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

A lot of times from my friends. Or from the books I read and the worlds I get lost in.

What are you working on now?

I am always working on 4/5 different premades at a time, in my spare time when I’m not in the office doings customs. And I usually have about one custom a week to work on. So I’m always as busy as a bee!

Do you have any quirks while working?

Yes! I always have to have the TV going while I’m working, but it has to be a show/movie I’ve already seen a bunch so I don’t have to pay attention. Or music. I have 3 set playlists specifically for work and my different moods. And I can’t talk/text while I’m in the zone. I barely hear it if someone is talking to me until they break my concentration.

Do you have any advice for new artists about the publishing world?

Just do. Try it. The worst that can happen is, what? You end up creating a piece of art that YOU made. Anyone can learn how to do it! But you have to be ready to put in the work.

What are your hopes for the future?

I just hope that I always get to do this! Becoming a designer was the best thing to ever happen to me, and I know how lucky I am. Every. Single. Day. It takes my breath away when someone puts art that I created on their book babies. I still can’t believe I get to do this!

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart and soul. Having you guys means everything to me, and I wouldn’t be here without y’all. The amount of love and support I get shown on a daily basis is just everything. I’m the luckiest, I swear.

Instagram

Facebook

Feb 3 2020

Graphic Designer – Artist SephineeDraws #interview

Please give a warm welcome to SephineeDraws

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a graduating student currently finishing up my internship. When I’m not drawing, I play Monster Hunter World and take care of my plants and aquariums.

Have you always wanted to become a artist/designer?

I guess I always did? I started drawing at a very young age like most kids. Though I did dream of becoming a veterinarian back then.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Most of my inspiration comes from the video games I play. Final Fantasy 9 and Nier: Automata to name a few. I have a handful of great artists that I follow too. Zeronis, WLOP, and Loish are probably my top 3 inspirations.

What are you working on now?

Mostly client work and internship stuff. A few animations and some illustrations for a game that I can’t really share yet. 😅

What are your hopes for the future?

My goal after graduating is to work freelance full time. It’s doable for me now and I hope that as I improve, more people will be interested in commissioning me.

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

I think like most artists, I’m really thankful for my followers especially the ones that have stuck around to support me. It’s especially heartwarming. A big thank you to all of them.

LinkTree

Jan 25 2020

Manami Art #Interview

Have you always wanted to become a artist?

— yes

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

— no waiting inspiration. With or without, I start to paint anyway. Also Meditation and prayer. Take a walk.

What are you working on now?

Theme upon tree of life and spirits.

Do you have any quirks while working?

Dancing, singing, and painting.

What are your hopes for the future?

— To be able to keep laughing and loving and appreciate life. Spread more conscious about peace and love in our community.

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

I’m so grateful to be able to share my art and thank you so much for following!

Manami Art

Facebook

Instagram

Jan 23 2020

Graphic Designer Amanda Kulp #interview

Please give a warm welcome to

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi, my name is Amanda Kulp or also known as Amanda Kulp Designs. I live in Pennsylvania, US. I am a mother of a 12-year old son, digital artist, gamer, avid reader, and lover of anything fantasy or sci-fi. I also love cats! I have a 7-year-old female tabby named Socks. I have been working in Photoshop for about 5 years now. I am primarily self-taught. I specialize in photomanipulations or also known as creative manipulations. I also design book, audio, and album covers.

Have you always wanted to become an artist/designer?

I actually did not always have the dream to be an artist. I have always been artistically inclined since a young age. I used to be into painting with acrylics as a young teenager. My dad used to take all my canvas paintings into work and show them off. He was a huge supporter of my art. But, as I got older I stopped painting and didn’t really get into art again until I was in college where I took a Photoshop class as my art elective. This class is what really marked my beginnings in digital art. I remember we had to do a dream collage or a photomanipulation and I was freaking out over it. We had never done something so complex in the class and because the task seemed so daunting to me I immediately began looking and trying manipulation tutorials. I was so amazed at the artworks that people were coming up with using everyday images. A lot of times you could not tell that real photographs were used at all. I ended up getting an A on that final project and felt so accomplished with my finished piece that I continued teaching myself from that point forward. I still have a good ways to go in my learning process but I have come so far since my first digital artwork.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I find a lot of inspiration from movies, music, and books, mostly fantasy/sci-fi, but a lot of my inspiration comes from photographs. I will see a simple picture such as a photo of a sunset and an idea just pops into my head. It might be an entire idea or just a color scheme. Whatever it is I’ll usually go straight into Photoshop and basically just go with the flow! A lot of times, I do not have a full vision before going into a piece and have no idea what the final piece will look like.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on a fantasy dragon, premade ebook cover.

Do you have any quirks while working?

I love listening to music while working. I really like listening to music such as fantasy, synthwave, and anything sci-fi. Lately, I have been putting on the Harry Potter soundtracks while I work. It might sound silly but I feel that listening to these type of genres help keep my creative juices flowing!

What are your hopes for the future?

I really hope that sometime in the future I can make cover design my full-time job. I really enjoy what I do and love seeing the amazing covers these artists put out. I would just love to fully be apart of that.

Do you have anything to say to your fans?

I just want to thank all the people who truly enjoy my work and constantly leave me such supportive feedback and even constructive criticism. It keeps me going and learning and I am so appreciative of that.

Personal Website/Portfolio

The Book Cover Designer

Instagram

Twitter

Tumblr

DeviantArt

Jan 14 2020

Author – Artist Alexa Wayne #interview

Please give a warm welcome to AW

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi! I’m Alexa Wayne, aka the OCD Vampire. I’m obsessed with Vlad III or Vlad the Impaler. I am an introvert, and I do not hide it anymore. I even believe it to be an asset for someone who is like me. I am writing and drawing all day long with my little dog, Carey, by my side.

I took many art classes to help me in my development as a well-rounded artist. I didn’t wish to rely on anyone to become the writer that I envisioned in my head. I love everything when it comes to creating something. I like doing research, marketing, graphic, and web design. I enjoy the entire process of turning a piece of art, including a novel, into something incredible.

Have you always wanted to become an artist/designer?

I grew up in the artistic world. I went to acting school for thirteen years of my life, and that included classical ballet, along with singing and various types of acting and dancing styles. If someone asked me why I love to read and watch the most, it would be Dracula or vampires in general. To me, the comic book is the most accurate form of art when it gets closer to acting. Some would argue, of course, debate it to the contrary, but acting has many faces.

Time passed, I needed something more, and that was to gain writing experience. The Geek Initiative became the first professional blog I worked for, and it was epic. I enjoy the geeky environment and the opportunity they gave me. The founder, Tara M. Clapper, and editor in chief became my first novel editor.

She gave me the backbone I needed to find my way as an artist and author. I am now the proud creator of Gothic Bite Magazine. I write paranormal suspense novels in the horror genre. It took me some time, but now I know that I am proud to be a monster nerd, and a hundred percent living in her twisted mind!

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I find inspiration most of the time in music, books, research, and whatever is online or on television. I love to use research and other forms of art as inspiration. It is quite amazing what one can find in the most transparent or subtle places.

I also enjoy walking outside with my dog. We live in a country town surrounded by woods, so walking is fantastic around here. It’s like being lost in nature, and I put on my music and wait for inspiration to strike.

Of course, I have my secret weapon, which is going to the esoteric stores in our small and old little country downtown. It’s peaceful and quiet. It has perfect energy all around. I enjoy it, and most of the time, it leaves me with many ideas.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on a personal comic book project as the penciler and colorist as well as scripter when it comes to my art. The inspiration is from one of my novels. My inker is Kendra Hale, as well as my editor and beta reader for the script.

As for writing, I am working on the new release of Lord Impaler Series #2, The Gravedigger. It comes out on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020, on Amazon in paperback and Kindle, free on Kindle Unlimited. I do my own graphic design, of course, and create the marketing merchandise for it as well.

Do you have any quirks while working?

I forget the time, and my dog must remind me to stop and eat. I’m often in my own little bubble, and the world around doesn’t exist anymore. I must listen to music while drawing; otherwise, my work doesn’t flow well.

I listen to relaxing music such as Marilyn Manson, Metallica, Disturbed, Exit Eden, and Dance Macabre. I know people don’t consider those relaxing, but they are to me. I love them!

What are your hopes for the future?

I would love my webzine, Gothic Bite Magazine, to become LLC and accessible enough so that we can support causes such as 4Oceans or Bats QLD. GBM is a webzine created by monsters for monsters so that gothic people have a place to go and feel welcome. We try to help the indie community as much as we can. Again, this project is possible because of my #1, Kendra Hale.

I guess, for the future, all I want is to be happy and be capable of helping people achieve their dreams. I want to be able to live off my art and writing, so I can help others. That is literally all I want.

Do you have any advice for new artists/authors about the publishing world?

I grew up in the art and publishing world. Books surrounded me since I was born. Raised by my grandparents and mother, my grandpa worked for a binding & printing company. He would often come back with boxes of books and encyclopaedia worth so much money but didn’t “make the cut” because of small printing errors.

So, my advice would be if you wish to become a graphic/web designer or illustrator, do not be afraid to stand out. I mean by that to not fit in any cookie cutters. Look at the latest trends yes, but also; don’t be afraid to find inspiration in the past. Myself, I am more of a European stylist in design than American simply because I prefer certain aspects of it. Put together your portfolio and a professional website. Don’t be afraid to pay for a professional website if you must. Graphic and web design require a certification because of the complexity of the rules and printing industry as well as online industry.

When it comes to authors, do not stop writing because people tell you that you cannot make it. It is NOT true. Do not listen to those voices. Keep writing and again, stand out. When everyone goes right for the style of writing or book cover, don’t be afraid to go left. Do not settle for anyone but yourself and how much you believe in your story. Another common mistake, do not do everything yourself. Do not fear your limits and hire a graphic designer or illustrator for your book cover. The phrase “do not judge a book by its cover” is a good lesson to learn but sadly, every one of us bought at least one book just because the cover was amazing. So, investing in editors, graphic designers and web designers are crucial parts of being an indie author. It is in those details that one can stand out from the sea of indie authors.

In conclusion, do not let fear and peer pressure dictate what you wish to become or do with your creation. Just keep going and you won’t regret it.

Do you have anything to say to your fans?

I don’t know that I have any fans. Haha! But, to anyone reading this, this phrase helped me a thousand times over, “Because you are afraid doesn’t mean that you’re not strong.” Whatever it is you dream of is worth your time and effort, and if you feel anxious, do not worry, your anxiety is lying to you, and you are going to be okay.

Sep 25 2019

Graphic Designer Eerilyfair Design #interview

Please give a warm welcome to

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m from Bavaria, Germany living in a very small village (we are about 300 people here) by Bamberg nearly in the woods. I love gardening and animals to a great acess. So I collect rare plants and feed our birds, squirrels and even the dormouse in our housetop. I always had dogs, but since our last dog died very cruely at cancer I cannot bring it over me to have a new pup. I will die eventually, too. So I babysit the Newfoundland of our Neighbours.

Have you always wanted to become an artist/designer?

Yes. I painted since childhood. But I’m not that type of person, who can paint easily with great genious. Everything I do, I have to struggle for. I can be very persistent and in this part patient (even if I’m the most unpatient person in every other aspect). So If I cannot do anything imidiately I will try as long as it takes to master it. I’m new to make it a living with my art, because I always thought I would not be good enough. But I will try my very best, because art is a big part of who I am. I just love it.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I have many inspiration like filmes and series, books and music. I always listen to music, when I work and a lot of it plays a part in my works. For example love “Two steps from hell” and soundtrack music from Thomas Newman. I also love dark fantasy and artists like Anne Stroke or Luis Royo.

What are you working on now?

At the moment I work on two book covers with dragons on it and also on a mythological story. I always adore such themes, because I studied art history and greek mythology plays a important role there.

Do you have any quirks while working?

I tend to talk to myself while I’m working. I usually notice it only when someone addresses me. But I hope that it only becomes critical when someone answers me. Although this is becoming more and more likely in Alexa’s time ..

What are your hopes for the future?

Two major things: Do get a save outcome of my art and to make as much as possible in 3d my own. I want to use Blender as good as I can so I can have my own weaponary.

Do you have anything to say to your fans?

Thank you for all your support! I have some awesome people around me, who even supported me when I was a very young and inexperienced artist. I will always remember!