
The idea behind HP: [link]
Hey Gang!
After a long hiatus we are back with an interview I promised a ways back. Claudia
Claudia was one of our earliest contributors with the Third Hand:
..::Introductions::..
Hitote Project: Hey, Claudia! Tell us a bit about yourself.
Claudia Sutton: Hi, Im Claudia. Simply complex, game-loving, movie-going, bubble bath-enjoying, tea-drinking, happy Claudia.
..::Art::..
HP: When did you know you wanted to do art professionally?
CS: In grade school, I wanted to be a Disney princess animator. Then in college it changed to concept artist for games or film.

HP: Are you self-taught or institution-educated in the ways of art?
CS: Both. Early art lessons came from Mom and other relatives. In high school, I took a lot of specialty art classes such as independent studies. I was actually sent to the principals office to explain what I was doing in so many art classes. I told him that I wanted to be a professional artist, but he did not believe me. Then there was college; I studied a year and a half at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, MI as an animator before transferring to The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. There, I received a BFA in Character Animation and was nominated Valedictorian for the Undergraduate Class.
HP: What are your major influences? In that same vein, what really inspires you to hit the drawing board?
CS: Life! People, places, culture, entertainment. I find that I am most inspired when I see good art. This includes watching movies, reading books, playing games, going to museums and seeing a city for the first time. Like I said before, Disney was a big inspiration growing up. Video games like Zelda and Mario were as well.

HP: Who do you look up to as an artist? Is there someone you are dying to work with?
CS: I look up to a lot of people. Mostly elders, people that teach you a lot and make you grow as a person as well as an artist. My family and friends are a perfect example of this. As far as well-known artists are concerned, I appreciate the works of Akihiko Yoshida, Tetsuya Nomura, Alan Lee, Tim Burton, Glen Keane, Iain McCaig and Shigeru Miyamoto.
HP: What would you do if you weren't an artist? What is #2 on the "what I wanna be when I grow up" list?
CS: People always made me feel like being an artist was like saying you were going to be a famous actor or something, and they would come out with statements like thats nice, good luck with that. So I had a backup plan because sometimes I would let what people had said get to me. Science was a favorite, as were geology and astronomy, but I always knew the artist thing would work.

HP: What is your dream job?
CS: I dont really have one. A job isnt the only thing in life; its just a job. I worked as a concept artist in the games industry and am currently working as a freelance artist. Recently, I did work for White Wolfs Vampire: The Requiem RPG. The new Clan books with my work will be out on shelves in April and May 2008. A current dream of mine is to travel the world, and Im working on that one.
..::The Process::..
HP: Can you describe your process?
CS: Ha! Im all over the place. I like to change things up a lot, but the general Claudia process is: start with some brainstorming and research first, then do a pencil or col-erase drawing on 8.5x11 paper, scan it, and then paint in Photoshop at about 300 resolution.
HP: What tools (materials, mediums, programs) are you most comfortable with? Which ones do you want to learn? Which ones do you hate?
CS: #2 yellow pencils are the greatest, right?! Col-erase pencils too . And eraser toppers, tooyup, the little colorful ones from my school days. I like working on 8.5x11 or 11x14 paper and painting in Photoshop. I really need to do more 3D work. I want to get back into Maya and start modeling and animating again. I am not a big 3D Studio fan because I was taught in Maya, but I need to work on my flexibility.
HP: What was the idea behind your Hitote Project submission?
CS: It illustrates me trying to capture the essence of who I am. Some parts I never understand or slip away though my fingertips, but with every piece that I seize... I learn more about myself. Ha Ha Ha! (cut and paste from my blog) But really, its about growing and learning as a person.

..::Important Questions::..
HP: What is your favorite a) Movie? B) Videogame? C) Television Program?
CS: God, too many.
Movies: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Princess Bride, Edward Scissorhands, and old Disney movies.
Games: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Final Fantasy XII, Soul Calibur II, and Rock Band.
TV: None really. I dont watch TV much at all. However, Buffy: the Vampire Slayer was pretty cool; I just finished watching that.
HP: If you were trapped in a city decimated by a Zombie attack and had to choose three people (no friends or family) to get out alive, who would they be?
CS: Will Smith? He kills lots of things in movies, and raps. Lets bring DJ Jazzy Jeff too. And ummm yeah umm Steve Carell. I think they would be a fun bunch to counter Zombie attacks.

..::Closing Words::..
HP: What do you feel is the most important element in your art?
CS: The mood. This can be expressed through color, emotion, lighting, composition or whatever else helps bring feeling to the artwork.
HP: How is the art you do relevant in the current world?
CS: Art is entertaining, whether it be happy, sad, pretty, evil, etc. I hope people see my art and feel something. Thats what its all about.
HP: Any advice for up and coming artists trying to hone their craft?
CS: Practice. Oh yeah Practice some more. Thats really what it comes down to, the more time spent on something the better you get!
Thank you for the sit-down Claudia!
And thanks to everyone for reading and we will see you next time... sometime soon!
HP










Best of luck to you.
--
Keep your mind open and everything else in perspective.
--
"Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality."
~Ritcher Abend (Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
--
...recuerda que un guerrero, toma todo como un desafío...
[link]
[link]
This place accecpts hand art work?
--
~ Need help getting page views,check hear Deviantart FAQ 7.No ~
""you are what you repeatedly do-"
--
"Love thy neighbor - and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier."
Mae West
I will do my hand entry!
--
WELCOME
TO MY
BLOG
+++
[link]
--
progress is living.....
- Javier Cruz Winnik
.....just keep swimming, just keep swimming
--
Better to burn out than to fade away [link]
Previous Page12345...Next Page