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Sasha…you are currently a full-time art student, and run your online art business, and have what appears to be several major art projects (including a book) in the works…how do you manage it all, allocate time for each in your days?
That does sound like a lot, now that I think about it! Art and business are my two greatest passions in life (travel is my third). Because I love both disciplines so much, I find it very enjoyable to pursue them with all my time and energy. School is tough, but, as they say, time flies when you’re having fun!
2. I see you do traditional as well as digital art…do you prefer one medium more than the other, does one come more naturally to you, and why?
I definitely prefer using traditional mediums for my paintings and illustrations. I find it takes me much less time to complete a picture traditionally than it does digitally (especially when it comes to things like inking an image). I also suffer from tendonitis when I’m on the computer too long which is actually the main thing preventing me from doing a lot of work digitally. My favourite mediums to work with are Winsor Newton Watercolours, Copic Sketch Markers, a pen with a nib and India Ink, and my trusty bic mechanical pencil.
3. You live in Vancouver, British Columbia—very beautiful country! Do you draw much of your inspiration from your surroundings? (I’m often curious if you take an artist out of their beautiful location, if it stifles their ability to create.)
Thank you! Yes, we are renowned for our mountains, trees, city, and torrential rainy weather. I think the thing that inspires me most about my surroundings is the greenery. I didn’t realize how much it meant to me until I went to Europe. The thing I missed most about home were the lush tree-lined streets, and beautiful mountains and the view of the ocean. We tend to take things for granted and only truly appreciate them when they’re gone. I’m not sure how leaving my surroundings would affect my art. I think that I would try and use the change positively though and let it flow through my work.
4. Please tell us about your coming book project collaboration with other artists! You seem very confident of your projected follow-through plan for it. Are you intimidated at all by the amount of work involved? Do you have established plans for marketing it?
The book project is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. My sense of confidence in the project comes from the talented artists involved, and the vision of the finished book I see in my mind’s eye. I have confidence in my ability to create unique and professional page layouts, and to blend all of our pieces together. I plan to make a different page template for each section of the book to keep it uniform and to ‘recycle’ it so that my work is cut down. I’m actually looking forward to designing the page layouts and working on the design part of the book. If I weren’t a fantasy artist myself, I think this is a career I would be interested in pursuing in an alternate universe.
The daunting part, that will surely test my ingenuity, is the publication. It involves a lot of shameless grunt work. I’m going make cold calls to agents, publishers, and book distributors; I’m going to send out draft manuscripts, and hopefully meet with some publishers and give them our pitch. I am lucky to have the added advantage of being in a program with teachers who are actually in the industries of art, illustration, design, and publication, and will hopefully give me feedback and contacts to call.
It may take a while (and immense determination), but I’m convinced that this dream is possible. I’m very serious and passionate about making a professional, worthwhile product and pitching it to major players in the publishing industry.
*I have also had some artists offer to help put everything together, and I really appreciate it. This is a team project to the core. Something that will hopefully launch us into the public eye and inspire others. Are you excited? I’m excited.*
5. In an industry genre often referred to as “over-saturated”, what do you feel you do to stand-out and be unique? What must anyone do to stand out and be unique?
Here’s what I try to do:
One, have kick ass art that competes with established artists. Take what inspires you (whether it be from life, imagination, other artwork) and translate it into something unique and personal.
Two, determination; never give up! Always draw draw draw! You are constantly improving.
Three, promote yourself in any way you can. Make a personal website, put your artwork up on sites like our Fae Forum, or Deviantart, participate in local markets and contests.
Four, be yourself and let your awesome personality shine. Have a strong online identity and you are less likely to be forgotten.
6. Artists are so much more than their art. Who are you besides an artist–what other interests/hobbies/quirks/unique peculiarities?
I really love watching a good movie, having a strong cuppa joe or a soothing green tea, camping and kayaking, being nuzzled by my kitten, eating white cheddar popcorn, organizing my bedroom, reading the latest young adult fantasy novel, and carrying on with my crazy market pals.
7. Have you ever worked jobs other than art, and if so, what?
I’ve had a few. I worked in a movie theatre selling popcorn to the masses, at a grocery store as a demo girl, and selling soap at the market I work at now for my mom. I can’t wait until my artwork becomes my full time career.
8. Did you always know you wanted to be an artist? What tipped your scales into going to art school? What advice would you give other artists trying to decide about whether to go to art school or not?
No. In fact, I never called myself an artist until I decided to go down that career path. I have a great love for history and archaeology (and Indiana Jones lol) and was convinced I wanted to be an archaeologist. When I got out of high school I took some college courses and discovered that I was more engaged in my drawing and doodling than my classes and school work. Then I did a little soul searching and decided I wanted to become an artist; specifically an illustrator (which I needed to be educated for to enter the industry).
My advice to those artists that want to pursue a full time career in the arts to definitely go to school. At school you get to use state of the art equipment, and are taught by people who work in the industry and have important knowledge to pass on. Also, you have the opportunity to make connections with like-minded people and key industry pros that could lead to future career opportunities.
From my experience, art school is divided into two groups; artists and designers. Artists are, to be cliche, those funky, expressive people, who are more about the message than superficial looks of the piece itself. They want to share their messages (such as environmental, social, and political issues) with people in shows and public places. They focus on experimentation and ideas, and are generally into modern art. Designers, on the other hand, focus more so on the aesthetics of a piece. They create art that can be used in commercial work and publication or even galleries (such as a company logo or an illustration for a magazine or a group art show). Figure out which side you fit in, and choose your courses/program from there.
9. If the world did not have the internet, how do you imagine you’d be marketing your art?
The internet has been an amazing asset to artists. To be honest, I’m not sure how artists marketed themselves in the past. I imagine their success depended on connections, exposure, and luck.
10. Is there subject matter you’ve not attempted yet to paint that you wish to, and if so, what?
I’m trying to work on more pieces that involve characters interacting with each other. Like hugging, kissing, or walking together… It really challenges me! I’m also practising painting backgrounds. I would really like to get a convincing old craggy stone effect like other artists I admire do.
11. What other artists (living or deceased) have had the most lasting effects on you in developing your own style and why?
When it comes to colour, style, and mediums, I’m most inspired by Kmye-Chan, Lois Van Baarle, Nati Pierandrei, Stephanie Law, Antonio Gaudi, and Alphonse Mucha. I love the Art Nouveau feel and careful colouring and textures created by these artists, and hope to emulate a similar style in my own.
12. Does the most rewarding compensation from others for your art come via sales or appreciative compliments? What drives you most to create art? Is it for you, or for others?
I really appreciate thoughtful comments on my work. Even if they aren’t compliments, the fact that something I drew made someone stop and say or write something to me… that’s just too cool. When I was younger, I drew to express the characters and worlds running through my imagination. Since I started posting my work on the internet and gaining a small following of online friends and admirers, I find that I am driven to create art for them. I want to hear what they think and feel about what I’ve made.
I feel most confident when I’m drawing or painting something. I feel totally in my zone.
~Sasha Fitzgerald
