Artist Feature XI

Artist Feature #11

For this feature I would like to present Omar Arts.  I met Omar a few years back in Deviant Art and we both supported each other by LIKING each others Facebook pages.  We never really communicated to each other ever since, but I did keep following his latest new digital artwork he posted.  I admired his digital work because it motivated me to go back to basics with that medium.  Unless you're extremely gifted and talented, digital painting is very difficult.  Personally I believe digital art is more difficult medium than traditional art.  So I really take the time to look at artist's digital art like Omar's work and appreciate it.  Thoughts like, 'how long did it take him to finish this work?' or 'how did he accomplish painting this part of the painting?' run through my head. These thoughts really push me to go back and create digital art.



I had the chance to interview Omar and this is what he said.


Q: I like to ask this question to artists because we all started creating art at some point in our lives... so what is your story? Why do you create art? 

Omar:  I started creating art after being introduced to comics at a young age. I was just amazed at the comic artists where you're able to think up such creative characters. I believe my first drawing experience was me trying to draw an image from a batman comic.

Q: Your digital art is fantastic, not a lot of people understand how much time and hard work it takes to complete these wonderful artworks. What would you say is the biggest challenge in digital painting?

Omar:  Well thank you for the compliment, I personally wouldn't say my work is amazing. Haha. I think the biggest challenge in digital painting as well as painting in general is understanding the medium, learning to manipulate it and discovering what works for you...that's followed by understanding tone, value and lighting.

Q: I've seen how you've grown your skills and talents on each new digital painting you've created. How long would you say it took you to get this far? Do you think anybody can reach the same level as you?

Omar:  I think people can do whatever they set their minds to. I'm still relatively new to digital painting having only picked it up two years ago and it's not really a constant for me so I would say that anyone who is focused and motivated can reach my level and beyond.

Q: There are a lot of artists out there who are beginners in digital art. Do you have any advice for them?

Omar:  My advice is to keep it up, stay motivated, and watch loads of tutorials. Haha. Most importantly find out what works for you. Progress is a never ending journey. I've still got a long way to go with my digital as well as my traditional art and this is advice I live by as well.

Omar is heading in the right direction to become a very accomplished digital artist.  I hope his work inspires you as much as it did to me. I'm following his work and you can too in the following pages/blog!

   

"Progress is a never ending journey"

                                                        -Omar Arts

®Omar Arts. All Rights Reserved.

Artist Feature X

Artist Feature #10

I would like to present Hankó Renáta-Dalma for Artist Feature X. I met this artist in DeviantArt. From what I remember, she added one of my photographs as a favorite and so I always try to check out the gallery of those people who take the time to look at my artwork/add as a favorite. I'm glad that I did check out her gallery because her work is one of the rare ones that gets me inspired and raises my motivation to improve my own work.  Her macro photography is one of my favorites in her gallery and she captures these shots with such amazing depth of field. The dreamy and cinematic atmosphere that she creates in these shots are very well professionally done in my opinion.  The editing in her photography is her signature style and she should be very proud how far she has come with it.  I have no doubt that she will be an accomplished photographer in her future and I wish her the best of luck!

I had a chance to to have a small brief interview with her and this is what she had to say...

Q: Everyone has a story for why they create art, what's yours? 

HRD: First and foremost I create art to express my personal thoughts and feelings. It gives me an inner satisfaction, as if by making an image I can show little by little the world around me, the way I see it. Telling a story and making people think, "what’s the meaning behind this?” is what drives me forward.

Q: Do you have a favorite art medium(photoshop, drawing, painting, photograph, etc.) ?

HRD: Not entirely. As a kid I used to sketch, paint, draw, craft everything beside doing my homework ☺ But in the digital work I first started as a photo manipulator. Photoshop was my best friend and my ally. Along this path I started refining my photography skills, and from one day to another I fell in love with it. Sadly I left photomanipulating a little behind, but I still use PS for most of my photography images. Making them resemble more and more to my inner vision. Some say that I exaggerate a bit, that my images can’t be considered photography because of the excessive editing I do… well, I don’t care! Photography is a form of art, and art has no boundaries.

Q: From your humble beginning as an amateur photographer, I've seen how your photography improved dramatically at a professional level. How did you learn so much and increase your talents/skills?

HRD: I guess everybody starts their photographic journey in the backyard of their houses taking shots of flowers and insects! So did I. I embraced nature, I spent most of my spare time there, taking pictures of everything that lives and/or moves. I knew the rules of how to compose a picture, but most of them simply came without thinking, naturally.

Then, after a while I got to experience the beauty of still life photography, it opened up a new world in front of me. My priority became searching new and unique surroundings, objects and angles. But as all things come to an end, so did this! I started questioning myself, is this the best you can do?- this is when I decided that my new object is going to be me (myself) and my new medium - what else? - conceptual images! I can guarantee you that this is the manna of photography.

But, answering your question, the key to increase forward is questioning yourself. Always be your worst critic!


Q: As an artist, do you have any dreams and goals you want to achieve?


HRD: I haven’t thought about it. For the time being I have to concentrate on my studies, therefore I lose quality time with my camera  But still, the moment I’m done with my studies for the day I start thinking about the next concept that I want to illustrate. Trying something new every once in a while.
The recipe is simple: keep dreaming, inspire yourself from your surroundings, favorite music, true friends. Grab your camera and discover the world throughout its lens. May light be with you! Cuz’ that’s the essence of every photograph!



I've become a fan of her work and you can too by following her in any of her pages/galleries!

      

"Making people think, "what’s the meaning behind this?” is what drives me forward."

                                               - Hankó Renáta-Dalma 

©HRD Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Artist Feature IX

Artist Feature #9

This feature is a bit different as I stumbled across Carla Wysgala Illustrations through Society 6. Society 6 is a site where artists or anyone can sell prints.  One day I wanted to see if there was any Chicago Blackhawks prints. So I did a key word search for Chicago Blackhawks and saw this real nice watercolor painting print.  I decided to browse through the artist's print gallery and this person really impressed by her work. I'm curious to find out if most of the work was digitally or traditionally made.  Anyway, I hope you all enjoy looking at this artist's work as much as I did. 

You can check out the rest of her print gallery in the link below 

Carla Wyzgala Illustration - Society 6 Prints

Artist Feature VIII

Artist Feature #8

It's been almost a month since the last time I've feature someone and here is my latest one.  I would like to introduce Michaela Forbus for this feature. She is a student in the photography field and I am grateful to have stumbled across her gallery because she has some amazing work that I believe deserves more attention.  Michaela's photo shots of animals is what impressed me the most.  It really reminds me of photos from the National Geographic Magazine.  There are other shots like the one below(the one with the lady laying down) where the depth of field is pretty awesome.

Check out them images I believe are the best from her gallery and I hope you enjoyed looking at them as much as I did!  You can check out the rest of gallery by clicking in the icons below or you can support her by following her work!

   

Artist Feature VII

Artist Feature #7

I would like to present Ivan Cardiel aka 'DJ ICey' for artist/business feature #7.  He is a cousin of mine who has been working on his DJ business services for several years.  DJ ICey & DJ Teezie DJ Service originated in Windsor, CA and since then has DJ'd in all the surrounding areas. They have even gone out of Sonoma County to provide their DJ service in Sacramento, Concord, Pittsburg, Monterrey, and more! DJ ICey and DJ Teezie DJ Service has also been known to do voluntary events for the California Academic Decathlon State competition in Sacramento.  

A little over a year ago I asked him if I could help him redesign his logo. He happily accepted and I came up with the logo that you can see in the above image.  Here is a brief interview to answer some questions about his services and about himself.

Q: So how long have you been doing this for?

DJ ICey: Well I have been doing it since I was a junior in High School (2006) and I've been getting better throughout the years. I started with CDs and then moved on to using Serato with DJ controls. I do DJ with my friend Tomas Salinas once in a while but its hard since we live three hours away from each other.

Q: What type of events do you usually go out to DJ?

DJ ICey: I DJ mostly for private events including weddings, quinceaneras, bautizos, and school events (fraternity/sorority events).

Q: And what type of music do you play?

DJ ICey: Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap, Reggaeton, Techno, Dance, Electro, Cumbias, Banda, Corridos, Merengue, Pop Latino, Hyphy, Jerking, Baladas, Tribal, Rancheras, and much MORE!!!  

Here's a two mixes from his soundcloud page.

Other pages to check out

Make sure to check out his main page Mixcrate where he has all his latest mixes!

You can also find him on Soundcloud and Facebook page.
Click on the icons below to follow him and if you want to contact him, click on the yahoo icon!

One last thing, if you want to listen 'ON THE GO', DJ ICey has a free app available!

Click Below for the FREE mobile App

Artist and Business Feature VI

Artist and Business Feature #6

I would like to present Brandie Gonzales, she is a beginner in the art field who has a bright future ahead of her.  Her creative work includes painting, drawing, photography, wood burning art, poems and much more!  I have been watching her work and she reminds me of myself when I was younger in my early days of creativity.  Below are the the top artwork's I chose from her gallery.  If you enjoy what you see, then mask sure to check out the rest of her gallery/work.

She is also working with her mom in a small business her mom has started.  They sell homemade goat milk soaps, these all natural soaps won't leave your skin all dry, itchy, or destroy your skin cells like most soaps that you buy at stores. So if you have any problems with major brands of soaps, check out these goat milk soaps. They also sell other homemade products that may be an interest for you.  

Links:

Small Business (Etsy)

Twitter

Facebook Page

DeviantArt