Featured Artist for the Week - Jean-Sébastien Monzani

Real Name: Jean-Sébastien Monzani

Please tell us a brief info about yourself.
I am a Swiss and French self-taught photographer born in 1975 who is specialized in graphic design and portrait photography. I was born in France and moved at 18 to Lausanne, Switzerland, where I live now.

Elegance, simplicity, a strong sense of composition and emotions are key elements in my work. My images are often constructed as photo-series - something between fashion photography and movie storyboards. I mainly shoot on-location, almost exclusively in Lausanne (Switzerland). I don’t shoot professional models but rather pick up regular persons that will carry the emotions I’m looking for.

This sentence of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry sums it up pretty well to me: Perfection in design is not achieved when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to remove.



When did you first decide to become a graphic artist / illustrator?

I’ve started to work for friends upon the years, but it became serious in 2006, when I’ve started my part-time freelance work - besides teaching Computer Science at the university. On October 2007, this became my main activity. Since I’m getting more and more clients, I’m pretty confident it will go well.

What camera do you use? What other tools do you use in creating your artworks?
I’ve used many cameras and for a long time, I have scanned and retouched my films. But when Canon’s EOS 5D came out, it suddenly appeared as the perfect camera for me. It’s still my main tool today and I quite love it. The camera is nothing without good lenses: I don’t use zooms, only fix-focal lenses (35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f2.8 mainly). Photoshop plays an important part in my work, but I can sometimes use Illustrator, Cinema 4D, Swishmax and many other tools.

Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by many things that I see everyday, often by on-line portfolios of artists and blogs. I also watch a lot of movies, and often go to the theatre. This gives the mix of illustration and narrative series that you usually see in my work.

Where does your training come from? Self-taught? College/Art School?

I’m completely self-taught, but I also own a PhD in Computer Graphics. While this has nothing to do with art and design, it gave me a better understanding of graphic tools and concepts. Actually, I’m both a technician (software engineer) and an artist.

How do you keep "fresh" within your industry?
I simply try to look a lot around me and develop my own style and the same time. Some designs are “cutting edge” but too original for clients. Some others are purely decorative and lack clarity. When you work on commercial projects, you have to focus on the /functionality/ and then propose correct designs.

What are your current projects?
I always work on numerous projects: brochures for institutions, websites for small business, illustration for the luxury business, design of a CD for a singer… This diversity is something I love in my work. As well as the possibility to refuse jobs that I don’t like (mainly photo-sessions).

Which of your projects are you the most proud of? And why?
I’m mainly proud of my personal photo projects :) I quite like some posters I’ve done for clients and the upcoming CD design I was speaking earlier will be quite cool too.

http://www.jsmonzani.com/clients.php?picID=0

Are there any areas, techniques, mediums, projects in your field that you have yet to try?
I’ve already tried a lot of things but what I’d like to improve is simply drawing on paper. I’m not speaking of painting, shading… just drawing.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and avoid burn-out?
During the day, I try to make pauses and surf of blogs such as http://ffffound.com/ for a refreshing change. I also devote time to personal projects, sometimes taking a day off. If possible, one personal project each month is a good thing: this involves finding ideas, planning them and of course shooting photos.

Finish this sentence. "If I weren't an artist/illustrator I would have been a...
Actor or plays director. I’ve spent some time on the stage and quite love it. Even if this life is too difficult for me :)

and finally, What advices/tips can you give to the novice designer/ illustrator?

I don’t know for other people but I’m constantly thinking of art and design: I don’t do this because I’m looking for ideas, I just happen to like it. Since I’m completely self-taught (never went to an art school), I can only make this job because I’m passionate about it. I love it.

You must be devoted and passionate about your art and your work. And your art must accommodate to commercial needs to! Think of it before starting up!

(c) jsmonzani.com - reproduced with permission

I totally agree with this.

For commision works & other information, please contact him at:

website: http://www.jsmonzani.com and http://www.simplemoment.com


wanna be a featured artist?
email me at: mcedesigns@gmail.com
with the subject: interview request

For more featured artists, click here.

Artpad - Draw your Favorite Cartoons Contest

Artpad lets you paint, create and afterwards, share your creations to your friends as a movie which shows your artwork as it unfolds.

Your friends also can add to your creation, turn it into something else and pass it back to you. The possibilities are endless! You can also view a gallery of other people's works.

Visit it here.

Now here's a contest for you Entrecarders out there. If you don't know what Entrecard is, I suggest you head on over here.

I have been in love with cartoons ever since I was a kid. Up to now, I still watch them with my son. :) So, here's a fun contest for all cartoon lovers out there. using the Artpad painter, draw your favorite cartoons/anime. Use the save and send feature and send your works to me at mcedesigns@gmail.com. State on the subject: "Cartoons Drawing Contest".

EDIT: if the save feature doesn't work an email of the screenshot would do just fine.

This is suppose to be fun, you don't have to be an artist to win, The funniest artwork will be voted upon by the readers. The prize? 1000 entrecredits to one lucky winner.

Each entry will appear with your name and a link back to your website. And also, by entering this contest you are giving me permission to post your artwork here for all the world to see.

here's my feeble attempt at drawing Spongbob! hehehe

So start emailing me your creations, this contest ends March 6, 2008. Voting of the winners will start the day after. Good luck guys!

Speechless Art - SPOKEN

Today is Speechless Art Wednesday. There are no reviews. No interviews. Just pure awe-inspiring art from a very talented artist I have stumbled upon while browsing the web. Enjoy and be inspired.

Artwork: Dead Color
via: http://www.diogoparrinha.net/

Mojizu

Mojizu.com is a cartoonist community where users can upload their own character or Moji and share them with the community and their friends.

Every month users can submit a maximum of 10 moji’s(cartoons), unless you subscribe for the premium plan in which can upload unlimited moji’s.


Each Moji that you submit is carefully showcased on the site. Users get to vote on individual Mojis and provide comments. They can also learn more about you from your profile page and see other Mojis that you have submitted. Mojizu runs regular ongoing competitions where the most popular Mojis win cash prizes for their creators.

Every Moji that is loaded on the site is immediately available in various merchandising formats that site visitors can purchase. As people see and vote on your Moji it will move up in the rankings and be merchandised in more and more ways, increasing your earnings potential. When you upload your Moji, we encourage you to submit it in as many formats as possible (wallpaper, Mojicon, avatar, etc…) in order to get the widest exposure.

To get started simply register for free now and set up your personal profile page and you can start showing off your characters on the site right away.”

Sign up for Free Here.

For other cool sites reviews, click here.

WorkRave

Just found this great program That is essential for Graphic Artists as well as anyone who uses the computer often. Its a free program called Workrave.


We spend ALOT of time with our eyes locked on our monitors, typing away madly at the keyboards, clicking our mouse around every so often. Let's face it, we're all working too hard. Aside from the fact that none of this typing and clicking seems to have reduced the amount of time we spend working, it has introduced other problems: lack of exercise, sore eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other repetitive strain injuries (RSI). The easy fix to these last problems is to take breaks, walk away from the computer, and do a couple of exercises.

Workrave is a free program that assists in the recovery and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The program monitors your activity. Using this information, It frequently reminds you to take breaks, and restricts you to your daily limit.

Micro-pauses
Studies have revealed that taking several short pauses an hour (i.e. micro-pauses) helps in keeping yourself healthy and help injuries to heal.


Subtle, yet persistent Workrave alerts you to take a break in an undisturbing manner. When it is time for your break, a friendly small popup window appears asking you to take a break. This window automatically moves out of the way if you keep on working. However, if you ignore these hints too often Workrave acts less friendly and pops up the break window for your own good. The break windows can be configured to completely block your Computer for the duration of the break.

Activity monitoring
Workrave continously monitors your keyboard and mouse activity. Hence, if you leave your computer running while you are at a meeting, Workrave will notice that you are taking a natural break from the computer.
Get this program here.

For more cool programs, click here.

Featured Artist for the Week - Virus69

Real Name: Igor Scekic

Please tell us a brief info about yourself.
My name is Igor Scekic. I'm 22(almost 23) years old student of Graphic design from Zagreb, Croatia. I like to be creative so I'm experimenting with traditional drawing, digital art and photography.

When did you first decide to become a graphic artist / illustrator?
Actually it started just for fun. About 4 years ago some friends of mine were making some stuff in Photoshop, nothing special, but I started to like this digital way of making art so I decided to try it by myself. it wasn't serious until two years ago when I started making my first surreal photo manipulations.

What do you prefer: mouse, tablet, brush or pen and ink? and why?
Definitely the tablet, because it is the more natural way of doing things than with the mouse. It allows more freedom in digital art than mouse. In traditional art, I prefer coloured pencils and watercolors...don't know why...maybe because I suck in other techniques. :)

Who or what inspires you?

Hm..it is hard to answer that. I find inspiration in works of other digital artists and also in works of some traditional artists as well like Dali, Magritte, Escher. Also I find inspiration in my thoughts, music, movies... Inspiration is all around us, we just need to open our eyes.

Where does your training come from? Self-taught? College/Art School?
Well I could say I'm self-taught. Most of the things that I know I learned by myself by experimenting, reading tutorials and examining other artists' works. At the university, I haven't learned anything special.

How do you keep "fresh" within your industry?
I try avoid trends and copying other's ideas.

What are your current projects?

I can't tell you all of them before they will be done. I'm making some stuff for the Evoke artgroup, one artwork for a magazine, some client works and there is something I can't tell you. :)

About the fallen angel piece, What's the story behind that piece?
This piece is about people who choosed the wrong way in their lives. Maybe they are beautiful from the outside, but their souls are ugly and ruined.

Which of your projects are you the most proud of? And why?
I don't know. I have a few pieces that are my favorites, but others don't find those pieces my best. But I can't say that I'm specially proud of something that I did because I have a lot of self criticism so I always find something on my piece that will bother me... My favorites are Where is Alice?, MindTrap and Celestial Alchemy because they are special to me in some way.

Are there any areas, techniques, mediums, projects in your field that you have yet to try?
Of course. In art there are endless possibilities and it is impossible to explore them all. I'd like to make some cool looking motion graphics. I'm really impressed with motion stuff because motion is always better than a still image. It could give you more information.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and avoid burn-out?
I'm not always so motivated, it depends on my mood. Sometimes I can't make anything for 2-3 weeks, and sometimes I'm so hyper productive that I make a lot photos, drawings and digital stuff in a week or so.

Finish this sentence. "If I weren't an artist/illustrator I would have been a...
porn star :) I don't know. as kid I always wanted to be a pirate or a rock star. I suppose it is impossible to be a pirate, so I could would have to say a rock star.

and finally, What advices/tips can you give to the novice designer/ illustrator?
Experiment, watch other's works and if something isn't going so well don't give up. keep on trying... and most important-CREATE DON'T STEAL.

(c) virus69.net - reproduced with permission

For commision works & other information, please contact him at:

website: http://virus69.deviantart.com/
http://virus69.net/

email: surrealisticdaydream@gmail.com

wanna be a featured artist?
email me at: mcedesigns@gmail.com
with the subject: interview request

For more featured artists, click here.

Masters of Paper Art - K. Hayashi

K. Hayashi is another great paper artist which hails from Japan. He makes some intricate papercrafts, mini sculptures made with different textured papers.

Title: Grand Voyage

Detailed view

Super Zoom



Title: CaramelDetailed View


His works tells a story. He captures my imaginations when I was a child. It's like going back to that time and place.

Title: Go ahead, Team Lantern!

Detailed View

Super Zoom


These pieces have to be seen up close to fully appreciate his amazing work! His works are very detailed and very colorful. Some even are motorized, with moving clockwork pieces.

Title: Summer friends



Title: Moon, Sun, Stars and Me

Detailed view of the Sun

Detailed view of the Moon

Detailed view of mechanism at the back

Super zoom

You can visit his gallery @ K.Hayashi's Gallery
there's also a tutorial there of how he made a very detail bicycle. Here (But it's in Japanese)