The Featured Artist of the Week-Viridian
This weeks featured artist is just amazing. I love his character and animations. Even his animated lines can become animals and faces. He is just incredibly talented. I look forward to any new drawing or animations that he makes. He is always an inspiration to the DoInk community. He is an artist and illustrator for his profession, so it is so cool to hear about his work. This weeks featured artist is Viridian.
The full blog post is here at: http://blog.doink.com/
Tell us about yourself, what is a typical day like?
I feel very lucky because I get to work from home. I’ve been married forever. My wife and I work together providing creative services for marketing. That’s the easiest way we’ve found to describe what we do. Our business is called Viridian. It’s a mix of design, writing, video editing, and content development. It’s nothing really glamorous. The budgets are usually small and the deadlines are often tight, but I enjoy the challenges and the variety, especially when there is illustration involved.
I usually start working before breakfast (checking email, browsing the web, seeing what’s new out there). I’m fairly disciplined, so working at home and not getting too distracted isn’t hard.
I’m usually working on several things at once. Today, for instance, I’m editing video training for an office management software program, designing icons for a web application and sketching out a cartoon illustration of a photographer for his business card. Having short term and long term projects going simultaneously helps keep me going. Most of my time is spent on creativity. I usually work into the early evening then read, watch tv or catch a movie.
How old were you when you started drawing? Ever animated anything before?
I started drawing when I was 5 or 6. Then it was a way for a shy kid to get attention and make friends. Now I draw because I love making images. I always enjoyed watching animation, but didn’t actually get a chance to try it until I was much older. My first animations were black and white pixel animations. Yes, I’m ancient.
Do you have a favorite artist or animator?
There are lots of animators and artists I like. A random list would include work by Nick Park of Aadrman animation, Cordell Barker, Ghostbot, Miyazaki, Pixar… and tons more. Some of my current favorite artists include Zina Saunders, Bill Watterson and Dan Piraro - again, a very random abbreviated list.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by funny things, storytellers, misinterpretations, color, and things that communicate on multiple levels, the unexpected.
Do you have a favorite cartoon and/or anime character?
Gromit of Wallace and Gromit comes to mind as a favorite character. He’s so expressive with no mouth and only pantomime to communicate.I’m not a big fan of anime, and can’t think of a character that I’d call a favorite.
What is your favorite musician or band, what are you listening to?
At the moment, I’m listening to Gotan Project and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. My music collection is… let’s say eclectic.
What are your Favorite websites, outside of DoInk?
I spend lots of time in the illustration section of iStockphoto and checking out Flash animations at Cold Hard Flash
What are your hobbies?
Fine art, language, travel, food, collecting wind-up toys
What are your favorite Computer Game?
I’m a nerd. I like word games like Pathwords and Scrabble.
How did you find DoInk and what is your experience so far?
I came across DoInk by accident. I was browsing the web and stumbled upon a reference to it. I took to it instantly. It’s a fun way to pass time and experiment with animation and drawing. The DoInk community has been great, too. There are some very talented people here. I really enjoy seeing what people do with the tools and their imaginations. I look forward to seeing where DoInk will go next.
Any advice for other DoInk users?
Play. Be different. Have fun. Try new things. Make lots of mistakes. The best, most creative things come out of experimenting and not treating each piece as precious.
Your favorite animation that you have done?
