Today we’re joined by Monica Stuffle. Monica is a wonderful visual artist who specializes in realistic drawing and portraiture. She has also dabbled in sculpture. While she prefers realistic drawings, Monica also draws in a cartoon style on occasion. It’s clear she’s a dedicated and passionate artist, 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.
My art ranges from digital to traditional, and even occasionally sculptural. I usually draw as realistically as I can, but my people-pleasers tend to be more simple and cartoonish. My art is almost always portraiture, and my strongest portraits are in plain old graphite.
What inspires you?
People around me, both on and off the internet. I’m drawn to aesthetics, so I’ll be inspired my a pretty face, a lovely themed blog, or another artist’s work.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. I never really considered my talent and important thing until recently. I’ve been trying to incorporate my passion into my life more and more, including doing commissions (open 😉 ) and posting my work to try and build a career out of it.
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 wish! Maybe I should come up with one. Like a tiny ace flag in the corner or something.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Young or new artists should always remember to breathe, taking a step back and looking at where they are. I know I struggled a lot with not living up to my own expectations, so I had to learn to sit back and remember how far I’ve come already in my artistic journey. There will always be someone better than you, and that’s okay. My advice is to take what you can from your experiences. Learn from other artists, acknowledge your mistakes and fix them, and never give in to frustration.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m aromantic asexual as far as I know! Still unsure of my romantic orientation but very set on the asexuality.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Very little. There’ll always be someone who just doesn’t understand when you come out, but for me they have always grown either accepting or quietly confused yet still loving. I’m very lucky in that sense.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That aroaces have no soul! Honestly, there are different kinds of love. We aren’t all apathetic!
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Take your time. There’s no pressure to find a label, soon or ever. If you feel that you’re asexual or aromantic, that’s your own business and no one else’s. If you figure that you don’t identify on the ace spectrum even if you thought you did, no worries! The LGBT+ community is one of self discovery.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I have a Redbubble and an art Tumblr, both at monic-artt. (Again, commissions are open!! It’s dirt cheap!)
Thank you, Monica, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Today we’re joined by Maria. She’s a phenomenal visual artist from Germany who is a fellow da Vinci fan (YAY!). Maria enjoys drawing with pencils, both traditional and colored pencils. She specializes in realistic images and her pictures show the most amazing attention to detail. The anatomy pictures are particularly impressive, though all her work is absolutely brimming with creativity. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
Asclepios
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
Mostly I draw with pencils and color pencils. All my artworks are realistic. I’ve started to practice portraits, but changed short after my apprenticeship to human anatomy (like my role model Leonardo da Vinci). But I also draw templates for tattoos.
Assassins Creed
One day I started to mix my interests all together and since then you can see them in my artworks. There are also very personal stories behind some of them, too.
Hades & Persephone
What inspires you?
As I said, Leonardo da Vinci is my role model. My first exhibition had the topic human anatomy (organs, bones, muscles oft he human body). The drawings itself where inspired by one of my associate professors during my apprenticeship. He teached the subject anatomy and his fascination affected me.
Hand
Today I have four muses, which inspire me from time to time without knowing it. It just needs one word or sentence and my mind makes something up right away.
My personal drawings are inspired by my own life and experiences made in it. It’s fascinating what ideas my subconciousness comes along with.
Jackman – Willis
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve honestly got no idea why I started drawing- I just did. When I was maybe 12 years old I grabbed a pencil and never stopped practicing.
But there’s is only a short period in my past life where I wanted to be an artist for living. That was the time right before my apprenticeship. The reason I fast quit the idea were the low chances of being successful in this are, in fact. Here in Germany everyone wants to be an artist. There are a lot of designers in different areas and everyone of them is looking for a job. Just a few a successful. The cold hard truth is, that it’s very hard to make a living with creativity. So I stayed with art only as a hobby. If there’s a chance of getting known I take it (e.g. exhibitions).
Kidney and Bladder
Another reason is my lack of interest in art. I’m just not interested in other styles of art like impressionism or surrealism or even the history of art itself. I do like realism, sculptures and antique buildings. Modern art, for instance, I don’t understand. Why pay thousands, even millions of dollars for a “piece of art,“ which could be created by a five year old child? But that’s just my opinion.
Laugh and Cry
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 that there’s something unique in my drawings, except my signature. It’s a monogram, made out of the first letters of my first and last name. I also include a shortcut of the year the picture was created – that’s it.
Like a Feather
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
My advice must start with my favourite quote of Leonardo da Vinci himself: “Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art“. I think that every artist sees the truth in those words. Without passion, diligence, patience and trust in your own abilities it’s very hard nearly impossible to create art. Your spirit and your heart have to work together to create art, that shows the artists soul.
Quote
There will be days when it seems like your talent is forever gone. That your hard work just vanished and you’ll never be able to create any kind of art. But be patient. Those days will end as fast as they started.
Mouth
I’ve also made the experience that it’s important to finish every single piece of work you started. Sometimes it seems that your current work isn’t turning out as imagined. Don’t fool yourself! Finish your work and you’ll see that you invested your time right. Sometimes the whole great picture is seen only after the last steps. You will never know if your artwork turned out like you wanted it if you stop in the middle of progress.
Nic Cage
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m an aromantic asexual.
Queen
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
One of the reactions I encounter every time is that everyone assumes at first that I’m joking. Yes, I’ve got a twisted sense of humor but in that matter I’m absolutely serious.
Every time i just hear: “What?! You’re what?! That’s impossible, because I’ve never heard of that. You definitely joking right now!”
Surgery
When I try to explain I can see the doubt in their eyes. Shortly after my explanations they still want to explain their point of view. Sometimes it seems to me like they think I’m suffering from a kind of disease that has to be cured immediately. So they try to discuss with me hoping to convince me of their own view. Just because they didn’t know any better.
My favourite point of those discussions is: “You’re too young to know so. Wait another five years then you’ll see! You will be in great love, married and a great mother!“
I’m 25 years old by now and still have to hear those stupid sentences.
Section Brain
First I was disappointed and angry when I heard all that. I didn’t understand why it was so difficult to understand my orientation. But today I smile and explain patiently why I still doesn’t want to be in love or have sex.
I can imagine what it feels like to hear about this “new thing“. But I hope that someday people will understand and accept us.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
Most people think I’m mentally ill. In their eyes to be asexual is definitely a personality disorder, nothing more. It’s sad but I think the most people fear what they don’t know. So they try with all their imagination to explain the unknown. To give it a reason or purpose they can accept. But there’s nothing to fear, only to accept. They don’t care about hurting someone‘s feelings. As long as they can believe that they’re right and feel good about it.
Soul
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Talk to someone you trust about your orientation. One of my friends told me that I might be asexual. I didn’t know this word until then. After research I found another one: aromantic. I‘ve always known about my orientation but could never name it right. Now I can and it feels great. It’s also a relief to know that I’m not alone. Yes, there is still a silent fight of acceptance, but just because only a few people know about asexuality. There are tolerant people, but not enough. We all have to change that. But first you have to accept yourself. There was a moment when I thought: “Mmhh… so I’ll never fall in love. No marriage, no children, no sex… Is that how I want to live?” The answer is YES. Because I know, that I wouldn’t be happy in a romantic or sexual relationship. I would deny my own personality, deny who I really am. How could I be honest to others, when I’m not even honest to myself?
Spine
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Just a few days ago I created an account on DeviantArt. You can find some of my artworks there. Look for JackieP90 (jackiep90.deviantart.com).
I’m also writing my memoirs right now. I’m hoping to publish it one day.
Moirae
Thank you, Maria, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Today we’re joined by Xanthe. Xanthe is an amazing young artist who specializes in visual art and her images are phenomenal. She’s currently in uni where she does a lot of printmaking, but she also does illustration work in traditional mediums and digital paintings. Aside from that, she also dabbles in book binding (which might be a first for Asexual Artists). The amount of detail in the pictures she sent to go with her interview is nothing short of incredible. Xanthe is a dedicated artist who obviously loves her craft. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
Weird Dog
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
At the moment I’d say my art is split between my practice for uni where I’m specialising in printmaking, and at home where it’s a mix of digital painting and traditional illustration. I also dabble in bookbinding.
I have many varied interests, but my style is always fairly realistic no matter what medium I’m using. I’ve always loved drawing animals and supernatural creatures and these tend to make up most of what I create. I also make fan art sometimes.
I’m still trying to find a single direction for my work, it’s all over the place at the moment but I’m hoping to reconcile it this year.
Prints
What inspires you?
I get inspired by many things but looking at the works of other artists has always been the greatest help. Seeing the kind of variety that’s out there these days validates my own work for myself, in a way, and helps me to push myself to create more and to try new and interesting things. Other than that I tend to look towards nature, music, science fiction and fantasy, especially concept art for movies and games for inspiration.
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. Art has been one of the only things I’ve consistently been good at so it seemed natural to want to pursue it.
Eye
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?
Other than my initials, not really!
Ural Owl
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
If you have a passion for it, never ever give up. There will always be people who will try to discourage you from pursuing the arts because it’s not a ‘real career’, but they’re wrong. There’s so much reward in doing what you love. Don’t give in to self-doubt either, because most of the time the only thing holding you back is yourself. Always keep practising! No one becomes good at anything overnight. It does sometimes take years of dedication, but it is always worth it in the end.
Cat
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I am a heteromantic, sex-neutral asexual.
JSE
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Not personally, no. I haven’t told many people as I consider it a non-issue, but those that do know are very close friends of mine and they have been incredibly accepting. There have been some occasions where I’ve had some intrusive questions asked about myself from people who didn’t understand what it meant to be asexual, but they’ve always only been politely curious instead of prejudiced or anything like that. I think it’s good to encourage people to do their own research, there’s so much information that’s readily available now.
Chris
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
Mostly just the mindset that everyone must want sex because it’s ‘part of what makes us human’. People seem to be confused when I say I just don’t care for it.
Snail
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Always remember that you are valid; you are not broken or wrong, you are important, and you are loved. Don’t ever feel pressured to have to justify yourself to other people either; it’s OK to take time to figure things out and it’s OK if the way you feel changes over time. Labels are only there to help you figure out yourself, they certainly aren’t the be-all-end-all of anything.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Today we’re joined by Rachel Scott (who also goes by Angela Shepherd, FoxTail95, ThePsychedelicNinja, and Shusheries). Rachel sent me an incredibly kind email and some really fantastic art. She’s an incredibly talented visual artist who has a lot of passion for her work. And it shows. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
(vriska)thing
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I go through a lot of styles, but I think I’ve been sticking to a realistic and a cartoon style recently. I usually draw traditionally, but I’ve started working digitally recently. While I mainly draw, I also sing, write poems and stories, and participate in other art styles too. I think I do best with backgrounds as I’ve been drawing them longer than I have been people or animals, but I will draw almost anything that catches my imagination. A lot of my art is done through request, though that request may take a while to get too because I’ve got a schedule or because I forget to do it until I see it in my notes and remember that it is, in fact, a thing I still have to do.
Ace of Spades
What inspires you?
Anything can inspire me. Usually I draw part of dreams I’ve had but didn’t know how to word, but other times I’ll draw things I saw in real life or things that I saw because I had glanced at something and thought it was something else. I drew a fish before because I was staring a shadow a cord made. If it catches my eye and makes me see something else, odds are I’ll draw that something else.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I honestly started drawing as a kid as a hobby because everyone else in my family draws. I’ve been drawing since I could pick up a pencil and I haven’t stopped yet. Drawing is still a hobby to me but it’s also something much more than that as well. It isn’t really a goal of mine to become a professional artist, but if I become one I’ll be fine with it too as its something I enjoy.
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 do have an easter egg type watermark in my work but I use it mainly so people won’t try to take my work. If you find it though, good on you because it’s not hidden too well anyways but you could message me to see if it’s the thing I speak of. It’s not in all of my work though because I forget things very easily, so if you can’t find it, try another piece to see if its there.
I guess feature-wise I like to include dark settings if I can (such as the night) and I may have some kind of glow in my work or there might just be a lot of blue or black in the work. I just like dark or mysterious things and glowing things.
Crystal
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
No matter what anyone says, don’t give up. Never give up on your art. Don’t be afraid to change your style or try new things. If it doesn’t work out, that’s fine, try something else. And just because your art doesn’t look like what you wanted it to look like, don’t get frustrated about it, try again later or redo it once you’ve gained more knowledge about what you are trying to do. Be confident with what you do. Even if it’s not the best thing you could do or you feel like you aren’t the best, be proud of what you can do and what you did do. Don’t judge you art based off of other’s art and don’t think you should give up just because someone else’s art looks better. They weren’t that good when they started out, they learned and they grew, and you will too. Just keep trying and never give up and you’ll do just fine.
Disciple
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m aromantic and asexual. I’m probably closer to sex and romantic neutral, but it does vary depending on recent events, but I’ll never push my own opinions on others if I can help it.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I have actually, but I mainly get prejudice in life in general rather than for my art. With my art, it’s usually “you aren’t attracted to people so why are you drawing them as attractive” or something along those lines or I’m told I shouldn’t write, draw or even talk about people in romantic or sexual situations. If I even state that someone is attractive, I could get some hate thrown at me for “lying” or “leading people on” and I’m treated like some innocent child a lot of times for who I am. In general life, I typically am called a tease or that I’m playing hard to get. I’ve gotten my fair share of threats from people or “jokes” about how they should try to “fix me” or “show me what I’m missing out on.”
For the more threatening people, I try to block them or ignore them and in real life I stick around a group of friends when around them or avoid the places they go. With the non-threatening people, I typically try to sit down with people and explain to them the LGBT+ spectrums, the difference between aesthetic, sexual, romantic, platonic, and sensual attraction, and what I am and what I am not and let them ask questions. If they take a while to understand, I’m fine with helping them understand.
Mew
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
Probably the biggest misconceptions I’ve come across are
a) that we are all innocent children who have to be protected from the horrors of the sexual world
b) that we are just confused and don’t know what we want and that we will change our minds eventually because we are late bloomers
c) that aces are repulsed by sex and will never have it or that we are just celibate
d) that we need to be fixed and that we are broken
Nyx
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
You will figure this out. You may decide you are something one day only to change your opinion later, and that’s fine. You just learned more or you changed, that doesn’t make you any less valid. You may experiment or try things and feel like it isn’t right, but that’s okay. I honestly felt broken my whole life and still felt unsure even after I learned what asexuality and aromanticism is because I felt like it wasn’t okay to be this, but it is. You may feel like you can’t love, and that’s fine too. It’s really completely fine to identify as this, even if you didn’t before.
You are not broken, you are valid, and you will be okay. Just take a moment to breathe, you will figure this all out, and you will be fine.
Stiles
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I am mainly active on my Tumblr, but I am also on Deviantart and I upload there whenever Deviantart isn’t busy being buggy. You can send an ask to my Tumblr any time you want and I’ll answer when I’m not doing homework. If you want me to answer privately, make sure to add that on too, and you can ask me anything and I’d be willing to reply. If you want to send me a singing or art request I’ll be down for that too.
Asexual Artists 