Interview: Miranda Mundt

Today we’re joined by Miranda Mundt. Miranda is a phenomenal visual artist who specializes in fantasy. She enjoys drawing mostly humanoid creatures and really loves experimenting with bright colors. Looking through the images she sent and her Tumblr, there is a remarkable beauty and bright liveliness to her art. Miranda captures an amazing amount of expression and emotion in her work, as you’ll see. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

With my art I draw primarily fantasy art — focusing primarily on humanoid creatures (elves, angels, mermaids etc.). I enjoy drawing different expressions and pretty flowy things. I suppose the thing that I do most is try to do different fun/bright colors and color schemes. Still learning about that bit though, hah.

What inspires you?

I have been inspired greatly by Disney as well as so many artists that I’ve seen on tumblr. Many artists who are also animators that have really beautiful expressions/poses. I am inspired to try and make my art capture a moment. Where you can see the movement. I also really adore seeing people’s unique characters or their creative take on already existing works.

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember but only really started to think about it seriously in 6th-7th grade. Where I started developing original characters and trying to draw comics. Over time I switched from wanting to do comics to wanting to be an animator. So I attended VFS for classical animation and had the time of my life. Turns out that life had other plans for me however, I became a freelance illustrator and worked mostly in fan art posters and children’s books. I do adore it though, both experiences have allowed me to improve my work tremendously.

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 guess my signature would be sort of the sketchy/quick line art, bright colors and usually some sort of splattery effect lol! I have a weakness for splattery effects.

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

I would say my advice would be to not pin yourself to one particular thing. I mean obviously have goals- but be open to finding new things that you love as you learn. For example- how I ended up doing kids books instead of animating. I didn’t fail in my goal to get an animation job- I just found a different thing that I was better at and more confident in. Also- on that note. Keep trying. Keep pushing. It takes a long time to build up the work needed to be ‘successful’ in freelance. And you’ll probably have to do some things that aren’t very fun, but you’ll get through it!

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

I identify as Asexual Aromantic! (ace aro) for a while I just identified as asexual and was demiromantic. Before I realized it wasn’t that I was romantically open to everyone it was that I was romantically available to no one. I’ve felt way better about myself now that I don’t have to stress about that part of my identity.

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

In my field it hasn’t really come up. Because I work from home over a computer so it never really comes up. I have mentioned it a couple of times to a couple of coworkers. One of them was understanding and seemed to get it right away, the other one I think… just sort of brushed over it. I think the most frustrating part is realizing that they all just assume that I’m straight.

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

That I will get over it. Or that it is a choice. When I explained it to my mother she seemed to understand before mentioning in a later conversation that I was “still young” and that things would change.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

My biggest bit of advice is to say… There is nothing that is permanent. While I don’t see myself being anything other than Aro-Ace for the rest of my life… The idea that once you subscribe to a label that it’s all that you can be forever is harmful. If you find peace in calling yourself Asexual, if even just for a while, then that is most important. There is a strong windfall of relief in calling yourself something you identify with.

Do not force yourself into ANY situations that are uncomfortable for you (I.E relationships/sex/etc) just for the sake of “proving” that you are Ace. If you believe you are, then you are. That’s that.

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

http://miranda-mundt-art.tumblr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Mirandamillustrations/
http://mirandamundt.blogspot.com/  (older stuff, I don’t update it as much anymore)

Thank you, Miranda, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.

Interview: Emily

Today we’re joined by Emily. Emily is a fantastic younger artist who enjoys drawing. Using mostly traditional media, Emily draws in ink, colored pencils, and has begun experimenting with watercolors. She also enjoys music and plays the alto saxophone. Her art shows a phenomenal attention to detail and a wonderfully vivid imagination. This artist has a bright future ahead of her. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

I draw a lot. I’ve managed to take 3 art classes so far in school and will be taking another in the upcoming year. Within the past year I’ve been inspired to sketch more than ever and have filled a little over one and a half sketchbooks with drawings of various things. I enjoy drawing dragons and other fantasy-related art. I normally work with ink, whether it be by using ballpoint pen in the margins of my notes, or using nicer pens in my sketchbook. Recently I’ve also started using dip pens and ink which has been an interesting experience. For color I normally prefer colored pencils, although recently I’ve dabbled in watercolor. I normally use colored pencils because they are significantly more portable and cleaner.

I also play alto saxophone in both full and jazz band, and enjoy participating in school plays and musicals as an actress.

What inspires you?

For visual art, I’m inspired by the books I read and the world around me. I often find myself drawing flowers or things inspired by the curves and colors found in nature, even for fantastical doodles. For music and theatre I’m just inspired by the passion of the people around me. Music and theatre can be filled with so much emotion. I also have been grateful to have such talented musicians/actors as my friends in my school.

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

I’ve always been a doodler and recently decided that if I’m going to keep doodling, I might as well put it to good use and try to improve. I still don’t know if I will pursue art as my only career path, but it will definitely be a constant in my life even if I don’t only make money via art. I’ve always been interested in band and theatre. Both of my parents were involved in both subjects in high school and college and their stories intrigued me. I also have always loved music and singing, so musicals are great fun.

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 really have a signature object in my art, although I do always sign it with Em.

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

I know everyone says this, but just keep drawing, or playing, or doing whatever you want to do, even if you’re just doodling a quick BB8 in the margin of your history notes, or learning how to play the Sherlock theme song, or memorizing a dramatic monologue about cheese. Just do what you love and don’t force yourself to fit in with what others think you should do. Even if you don’t want to become a full time artist, actor, or musician you can still do those things casually. They’re meant to be enjoyable.

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

I identify as asexual and who knows what romantic.

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

I’ve only recently (as in, this summer) started identifying as asexual. I feel like we are generally ignorant of the concept of asexuality as a society, but I haven’t encountered any prejudice.

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

As I’ve only recently identified as ace, I haven’t really encountered many misconceptions other than the general thought that I might someday meet “the one” from my relatives who I have come out too. In all they were pretty accepting of the general idea of asexuality though.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

Story time- the first time I heard about asexuality was probably around 2 years ago in an online chat with a gay guy who was my age. We had met from an online art app and were generally discussing outlooks on life and religion. Somehow the conversation turned to crushes/sexuality and I mentioned that I’ve never had crushes. He proceeded to try to explain what crushes felt like, and then asked me if I had heard of asexuality. I looked it up and then decided that I was probably demisexual because at that point I thought that announcing that I had no sexual attraction was a bit extreme and weird. Now, a year later, I am very chill with the idea that I don’t experience sexual attraction, and there are others like that, and we’re all pretty cool people. Coming out of that story, my advice is to identify with what you feel fits your feelings. Other people don’t know how you feel or what you experience. Worst thing, you’ll end up changing your label at some point in your life. It’s not the end of the world. Someday I might find that I was right a year ago and I am demi or gray. Or I might be an 80 year old cat lady, or happily married with a great romantic relationship. Who knows? God made you the way you are and loves you like that.

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

All of my reblog stuff can be found (at) ladyknighttime which is where I also post any ace stuff I do beyond art. My art blog is (at) themanyartsofemily.

Thank you, Emily, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.