One Million Project Magazine

Name three artists you’d like to be
compared to.
Michael Whelan, Frank Frazetta, Chris Foss.
There’s so many others I can name, I don’t
paint or draw like any of them. I paint and
draw like me, but it sure would be awesome to
be compared to them.
Professionally, what’s your goal?
I met it. I put a roof over my family’s head and
lived in a very affluent part of the country
while I worked as a professional artist. It didn’t
last unfortunately. I had over twenty-five good
years as a professional artist. I made a lot of
profits for my employers. Now my goal is to
succeed just as well on my own. It’s not happening
yet, but there’s always the next story or
next piece of art.
What’s integral to the work of an
artist?
Flexibility, taking criticism constructively, and
improving, always improving.
What role does the artist have in society?
We visualize dreams for people. We’re responsible
for every graceful curve and splash of
color that catches the eye. If it’s not us, it’s
mother nature herself.
What is an artistic outlook on life?
Find the beauty in everything. Turn away from
ugliness, whether it’s in ugly speech or narrow
minded prejudice.
What art do you most identify with?
I see myself as a fantasy artist. I love to lose
myself in the countless scales on a dragon’s
hide or the detailed lace of a fairy wing. I can
look at that kind of artwork for days and days.
Is the artistic life lonely? What do
you do to counteract it?
Not necessarily lonely. I work alone now, but I
have many fond memories of working collaboratively
with other artists. Nothing can be
more challenging and fun than matching styles
with another artist and producing a work that
merges the efforts of two or more artists. I
love to bring people into what I am doing as I
am doing it. I post my works in progress on
my Facebook page to get feedback all along
the way.
Copyright © 2016 by OMP Magazine Publishing