#Artist Interviews

[thedragonagebigbang]

Bang Creator Interview: Tumblr: @greypetrel  |  AO3: stridingcorgi  

The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!

Q&A with Arja

What is your favorite origin?

Definitely the Mahariel one. I do think that all the origins in DA:O are well done and well thought, I do love the Tabris one. But there's something in Mahariel that makes me prefer it over every other one in all three games for how it drags into the game and cause -for me- quite a different view on the events of the game.

Mahariel, as a blank character, has not the same drive of all the other Origins to enter the Grey Wardens. Oh, sure, the alternative is dying... But it's sad that you *can't* take that alternative. You can't choose, you are still forced to go through with the ritual even if it's not your character's choice. There's nothing personal at stake for them, nothing that makes entering the Grey Wardens the best option. If Cousland dies, the family dies with them, Aeducan needs to settle things up, Brosca and Tabris would be caught and imprisoned, Amell and Surana punished with Jowan. Mahariel could lay in a ditch and die: they saw in a day their best friend/love interest possibly die, the clan doesn't want to look for him, not even to bury his body, you're kicked out of the clan and made to follow the convenient Grey Warden that was passing through.

And sure, the Blight would eventually reach the Sabrae clan as well if unchecked... But what has Mahariel to do with politics in Fereldan? What does Mahariel even care for a country that offers them as a boon for saving everything a patch of blighted land to the Dalish, a castle full of darkspawn to them as a thank you?

I do love how detached Mahariel is, it's more subtle of a tragedy as all the other origins, but... I see a small margin of win in all other origins. For Mahariel it's mostly losing. And losing, and losing and losing again, for a country that never cared and won't start caring now. I love how it's the origin that makes you see Duncan and Eamon as mainly negative figures, against the others. Duncan is the one that took away your choices and forced you to enter a cult, the one who left your friend for dead and didn't look behind. Eamon just uses you, as well as he uses Alistair. It may be more subtle on angst levels, but it's pervasive, you have a character with nothing much at stake and I'm chewing on this.

Forgive me the TED talk, I tried to keep it brief but I'm into an Origins replay and *I have thoughts*, ahahahah.

What is your favorite subject to draw or paint?

What I like to find and explore in any consumption of media: characters. I love to explore different sides of humanity (or lack thereof in a safe environment such as fiction - and we all know that liking villains in fiction doesn't equate to liking the same set of behaviours in real life, right?).

I tend to overconcentrate on expressions, characters and their emotion: how do they react to a certain environment, another character they're interacting with, a situation they're facing? That's what I like to draw. I come from comics, and storytelling keeps being important even in illustrations. Adding small details, focusing on the expression, that's my jam.

On a more trivial matter: I do *love* exploring clothes and different styles of dresses! It's a research every time and learning something new, which I really love. It tells a lot on the nature of a character: where do they come from, their personality, how practical they are, how showy, how much time they're willing to spend doing their hair in the morning... It's all connected to storytelling, still. Plus the research. I love researching.

And I do love painting dramatic lights best! Stark sunsets, bonfires under the moonlight...

What drew you to tackle a Big Bang?

The collaboration part, mainly.

Art can be a pretty solitary occupation, and even if I'm lucky to have friends whom I can talk with, and being private enough not to care a bit about fandom popularity... I do love a good collaboration and trying myself to illustrate something written by another person as the fic is being worked upon sounded really appealing.

So, the collaboration and meeting new people: fandom is for the community and for all "playing" together with something we all share and love, exchanging points of views and interpretations of the same character, hype each other and be merry together. I'm not the best at the social part, I'm shy, but the environment seemed focused enough on keeping interactions positive and constructive, and avoid drama, that I decided to take a try. I'm very happy I did and I can't wait to see the whole thing finished and see what the others have come up with. For the meanwhile I'm very excited about the fic I'm illustrating, and I hope it'll show in the final piece.

[eggwhiteswithspinach]

Art was my safe space, when I draw I forget everything and it helped me through life difficulties.

ARTIST INTERVIEWS

[papierexperimente]

Blog guest: Illustrator Isabelle Bühler

See also: 

www.isabellebuehler.ch

www.instagram.com/isabelle_buehler_illustration

Many thanks for the great interview 🧡 ! 

1. Wie würden Sie Ihren Illustrationsstil beschreiben?

Von der Technik her habe ich keinen bestimmten Stil, ich mache sowohl rein digitale Vektorillustrationen als auch handgefertigte Scherenschnitte, welche ich dann abfotografiere. Oder gerade kürzlich habe ich für ein Magazin eine Serie von Illustrationen aquarelliert. Ich versuche bei jedem Auftrag die zum Inhalt passende Umsetzungsform, bzw. Technik zu wählen. Allen Illustrationen gemeinsam ist vielleicht, dass die Bildidee für mich eine grosse Wichtigkeit hat.

2. Haben Sie Tipps gegen eine Kreativitätsblockade?

Wenn der Einstieg in ein neues Projekt schwierig ist, dann finde ich es am hilfreichsten, wenn man einfach mal ohne konkretes Ziel irgendwo anfängt. Während des Arbeitsprozesses kommen manchmal plötzlich Ideen, auf die man durch reines Nachdenken nie gekommen wäre. Wenn man im Prozess selber nicht mehr weiterkommt, oder sich im Kreis dreht, dann würde ich nicht zu viel Zeit an diesem Punkt verschwenden, sondern abbrechen und etwas ganz anderes machen, z.B. rausgehen, sich bewegen, Sport treiben oder einfach mal darüber schlafen. Mit etwas Abstand geht es dann meistens wieder weiter. Manchmal hilft es auch, mit Kollegen oder Kolleginnen darüber zu reden, um einen anderen Blick auf die eigene Arbeit zu bekommen.

4. Können Sie uns durch Ihren kreativen Prozess führen? Wie entsteht eine Illustration von der Idee bis zur Fertigstellung?

Ich beginne eine neue Arbeit immer recht klassisch, also mit Skizzieren. Das mache ich meistens nicht in meinem Atelier, sondern irgendwo in einem Café, einer Bibliothek oder auf einer Parkbank. Ich möchte den ersten Strich nicht am Computer machen. Ich scribble einfach drauf los, was mir zum Briefing alles so einfällt. Das sieht meistens schlimm aus, aber ich suche damit in einem ersten Schritt eine gute Idee. Sobald ich ein paar Ideen habe, mache ich erste Entwürfe am Computer. Meistens zeige ich dem Kunden drei davon zur Auswahl. Wenn man einen Entwurf selber nicht gut findet, dann sollte man ihn gar nicht mitschicken, weil der (fast) immer ausgewählt wird 😉. Nachdem ein Entwurf das Rennen gemacht hat, mache ich die finale Umsetzung in der Technik, welche am besten zur Bildidee passt. Die Umsetzungsphase dauert bei mir meistens weniger lang als die Entwurfsphase. 

Interview: Sham Al Masri und Amina Makhlouki

Illustration and photos: Isabelle Bühler (Flowers&Art, Franz Kafka, Pigeon by Night, Frida Kahlo)

[beebfreeb]

An Interview with Dot.

[vinnylignes]

Learn from the Best: An Exclusive Interview with JustEVN, the Up-and-Coming EDM Artist in New Jersey and New York

INTRO

Some musicians stand out as trailblazers in the dynamic realm of electronic dance music (EDM), influencing the nightlife and thrilling audiences with each beat. One of those artists is JustEVN, a newcomer to the NJ and NY EDM scenes. Originally from my hometown, he has transitioned from DJing frat parties at Rutgers to organizing clubs and events in busy urban settings. I chatted with JustEVN today to learn more about his career, which included making a reputation for himself in the competitive music scene and spinning songs for college pals. This is a narrative that speaks to anybody who wants to make their passion their career, not only aspiring DJs.  Here is our conversation!

Vinny: JustEVN, nice seeing you again! To start, can you tell us a bit about how you first got into DJing?

JustEVN: What's up, Vinny. Music has always appealed to me, especially deep-beat music. I used to mix music on my laptop for fun when I was younger. However, things didn't truly come together until college. To be honest, I initially started DJing at frat parties just for my pals. Seeing how everyone responded to my sets at those gatherings gave me the realization that this was more than just a pastime.

Vinny: Haha I bet those frat parties were a pretty fun time! How did those early gigs shape your style as a DJ?

JustEVN: Undoubtedly crazy! (Giggles) I learned how to read a crowd a lot from playing in that sort of setting. Everyone is there to have fun at a frat party, and if a song doesn't work, they'll let you know. I thus learnt to combine fast and maintain the energy. I first became interested in trap and bass-heavy music—music that just gets people moving—there. Even after I began playing in more "professional" situations, I continued to rely on that foundation.

Vinny: It's amazing how those experiences paved the way for bigger stages. As someone from our hometown, did you feel any particular support or challenges when starting out here?

JustEVN: As someone from a tiny community, I had to work extra hard to make an impression. To be honest, though, there was a lot of local support. Friends would tell others, and I would be hired for home parties, small gatherings, and more. However, landing performances in larger places and escaping that cocoon became a hurdle. It's been a combination of hard work and community support; when people have faith in you, they encourage you to take greater chances.

Vinny: What’s been one of your most memorable gigs so far?

JustEVN: My first New York club show, I'd say. Of course I was anxious. People were anticipating something more sophisticated than a shabby party set because the gathering was larger. However, it felt amazing after I settled into the flow. It seemed as though all of the preparation and effort had paid off that one evening when you saw the crowd move and heard them applaud. I realized then that I wanted to keep improving and developing in this scene.

Vinny: I love hearing how passionate you are about performing! Especially in such varying venues, how do you strike a balance between being true to your original approach and accommodating other audiences?

JustEVN: That’s a good question.  As I perform for new audiences, I strike a balance between remaining loyal to my roots and developing. Although I've learnt to be versatile with genres, my approach is still high-energy and heavily influenced by bass. For instance, I'll move a little while maintaining the same vibe if I'm in an area where people are more interested in houses or garages. No matter the location, I want people to know that it's a "JustEVN set," you know?

Vinny: Absolutely. So, what's next for JustEVN? Any big plans for the future?

JustEVN: I'm in the process of putting out some unique music. I've been concentrating more on live performances up to this point, but I believe it's time to start producing. I want to contribute something fresh to the scene that combines all of the inspirations I've absorbed throughout the years. In the future, I hope to tour—possibly even outside of the United States—and introduce my sound to a worldwide audience.

Conclusion

As our discussion came to an end, I couldn't help but be eager to see what JustEVN will do next. His path from small-town college parties to the stages of big clubs is a testament to the strength of perseverance, dedication, and maintaining one's composure. JustEVN's narrative serves as a reminder to people who are motivated to follow their own aspirations: every great artist begins somewhere, and with commitment and community support, they can make a lasting impression. So, stay tuned—JustEVN is only beginning, and if his story is any indication, the best is still to come.

[galleryoffish]

Just posted the first article to the Gallery of Fish, entitled “What Doth Art” (did you catch the reference?”. You can find it at https://krankerfishofficia.wixsite.com/galleryoffish/post/what-doth-art

[zamanassad]

vampire with a pearl earring

[shuploc]

Another Armand piece 🩸

[thedragonagebigbang]

Bang Creator Interview: Tumblr: @raflesia65  |  AO3: Raflesia65

The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!

Interview with Raflesia

Reflesia and Dema talk Italian Dragon Age (in brief: everyone petition Bioware for Italian voiceover immediately), favorite fanworks, and Cullistair <3

Dema: As an Italian artist and DA fan, what were the games like for you? Are they subtitled or dubbed? Do you find much fanwork in Italian?

Raflesia: The games are subtitled, it would have been so beautiful if they had been dubbed. Unfortunately, there are very few fanworks in Italian. I have only read two fanfictions and that's it. We Italians, we find ourselves communicating rarely in our language, otherwise we use English.

Dema: I would download a dubbed Italian DA:I immediately. Give me Solas in Italian or give me death. When did you start getting involved in this fandom?

Raflesia: In 2016 I joined Tumblr after playing DA:I, because I wanted to see fanart and read fanfiction, but I was a silent user, I was too shy to communicate.  The real start was 2020 when I started drawing again.

Dema: What was the subject of the first DA piece you did?

Raflesia: My first work was for a fic by Aurlana. She writes a lot of Cullistair fic and I accepted even if at the time I didn't feel ready, but she encouraged me a lot and from there I never stopped drawing. The work was a kiss between Cullen and Alistair.

Dema: Ah, so lovely! Have you been drawing all your life? How did you learn?

Raflesia: As a girl I designed a lot because it has always been my passion. I did not attend an art school, I am self -taught, I studied as a medical laboratory technician, but the love for drawing never left me, even if for several years I did not take a pencil in my hand. Life sometimes takes you elsewhere. But thanks to Aurlana and thanks to Covid I started again and now I have no intention to stop.

Dema: Are you primarily a digital artist or do you use traditional media? 

Raflesia: Before I had only drawn in pencil, then my husband gave me a Wacom One and I discovered digital art, which I liked very much. In fact now I only draw like this, and I use a Cintiq.

Dema: Are there any artists who inspire you?

Raflesia: Yes, looking at their works, I feel motivated to improve. The artists are Starsandskies (Lùa), Elenachatnoir and Kemvee.

Dema: What about their art appeals to you?

Raflesia: Kemvee, like me, loves Cullen, and he has a difficult face to draw, so I was attracted to her drawings to learn. While for the other two artists they are very good in the coloring and positions of the body.

Dema: What is your process like, for this Big Bang art piece? Are you sketching a lot first, collecting inspiration images, writing, something else?

Raflesia: For my piece of art for the Big Bang I looked for a reference that would help me realize what I imagined doing, and immediately I designed a sketch, then I will go to the Lineart and finally to the coloring.

Dema: Are you feeling excited for your idea?

Raflesia: Yes, I love to draw couples in a romantic attitude.

Dema: What is your favorite Dragon Age pairing?

Raflesia: I love the Cullen/Alistair couple and the fault is all Aurlana who made me love them with her writings. I love Cullen very much and I love him with my inquisitor too.

Dema: Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today, Raflesia! Especially with the time difference. It's been lovely and I hope you have a good night!

Raflesia: It was pleasant for me too!

[chuckhistory]

What is the Suspicious Package Project all about?

[jamiroclips]

[jellyfish-confetti]

I'm trying to get back into the groove of things. I am currently diving headfirst into one of my oldest hyper fixations. I finished this a few days ago after taking too long to work on it, but well....

[tapiocats]

You’re a star, Claudia