Today we’re joined by KSAMF. KSAMF is a phenomenal illustrator and sculptor from Barcelona. She uses a number of materials to create incredibly unique sculptures. KSAMF draws information from a variety of sources and it makes for intriguing images. It’s clear she’s a passionate artist, as you’ll soon see. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
Wo Ai Ni
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I draw and I make sculptures. I like to combine 2D and 3D materials (like clay or paper mâché with cardboard or wood). I use art as a way to express my thoughts and my frustrations.
What inspires you?
Daydreams and nightmares, society and its norms and personal experiences. In terms of art, Primitive arts (prehistoric, African, Aboriginal and American) and medievals arts (Romanic and Illuminated manuscripts) are pretty present in my works.
Stars and Goals
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
When I was 2 years old I was diagnosed with dyslexia and I wasn’t able to speak for a time. So, instead of writing, I used drawings as a form of communication. After my recovery, my family let me keep on drawing and they still encourage me to do it. I used to wanted to be an artist, but it’s an ideal that has been “falling apart” since I finished Fine Arts. Although I still want to see my artworks in a gallery.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I’ve never thought about that.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Focus on your work, accept critiques, some of them are advice. But don’t let others influence you. Show them you’re sure and proud of what you do.
Dry and Alone
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I identify myself as gray-asexual.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Yes, especially during Fine Arts. I had to cope with some situations like one time when a classmate told me that asexuals are diseased or when another, after knowing about my identity, nicknamed me as “little starfish”. Nowadays I act naturally, I laugh at spicy jokes (although I don’t find them funny). I’ve never told about my asexuality, but I crossdress and identify myself as female even though some people refers me with male and female pronouns!
Ningen
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That asexuality is actually celibacy.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
It’s okay to not feel sexual attraction! There’s nothing wrong with that,
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Today we’re joined by Logan. Logan is a phenomenal visual artist who does both traditional and digital art. He uses a variety of materials, but loves to draw. His work is brimming with astonishing detail, imagination, and vivid colors. It’s clear he has a wonderful love of art, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to him for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
My art is very odd topic, for it ranges in many different forms. Digital, Traditional, painting, paper craft, clay, sometimes even photography. But of course I draw more than anything. Everything I draw is so full of life, as my friends and family put it, and while I’m still learning poses and proportions, I think I’ve found a good art style that’s easy enough to doodle with, but also exaggerated enough to make complex pieces.
What inspires you?
Cartoons and anime really inspire me, as I would like to animate as a full-blown job someday. Some of my biggest influences have to be Welcome to Hell and Gorillaz. The expressions and moods of both inspire me to make more drawings like that, ones that have a mood and can tell a story. Some of my other friends who are also artists inspire me as well. I can think of three people that helped me get better at things I’m not all that good at, such as color scheme and line art. One more thing that inspires me is one of my favorite book series Amulet. The art is so charming and the storytelling is amazing. I hope one day I could make something as great as it.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
When I was younger, I actually wanted to be an architect. I thought the pay was good and I over designing things. I soon grew out of that when I learned how much things you would need to be one. In fourth grade I got really into Sonic games, as I’ve never had a new game before then and I loved to play the Sonic mega collection. Naturally, I started to doodle Sonic characters in class, I still have some of those drawings too. And like most Sonic fans, I made a lot of OCS as well. This actually got me into making stories and worlds of my own. I remember I had about 27 sonic characters that were all connected somehow, I ditched a lot along the way and now I number it down to about 10. It actually wasn’t until sixth grade that I got really into drawing, and by then, I was also into creepypasta, which got me even more into storytelling. Since then, I’ve wanted to be a cartoonist or an animator and I don’t ink that’ll change anytime soon.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
While I wouldn’t call it special, I do have this small trick that helps me draw different sizes of body’s. (I haven’t perfected it yet though) what I do is nothing but circles for the limbs and give the torso a rectangle shape. This way I can edit how big I want the character to be. It’s a bit hard to explain so I tried my best, but it does help me quite a bit.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Don’t stop drawing something just because someone doesn’t like it. I became the artist I am today because I drew things that would be considered cringy, emo, or childish. But I didn’t let that stop me from drawing something I enjoy, I kept on drawing, heck, I catch myself drawing my Sonic OCs from time to time still. Don’t let people make you feel ashamed for something you like is what I’m basically saying, keep on drawing what you want to draw, not what other people want you to draw.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I identify as a Biromantic Asexual
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I have a few times, but they weren’t as bad as other ace people might have it. Some teasing and someone asking if I actually loved my girlfriend because I was ace.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
Something I hear a lot is that asexuals can’t have partners. That’s kinda bullcrap. While I don’t speak for everyone when I say that, aces could and would totally date someone if their partner was accepting. I’m lucky that my girlfriend is also asexual so we don’t have to deal with that.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
I totally get it first of all. I remember that I was very confused with myself when people would talk about doing things I had no interest in and people finding it weird, I remember thinking I had some sort of mental disorder that was preventing me from feeling those things. While I don’t think I’m the best at giving this kind of advice, I just want to say to y’all that everything will turn out fine. It’s OK to be confused and it’s OK to think you were this and end up not being that (heck I thought I was a straight cis girl for 14 years) and if you never really figure out what you are, that’s OK as well, nothing is black and white.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Well, I have a Tumblr, a Wattpad, and an Instagram all under the same name, Sonicrocks152.
Thank you, Logan, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Today we’re joined by Kodiak Rain, who also goes by Kodi. Kodi is a phenomenal visual artist who does a bit of everything. Ze enjoys colored pencils and watercolors mostly, although ze has worked with clay, acrylics, and oil paints as well. Kodi also illustrated a graphic novel written by zer son entitled Trayvalle Tales (it can be found on Amazon, here). Ze are incredibly passionate about art and zer work shows a remarkable amount of depth and complexity as well as a phenomenal use of color, as you’ll soon see. My thanks to zer for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I work with a variety of mediums from oil paint to acrylic to watercolors, sculpting with clay, drawing in pencil, ink or colored pencil or a combination of those, pastels, charcoal, using a Wacom drawing pad to create digital art, woodcuts and printmaking. Of all those things, I think my current favorites are colored pencils and watercolor paints. I like how those methods are easy to use so that I am able to work quickly without a lot of set up or clean up.
What inspires you?
Nature is my biggest inspiration. I wish to capture its beauty while also offering a perspective on it that reminds others that we are part of nature and that nature is alive all around us. Even more alive than we tend to give it credit for on a daily basis. Emotions also inspire me. I want my images to evoke feelings although I don’t always want to determine ahead of time what those feelings will be. And finally symbolism inspires me. When working with images, there are so many ways to express different ideas, emotions and messages through symbols both ancient and more modern. It is fun to think about what symbols are universal and what may be very individualistic.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
My mother was a professional artist all my life so I was exposed to art from the beginning. It wasn’t what I dreamed of being, it was just something I loved to do and found myself doing most, in fact with every opportunity I was creating something. I was fortunate that I had access to so many materials and was encouraged by my mom. I eventually discovered that I simply cannot live without making art. It has been many things for me. It has been my saving grace, my therapy, a way to tell my own story and the stories of others, a way to communicate my character and a way to express things I find hard to say in words.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I often include spirals because the spiral is found in the double helix of DNA and also in the vastness of a galaxy. It has mathematical qualities and just seems to be the most magical of symbols to me. I also like to draw eyes in my trees (not always but sometimes) to symbolizes that nature is watching us and judging our actions. I guess I am a bit of an agnostic pagan.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Draw every day! Try every medium! Find what you love and don’t stop. Develop tough skin so that if you are criticized or critiqued, you will hear what is beneficial to you and toss out what hurts. Do it for YOU.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I guess I am somewhere between asexual and demisexual and often sex repulsed.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I find more prejudice about being agender than asexual because I think people haven’t wrapped their heads around the idea that someone can be genderless. I think though that my sexuality doesn’t come up often enough for me to experience prejudice, although I know that some people think that it means something is wrong with me. I even had someone take it personally as if it were a judgment about their sexual ability when in fact it has nothing to do with other people and is simply all about me.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
I guess that being asexual means that there is something wrong with me physically or that I just haven’t been with a good lover or found the right person. Also that I am a prude. I am not a prude and can talk about anything regarding sex with an open mind AND my asexuality is not about other people. It is all about me, what I feel and how I identify.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Just be true to yourself and know that you are healthy. What matters most is what makes you happy, what makes you feel good about yourself and your life. Nothing else matters as much as that. Remember that most of the time, people are projecting their own experiences and ideas onto each other so know yourself and don’t worry about what other people think.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I used to use Tumblr under a different name but I have forgotten the account info for that so now I have my own blog here on WordPress: kodiakrainblog.wordpress.com. It is fairly new but I plan to share my artwork and my life story there. I hope you check it out and subscribe if you like what you see!
Thank you, Kodi, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s much appreciated.
Today we’re joined by Lisa. Lisa is a phenomenal hobbyist who loves to draw and take pictures. Her photography is beautiful, showing everyday life and various scenes she comes across. For drawing, Lisa mostly does illustration. She works with both digital and traditional medium. Lisa is an incredibly enthusiastic artist with a creative soul, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I’m someone with a lot of hobbies who takes some of them a tad too serious. First of all I draw a lot on paper and digitally but I’ve experimented with acrylics, watercolor, oil paint, clay and probably a lot more things. I tend to stay with illustration though, because, well, it’s in my comfort zone. And then there’s the photography thing. I try to take my camera anywhere I can and usually end up taking lots of photos, sometimes even with good result. I’m also mostly interested in street photography. I also enjoy learning about the technical aspects of optics and photography.
What inspires you?
For photography of course other photographers (on Flickr, Instagram etc.) but also the places I go to and the architecture of the city I’m visiting that day, although I don’t feel like I have the right lens for architectural photography though. (Lenses are insanely expensive, did you know that?)
As for my art, well, other artists of course! Following a bunch of artists (pros or not) has helped me grow a LOT. Also seeing art from my friends all the time motivated me because it made me want to improve.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I was in kindergarten and in class, minding my own business and enjoying myself with a coloring book when I overheard some girls say to each other that I was bad at coloring. I was so upset that from that day on I decided to practice drawing and I basically never stopped. (don’t worry though, I take criticism well these days) There was a period of a year or so that I was determined to go to art school as well, but my fear of financial instability eventually creeped in and I convinced myself to choose another career.
I only ever started photography when I decided to buy a DSLR because some of my high school friends had one at that time (it was also a trend I believe). But being extremely competitive by nature when it comes to these things, I wanted to make sure I was better at it than them so I learned about photography theory for two months before finally buying the camera. (I had some money saved up from my job, luckily)
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I don’t think I have any to be honest!
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Keep doing what you love and don’t beat yourself up over your mistakes. You will improve and learn new things your whole life which is something you should be excited about. Treat art like a lifelong adventure! 🙂
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m an asexual and that’s all I know. I guess I’ve had crushes on all kinds of people but I never wanted it to get serious. (commitment issues, probably? : ))
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Well I wouldn’t know since most people don’t know. Or rather: I talked about it to some of my friends but some of them don’t seem to take it serious at all or don’t even believe it exist. I even have one friend who mocked me publicly a few times which was very painful. She is still very dear to me though, but it kind of made me wary. I’m not planning on ever speaking ‘irl’ about my asexuality again because I’m uncomfortable with it now. It’s just a tiny inconvenience in my life and we all have to live with those, right?
NGE
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That asexuality is just a medical issue that should be able to get fixed with the right treatment.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Take your time with it I guess! I’m still struggling with it myself so I wouldn’t know what else to say other than, well, there’s more people out there going through the same thing so you’re not alone!
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Today we’re joined by Sini. Sini is an amazing, versatile artist who dabbles in a number of different mediums. She enjoys watercolors and paints beautiful scenery. Sini also really enjoys doing various crafts and specializes in three-dimensional ones, as you’ll see. She’s a very passionate artist who enjoys what she does. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
My art has a lot of variability, I really like to try different things. Watercolors are still the medium I use most and I love painting sceneries and backgrounds. Lately I have been practicing digital art with my first drawing tablet.
I like to do both original art and fan art of various fandoms.
I also really like to do three dimensional crafts, mostly with polymer or silk, clay and needle felting.
What inspires you?
Many things inspire me but I get a lot of inspiration from nature. Other inspiring things are books, videogames, TV-series, animation, other people’s art, photography etc.
Paltamossa
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I have always drawn and liked to create things. I suppose that a lot of children like to draw but only some continue doing it, especially after school ends. I don’t have any kind of artistic degree, I’m just a hobbyist but sometimes I wonder if it would be nice to have a job that has something to do with art.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
Hmm, I don’t know. I often like to think a short story behind every original picture I do, even if I only use that character once.
I signature my work just using first letters of my first and last name.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Practice! No matter what you do, practice is important. If you do visual art it is good to know how to draw correct anatomy even if you don’t draw figures. (I know that I should do it more)
Also, draw what you like, do what you enjoy doing.
Sauna
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
Right now, heteroromantic grey asexual or something similar.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Not really but I have really spoken about it with couple of people. I have never cared very much what my sexuality is. Later I started to think that I might be some kind of asexual because I never cared about it. That is why I don’t even care to speak about it, it simply doesn’t matter much to me. My mother said that she would be a bit disappointed if I never found anybody.
Yveltal
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
You haven’t found the right one yet is common. My favorite is that one of my teachers from school told us that everybody has sexuality, they might be hetero- or homosexual but everybody is sexual. It was years ago now, but I didn’t like it back then either. I think that teachers who teach health education should know more.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
We are what we are. Any kind of orientation isn’t unnatural. Most of it can happen in other animals than humans too.
Wasteland
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Today we’re joined by Painted Vulture. Painted Vulture is a fantastically talented visual artist who has a passion for mythical creatures. Their work is quite stunning to look at. The use of color is absolutely beautiful. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
Antelopey
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I mainly work with digital and traditional art, but lately I have been trying new things like clay and 3D modeling. A large portion of my work is dragons or other mythical creatures, but I also draw dogs and cats every now and then.
What inspires you?
I’m heavily inspired by nature, and the patterns within nature. It’s fun to play around with existing patterns and turn them into something new.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I became interested in art because I wanted to be able to recreate these imaginary dragons I had in my head, which is a little silly, but I was in second grade at the time. I have always wanted to be able to draw ever since I can remember, although it is a bit frustrating at times.
Blazing Spirit
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I have a signature that I sign all of my art with. It was originally based off of a wing, but now it looks more like a key, and above it I write “SDL”. Those aren’t my initials but I made it up in sixth grade because I wanted to start signing my work but my mom didn’t want me using my real name. It stands for snake and dragon lover, which is a tad embarrassing to admit because it sounds so childish.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Keep drawing! Everyone hits a rough patch with their art where they feel a little hopeless, but all you have to do is keep searching for ways to improve. Also, don’t let art get in the way of your happiness. It seems like strange advice, but I have seen a lot of artists (myself included) stress themselves out over a piece of art, or become worried they can’t draw a fully finished piece every day. Art can be tiring, it’s a huge mental workout and a strain on your wrist. Don’t be afraid to take a break!
Fizz
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I identify as asexual and possibly aromantic, but I’m still a little questioning.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Not in my field specifically, but definitely in life in general. I’ve definitely gotten my fair share of “you’ll change your mind”, “you just haven’t found the right person yet!”, and “Everyone wants to get married”. It’s best to handle it by trying to explain first. Sometimes people just need to be introduced to the concept. If you have explained your sexuality to them and they still pressure you to get married, ect. Then it’s best to tolerate them or distance yourself from them, which can be hard sometimes, but arguing with someone who is not willing to understand you is not worth your time or effort.
Luxray
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
I haven’t really encountered a lot of misconceptions, mainly people either have no idea what it is, or they are ace themselves.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Sexuality can be a fluid thing, you don’t have to decide on one thing and then be that sexuality for the rest of your life. So if you want to identify as asexual, don’t be afraid to! People change a lot throughout their whole lives, and orientation is a huge part of that. Just make sure that whatever you identify as, it makes you happy.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Today we’re joined by Sally Jenks. Sally works with clay and makes functional work and sculpture. They have their own studio called White Feather Studio and their work is absolutely gorgeous. The octopus was a particular favorite. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
Cherry Blossom Mug
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I’m a ceramic artist and I work primarily with stoneware clay. The majority of my work is functional (cups, mugs, bowls, vases, etc.) but I also produce pieces that are decorative or sculptural, so I kind of have two related but different bodies of work to talk about.
I have a B.A. in studio art and art history, and earned a M.A. in museum studies and a Certificate of Advanced Study in cultural heritage preservation. I now have a home studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and work as a ceramic artist full time.
Heart Mug
What inspires you?
My most obvious inspiration is nature. I use a lot of natural textures and organic forms in my sculptural and decorative work. I’m currently working on a project with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan in which selected local artists are visiting natural sites and creating art in response to the preserves. (more information here: http://www.naturenearby.org/preserved/)
I have really varied interests that work themselves into my art. For example, I collect vintage books and I’ve started incorporating vintage images in my work. I think in general my sources of inspiration tend to be some combination of odd vintage, morbid, and humorous.
Octopus Vase
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve always been into art and making things. I did a lot of crafts and art projects with my mom when I was a kid, and I was always encouraged to pursue whatever interested me. I took a ceramics class at a local community arts center when I was probably 15 (I’m 29 now), and that was kind of it for me. At some point I realized that I’d always have to work in clay, even if it was just a hobby. I did have a period of denial where I felt like I had to have a “real” career, but then I couldn’t find a real job so I went back to making art and now that is my real job.
Reaper Mug
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I think the most notable feature of my work is my use of texture. With hand built pieces I often use strong natural textures like tree bark or weathered wood. Then with my wheel thrown functional pieces I include texture in details, for example the handles of my mugs are textured, usually with simple diamond or spiral patterns, or to look like wood or a tree branch.
I also keep my forms simple, and for me that has a few uses. With my functional work, I want the use to be the focus – to me a functional piece is utilitarian, but it’s also a handmade piece of art, and the art should enhance the experience of using it. Then my decorative or sculptural work focuses on texture and I don’t like to have a complex form with a strong surface texture. Ultimately I feel like either the form or the surface should be the dominant feature.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Be willing to experiment. If you have an idea for a project, then go for it and if it doesn’t work maybe it will inspire something else. Or maybe it’ll be a mess and you’ll have a funny story. Either way, be open to experimenting with materials.
I also recommend joining an art group. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there as an artist, but joining an art club or a community art organization can be really rewarding and provide many opportunities and resources like calls for entries, workshops, and group activities.
Root Sculpture
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
Demiromantic asexual.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I haven’t really come out as asexual, mostly because it hasn’t come up and I haven’t felt ready to initiate that conversation. Though if it came up organically, or if someone asked, I would be open about it.
Tall Vase with Wood
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
I haven’t personally encountered anything too offensive; mostly people either aren’t aware of asexuality or have a very generalized idea of it. The most common misconception I’ve seen is that asexuality is just a point on the spectrum of sexual orientation and every asexual person has the same experience, when it really varies from person to person.
Treasurebox
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Having moments where you’re insecure or unsure of your orientation does not make it less valid. I’ve identified as asexual for about 2 years, but before that I spent about 15 years trying to figure out what was wrong with me because I didn’t feel or want the same things as everyone else. I’m comfortable in my asexuality most of the time, but I was in that “why am I different from everyone, what’s wrong with me” state of mind for so long, that it’s still easy to fall back into. It’s perfectly valid to question, but try to keep it from turning negative.
Tree Vase
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
If you want to see me/my work in person, I show at art fairs and other events throughout the year – mostly in the West Michigan area – and my current schedule can be found on my website, Facebook, and Tumblr pages.
Wood Texture Plaque
Thank you so much, Sally, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Asexual Artists 